VJ - IRock+

I have a pair of VJ iRock+ - the latest model that's a wider fit than the original iRock. They are not going to be ice shoes by any means but great on deep mud, bogs, fells. Also 100% on wet rock - pretty sure you could run up a wall in them.

It really isn't or at least it used not to be when Inov-8 were making good shoes. Try the VJ Irocks. Again though, it goes back to 0 drop not actually being the thing that matters.

Consider the XTRMs or iRocks. IRocks are very much a fell or orienteering shoe, but the XTRMs are more versatile. Absolute bangers in fact. Most of my really big days out I do in them and they’ll be my bob graham shoe.

VJ iRocks for racing. Scott Supertrac RC2s are the closest I’ve found to roclites for daily training. I’ve got a pair of the OMM fell shoes to try but I’ve been out with the flu so haven’t given them a go yet. Luckily still have some old 212s that i save for special occasions…

Already been mentioned, but the Tecton X3 is a great fast shoe. If you want a really low slung fast shoe for the fells then you can’t beat the VJ iRock or the Inov8 MudTalon either. Also, I suspect it’s contentious but I really like the Merrell Longsky Matryx

Some shoes to consider for muddy uk hills: Ronhill Reverence - great value. Big Michelin lugs, matryx upper and last for ages. More cushioning than you’d think too. Vj maxx 2 or vj irock wide - if you want the grippiest rubber vj is the best. Maxx 2 more of a trail shoe (similar to Hoka tecton). Irock better for wet rock and off road. Merrell long sky 2 could be worth a try too. Decent lug pattern and foam. I run in inov8,mudtalon speeds from my house to the park and the insole/midsole combo is surprisingly okay on the roads and excellent once I get to the mud! Not tried but maybe worth looking into La sportive prodigio pro too. Agree with above comments US brands that talk about being grippy are most often useless in the mud over here! They normally mean grip for dry rocky trails 🤷‍♂️

VJ iRock, VJ Xtrm, Nnormal Tomir 2, in the order of most grip/precision to less, but least comfort to more comfort. Asics Fujispeed 2/3 could also work but they’re not the best in mud. I’ve done up to 50K/3980m in VJ Xtrm some years back.

They’re pretty narrow but there’s a wider fit iRock available now. They do need to lock down your foot so they’re pretty minimalistic in terms of comfort. Nvii or Inov8 are probably the most similar shoes. I get along well with most shoe brands: Asics, Saucony, Hoka (except Speedgoats), Scarpa, Salomon, Nnormal, Nvii, Inov8, etc so perhaps I’m not best to ask. La Sportiva tend to rub my ankle and Adidas felt a bit tight but Terrex ASU didn’t.

VJ have the best rubber, most grippy on all surfaces. The Ultra 3 for longer distance, the MAXx2 for less cushion, iRock + for the mud. Flow for easy runs and road to trail.

How do the XTRMs compare in terms of fit? Some of the VJ are extremely narrow. Same for Irock4, irock+ is a godsend for me.

+1 for VJsports. I have a pair with spikes that I keep boxed up to come out on the odd icy / snowy run. When they do come out, they’re great. Would recommend non spiky ones for the mud also, they do some good shoes.