VJ - MAXx2

VJ MaxX2 and Arcteryx Norvan SL3 are my current go-to for northeast trails. Nnormal kjerag is a good option that sort of splits the difference between those other two, but isn’t as good as either one.

For rocks, I recommend VJ (my shoe of choice being the VJ Maxx2). I trust vibram Megagrip too, but it’s not as good as VJ rubber on wet rock. Amazing how well these outsoles hold up too. Anything approaching this level of grip years ago (very few options) would suffer from rapid wear down from the soft compounds.

For dirt roads I picked up some Nike Ultrafly. Retired a pair at 615 miles and am about 400 miles into a second pair. Tried a pair of Nike peg trail 4’s in between, but they were a let down after the ultraflys. Most of my real running is on steep, rocky trails in the mountains, though, where I switch between Arcteryx Norvan SL3 for really fast efforts and VJ Maxx2 as my all arounder. Love both of these shoes. Edit: rocky trails in the mountains, not “Rocky Mountain” trails.

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

I like VJ Maxx2 for really technical stuff up to that distance. Lot of people might want some more cushion though. Recently started running in the VJ Ultra 3, too. Equally great grip, but with more cushion to help with the comfort on longer runs. Added stack definitely compromises stability for fast running on boulders etc., but the effect would be lessened at more typical (slower) 50k pace.

My two current favorites for technical rocky trails are Arcteryx Norvan SL3 and VJ Maxx2. For the 50k distance I’d give the nod to the VJs. Norvans are super light and nimble. VJs offer more protection and better grip but are a little heavier and slightly less precise. I might also consider the VJ Ultra 3 for a 50k. I find the extra squishiness and taller stack to be a liability over the other two when trying to run fast (particularly downhill) on super technical terrain. But at 50k pace that liability is likely to diminish and the extra padding will be nice. These feel way faster on flat non-technical terrain than the other two too. Maybe it’s the rocker design or some propulsion from the extra foam.

VJ maxx 2. my favorite shoe. Super (best!) grip. Feeling great all in all for me.

Take a look at VJ Shoes. I love my VJ Maxx 2. (Love my ASICS Noosa for the street too so nothing wrong with Asics either) Edit: https://vjshoes.com

VJ maxx 2. or irock+ depending on terrain

One more. Love my VJ maxx 2 too ✌️

VJ shoes. VJ maxx 2 are great for mountains. Comfortable

For me it’s a tie between the VJ Maxx 2 and La Sportiva Akasha II. They are both amazing over technical terrain. The VJ can handle longer distances well, the La Sportiva is a bit burlier and my go-to if I know it’s going to be a rocky and rooty mudfest.

As always it’s very personal depending on how well the shoe fits my feet and the terrain I’m running in (technical mountains, mud, rocky). I like sky running races around 20-30k and VK’s. Sometimes short road races from 5k to Half Marathon. Current rotation: - Merrell Long Sky 2 Matryx. Great allrounder. - VJ Ultra 3. Cushion. Great for easy and long runs. - NNormal Kjerag Brut (mud) - Salomon Aero Glide 3 (road and treadmill) Recently retired shoes: - Nnormal Kjerag 1. Fast but too small lugs to have good grip in mud/loose debris. Too little cushion for me. Kjerag 2 has more cushion but same outsole. - Nnormal Tomir 2. Great allrounder but didn’t fit my feet (too little big toe space). A bit heavy when wet because the insole keeps a lot of water. - Salomon S/lab Genesis. Great allrounder but worse grip on wet rocks than Vibram Megagrip and VJ. - VJ Maxx 2. Really good allrounder. But didn’t fit my feet (too little big toe space). Shoes I’m considering next: - La Sportiva Prodigio Pro - Merrell MTL Adapt Matryx - Merrell Skyfire 2 Matryx

Btw, if the VJ Maxx 2 fits your feet, it’s a great option. Grip and heel/midfoot lockdown are excellent. The upper isn’t as breathable as the Matryx but that’s only an issue in very hot climates. Unfortunately their sizing just didn’t work for me. UK 9 was too tight on my big toe and UK 9.5 too big and made the heel/midfoot too loose.

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 ...)

You need to size down for the Maxx2. I am US 11 in everything (Saucony, Nnormal, Xtep, Adidas, other VJs), but 10.5 in Maxx2. VJ is one of trailrunnings better kept secrets. No idea why not more people know about them: [https://iancorless.org/2025/04/23/vj-ultra-3-shoe-review/](https://iancorless.org/2025/04/23/vj-ultra-3-shoe-review/) [https://www.roadtrailrun.com/2025/06/vj-shoes-ultra-3-multi-tester-review.html](https://www.roadtrailrun.com/2025/06/vj-shoes-ultra-3-multi-tester-review.html) Imo VJ excels in technical trail terrain, think mountains, UTMB, skyrunning.

Echoing all the others - I was a boots guy for a while until I did owls head one rainy summer day and the wet granite on the bushwhack coming down was the most miserable half mile of my life, every step no matter how slow or how planned ended up in me sliding. Came across a trail runner who recommended the VJ runners and I grabbed a pair of Maxx2s. Never been so confident on wet granite in my life.

VJ shoes - The Best Grip on the planet VJ Ultra 3, VJ Maxx 2

Lightspeed is more narrow - definitely in comparison to the MAXx2. I have reviewed both shoes for RTR and testing the Ultra 3 now. They told us the Lightspeed was kind of a niche shoe - it has the same foam as the MAXx2 but its a narrower platform and less stable due to that. It's not a shoe for short technical stuff - despite what they may show in promo pics. I think they actually had pics mostly in forested trails, which it would be fine for.

MAXx2 is a better and far more versatile shoe than the Lightspeed. After testing, I only really use the Lightspeed sometimes for trail speedwork on flat dirt. Both shoes use SuperFOAMance which is nitrogen-infused TPU/EVA. There are questions about foam durability, and I've experienced packing out with both shoes. But I still find it ok in the MAXx2 as they feel a bit more stable in technical terrain. Initially they were softer and more bouncy, and they've lost that feel. I don't think it's a reasonable long ultra distance shoe though, most people want more protection and cushion underfoot. But for those that prefer a firmer, thinner ride, I supposed it could work. I'm just speaking generally.

If you're primarily concerned about stability, I'd steer clear from the Lightspeed. You'll do better with your MAXx2 . If you did want to step up in cushion, the Ultra 3 is good. Lots of people complaining about the foam compressing over time, but they've been great for me so far (30 miles in). You seem to have a good handle on how the VJ foam feels, so that shouldn't be a problem for you - if you did want that extra cush.

Xtrm and Maxx here. Great!!!

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.

Anything by VJ. Really the best grip. Ultra 3 or MAXx2 are both great