Assume wooden bridges are slippery.

Yes, even if they claim anti-slip coating. Assume they are slippery.

Many wooden bridges do get treated with something gritty or textured, but it wears off over time, gets covered in mud or leaves, and becomes treacherous when wet. That coating is not a guarantee. The real answer is your footwear.

Wear shoes with aggressive rubber tread—think hiking shoes, trail runners, or even rubber-soled work boots with deep lugs. Avoid anything with a smooth leather sole, dress shoes, or old sneakers with worn-out bottoms. If you’re walking a lot of wooden bridges in wet conditions, something like a Vibram Megagrip sole will make you feel ten times more planted.

Trust your shoes, not the bridge coating.