An experimental study was conducted to evaluate whether fiber optica strain gages (FOSG) may be better suited than classic foil gages (FG) for small strain measurement applications. FOSG were better suited than FG for small strain measurements as long as the application allows calibration of individual units as installed for operation. In this case, the accuracy have the same value as the resolution, and the special qualities of fiber optic technology provide improvements in linearity, signal quality, EMI immunity, and resistance to the elements.