VJ markets the VJ XTRM 2 ($170) as a exceptional selection for impediment course racing, sky operating, path operating, and swim-run occasions. I might add that the VJ XTRM 2 is a strong operating shoe to have round in the course of the early winter months, resembling when navigating moist and snowy singletrack trails round southern Oregon the place I reside.
There are trails, after which there are the paths. There’s a distinction, and in some circumstances many variations between trails and the paths, particularly in case you throw environmental situations atop the dust and rock. I typically discover myself on trails as a consequence of comfort and life constraints, however when there may be the chance to hop on the paths, I’m all aboard and I’m most undoubtedly sporting a VJ shoe.
The VJ XTRM 2. All photographs: iRunFar/Bryon Powell
VJ footwear scream pleasure, ruggedness, and excessive occasions as a wannabe mountain goat. Notably, the VJ XTRM 2 is a distinct segment shoe for the paths and appropriate for trails spiced up by climate and roughness. They’re a sure-footed selection for runs and adventures that may take a look at the outsole on up and the soul. Whereas it isn’t a pavement shoe or devoted rock slab operating shoe, it nonetheless finds its traction on layers of rock and unpredictable terrain.
The XTRM 2 retains the runner and multi-faceted journey athlete near floor with a claimed 24-millimeter stack peak on the heel and 20 millimeters on the toe for a 4-millimeter drop. However, the 6-millimeter lug peak undoubtedly offers the footwear a extra lifted really feel, almost on par with the VJ Spark — see my VJ Spark overview.
The XTRM 2 has an precise weight of 9.1 ounces (258 grams) for a U.S. males’s dimension 9. In comparison with the opposite footwear I’ve run in during the last yr, along with how a lot this shoe protects and carries a sturdy sword out within the wilderness, the burden is mild, and it runs mild. As a facet notice, solely VJ’s winter footwear are available in devoted males’s and ladies’s fashions.
The XTRM 2’s specs largely contribute to its technical and hard-wearing prowess with a eager capability to really feel and seize the bottom with pronounced surety.
VJ XTRM 2 Higher
The VJ XTRM 2 higher deserves popularity of its development and its capability to defend and supply a comfortable armor in opposition to the weather. The center of the higher materials is constructed for excessive sturdiness in harsh and rugged situations. VJ designers used Schoeller Keprotec materials, which accommodates Kevlar, for its protecting qualities, lightness, and resistance to the snags, barbs, and sharp rocks.
Schoeller Keprotec was developed for bike racing, however the cloth has excelled throughout different business requirements resembling out of doors sports activities and development. I like that indisputable fact that the mesh is thick, malleable, and nonetheless drains exceptionally. I ran by exhausting rain and deep puddles, and the water appeared to be of little concern.
A lateral view of the VJ XTRM 2.
I obtained each the VJ Spark and the VJ XTRM 2 on the identical time. Once I took each of pairs out of their respective bins, I used to be barely nervous in regards to the slim blade-like development, but concurrently excited at their interesting quick and aggressive appears. To my shock, each uppers present a snug and nonconstricting match.
Comparatively, the Spark’s toebox is a hair wider on the base of the forefoot, however the XTRM 2 nonetheless permits for ample vertical mobility and medial and lateral flexibility. The XTRM 2 runs wider total than the Spark, and its toebox is additional fortified with an amply stitched TPU overly, with a further heat-welded rubber bumper on the entrance of the shoe.
The designers are properly conscious that this shoe must carry out in rugged areas. There’s related TPU safety granted on the medial and lateral facet of the heel, guarding a softer extra compliant heel collar, which I respect for slight movement management and suppleness.
An fascinating and efficient attribute of the XTRM 2’s higher, and one thing I actually haven’t skilled on different path footwear, is the comfortable and delicate Velcro non-slip materials on the heel collar to discreetly present simpler heel lock. Personally, I feel this distinctive addition labored properly for a comfortable match on the heel together with the midfoot medial Fitlock system.
The Fitlock thermoplastic extends up from the midsole to the laces, which profoundly retains the foot safe and secure all through the gait cycle. As with all of the VJ fashions I’ve examined, the partially gusseted tongue is free with a bent to slip down significantly. It hasn’t warranted any main issues, as a result of abrasion isn’t a problem, but it surely strikes, and I would like it keep in place. Within the drier months, mud and particles could also be extra apt to discover a path inside.
Total, the XTRM 2 higher has an aggressive appear and feel — the brilliant crimson and orange graffiti colorway signifies that the ft might be turning and burning. As somebody who usually gravitates towards easy and unassuming designs in my every day trainers, the VJ area of interest and technical trainers spark a flash whenever you slide them on.
The designers did an impressive job at matching the shoe’s mission and character to its outward look, which impressively mirrors how you’re feeling on the within. I write this with out hyperbole.
VJ XTRM 2 Midsole
The VJ XTRM 2’s midsole makes use of the identical dense EVA foam because the VJ Spark, however is fortified with a full size but versatile rock plate. The 2 are very related footwear, however differ in nuance and total safety and technical aptitude.
Each the XTRM 2 and Spark flex exceptionally properly, which abets the outsole with floor really feel and tactical experience, whereas balancing out the firmness of the midsole. The midsole isn’t your typical cushioned trip, attracting swarms of path runners lately. However this development is warranted given the mission of the XTRM 2.
It’s, nevertheless, designed with comfortable pads within the forefoot and the heel, known as Poron, to increase the longevity of each the adventures and the midsole. It permits for navigating swift and fast singletrack and tight turns. The midsole doesn’t give again tremendously, however it’s mild and agile. It provides pep and actually conjures up some turning and burning when the path opens up.
A medial view of the VJ XTRM 2.
VJ XTRM 2 Outsole
Much like the opposite VJ outsole masterpieces, the outsole on the VJ XTRM 2 definitely upholds the corporate’s motto as having “the perfect grip on the planet.” Certain, it’s cheesy and loud on pavement and exhausting surfaces, however in relation to efficiency on the paths — this outsole, outshines.
The XTRM 2 comes outfitted with a full butyl-rubber outsole and extra lugs on the midfoot and forefoot in comparison with the VJ Spark. Standing and operating in each of them, you possibly can really feel the grip and traction distinction, and whereas each are wonderful, the XTRM 2 is barely edgier. That’s largely as a result of the XTRM 2 carries 6-millimeter aggressive lugs with heightened floor contact, full heel-to-toe assist, and fast mud and snow launch. Contemplating all of the mud and rocks I ran by, little or no materials — if any — was left on the bottoms of the footwear post-run.
The outsole of the VJ XTRM 2.
I did fairly a number of intervals within the XTRM 2 — it simply conjures up that form of coaching run. One wet, snowy morning, I laced up the XTRM 2 footwear for some path operating intervals and I encountered the gambit of mud, new moist snow, after which lastly a crunchy deep layer of white the upper I went. All my intervals have been uphill and with out hesitation.
The integrity of the outsole — grip and lug design — have been on level for surefooted exhausting uphill singletrack operating together with equal confidence on the descent.
VJ XTRM 2 Total Impressions
I’m head over heels for the VJ XTRM 2. As winter storm after winter storm got here by southern Oregon the place I reside — within the type of snow, wintry combine, after which rain — this shoe excelled throughout the board on trails and the paths I might get entry to.
VJ has fastidiously designed every layer of the XTRM 2 to carry out optimally for its supposed functions. I did strong speedwork on snow and comfortable granite, in addition to many hill repeats on a really rocky and sloppy muddy path to place the outsole, midsole, and higher to the take a look at, which included operating by many mud puddles. I used to be sure-footed and felt securely protected.
The XTRM 2 isn’t the VJ Extremely. See our full VJ Extremely overview; it’s designed with extra cushion for longer outings and typical ultra-races. However the XTRM 2 can undoubtedly push a 50-kilometer distance if wanted, though I might typically maintain the XTRM 2 and Spark to roughly 20 to 25 kilometers, particularly if there are expanses of soppy path to cowl.
The general firmness and exhausting rubber appear to restrict the shoe to extremely experiences reasonably than extremely distances. I’m wanting ahead to taking this shoe on extra uncovered mountain high operating — within the vein of sky operating. The XTRM 2 can also be adequately common as a swim-run shoe, which might navigate rocky shorelines and scramble rugged seashores.
Based mostly on what it’s able to already, I’m wholly assured that its efficiency will reign supreme the place grip and stability are of the utmost significance.
Name for Feedback
- Have you ever tried the VJ XTRM 2? What have been your ideas?
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A high view of the VJ XTRM 2.
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