Running On Ice...

Metal studs are quite common on orienteering shoes: scrambling over fallen trees etc. in the wet just doesn't really work all the time with plain rubber cleats...

Inov8 include a metal stud sole on one of their models (Mudclaw 340 O +) and Silva make some.  A good orienteering supplier should be able to give you a choice.

Pete. 

Is the feature of the metal studs being pushed inwards to allow the rubber to work on solid surfaces a unique feature of the Icebugs then? Or are other studded shoes similar in that respect?

Genuine curiosity, never having seen any of these. I can see the point of studs when orienteering, and I can see the potential for winter hill-walking but I wouldn't imagine wanting to complete a whole day's walk with studs constantly under my feet (never mind when I hit the pub at the end of the day!). If the Icebugs effectively 'retract' when not needed then that could be a good feature to appeal to a 'less extreme' user, shall we say. If not then, as you say Pete, they may just be another contender with the novelty of being from Sweden and yellow!

Oh, I missed this. Aye, Icebugs are great, grip like shit to a blanket. I had mine on last night with crampons. Here I've got Pythos and Speeds. My mate wears GGFlys.

There will be a lot of comparisons to Inov8. I use both and they're very different. Walking straight across ice when everybody is shuffling carefully behind is worth the price of admission

 "grip like shit to a blanket. "

LOL Very colourful and infomrative as usual PTC

That phrase alone makes me want a pair!!!

You should see the Icebug website, it's brilliant... Icebug

ALS, my Pythos are partly mesh so no insulation, but the uppers are thicker than other trail shoes. The Speeds are waterproof and are warm as well. They feel like there's a layer of something in the upper, but it's very thin whatever it is. The Speeds are lasted for a thicker sock as well.

Other Icebugs definitely have insulation and are a bicky whacky. The spring range is really nice, new colours. They're worth a try if you can get a hold pf a pair, different but importantly good.

The soles are a softer compound rubber as well, so all round grip is good. You cab definitely use them all years round. A couple of teams do just that. Also, the studs don't come out, between us with one pair on their second winter we haven't lost one stud.

Cheers ptc*. Maybe one day you'll be able to change the studs anyway, like in track shoes or golf shoes. Have you actually tried sticking shit to a blanket?