In response to a request from Wolverine’s EMEA office for a collection with an ownable traction story, I realized a concept that I had been noodling around with for some time. The resulting traction story became known as Active Claw Grip and was granted a utility patent in the EU.

The technology's premise is that strategically placed concentric groups of traction lugs have flex grooves between each ring. A central lug is slightly taller than the perimeter lugs and has a space behind it to move inward. When under weighted pressure, the central lug retracts, and the surrounding lugs collapse towards the center, acting as an “active claw” gripping the terrain.