While researching winter running, I came across a whimsical (and technically impressive) product. Sure, it pertains to my last post, but that’s not the real reason I wanted to write about it. The real reason? I’m a geek when it comes to running tech.

I wrote a few days ago about proper form when running on ice. The ICEBUG line of shoes render all of that inconsequential- that is, if you can get a pair.

These shoes, named after this lovable fellow, use BUGrip to provide exceptional traction on ice without discomfort on hard surfaces. They do this with pegs that retract on harder surfaces (like concrete) but stay out to grip softer ones (like ice or snow). And these pegs move independently from each other, so they really shine on uneven surfaces.

The downside is that ICEBUG shoes are pretty hard to find. The main producer is in Sweden (birthplace of Craft and that Dyson guy). There are US retailers, but not many- and they seem to be restricted to the REALLY cold states. I suppose a Pennsylvania winter doesn’t warrant Swedish-quality technology.

I could only find positive reviews of the ICEBUG shoes, and none too official. Here is an old but thorough example. If you live in the far north of the US (or anywhere in Europe) and you want to try something different in your winter running routine, these guys seem to be worth a shot.