Discussion: Icebug O-Shoes

Anyone know anything about them? A few really good Swedish orienteers have been running in them this fall, but I am curious to hear some more opinions.
Shoe: http://www.outnet.se/scandinavian-outdoor/visakomm...

I recall reading about them in discussions here on Attackpoint in the past couple years. Try the search box up top...

I think it is hard to get opinions from anyone else since they are not on the market yet. It is only Peter and Erik who has developed (completely from scratch, no similarities with old Icebug shoes) the shoes that have run in early prototypes of them. As it is said on the homepage they are relased on the market the coming spring. But when I have talked to Peter and Erik they seem to very pleased with them.

Funny this topic came up just now. I've been meaning to get a pair of the older Icebugs and was going to ask about outlets here on AP. So, can anyone recommend a reliable outlet here in the US (or one that ships here at reasonable $$) ?? TIA.

If that's mesh in the uppers, they'll be shredded in the rocks of the northeast US. Good for soft and wet though I bet.

I would be especially observant on how the spikes are fastened in the sole due to some bad experiences with other Icebug shoes which lost more than 50% of the spikes during one season. But the manufacturer may have learned and made progress in the evolution of new shoes and technology. The durability of the upper part of the shoe depends mostly on the materials in use. We will see...

Thanks Henrik. For some reason, I thought they were on the market already.

Really good stability and nice to run in. A little loser in the fit that can be irritating on rockier ground. Icebug soles have a big habit of getting worn out very fast, so does this one.

DO NOT BY THESE!!! stiff like wood, sole will come off before your first months, will break you knees! DO BUY THESE!!! plenty of people will vouch for these including myself.

Given z-man's ability to injure himself in new and creative ways (most recently, apparently, by having his own compass bite him, leading to auto-vampirism), I feel the need to assure other users that the Icebug recommendation is probably safe to try at home.

Sergei, thanks for the recommendation. I found a pair on closeout.

Sergei, I have the ones you don't recommend and am fairly happy with them, although you're right the spikes are totally tearing off. The sole is still ok though and I didn't really find them very stiff.

I will definitely try the ones you do recommend because we're slowly entering our winter icy months and my current pair are nearing the end of their usefullness.

I love the MR3/4 line as well. I think there may be some variation between the two for pronation control... Hard to find though.

Boris, The Right Legendary C. Davidson Esquire swore by Icebugs. Then, because he couldn't find any when he needed a pair for Varsity '07, he bought some Innovates and destroyed his feet. He hasn't been seen or heard of since.

That probably doesn't help, does it?