Traction on wet slippery icy and/or snowy surfaces is improved by the use bamboo leaves which are disposed on articles which engage the slippery surfaces. The bamboo leaves are disposed on the articles in question with the underside of the bamboo leaves oriented so as to engage the slippery surfaces. The bamboo leaves are preferably cut into shaped forms such as circles, squares or the like, which are releasably secured to the articles in question. The securement can be accomplished with releasable adhesives or releasable hook and loop devices. Articles to which the bamboo leaves can be secured include footwear, gloves, crutches, canes, walkers, vehicle tires and any other articles that would benefit from improved traction on slippery icy and/or snowy surfaces. When the hook and loop securement option is used, one sheet of the hook and loop material will be secured to a surface of the bamboo leaf shaped forms and a complementary sheet of the hook and loop material will be secured to the article in question.