How Does a Slipp-Nott Traction Base Stack Up Against a Competing Brand?
We make our traction bases with quality materials & attention to detail, providing the best traction-enhancing and injury-prevention system for indoor court sports like basketball and volleyball.
We’re always curious to see what the competition is up to, so when we heard a competitor had begun selling a new athletic traction base, we decided to get our hands on one to see if we had anything to worry about. Well, immediately after unboxing the product, we knew right away we had nothing to fear.
When it comes to quality, they say the devil is in the detail, but when it comes to Slipp-Nott, there are several details!
We’re always curious to see what the competition is up to, so when we heard a competitor had begun selling a new athletic traction base, we decided to get our hands on one to see if we had anything to worry about. Well, immediately after unboxing the product, we knew right away we had nothing to fear.
Competitors often cut corners with cheaper material on the back of their traction bases
The back of the base is one area where manufacturers can cut costs with cheaper material, so we decided to do a back-to-back comparison.
In this photo, we have a small Slipp-Nott base on the right and a competing brand’s base of the same size on the left.
When basketball players step on and off a traction mat, the last thing they need is the base sliding across and scratching the floor. That’s why bases need some sort of grippy material underneath.
The backing of a small Slipp-Nott base consists of a rubber-like material called thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). With its high performance and ease of processing and recyclability, TPE has actually become the preferred material of a growing number of designers.
Our competitor, however, uses inexpensive, foam area rug padding. While this does provide the friction needed to keep the base securely on the floor, it won’t hold together for very long!
Foam area rug padding wears out quickly under a traction base
That’s because foam wasn’t designed to be strong enough as a foundation for a traction base, something that will be constantly moving around. As a result, it’ll start to deteriorate and flake apart from the first time you use the base!
Foam backings aren’t heavy enough to keep a base from lifting off the floor as the athlete’s shoe steps off the traction mat
In addition to not being sturdy enough, foam area rug padding is too lightweight for a sports traction base. This thin, light netting of foam is great if you want to hold a rug in place without adding any thickness. But it doesn’t provide the weight needed for a base.
Think about it: When an athlete steps on a traction mat, the base has to be heavy enough to resist being lifted as he/she steps off. Based on our internal tests, a small base should weigh approximately 3.75 pounds or more if it’s to stay put on the floor.
Slipp-Nott traction bases are heavier than our competitors’
A small Slipp-Nott base, with its TPE backing, weighs 3.9 lbs. Our competitor’s base with foam area rug padding, on the other hand, weighs 3.4 lbs.
Half a pound may seem trivial at first glance, but it really does make a difference in keeping the base firmly on the floor. When a base is lifted by the athlete’s shoe by even just a few fractions of an inch, this creates a trip hazard. Would you want to expose your team to the unnecessary risk of injury?
Now let’s look at another detail that makes a big difference in quality…
Slipp-Nott traction bases feature smooth, rounded edges around the handle for a comfortable grip
Since starting the company in 1987, we’ve kept ergonomics in mind by finishing our base with rounded edges.
This may seem like a minor aspect not worth fussing over – but when you’re the one responsible for lugging around your team’s equipment, you’ll definitely appreciate the comfortable grip of a Slipp-Nott base handle!
Take a look at that photo of a Slipp-Nott handle versus our competitor’s and ask yourself which you’d rather carry.
And while we’re looking at the handle, let’s flip the bases over and examine the backs:
We manufacture traction mats with one goal: To provide customers with the best traction-enhancing and injury-prevention system.
Remember what we said about quality being about attention to detail? Well, in addition to our handle’s fully rounded edges, compare the two backs.
Check out this photo. Our competitor’s base at the top shows foam area rug padding that appears to have been carelessly slapped on.
Compare this to the Slipp-Nott base’s TPE backing, and you’ll see the same smooth, rounded edges on the front of the handle also on the back. That’s because when it comes to ergonomics, we don’t like to skimp!
Once again, we’ve confirmed Slipp-Nott remains light years ahead of our competition in terms of product quality and customer service
Attention to detail is what sets us apart from the competition, so it’s no surprise that Slipp-Nott is the preferred traction system among professional athletes. In fact, our brand is used by 26 out of 30 NBA teams.
For top performance and safety on the court, give your team the quality that only a Slipp-Nott traction system can deliver. Buy a Slipp-Nott Today!
