ICEBUG GROVE W BUGRIP® WOOLPOWER: Why this shoe is different – and why it won the ISPO award 2019

 

With Grove W BUGrip® Woolpower, Icebug is taking a big step towards the future. This is a boot that takes both sustainability and durability to a new level. With the world’s best traction under your feet, all criteria for a really good winter boot are met.

Natural elegance and sustainable consciousness have set the framework when developing this minimalistic winter boot. A boot that is Icebug’s most sustainable model so far. It’s also the winner of the ISPO award 2019 in the category Urban – Street & Lifestyle.

The water repellent high shaft in felted wool is made with scrap from the Swedish company Woolpower’s clothing production. The upper is made in silver rated (LWG) leather.
– Grove is an example of a cross-industry collaboration between the footwear – and clothing industry, where we are using the waste from Woolpowers clothing production to improve the function and sustainability of our shoe. By using the waste from Woolpower, the material is upcycled and is given a second lifecycle, says Mariell Bjuhr, designer at Icebug.

Lot’s of good things already, right? There’s more.

The beginning of a beautiful friendship
Two brands, one mission. Both Icebug and Woolpower are making products that make it easier to be outdoors during the whole winter. Grove is the first real collaboration between the two – but not the last.

Traction that doesn’t wear out
Icebug’s shoes are made to be worn – a lot. Grove’s 14 BUGrip® steel studs are almost impossible to wear out, and the technology works great even if you happen to lose a stud or two. And in that case, you can replace it.

20% recycled rubber in the outsole
The probably biggest single sustainability step forward for FW19 is that we’re using 20% recycled rubber in the outsoles with BUGrip – while maintaining performance and durability.

Woolpower leftovers in the upper
Leftover pieces from Woolpower’s production are used. Good for both minimizing waste – and for keeping your feet warm. The felt also have other great benefits, it has excellent insulation qualities and is rigid enough to be used as only one layer in the shaft, thus minimizing the number of different materials and the use of glue.

Silver rated leather
All leather used in Grove is silver rated by the Leather Working Group, guaranteeing it’s produced as sustainable as possible.

Bloom foam + Woolpower Insole
The insole is made with recycled wool from Woolpower together with Bloom foam to offer great cushioning and warmth. Harmful algae plants that are polluting water sources are made to a usable foam product instead. Bloom foam have similar material properties to EVA, the most common material used for midsoles and insoles. But Bloom foam gives less CO2 emissions and it lowers the dependency on petroleum.

Two versions
The boot comes in two versions. One with BUGrip® studs and one with Michelin outsole. Both water repellent. The long medial zipper makes Grove easy to take on and off.

About Icebug

Icebug is a Swedish shoe company that back in 2001 started to challenge the global footwear giants with new innovative traction technologies. The reason why Icebug started was the frustration of having to choose between slipping or saying no to outdoor activities because of the risk of slipping. Icebug traction technologies enable people to enjoy outdoor activities all year around, no matter the conditions.

Icebug (HQ)
Fabriksstråket 35
433 76 Jonsered