VJ - MAXx

Here’s my contribution. I haven’t done controlled tests like you did, but I run a lot of rocky vertical terrain and have put lots of miles in all these shoes. Trying to focus here on wet rock grip from the outsole and ignore other shoe attributes (fit, lock down, flexibility/stiffness, weight, cushion, etc) that also come into play with their overall ability to do the job on wet rock 5: VJ Maxx 1&2 VJ Spark Arcteryx Norvan VT (limited mileage) 4. Arcteryx Norvan SL 1, 2, &3 Salomon s/Lab Sense 7&8 Nnormal Kjeraq 3. La Sportiva Helios SR La Sportiva Vertical K & VK INOV-8 F-Lite 195 2. Whole bunch of older inov-8 x-talon and RocLite models NB minimus Salomon s/lab ultra 3 Salomon s/lab sense 7SG 1. Old Nike Terra kiger Salomon s/lab sense 1, 2, 3 For spiked shoes, I actually think they suffer quite a bit on rock because they don’t stick instantly like pure rubber soles. 4. VJ Devil 4 3. VJ bold race, VJ ice hero, INOV-8 ORoc 280

Great review. I have a pair that I used for 325mi (~500km). I retired mine mainly in favor of moving on to a different shoe. I never used them on pavement but had noticeable wear of the tread, especially in the ball of foot area, like you. I run on a lot of rocks. But I will note that I’ve since run similar terrain and higher mileage in both the VJ Maxx and Maxx2 which have both experienced a much slower tread wear rate than the Spark. The Spark is quite flexible and has tons of ground feel. That’s something I used to seek out more (used to do ultra distances in Inov-8 f-lite 195’s for example) but have since come to appreciate having a rock plate. I feel like the Spark would be improved if they could make it lighter and less bulky feeling for such a minimalist shoe. They’re like 50% heavier than my Arcteryx Norvan sl3, for example, and don’t feel as precise. VJ grip is better than Megagrip though, especially on wet rock. To the OP: you should give the VJ Maxx2 a try. Definitely a more inspiring midsole there. Same, or better grip than the Spark, with better tread wear in my experience. I’m not a fan of the upper, but overall they’ve become my go-to general purpose trail shoe for distances of 5-30+ miles.

I run a lot of the trails here in Kent where we have a mix of fields in deep mud, occasional footpaths and horse trails, and stretches of road to get from one to the next. The Inov8 shoes are good, but the midsole is pretty firm on the MudTalon and Trailtalon unless to take the Max options. Unless you want a really responsive shoe with a lot of ground feel then i'd avoid this. This also goes for some of the VJ Shoes (the iRock or XTRM have almost no midsole!). I really like VJ shoes for the traction though - the outsole is the best in the business. The VJ Maxx is a good choice. I like the VJ Ultra 3 although the midsole started to flatten out faster than i'd have liked. Brooks Cascadia i didn't get along with. Midsole was boring, the outsole not great, and the fit rubbed my little toes. I also think the Speedcross 6 is very firm, and a little treacherous on roads - those big lugs are great in the mud, but terrible on wet tarmac At the moment i am finding the Hoka Mafate 5 to be a good shoes with lots of bounce, and the lugs and rubber are giving me really good traction. But it's a heavier shoe thats really designed to half-marathon and upwards distance. Other shoes that I think might work for you: \- Hoka Mafate 5, VJ Ultra 3, Inov8 Trailfly Max \- Salomon Genesis or S/Lab Genesis \- Merrell Agility Peak 5 \- Saucony Peregrine or Xodus Ultra 4 (not the 3!) \- Asics Fujispeed or MetaFuji get good reviews, but i've not run in them yet

Xtrm and Maxx here. Great!!!

I don't remember if you're the only other person on r/trailrunning besides me who is also a VJ fan. I rarely see people post here about them, which is a shame because it's a good brand. I really like my Ultra 2's. They're not perfect, but they're pretty good. I have the Maxx and they're honestly a bit too thin for the sole unless I'm only doing short distances. Did you ever use the original Maxx?

I think you will be happy with the Ultra 2s. I was also nervous about the stack height... I almost never wear my Maxx now though. I want to try the Ultra 3, but the cost is holding me back for now.

Mike Zegama 2 are amazing all around shoe. VJ MAXx and LaSportiva Bushido 2 are great if u have a narrow foot.

VJ Maxx - rock plate, kevlar upper, unbelievable grip, low profile.

I've over 100 miles on VJ Maxx 2, the lower stack version, still very bouncy

+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.