Icebug Boots with BUGrip Review

How I Evaluated the Icebug BUGrip® Boots

In the video, I test the Icebug in various settings and situations.

On A Thin Film of Slick Ice

In the first test, I walk out my front door, down my driveway to the sidewalk. My driveway has a slight downward grade. The morning we filmed the video, there was a fine layer of ice on the driveway that was not noticeable to my eye. In my first attempt I wear my hiking boots with Vibram soles. I find them quite stable and reliable but that morning the ice film was too slick and in a matter of moments I was sliding down the driveway.

I changed my boots and wore my Icebug Strides and tried the same walk. This time I had no problem negotiating the driveway and confidently made my way to the sidewalk and out onto the street.

Walking on a Snow and Ice-Cover Street

Oftentimes if there is a little bit thin ice on the sidewalk, I will walk on the road with thicker ice because the Icebug seems to gain a better grip.

Going Down and Up a Snow Covered Path on a Small Hill

Whether I walk or run a snow-covered hill path, I feel so safe and secure wearing the Icebug winter boots.

Walking on an Icy Asphalt Path

There is a little path in my neighbourhood that takes us to a little wooded area. It was icy because we had a day of snow that melted and then was covered with little freezing rain.

This morning the asphalt path is a mess. Normally, I have to watch every step of the way, but with the Icebug winter boots I didn’t have to worry at all. I felt stable whether I was walking or running and exploring the woods.

These boots don’t change my stride and I can keep the same type of stride as I did through the summer and fall — and feel super safe.

Walking is a Wooded Area Covered in Snow and Ice

I walked into a wooded area near my house and played on the fallen logs.

As I came out of the woods, the boots transition nicely from a wooded path surface onto the asphalt path. A number of my clients tell me that when they hike on paths, they worry about well-traveled paths because of the icy conditions that happen with just so many walkers. I had no problem at all going back up the hill and then along this asphalt path.

Walking Indoors

My local grocery store has a tile floor. The Icebug boots are a bit noisy but I felt quite safe and secure.

I didn’t even have a cart and was carrying a basket that day. Regardless, I feel quite comfortable saying that you can transition with the boots to different surfaces.

However, I would not recommend that you shop all day with them on but they Icebug boots are quite workable for short trips into the store.

Shovelling Snow

Several years ago I published a post on safety tips for snow shovelling. I would add that you should wear boots such as the Icebug Strides while working outside in your driveway.

Recommended Icebug Models

Richard and I purchased the Icebug Stride boots. However, these might not be available in your area. I contacted the support team at Icebug and asked them to suggest boots that are equivalent to the Stride models we use. They recommended the following boots:

• Icebug Stavre BUGrip GTX
• Icebug Pace3 BUGrip GTX

How Much Do Icebug Boots Cost?

A number of readers have pointed out that they find Icebug footwear to be expensive. The list price of the model I purchased, the Icebug Stride, is $189.95 USD.

I agree that this is a premium price, but I encourage you to consider the price of the boot in relation to the cost of a fall and potential fracture. Much of my day is spent with patients who either have had a fall (and experienced a fracture) or are fearful of experiencing one. The cost of a fracture is significant and can be measured in the costs of:

1. Treatment (surgery, medications, and hospitalization).
2. Loss of confidence.
3. Reduced activity levels.
4. Forfeiture of fun things you like to do.

If I could find a lower cost way to get my patients outdoors, keep them active and allow them to walk during winter, I would list it here. For now, I am recommending the Icebug winter boot.