Can We Please Share the Road Until Springtime?
For a brief time every winter, we runners are forced onto the roads with the rest of the world. Can't we all just get along and share the road?
If you live in a climate in which snow, slush, and icy surfaces are common impediments to your winter running, you’ll appreciate the exceptional traction the Icebug Myr BUGrip shoes provide.
The IceBug Myr BUGrip is an ideal winter companion when you’re heading out the door for a run knowing you’re bound to encounter black ice and slick, snowy conditions. It’s also an ideal rotational shoe for runners who need traction some of the time, but don’t want to bother with external traction devices like YakTraxs or Kahtoolas that can feel awkward on dry surfaces or sections of paved road or concrete bike paths with only a dusting of snow.
I tested the Myr BUGrip extensively on snowy, slushy and icy sidewalks, roads and trails amid the wintry conditions of Missoula, Montana in December and early January. And I must say, it excelled on all of them. I did pick-ups, slow jogs and stroller nap runs, too—a lot of stroller nap runs!—and am pleased to say that I felt confident and secure with every step.
Bottom line: As someone who regularly runs on either snowy or ice-covered surfaces during the winter—often while pushing two little humans in a chariot stroller—this shoe is a must-have for my winter shoe quiver.
What’s New: Based in Gothenburg, Sweden, IceBug has built its brand and reputation on making shoes for winter running conditions for the past 25 years. It has also ventured into more traditional trail running shoes and hiking boots, based on its deep understanding about traction. It has revised the pattern of the 3mm outsole lugs of the Myr BUGrip and improved the traction with 11 sharp steel spikes embedded in the forefoot and six more in the heel. The Myr BUGRip’s new double jacquard polyester upper is soft, comfortable, and protective, with a laminated mudguard that extends over the big toe to provide additional protection and durability.
Fit/Feel/Ride: The Icebug Myr BUGRip offers a fairly snug fit through the midfoot and heel, which I found to reliably help me to feel stable and secure on uncertain wintery terrain. The forefoot is marginally roomy for narrow and medium-width feet, giving some room for toes to wiggle and play. But I have a normal- to slightly wide foot and found my toes a bit crammed if I wore anything other than a thin wool-blend performance sock.
While it feels similar to a typical pair of road shoes in how it fits, feels and rides, the eTPU midsole compound offers a firm, almost bouncy feeling cushioning. When combined with the studded BUGrip, the shoe feels relatively firm and stable—a workhorse for wintery training runs (and walks, too). The midrange 8mm heel-to-toe offset means the shoe lands between more traditional running shoes and more shoes that have a more minimal design that serve up a natural, uninhibited gait, making it well suited for heel- or midfoot-striking runners.
They feel the best and most capable on surfaces fully covered in at least some form of winter precipitation, but it’s not a shoe you’d really want to wear if your run only includes small spots of ice or snow as the spikes feel almost slippery and overly cleat-like when worn on dry surfaces. (And there’s an awkward tapping sound when the metal studs hit dry pavement or concrete.) They’re a true winter running shoe and should be treated as such.
Price: $150
Weights: 10.1 oz. (women’s size 8); 12.3 oz. (men’s size 9),
Heel-Toe Offset: 8mm; 34mm (heel); 26mm (forefoot)
Why It’s Great: The shoe offers unbeatable traction in a lightweight package that’s ideal for road runners who are logging miles in wintry conditions. It’s not waterproof, but the durable woven upper, although breathable, offers water-resistant protection that does a pretty good job at keeping moisture at bay (aside from when you’re running through deep puddles.) It’s perfect for runners who don’t want the added hassle of strapping on external traction that isn’t always comfortable.
Why You’ll Love It: Two words: superior traction. I ran on icy trails and roads with ease and confidence (even while pushing my two kids in a stroller), and never once felt like I might slip. And having traction built into the shoe makes getting ready for the run easy (strapping on Kahtoolas or YakTraxs isn’t always that simple) and more comfortable. (I don’t know about you, but I find my Kahtoolas to unnecessarily squash the tops of my toes in almost every pair of running shoes I own.)
RELATED: Running on the Treadmill: Friend, Foe, or Frenemy?
Another Reason to Like It: IceBug is a Certified B Corp, which means it has high standards for social and environmental accountability and transparency. The company also utilizes more eco-friendly materials than many of its counterparts, incorporates responsible shipping practices to reduce emissions and utilize so much carbon offset during their production process that their products have a net positive climate impact.
The shoe utilizes Ocean Bound Plastic that has been collected and recycled from materials adrift in the ocean, while the BUGrip outsole contains 23 percent natural rubber and the upper is made of 42 percent recycled and GRS certified RePET polyester. So while that’s not necessarily a reason to love the shoe per se, it’s a really great reason to get behind the brand overall.
Why You Might Not Like it: The Icebug Myr BUGRip is going to feel firmer under your feet than most of your road running shoes. While the stiff midsole works well with the shoe’s built-in traction, it does feel rather firm underfoot. If you’re used to exclusively running in pillowy soft shoes, you might not love this feeling at first—though when the shoe prevents you from slipping on the black ice in your driveway, you’ll probably change your mind.
And to be fair, if you’re running through snow, slush, and ice, the performance characteristics of a shoe take a back seat to traction and stability—even and especially when you’re trying to crank out a tempo run or some kind of fartlek interval session.
RELATED: Come Run With Us: All-New Six Minute Mile Run Club Debuts!
Senior editor Ashley Arnold is the director of brand at Fleet Feet and an ultrarunner who lives in Missoula, Montana, with her husband and two young children. She tells stories through video, words and photos, and is most at home running trails, adventuring in wild places with her family and sipping coffee while eating cake.
RELATED: Set Yourself Up for Consistent Success in 2026: How to Create Goals that Stick
RELATED: 5 Ways to Get the Most Out of Your Treadmill Running
RELATED: How I Motivate Myself When I Don’t Want to Run
RELATED: The Wahoo KICKR RUN is a Drool-Worthy Next-Generation Treadmill
RELATED: My 3 Favorite Hill Workouts to Make You a Stronger Runner
RELATED: The 6 Best Strength Exercises for Runners
