DISA - DANTEC

 

Here's another of my random retro posts.

Back in the late 1970's my father started working for a company based in Bristol UK called DISA. In 1984 the company changed it's name to DANTEC as a subsidiary of Dantec Elektronik Medical and Scientific Equipment A/S. It was a Danish owned company which made electronic medical equipment for use in hospitals.

I decided to do some research and was pleased to find that the company is still trading under the name of Dantec Dynamics based in Royal Portbury, Bristol.

DISA had their office at Techno House (now Desklodge House), Redcliffe Way, Bristol. This was next to what was then called the Draganara Hotel (now the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel). 

During the 1970's and early 1980's the Ladbroke Draganara Hotel was one of Bristol's top hotels. Among those who stayed there during this period were Thin Lizzy, Showaddywaddy and on July 24, 1985 Princess Diana attended a dinner there hosted by the Gloucestershire Cricket Club. 

Ladbroke Draganara Hotel, Bristol 1970's

Anyone who lived in Bristol during the 1970's or 1980's will remember the 'temporary' flyover on Redcliffe Way which was opened in 1967. 

Bristol's 'temporary flyover' Techno House is the building on the far left and the Draganara hotel is the building on the right

I found this video of the flyover on Youtube:

Techno House, Bristol as it appears today (2021)

The rear of the former Techno House which included the staff car park

The entrance to DISA was via a door on the left side corner of the building. The current entrance to the former Techno House housed a security officer from the Corps of Commissionaires (now known as Corp Security). Wearing their distinctive smart black uniform with white topped cap.

Corps of Commissionaires being inspected by HRH the Queen in 2009

During it's time under the DISA name the company produced a whole range of merchandise in their corporate orange ranging from stationery to it's own branded beer. 

Here's a selection of items now lost in time:

DISA company business card with it's Danish address

 

Standard DISA A4 4 ring binder

DISA plastic A4 wallet folder made by Bantex of Denmark

DISA company pen

DISA company tape measure made in England by Dean

DISA company Christmas cards 1970's/80's

DISA carboard box with polystyrene lining

DISA wood instrument box

 

 

 

 

 

DISA employee travel documents 1980's

DISA company branded beer c.1983

Icebug Studded Boots Comparison

 Icebug Speed BUGrip & Stride BUGrip

There's an almost overwhelming array of Icebug footwear to choose from so where do you start? 

Well, your budget and what you intend to use them for will help to narrow down the options. For me having studs was a must, followed by waterproof. The Speed BUGrip boot had both. What's also confusing is there's different Icebug models for the USA and Europe. Wouldn't it be much easier for everyone if they were the same? I've not always understood why there's a need to have different versions of the same products in USA and Europe.

This is my comparison, rather than review, of two mens Icebug boots - Speed BUGrip (made in Indonesia) and the new Nirak BUGrip (made in Vietnam). This is not a like for like comparison since they are different models which retail at different prices. The Speed boot was €185 and the Nirak €149. But what's the difference? Delve deeper and all becomes apparent. For some, these differences may not matter and the cheapest boot will be the winner. 

Firstly, here are the three boots I'm discussing:

1. Icebug Speed BUGrip (discontinued 2021)

2. Icebug Stride BUGrip (2021)

Icebug Nirak BUGrip (2021)

I purchased the Speed BUGrip boots around 2015 on a special offer which was almost 50% off the standard retail price of €185. I now live in a climate of harsh winters and always found walking on ice very precarious. At the time of purchase, the boots came with a comfort temperature rating of -20c. It seems that Icebug have since stopped providing the temperature ratings for their winter footwear. I found it useful to have some kind of guide on how they would perform in cold temperatures.

In the time I've owned these boots they've served me very well and I never experienced any falls from slipping on the ice. One of the original laces eventually snapped but otherwise they've been excellent. They're also my only pair of winter snow boots. 

It wasn't until 2020 that I noticed a small puncture hole in the outer fabric on top of the left boot. I attempted a repair but that didn't last and the whole became larger. 

Also, on closer inspection of the sole, I could see the rubber had worn and the rubber studs were flat. All the metal studs were still in place. I decided to replace the boots. The Speed BUGrip boot was ideal for me in every way. The construction was sturdy but light and I liked the reflectors for night visibility. However, I was disappointed to find that the Speed BUGrip was no longer available.

The hole in my old Icebug Speed BUGrip boot

My new Nirak BUGrip on the left and my old Speed BUGrip on the right

 

I did find there was a boot called the Stride BUGrip which looked pretty much the same. It appeared to be the same style of boot but Goretex instead of Icebug's own waterproof branding, which was used on their earlier Speed boot.

With winter over I decided I would hold out for any offers on the Stride BUGrip. In the meantime I stumbled across a tempting offer on a pair of Nirak BUGrip boots discounted from €149 to €90. There were only two pairs remaining, one of which was in my size. My only hesitation was that these boots were water repellent and not waterproof like the Speed boots or the newer Stride Goretex boots. The question was, did I really need waterproof? I decided that the cost saving tipped the balance in favour so I purchased them. Living in a cold climate, the winters are cold enough that the snow remains 'dry' most of the time anyway. 'Water repellent' is a step below 'waterproof ', but still offers a good degree of protection. I decided to add some additional waterproofing myself just for added protection ready for next winter. The other differences I found was that the Nirax boot had 13 metal studs on each boot compared to the Speed which had 16.

I did also come across discounted pair of Icebug Pace3 BUGrip GTX boots. However, I didn't like the lace arrangement. It didn't have eyelets or the same loops as on the other boots I've mentioned. Instead it had a nylon cord which the laces passed through. I could see that breaking after a while. Some differences can be easily missed if buying online and relying on photographs. 

Icebug Pace3 GTX BUGrip lace arrangement

In conclusion, I don't think you can go wrong buying any of the Icebug studded winter boots available. Just consider whether they need to be waterproof.

2022 Update: Whilst my new Nirax boots are adequate, I would recommend paying extra for their Goretex waterproof boots. I found that under some weather conditions when icy and also very wet, water starts to penetrate after a long period outside.