Columbia and Icebug are the two latest footwear manufacturers to adopt Ice Control Technology developed by the R&D department of Michelin Technical Soles, based in Verona, Italy. The new outsoles provide up to 40 percent greater traction on ice, according to designers.

The new outsoles will be introduced by Columbia on its Canuk Titanium Omni-Heat OutDry Boot, and by Icebug on its Solus M walking boots.

“There isn’t a more problematic surface than a layer of ice or heavily snow-covered ground. Under these conditions footwear reliability should not be compromised,” said Andrea de Pascale, head of marketing and partnership development for Michelin outsole licensee JV International.

Photo courtesy Icebug