The midsole has a really constant really feel that enhances the higher properly. It, too, feels very sturdy, however the midsole system is kind of attention-grabbing. Sure, it’s a steamed ETPU midsole. Additionally, greater than 60% of the midsole is a bio-based materials derived from corn! What’s the outcome?
Effectively, there’s no getting round the truth that it felt dense underfoot, however that’s not essentially a foul factor, particularly for the reason that preliminary sensation is softened by the supercritical insole. It supplied a medium-density sensation, and it was met with equally medium responsiveness. Although it wasn’t as smooth or bouncy because the Craft Xplor Hybrid, I’d say the 2 shared similarities.
General, the midsole geometry, with its mild forefoot rocker, allowed the Järv RB9X to trip easily. It transitioned properly from the preliminary footstrike to the toe-off. The reasonably huge forefoot and decently dense midsole additionally give this one some inherent stability, which I’ll by no means complain about.
With a midsole stack of 29/25mm (midsole solely), the Icebug Järv RB9X ought to have an honest quantity of safety, as its general stack is up there with the Merrell Agility Peak 5, Hoka Mafate Pace 4, Topo Athletic MTN Racer 3, and The North Face Enduris 4. Given the midsole’s fairly dense nature and the substantial quantity of rubber underfoot, this shoe had no alternative however to be protecting, which additionally means there’s no actual floor really feel.