All terrain stompers. That’s what I call these Icebug shoes. It’s a heck of a lot easier to say than DTS3 RBG9X GTX, which is their proper name. Whoa- that’s a lot of letters and numbers, and yes, they do all correlate to something particular when it comes to this Swiss Army shoe. From the wet, to the slick and packed, I took the DTS3s for a grand tour of Utah to see if they lived up to their fancy billing. So here’s my Icebug DTS3 RBG9X Trail Shoe review:
ICEBUG’S SHOE TECHNOLOGY
Here is the breakdown behind the complex name on these shoes:
• DTS- Distance Training Shoe. The “3” refers to this being the third iteration of the shoe
• RB9X- the model of Icebug’s outsole that this sneaker is built on. They say it’s one of the most versatile they have ever built, and claim superb traction on everything from wet ground to hard concrete
• GTX- GORE-TEX, of course! An upper membrane turns these from a one season shoe to a three season element beater
Now that we have that out of the way, let’s talk performance. Icebug makes some big claims with these sneakers, and to my delight, they delivered on all accounts.
DTS3 FIELD PERFORMANCE
I began testing these shoes back when the Salt Lake valley was a dry, hazy and hot mess. I headed for the Wasatch mountains to beat the heat and enjoy the cooler temperatures. From hardpacked trails to stream crossings and everything in between, I was not let down. Though the outsoles are unstudded, the legendary Icebug grip held true. Whether doing light running or simply hiking, I never so much as slipped with these shoes on my feet.
When the seasons changed and it was time for desert adventures, the DTS3s came through again. Yes, they were all business when hiking in the shallow sand and gravel conditions of Escalante, but it was on slickrock that I was most surprised. On a surface normally known for giving any footwear a fit, the Icebugs gripped like a desert lizard! It seemed that no matter where I went, or what the conditions were, the DTS3s were the perfect shoe for the adventure.
The goodness doesn’t cease there, either. In all honesty, this is one of the most comfortable training shoes I have ever worn. Even after full days of hiking, I kept them on my feet back at camp. I have to say that Icebug is correct: this is one of the most versatile shoes I’ve had on my feet.
ICEBUG INSOLES
Along with the DTS3 shoes, I got to test a pair of Icebug Insoles. I switched the insoles between my gym and work shoes, where they took a fair amount of abuse. They easily outperformed my “stock” insoles, and turned long days on my feet into much less painful ordeals. Need a shoe upgrade in a hurry? These are the way to go. It’s a budget-friendly way to capture the comfort of an Icebug shoe.
FINAL WORD
Float like a butterfly, and sting like a bee; that’s what the Icebug DTS3 RBG9X had me thinking. Floating from comfort and stinging any type of terrain that’s set before you. If a pair of shoes can help me scamper up slickrock and still be comfortable enough for the drive home, they will earn a double thumbs up every time.
The Good: Rugged outsoles mix with a comfortable upper to form a solid hiking/running shoe.
The Bad: Can’t complain about these shoes
The Verdict: If you need a shoe that is light, weatherproof, and can perform on all terrain, then the Icebug DTS3 RBG9X GTX are right up your alley.
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