Shoe Of The Week: Icebug Spirit 4 OLX
This winter shoe features carbide spikes to provide secure traction on snow and ice.
Icebug’s Spirit 4 OLX provides secure running in wintry conditions.
When cold, snowy and slippery conditions bear down, some runners find a treadmill or skip running until the weather improves. Heartier runners bundle up and find a way to get secure footing on snowy, icy roads and trails. If you’re looking for an easy solution and don’t want to fiddle with after-market spikes or traction devices, the Swedish-made Icebug Spirit 4 OLX is a great option.
The genius of the shoe are the 14 durable carbide spikes embedded in the rubber outsole.The spikes aren’t very big, but they stick like glue on ice, snow-packed roads, wet or dry rocks and wooden trail steps. Combined with the diagonal ridge pattern of the durable rubber lugs, the Spirit 4 is almost entirely slip-proof. (The tiny studs sink into softer surfaces, but they retract into the rubber a bit when they come into contract with dry pavement or other hard surfaces.) While the spikes will wear down over time, our wear-testing experience with the previous Spirit 3 model proved they’ll hold up for more than one season if running on sections of dry pavement is avoided as much as possible.
As for the fit, this shoe is fairly narrow in the heel and midfoot with slightly more room in the toe box. The upper is made from a durable woven material that is extremely water-resistant but not so stiff that it inhibits a foot’s natural movements or the traditional flex pattern of a standard shoe. Icebug updated the design of the heel, allowing for a better and more comfortable fit.
Although for most runners this shoe is an excuse-killer that will help get you out the door when the weather doesn’t seem ideal for running, the Spirit 4 packs enough comfort- and performance-oriented features for long runs or winter trail races.
This shoe is for you if … You’re looking for a lightweight, moderately cushioned shoe that offers superior traction on icy or snow-packed roads or trails.
Price: $145
Weights: 10.2 oz. (men’s size 9), 8.7 oz (women’s size 7)
Heel-Toe Offset: 4mm
Info: Icebug.com
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