VJ - IRock+

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.

I prefer the iRocks for shorter races but the XTRM is the only think I'll wear for long stuff these days. Possibly the ultimate all rounder. I believe Inov8 have just had a management reshuffle, but from the whispers I've heard, the management are a big cause of the issues, wanting a shift away from fell and towards trail generally (hence the shitty footshape thing that has made all their new shoes wildly rolly when contouring) and I know a number of key staff left due to the way the management wanted the mudtalon developed and tested.

The mudtalon simply isn't a fell shoe sadly - the speeds are better than the non-speeds, but they're still just a trail shoe that's good in mud. The iRocks are a spectacular shoe. Marginally better than the X talon generally and much better on wet rock, but you'll pay for them and the lugs wear faster. They are also narrow, which I imagine like me is what you want, but lots of people find them too narrow. These days I have gone from wearing xtalons and mudclaws for everything to iRocks for short races and VJ XTRMs for longer stuff - up to an including Old County Tops. Will probably wear for the Bob too. When not racing its La Sportiva Mutants and Roclites to try and save on the outsole wear on the VJs.

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 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.

VJ sport. Either the irock or xtrem 2 would work really well, probably the xtrem2 for the longer stuff like the fellsman

Maxx I couldn't fit into, Maxx2 I can fit into and have ample space in the toe box. Took awhile to get used to the cushion, since I don't often have cushioned shoes but I found it superb for this too, soft but not sinky soft. Prior to this, I'd tried the VJ Irock and Xtrm and ruled VJ out as a brand for my foot shape. The Maxx2 and Irock+ make their shoes wearable and lock in the heel nicely.

Maxx I couldn't fit into, Maxx2 I can fit into and have ample space in the toe box. Took awhile to get used to the cushion, since I don't often have cushioned shoes but I found it superb for this too, soft but not sinky soft. Prior to this, I'd tried the VJ Irock and Xtrm and ruled VJ out as a brand for my foot shape. The Maxx2 and Irock+ make their shoes wearable and lock in the heel nicely.

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.