Icebug Järv Gaiter RB9X GTX Review: Hefty but Hikable

Introduction to the Icebug Järv Gaiter RB9X GTX

JOHN: So, this is my first time using Icebug shoes. I had never heard of the company before, but once I learned about them, I was immediately in awe. They may be the coolest company ever.

Icebug was founded by a mother and son in 2001 and is still an independent, privately owned company. They are committed to getting people outside doing adventures, and the headquarters sounds like a great place to hang out. It’s equipped with yoga sessions and a sauna, and best of all, a mandatory 3-hour exercise requirement! Okay, let me stop, and let’s get to the shoe.

The Icebug Järv Gaiter RB9X GTX has serious boot energy. I initially was worried that it was going to be too clunky. I’m friends with people who do some wild adventures, like ITI 350, who immediately replied to my posts when I was initially doing social media on it. I ran an 8-mile run and a 50k. So with that said, let’s see how the Icebug Järv Gaiter RB9X GTX felt out there.

RENEE: The Icebug Järv Gaiter RB9X GTX has a lot of words in its name to type out. If I didn’t have carpal tunnel before, I might now. The Arcus 2 BUGrip GTX was my first experience with an Icebug shoe. That shoe is studded for ice running, so it was a very niche pickup for me. The midsole was smooth, but I didn’t have the best fit with the upper, and the shoe was a bit too clunky underfoot for me to use on single track during winter running.

The Järv Gaiter RB9X GTX (whose shoe title I am pasting from here on) is a better-fitting shoe with a few assets. Unlike John, a 50k in this shoe is a hard pass from me. I normally like to get 50 miles in a shoe before initial review, and this was a rare instance when I struggled to hit 20 miles for review. I should note I normally wear GTX shoes only during winter runs through the snow, so there’s a chance I’ll revisit the shoe once winter running arrives.

What we like about the Icebug Järv Gaiter RB9X GTX

JOHN: The US M11.5 fits my foot true to size. Although the foam isn’t soft, it definitely has a boot feel to it, but it’s also nimble. I didn’t want to run fast in it, so I kept under a 10-minute pace for my first run of 8 miles. My second run in the shoe was the PB&J 50k. I went slower on this one, and I fully believe that where this shoe works for me is a mix of running and speed hiking.

I think the strongest part of this shoe is its stability. I’m not a great trail runner, I’m clumsy and notorious for dogging it out of fear of getting hurt on technical stuff. In this shoe, I felt extremely empowered. I was jumping the last parts of downhill sections and taking chances I wouldn’t normally take. The RB9X outsole felt good on multiple surfaces I used this shoe a lot on singletrack, fireroad some pavement at times getting off and on trail and the lugs never felt overpowering on any surface I encountered.

This is a one-of-a-kind type of feel. I think of all the GTX shoes, this one didn’t feel like it was. My feet didn’t overheat or anything. Yes, it’s a lot of shoe, but it works.

I may use this on Jigger Johnson 100 next year, it’s tough, comfortable, stable, and a great shoe for technical terrain that requires strategy, especially in bad weather. The Gore-Tex Invisible Fit with Oeko-Tex 100 lining has a great feel and is ready for miserable conditions out there.

RENEE: John said it. The midsole is not soft, and the shoe has a boot-like feel. And yes, those can be positive qualities. I’m between half sizes in most models, and I suggest the half size shorter for anyone else who teeters in the middle.

The shoe is very stable on uneven terrain thanks to the firm midsole. The outsole also contributes to a stable ride thanks to its full coverage. I don’t mind sections of exposed midsole on an outsole as a way to cut weight, but I understand why runners like full coverage to enhance protection and durability. A full coverage outsole is becoming a rarity. The Järv Gaiter RB9X GTX is one of the few shoes I reviewed this year with a full coverage outsole. The underfoot protection is excellent, which again is why it works well on uneven terrain.

Speaking of the outsole, the lugs are spaced far enough apart to offer great traction on loose terrain. Gravel, mud, and ungroomed trail, the outsole is ready to rumble. Again, a travesty of reviewing the shoe in late fall is that I haven’t worn them through snow, sleet, or a combo of both. With the firm midsole, hearty outsole, and GTX upper, that type of sloppy running seems to be exactly what the shoe wants.

What we don’t like about the Icebug Järv Gaiter RB9X GTX

JOHN: I would not purchase this shoe with the intent to go really fast in it. It’s not bad for speed, but it’s more of an adventure shoe. The tip-off for that was definitely friends who do that stuff getting fired up about the posts I made about this shoe. If you aren’t doing technical long ultras with longer cutoffs, maybe skip this one or purchase it with the intent of hiking.

I felt like I could push faster paces in this shoe but was more comfortable going my natural all-day ultra pace, which is where it worked great. On the PB&J 50k, trying to hang with some of the faster runners, I definitely took a tumble pushing pace, but once I settled down and went slower, it felt much better.

RENEE: The shoe is more of a hiker. A firm midsole is better for me on singletrack for stability and a nimble foot strike. However, the Järv Gaiter RB9X GTX is a bit too firm. For hiking, fine. For running, my forefoot will feel the burn after a few hours. And the forefoot landing is not nimble or flexible. Again, great for protection on uneven/ungroomed terrain, but not an asset for running. The gaiter is a good fit for my small ankles, but on trail, I like a secure heel fit and generally prefer a traditional upper.

The shoe’s weight is also reminiscent of a hiker. Over 10 oz in a US W8 is hefty, although in the shoe’s defense, GTX adds a good amount of weight to any shoe. And if I’m comparing this shoe to a hiking boot I reviewed recently, the Hoka Mafate X Hike, it’s much, much more functional (and cheaper, if you can believe it).

I don’t wear GTX unless I’m running through snow at well below 0°F. Most GTX uppers in recent years are much improved compared to the unflexing GTX from back in the day. Still, with low volume feet, the upper didn’t hug my feet as I would like for running. I had only one day running with these shoes when the temps were right at freezing (literally 32°F), which I find way too warm for a GTX upper. Again, the Järv Gaiter RB9X GTX might be a shoe we need to revisit during the winter months. Who knows, maybe it will become my go-to snow or snowshoeing shoe.

Final thoughts on the Icebug Järv Gaiter RB9X GTX

JOHN: Remember in the movie Face/Off when they are in the prison and have to wear the boots that lock them down? I got those feels when wearing the Icebug Järv Gaiter RB9X GTX, but in a good way! It’s protective, versatile across various terrains, and ready for whatever!

Runners generally do not like GTX, but I think most who do harder races, self-supported adventures, and need something to accommodate would appreciate this shoe. It is protective, good in bad weather, and extremely stable.

I could see this shoe in a boutique outdoors store because it works for a lot of outdoorsy people, from hanging out at a coffee shop to hiking to doing crazy adventures.

So while this shoe may not be applicable for running faster paces on the trail, it’s an amazing shoe for doing just about everything else. It’s a straight-up adventure shoe, and I will be wearing it on Jigger Johnson 100 next year.

RENEE: Since John mentioned Face/Off, I’ll chime in with another Nicolas Cage film analogy: Longlegs. I’m sure it’s a good movie for some people, but it’s not for me. The Järv Gaiter RB9X GTX has a few good qualities, but I use GTX shoes only a few months a year, and the $209 price is a bit steep for me as a consumer.

If you need a GTX shoe with full outsole coverage and a gaiter, you might get your money’s worth. I recommend the shoe for anyone who knows they need GTX and likes a full coverage outsole with a firm, protective underfoot ride. If everything about this shoe sounds great except the GTX, check out Taylor’s review of the non-GTX, non-gaiter Järv RB9X.

You can pick up the Icebug Järv Gaiter RB9X GTX for $209 from Icebug by using the buttons below.