US company makes alternative to snow chains

ERJ staff report (DS)

Ider, Alabama -- A US-based company called Navimetrix has developed an alternative to tyre chains, called Snobootz. The fabric-based products use rubber and steel elements to provide grip on snow.

The product features rubber traction pads bonded to the fabric boot. The pads are embedded with steel cleats for aggressive ice traction. Snobootz fits the most popular sizes of tyres on cars and light trucks.The rubber pads are made from a tyre tread rubber compound. The pads are formed on a fabric base. The fabric is a PVC-coated nylon cloth that resists abrasion well and remains flexible to -40°F.

“The installation of Snobootz is simple and straightforward,” said Lammon. “The driver simply drapes the boot over the tire, drives forward a few feet, then latches the hook-and-loop fastener which holds the boot to the tire.”

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Press release from Navistar