Lightspeed

Nice! I recently snagged a pair of those (light speed) too for only $30 (probably same place you found yours) just to try out. When first trying them on I was astonished at how different they felt to the maxx2, especially in the heel. On the trail, they don’t feel as different from the maxx2 as they did standing in my kitchen. But ultimately I prefer the maxx2. Maxx2 feels a bit more flexible and lively while at the same time feeling more stable and in-tune with the environment. I’d recommend the maxx2 over the lightspeed, but probably not enough to suggest tossing the lightspeeds in favor of them. Upper on both shoes kind of sucks, so I’m really hoping for a maxx3 with improved upper. Upper on the Ultra3 is decent.

For road: Adidas Asizero Adios 9 For trail: Nnormal Kjerag 1 Also consider: VJ lightspeed & maxx2 aren’t what I’d consider low stack, but they’re not high stack either. Very capable on highly technical terrain. VJ midsole foam in these feels awesome.

Nnormal Kjerag 2 (24/18mm) and VJ Lightspeed (29/23mm) are my favorite shoes for technical trails (up to 21 km). For 42 km runs, I have used VJ Maxx2 (31/25mm) and Hoka Tecton X3 (40/35mm) for some extra cushion. The new Kjerag 2 is really good! I would probably have the Tomir as well in my rotation, if not for the 8mm drop ... (There is always VJ Ultra 3 (38/30mm), Mafate 5 (44/36mm), Mafate X (49/41mm), Rocket X Trail (50/44mm) for even more stack ... but good luck to your ankles if you wear those on technical trails ...)

Nnormal Kjerag 2, VJ Lightspeed. The latter has a plate, so a bit more control with the Kjerag.

Yes I know, I usually run in VJ Lightspeed and Nnormal Kjerag in my local mountain area in Bergen, Norway. But I have pretty strong / good mobility ankles after many years as a barefoot runner, and good balance from a lifetime of XC skiing, and this race is not supertechnical (not climbing mountain ridges), most of it is «runnable», and I did run it last year in X3 without problems. But the X3 was not the perfect match, 40/35 was maybe a bit too much, hence this thread.

Ultra 3 weighs around the same as X3, so I am looking for something lighter. I did the race in Maxx2 in 2024, and the shoes felt ... well, slow, kinda like I wasn't flying. Might have been the runner, not the shoes, of course. But if I am going VJ, it'll be Lightspeed, which I have run a lot of half marathons in. (The 43k race has been won in Lightspeed every year since Lightspeed came out, but I fear five hours on 29/23 is a bit low stack for me.)

Just got them. Only have 10k in them so far, waiting for the snow to leave the local mountains here. First impression is true to size, very similar to Tecton X3, but a little lighter, a little less clunky, and apparently (according to testers) with slightly more control in technical terrain. Also, different foam. My plan is to use the Kipsummit Race on a 45k trailrace this summer (used X3 in last year's). For shorter distances the VJ Lightspeed (now in version 2) is still the king for me. u/HumbleRunning has several video reviews of Kipsummit Race: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4oKi7V1Pmg](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4oKi7V1Pmg) Actually, if you scroll through his videoes, you'll probably get some more contenders to your list. [https://youtu.be/eBWWggORzL8?t=1149&si=XljMn5dKLyGOBTAl](https://youtu.be/eBWWggORzL8?t=1149&si=XljMn5dKLyGOBTAl)

VJ Lightspeed is exactly what you're looking for. Puma had the Deviate Nitro Elite Trail but I believe it is discontinued now.

Funny to see multiple adidas shoes listed here, they don't get mentioned a lot in this sub. My rotation: * VJ Lightspeed: OCR training (interval based so the running sections are faster) * VJ Spark: OCR races (continuous slower pace) * Inov8 parkclaw g280: road to trail runs, I only have non-technical trails where I live, those only require mild trail shoes in autumn and winter (eyeing to replace this with Salomon Aeto Blaze GRVL or other mild trail shoes) " New Balance More V4: road runs and summer trails * New Balance Hierro V6: retired, now used for hiking

Trail shoes with bounce: Puma Deviate Nitro Elite Trail & VJ Lightspeed. Those are both plated shoes with modern foams meant for fast running. The VJ Maxx2 is the more allround version of the Lightspeed that uses the same bouncy foam but has no plate

VJ Maxx 2 or VJ Lightspeed would be fit for purpose. Especially considering the terrain you described.

+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.