Icebug Shoes and Boots
Icebug is a Swedish company that designs a line of shoes with an integrated traction system called BUGrip. The system combines a special compound rubber sole with a series of carbide-tip steel traction spikes that provide grip for slippery conditions. One of the most interesting functions of the shoes is the moving spikes; the spikes react to the ground conditions, delivering traction when it's needed and pushing up into the sole when walking on hard ground. In mixed conditions, only some of the spikes retract into the sole. With the moving spikes, one shoe can deliver a comfortable walk in variable ground conditions. Icebugs also offers BUGrip 2.0 technology that uses a different arrangement of spikes placed in series of three. Icebug offers a full line of running shoes, active shoes and winter boots.
Baffin Boots and Shoes
Sharing a name with the Arctic Archipelago island of Baffin in northern Canada, Baffin products are designed for the coldest, most extreme winter conditions. Take the Polar Series, for instance: these boots use an eight-layer inner boot system to provide a temperature rating of -148 degrees F. According to Baffin, they were tested at both the North and South poles. You probably won't be seeing temperatures that cold, so Baffin offers a full selection of boots in different series, including more casual, stylish boots and shoes. All are rated for temperatures below zero. Baffin uses multi-layer inners that insulate, reflect body heat and wick moisture. It also offers products with Icepaw technology, which uses a series of pads on the soles that provide better grip on ice and slippery ground.
Kamik Boots
Another Canadian company, Kamik manufactures a large array of serious winter boots and shoes. The company offers a number of different lines including Summit, Classic and Classic Extreme. Its boots don't dip quite as low as Baffin's, but temperature ratings dip down to -100 degrees F. Kamik uses a variety of technologies in its boots including Vibram soles, moisture-wicking lining and OutDry waterproof membrane (not all technologies are used in every boot). Kamik offers many waterproof options.
Other Options
If you're looking to get traction without purchasing a dedicated shoe or boot, there are many add-on traction systems that can be worn over your shoes. One well-known product is the YakTrax Walker, which uses a stretchy, elastomer body that easily attaches to shoes, combined with metal coils for traction. Other similar traction systems are offered by companies such as DueNorth, Kahtoola and Stabilicers.
