Wednesday, January 15, 2025

Icebug Arcus 2 GTX Review

Article by Renee Krusemark

Icebug Arcus 2 GTX ($220)

Introduction

Need a winter shoe? The Arcus 2 features a GORE-TEX ePE (PFAS free ) Invisible fit upper with 14 carbide steel studs, meant for long runs on gravel and road during winter conditions. The need for a waterproof upper and a studded outsole is very specific, making the Arcus 2 a very niche shoe. Of course, for runners who loath the treadmill, the Arcus 2 is an option to keep logging miles during winter months. 


Pros and Cons


Pros:

Cushioned midsole with smooth ride: Renee

Gore-Tex ePE membrane is PFAS free and reduced carbon footprint 


Cons:

Upper security and fit: Renee

Price: Renee


Stats

Spec Weight: men's 12.88oz / 365g

  Sample Weight: women’s 10.56 oz/300g US8

Stack Height: 38mm/33mm (including outsole, studs, and insole)

Platform Width: 85mm heel / 68mm midfoot / 103mm forefoot (US W8)


First Impressions, Fit and Upper

Renee: To GORE-TEX or not to GORE-TEX? That is the question. Actually, it’s not that philosophical. Like many runners, I steer away from GORE-TEX in all non-winter months. With a good pair of socks, I’d rather allow moisture to enter so it eventually exits. 


For winter running, a GORE-TEX upper has more utlity. When running in snow or sleet in the cold, GORE-TEX can help keep the feet warm for longer periods of running. The Invisible fit of the Arcus upper is similar to other Invisible fit GORE-TEX uppers, to a degree. 


The fit of the shoe is wide, and as someone with narrow heels and low volume feet, I had some issues with a quality lockdown, even with midweight wool socks. For mid-width feet, this might be an asset. The underfoot and the insole is not significantly wider than othe shoes I have run in recently, although the midfoot is a bit flatter. If needing arch support or if you have a narrow midfoot, switching out the insoles might be helpful. 


For me, the width affected the upper security. I wouldn’t take the shoe on single track for that reason. For rolling or flat terrain, the fit isn’t as much of a concern. The heel counter and collar have ample padding and the tongue is gusseted. I’m between half sizes, and wore my usual women’s size 8. I think a 7.5 would work better.  Most runners can stay with true to size if they have a wider foot.. 


Midsole & Platform

Renee: The midsole is Icebug’s rockered SuperC nitrogen-infused TPU midsole. Like most TPU midsoles, the Arcus 2 offers a cushioned yet responsive ride. 


Of course, the shoe is heavy, so responsiveness is dulled for that reason. When running on packed snow and ice, a true responsive ride can be hazardous, so this is not necessarily a negative. 


The rocker is apparent but not obtrusive from a midfoot landing. As discussed in the upper section, I didn’t have the best fit in this shoe, so the midfoot rocker did not hug my arch as much as it needs to for a smooth ride. For easy paces, the midsole felt good, and again, for cold winter runs on ice, 


I think the midsole is a good balance of cushion and stability. The midsole is firm, with some softness provided by the 5mm thick insole. 


Outsole

Renee: Probably the best asset of the shoe is the BUGrip outsole and 13 carbide steel studs. Actually, 14 studs. The product information from IceBug states 13, but go ahead and count them. At their highest, the lugs are 5mm, so there’s some traction provided in light snow. The rubber itself is very grippy so , even without the studs, there’s extra grip provided when on the snow and ice from the outsole rubber. The lug pattern is more on par with road than trail with broader contact surface lugs, which makes sense given the shoe’s more gravel and road focus. 


Four of the studs are placed under the heel, with a large exposed midsole down the mid center of the outsole. The remaining 10 studs are dispersed from the mid to forefoot. No matter where you foot strike, the studs provide traction. 


Ride, Conclusions and Recommendations


Renee: The Arcus 2 is for runners who refuse to use the treadmill if at all possible. For confident running on ice and snow/ice surfaces, the outsole/stud combo is great. 

The ride itself is impacted for me because of the wide midfoot and lacking heel security. The Invisible fit upper is similar in stiffness to other GORE-TEX uppers. The laces help tighten, but not as much as my low volume feet need, sizing down should have helped me.. 


A good fit will improve the ride, as the rockered geometry will be most comfortable when midfoot striking. I’d need a higher arch and/or narrower midfoot area to benefit from the rockered nitrogen-infused TPU midsole. 


Running aside, the shoe will make a good option for walking on ice regardless of how the upper fits. For the price, I think understanding the fit is important especially if purchasing for running. The shoe could be used on trail for those who have a secure fit with the upper. Otherwise, the ride is geared toward paved and gravel roads. 

Renee’s Score:  8.25/10

Ride: 9/10 (potential with the midsole, but fit factors here

Outsole:  10/10) 

Fit: 7/10 (heel and midfoot security will be a factor for narrow to average feet)

Value: 7/10 (with GORE-TEX and steel studs, it’s not totally overpriced. Still costly for the limited/specific use) 

Style: 10/10 (probably not a factor for a studded shoe that can’t be worn casually, but the olive/terracotta color is subjectively pretty) 

😊😊


Comparisons


Hoka Speedgoat 5 GTX (RTR Review)

Renee: The rockered geometry of the Speedgoat 5 GTX is more focused frm the forefoot while the Arcus 2 is more from the midfoot. The security and fit of the Speedgoat 5 GTX is much more secure for trail. While I didn’t review the Speedgoat 5 GTX Spike, I suggest reading that review. I wore a 7.5 in the Hoka and an 8 in the Arcus 2. I think sizing, however, is similar as my size 8 Arcus 2 felt long. 


Nike Pegasus Trail 4 GTX (RTR Review)

Renee: I haven’t tried the Peg Trail 5 GTX, and of course neither version has studs for ice running. In terms of upper fit, the Peg Trail 4 GTX is much more secure and comfortable. The shoe itself is great for trails too (similar to the non-GTX version). The PegTrail 5 is a bit different in ride, so I suggest reading the RTR review of both versions. 


Index to all RTR reviews: HERE


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Samples were provided at no charge for review purposes. RoadTrail Run has affiliate partnerships and may earn commission on products purchased via shopping links in this article. These partnerships do not influence our editorial content. The opinions herein are entirely the authors'.

Tester Profiles

Renee is a former U.S.Marine journalist, which is when her enjoyment of running and writing started. She isn’t that awesome of a runner, but she tries really hard. Most of her weekly 50-60 miles take place on rural country roads in Nebraska, meaning mud, gravel, dirt, hills, and the occasional field. She has PR’s of 1:30:59 for the half marathon and 3:26:45 for the marathon.

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