Got the Etnies Culvert shoes today.
Yet to go for a ride, but took a few photos for anyone thinking about them.
Here they are next to my older Etnies Maranas. Very similar if not identical sizing.
Pushed a key into the sole, and while they have a similar softness to the skate shoes, they have a much lower rebound. The key leaves an impression in the culvert sole when you push it in, and doesn't spring back out as quickly as the skate rubber.
They are very stiff soled. Not completely solid like a carbon road shoe, but stiffer than my Shimano GR7s.
Under the insole there is a hard plastic (?) layer that seems to give more stiffness.
Can barely get a bend in the sole with my hands, even pushing pretty hard.
Here is how I can bend the skate version.