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.