A Ladder Safety Tool That Actually Gets Used: How the Grip Clip Was Invented

Jonathan Bull
2 days ago
4 min read

It usually starts with “she’ll be right”. Then two steps up the ladder and it starts sliding like wet soap on tiles. Whether you’re a tradie on the tools or a weekend warrior out to impress the missus, that sketchy movement halfway up the ladder is enough to make anyone clench. Meanwhile, your partner’s watching from the kitchen window thinking, he better not end up in emergency - again.

That’s exactly why I invented the XPRT Grip Clip. A lightweight, fast and easy-to-use ladder safety tool that clamps your ladder securely to the gutter. It’s designed for real-world use, so it actually gets used.

The first idea: Stop the ladder slipping

Five years ago, after another close call on a ladder, I realised the existing ladder stabiliser tools weren’t cutting it. They were too expensive, too bulky and too slow to set up. I saw tradies using roof rack tie-downs as makeshift stabilisers, but those rarely have anywhere to actually grip the gutter properly.

There had to be a better way to secure a ladder to a gutter. And it had to be fast, lightweight, and strong.

The first clamp — and ten useless glues

I started experimenting. I stockpiled all kinds of clamps. Most were plastic, and they cracked when dropped from roof height. So I upgraded to metal clamps. Better, but the rubber tips kept falling off, leaving sharp metal that scratched the gutter.

I tested ten different glues, trying to find something that would last through freezing mornings and 45°C summer days. Eventually I found a supplier that said they could help. That finally solved the scratching issue and also improved grip.

prototype experiments leading up to the invention of XPRT Grip Clip

Finding the right elastic and building a stronger joint

Next up: the cord. I tested everything from rope to ratchet straps, but found that elastic bungee cord gave the best hold. It stretched just enough to lock the ladder in place, but still easy to put in place. I tried different thicknesses to get the right strength.

Then came the issue of joining the cord to the clamp. I tested marine fittings and all sorts of tools, but landed on a technique that gives a super-strong, consistent join. (I’m keeping that bit quiet - but it took some time and investment to get it right.)

Interestingly, I added shrink tubing just to tidy it up and help the joint last longer. But in testing, it actually made the joint stronger.

Real tradie testing: ladders, hoses, rooftops

Over six versions, I tweaked everything. Clamp strength, cord length, materials. I gave samples to my window cleaning crew. Feedback was clear: it made climbing feel safer. One of the biggest risks when using a ladder is stepping off onto the roof. That's the moment when you can lean into your ladder without realising you're pushing it sideways. With the Grip Clip, the ladder holds tight, and that risky moment becomes a confident step.

I took it to a local working at heights safety training centre. They said "Using the Grip Clip is so simple to use. Biggest issue we hear on site is ladder blowing over when worker on the roof. This issue solved with a simple solution." I knew I was doing something right!

Then we found another use. For tradies using water-fed poles or hoses, the XPRT Grip Clip can hold the hose in place while also stabilising the ladder. That means no more climbing down to retrieve a fallen hose and prevent that annoying hose-tugging. It became a two-in-one ladder safety solution. A tool that get's used everyday, not one that stays buried in the ute.

A name that made sense — XPRT Grip Clip

I considered Gutter Grip, SureGrip, NoSlip Clip, but Grip Clip felt right. It’s simple, and it says exactly what it does. Originally I designed it as a gutter clamp for ladders, but it’s now used by window cleaners, painters, landscapers, and everyday homeowners. I’ve had people stop me on the job and ask where to buy one, and I’ve handed over my own set more than once.

The best feedback I’ve had? “It’s so handy I actually use it.” That’s the key. What good is a ladder safety tool that lives in the ute?

Who’s it for?

Tradies climbing onto roofs
Painters, Solar installers and Gutter Cleaners
DIYers cleaning gutters or installing solar lights
Anyone who wants to prevent ladder accidents at home
Wives and family members looking for ways to keep husbands and dads safer while working on ladders

Advice to other makers

If you’ve got an idea for a tool, don’t stop at the talking stage. Make a prototype, test it, give it to others. See what breaks, see what works. Eventually you hit a decision point: keep refining, or walk away.

For the XPRT Grip Clip, I chose to keep going, and I’m glad I did. If it keeps a few people off crutches or out of hospital, that’s a win in my book.