Icebug Running Shoes Explained: Everything You Need To Know

Icebug may not have the profile of some of the biggest running shoe brands, but the Swedish company has developed a distinctive position in the running market. Its shoes are particularly associated with trail running, difficult weather and exceptional grip, while sustainability has become another important part of what the company does.

Founded in Sweden in 2001, Icebug originally set out to solve a very Scandinavian problem: how to stay active when the ground becomes slippery. Its first shoes used steel studs to provide traction in winter conditions, but the range has since expanded considerably and now includes shoes for road running, trails, off-road racing, orienteering and some seriously difficult conditions.

Icebug has also become one of the more interesting running shoe companies from an environmental perspective. Rather than producing a small sustainable collection alongside a conventional range, it has tried to reduce the impact of its footwear and wider business. That combination of grip, running performance and sustainability makes Icebug a brand worth knowing more about.

Who Are Icebug?

Icebug was founded in Sweden in 2001, with grip central to the original idea. The company developed footwear that could provide additional traction on snow and ice, helping people remain active throughout the Scandinavian winter.

That heritage still influences Icebug today, although the company is no longer simply a winter footwear specialist. Its running collection stretches from a cushioned road shoe through everyday trail shoes to highly specialised footwear featuring metal studs.

Icebug remains independently owned and has built much of its identity around getting people outdoors throughout the year. That helps explain why grip, durability and environmental impact feature so prominently in the way it develops and markets its shoes.

What Makes Icebug Running Shoes Different?

Grip is probably the single biggest difference between Icebug and most mainstream running shoe brands. Many trail shoe companies talk about traction, but Icebug has built much of its identity around developing different outsole technologies for different surfaces and conditions.

There is also considerable variety within the range. Some Icebug shoes look and perform much like conventional running shoes, while others are designed for technical terrain, winter conditions, orienteering and situations where conventional trail shoe rubber may struggle.

For runners in the UK, the non-studded models are likely to have the broadest appeal. Wet trails, slippery rock, muddy woodland and poor weather are hardly unusual, and that is exactly the type of environment where Icebug's approach starts to make sense.

Icebug RB9X Grip

RB9X is Icebug's non-studded rubber compound and one of the technologies you will see most frequently across its running shoes. It has been developed to provide strong traction on wet and dry surfaces without relying on metal studs.

The advantage is versatility. An RB9X shoe can be designed for anything from asphalt to trails, with different tread patterns used according to the intended surface. Icebug says the rubber also offers high wear resistance, which is important because additional grip is of limited value if an outsole wears excessively quickly.

This means it is important to look beyond the RB9X name when choosing an Icebug shoe. Aura uses a relatively shallow outsole pattern designed with asphalt in mind, while Icebug's trail shoes combine the same family of grip rubber with more aggressive outsole designs.

BUGrip And Studded Icebug Shoes

BUGrip takes Icebug's traction concept considerably further. The technology uses carbide steel tipped studs which move independently, allowing them to press into the outsole to different depths depending on the surface and the pressure being applied.

The obvious application is running in icy and snowy conditions. For most UK runners this makes BUGrip a relatively specialised option, but for runners regularly dealing with severe winter conditions it provides a level of mechanical grip that conventional rubber trail outsoles cannot easily replicate.

Icebug also uses its OLX system on some specialist footwear. These fixed studs are particularly suited to demanding off-trail running and orienteering, where maximum traction takes priority over the versatility required from an everyday running shoe.

How Sustainable Are Icebug Running Shoes?

Sustainability is one of the most interesting parts of the Icebug story, although manufacturing any running shoe still has an environmental impact. Icebug acknowledges that reality and says there are no perfect materials, instead concentrating on reducing its footprint while maintaining the durability and performance of its footwear.

The company measures the carbon footprint of its footwear and has set a target of getting below an average of 6kg CO2e per pair by 2030. It also publishes environmental information for individual products, giving runners considerably more information about the impact of a shoe than they would normally receive.

Icebug became a certified B Corp in 2022 and is also a member of 1% for the Planet. This commits the company to giving at least 1% of total sales, rather than simply a proportion of its profits, to environmental organisations and projects.

Its approach extends into the materials used to make the shoes. Recycled polyester, recycled nylon, bio-based polymers and other lower-impact materials feature across the range, while Icebug is trying to reduce its reliance on virgin fossil-based materials. Since autumn 2024, all Icebug models have also been FSC certified, covering the responsibly sourced natural rubber used in their outsoles.

Durability is another important part of the strategy. A shoe that lasts longer potentially reduces the need to manufacture its replacement as quickly, so Icebug says it considers lifespan alongside the environmental impact of individual materials.

None of this makes an Icebug shoe impact free. What distinguishes the company is the extent to which it measures and publishes that impact and puts specific targets alongside its sustainability claims.

Read more about sustainable running shoe brands here.

Icebug Running Shoe Range

Icebug's running shoe range is quite different from those of the major road running brands. Rather than offering numerous shoes with relatively small differences between them, the collection covers a wide variety of surfaces and conditions, from everyday road running and easier trails through to technical off-road terrain, snow and ice.

The easiest way to understand the range is to think about where you run. Aura is the main road-focused option, while Myr provides a versatile introduction to trail running and Järv offers more protection and grip for demanding terrain. Arcus puts greater emphasis on cushioning and comfort, while Pytho is a more traditional technical trail shoe. Acceleritas and Spirit sit at the specialist end of the collection for runners tackling particularly challenging terrain and activities such as orienteering.

You will also see different versions of some Icebug shoes carrying names such as RB9X, BUGrip and GTX. These aren't simply different colourways. RB9X identifies Icebug's non-studded grip technology, BUGrip versions use steel studs for winter conditions and GTX indicates the use of a waterproof Gore-Tex membrane. Understanding those labels makes the Icebug range considerably easier to navigate. Below, we've picked out the main Icebug running shoes and explained where each one fits.

Icebug Aura RB9X

Aura RB9X (picture above) is important because it shows that Icebug isn't exclusively a trail running company. This is a cushioned running shoe with a shallow RB9X outsole pattern specifically designed with asphalt in mind. The shoe uses Icebug's SuperC Foam in the midsole, which the company says is lighter and softer than a traditional EVA midsole while offering greater energy return. Aura has a 6mm drop and is designed primarily around comfort rather than the aggressive traction associated with Icebug's more specialist shoes. Icebug gives Aura a carbon footprint of 9kg CO2e per pair, with 27% recycled and 7% bio-based materials. For road runners interested in Icebug primarily because of its environmental approach, Aura is the most obvious place to start.

Icebug Myr RB9X

Myr RB9X is a versatile everyday trail running shoe designed for runners moving between gravel roads, hard-packed trails and lighter forest terrain. That makes it considerably less specialised than some of Icebug's more aggressive off-road footwear.

It has an 8mm drop and plenty of cushioning, with Icebug positioning it towards runners wanting stability, comfort and energy return over longer distances. The RB9X outsole provides the grip, but without the steel studs found on the company's winter-specific footwear. For runners discovering Icebug for the first time, Myr is one of the most accessible trail shoes in the range. It makes particular sense if your off-road running is varied rather than consistently technical.

Icebug Järv RB9X

Järv RB9X moves further towards demanding trail running. It combines cushioning with a more aggressive RB9X outsole and is designed to provide grip and protection on technical terrain while remaining comfortable over longer distances.

Järv is also an interesting example of Icebug's approach to materials. The company reports that the shoe contains 27% bio-based and 21% recycled materials, including a midsole using bio-based content and an outsole incorporating FSC-certified natural rubber and recycled rubber. For trail runners, the attraction is the combination of cushioning and traction. Järv isn't intended to be a minimal racing shoe; it is a more protective option for runners covering longer distances over terrain where grip matters.

Icebug Arcus 2

Arcus 2 takes a more comfort-focused approach. It has generous cushioning and a broad platform, making it better suited to runners who prioritise protection and comfort over feeling every detail of the trail beneath their feet. The Arcus family is available in versions designed for different conditions, including waterproof Gore-Tex and studded BUGrip options. That gives the shoe a particularly strong winter-running identity, depending on which version you choose. Arcus therefore occupies an interesting position in the range. It isn't the obvious choice for somebody wanting a light, agile technical trail racer, but its cushioning and weather protection make it potentially attractive for longer, steadier outings in poor conditions.

The Pytho6

Icebug Pytho6

Pytho has been part of the Icebug range for many years and has now reached its sixth generation. Pytho6 is a performance trail shoe designed to combine grip with stability and protection on more technical terrain. Different versions allow runners to choose between non-studded RB9X traction and BUGrip steel studs for winter conditions. Pytho6 has a 9mm drop and is designed for longer distance running without losing the secure feel required on difficult surfaces. Pytho6 makes most sense for runners who want a relatively traditional and secure trail shoe rather than maximum cushioning. Its longevity within the Icebug collection also makes it one of the brand's established running shoe families.

Icebug Acceleritas 9

Acceleritas 9 heads in a very different direction. This is a lightweight, low-to-the-ground shoe designed to provide plenty of ground feel, with a 4mm drop and an aggressive RB9X outsole. Its ability to deal with wet environments also makes it suitable for activities such as swimrun and orienteering as well as technical trail running. This is therefore one of the more specialised shoes in the range and isn't intended to provide the heavily cushioned experience many runners now associate with everyday running footwear. For runners who prefer a direct connection with technical terrain, Acceleritas offers something very different from Aura, Myr or Arcus. The breadth between those models demonstrates just how varied the Icebug running collection has become.

Icebug Spirit 9 OLX

Spirit 9 OLX is even more specialised. Designed primarily for orienteering and difficult off-trail terrain, it uses Icebug's OLX system with fixed metal studs to provide extremely aggressive traction. Like the Acceleritas, Spirit has a low 4mm drop, but the fixed studs change its purpose considerably. This isn't a general trail shoe for running from your front door to the local park; it is designed for situations where reliable grip on demanding natural terrain is the overriding requirement. For most recreational runners, Spirit will be more shoe than they need. For orienteering and genuinely difficult off-trail running, however, it illustrates the specialist end of Icebug's expertise.

Are Icebug Shoes For Road Running?

Although road running isn't the area for which Icebug is best known, the Aura RB9X is specifically designed for running on asphalt and combines a shallow tread pattern with substantial cushioning, making it a genuine road running option rather than simply a trail shoe that can tolerate stretches of tarmac.

The wider range remains much more heavily influenced by trails and difficult conditions. Myr provides a useful transition into easier trails and mixed surfaces, while Järv, Pytho and the more specialised models become increasingly focused on off-road terrain.

This means Icebug isn't necessarily a brand that every road runner needs to consider. If you split your running between road and trail, regularly encounter poor weather or simply want a running shoe from a company taking an unusually transparent approach to environmental impact, it becomes much more interesting.

Who Are Icebug Running Shoes For?

Icebug is particularly worth considering if you spend much of your running time off road and frequently encounter wet, slippery or technical terrain. Trail runners in areas with prolonged poor weather are likely to appreciate the emphasis on grip, while the studded models offer specialist solutions for people running through genuine winter conditions.

The range is broad enough to accommodate different styles of runner. Aura provides a road option, Myr is suited to easier and mixed trails, Järv offers cushioning and protection on more demanding terrain, and Pytho provides a secure technical trail experience. Acceleritas and Spirit then move towards more specialised off-road running and orienteering.

Sustainability may provide another reason to consider the brand. There is still an environmental cost to making any running shoe, but Icebug provides unusually detailed information about that impact and has made reducing it a central part of the company's strategy rather than a marketing feature attached to a handful of products.

Read more about trail running shoes here.

Final Thoughts

Icebug is one of the more unusual running shoe brands. Its Scandinavian roots explain much of its obsession with grip, but the company has developed well beyond its original winter footwear and now offers running shoes covering everything from asphalt and easy trails to technical terrain and ice.

It still makes most sense for runners who spend at least some of their time away from the road. RB9X provides a versatile non-studded option, while BUGrip and OLX show how specialised Icebug can become when conditions demand considerably more traction.

The sustainability work makes the company even more interesting. Icebug isn't claiming that producing running shoes has no environmental impact; instead, it is measuring that impact, publishing much of the information and setting targets to reduce it. In an industry where sustainability claims can sometimes be difficult to assess, that transparency is a significant part of what makes Icebug stand out.