Walk The Easy Way

Over the years, most of us have been forced to get used to the nuisance of icy conditions: Dreading to fall or even choosing to stay inside. The first time trying Icebug is an eye opener. It will make you determined never to accept slipping again!

Even if Icebug started as running shoes, the testimonials we keep receiving show an equally strong appeal of great walking shoes with great traction. People report that they feel a new freedom to go light trekking, dog walking, Nordic walking or just “normal” walking in winter. And when the Finnish Institute of Occupational health tested different anti-slip devices available on the market, Icebug’s Speed BUGrip was found to be the best gripping.

We quote from the summary:
“Twelve participants (50%) of the participants slipped during the trials on slippery ice. The result showed that the studded boots reduced the number of slip incidents. None of the participants with the studded boots slipped, nor did they feel that the icy surface conditions was unsafe.”

High lights from the fall/winter 2010 Active range for winter walking:

SPEED BUGrip®
SPEED is a sporty winter walking shoe that extends the season for a wide range of fitness activities. Fleece lining and BUGdri membrane keeps you warm and dry, the midsole provides comfortable cushioning, support for the foot and good roll, and the upper supports the ankle.
The BUGrip technology features 16 carbide tip studs that provide an always-on (studs are permanently mounted in the sole), durable (carbide tips are virtually impossible to wear out, even if using a lot on asphalt) traction (not only traction, but the best traction – see test above!) that adapts to the ground (meaning it grips like stink on ice, and with the dynamic funtion, the studs can sink in towards the sole on asphalt to it doesn’t get slippery or uncomfortable).
No wonder perhaps that it’s Icebug most popular style and we keep fine tuning it. Dark moss is the new color for fall 2010/2011.

METRO-L BUGweb®
METRO-L is casual but functional. DWR suede upper, zipper on inside for quick closure and a soft neoprene collar. It has a BUGweb® with six carbide tip studs that fit into a groove in the sole pattern.
When the extra grip is not needed, the BUGweb can be removed, but when it’s icy, having the six studs of the BUGweb is a huge traction up-grade compared to only rubber.
Due to the versatility, METRO is a perfect travel companion.

Engineered traction, innovative last and super light non-absorbing materials. Icebug’s off-trail program might look like a style statement but it’s all about function.
Tools for the un-intimidated to leave the trails, either to be as fast as possible between two points, or to experience complete running freedom.


Is Icebug Celeritas the world’s fastest off-trail running shoe? Well, that will of course depend on the foot that is in it, but it definitely has the makings of a serious candidate (and will make you feel like one too…).

The sole has a sticky rubber compound, with aggressive cleats arranged in a diagonal pattern. This variation of a tractor tire design is optimised to grip on both hard and soft ground. It channels away mud, which provides traction and acts self cleaning.

The last is anatomically shaped, with very little “correction” built into the support structure. The foot is allowed to keep its natural movement.

The upper has a minimalist design, in a strong and light fine rip-stop nylon with protecPU™ reinforcement and molded lace holes.
Materials and constructions are developed not only to be light when the shoe is dry, but also – in what is often the real use conditions – when it’s wet. Weight increase is less than 25%.
The dry weight is 225 grams in US9, but with the battle cry of the design team being “less is really more!” the quest of stripping un-necessary grams is ongoing.

Spirit OLX – the total traction cousin
Built on the same last and general concept as Celeritas, there is also Icebug SPIRIT olx, which is developed for the old school type of Swedish trail running. Though tough and demanding, orienteering is a national sport, with over one percent of the population regularly competing.
What distinguishes Spirit olx from Celeritas is that it has further moulded protective areas, and 14 fixed carbide tip studs: Outstanding traction for wet off-trail conditions (Swedish spring and summer are often more rainy than we would like…), where rocks, roots, grassy slopes etcetera get really slippery