VJ XTRM 2 Review

VJ markets the VJ XTRM 2 ($170) as a outstanding selection for impediment course racing, sky operating, path operating, and swim-run occasions. I might add that the VJ XTRM 2 is a stable operating shoe to have round in the course of the early winter months, reminiscent of 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 circumstances atop the filth and rock. I usually discover myself on trails on account 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 carrying a VJ shoe.

The VJ XTRM 2. All pictures: iRunFar/Bryon Powell

VJ sneakers 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 can 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 top on the heel and 20 millimeters on the toe for a 4-millimeter drop. However, the 6-millimeter lug top undoubtedly provides the sneakers a extra lifted really feel, practically on par with the VJ Spark — see my VJ Spark evaluate.

The XTRM 2 has an precise weight of 9.1 ounces (258 grams) for a U.S. males’s measurement 9. In comparison with the opposite sneakers I’ve run in over the past 12 months, along with how a lot this shoe protects and carries a sturdy sword out within the wilderness, the burden is gentle, and it runs gentle. As a facet observe, solely VJ’s winter sneakers are available devoted males’s and girls’s fashions.

The XTRM 2’s specs largely contribute to its technical and hard-wearing prowess with a eager skill to really feel and seize the bottom with pronounced surety.

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VJ XTRM 2 Higher

The VJ XTRM 2 higher deserves popularity of its building and its skill to protect and supply a smooth armor in opposition to the weather. The center of the higher materials is constructed for excessive sturdiness in harsh and rugged circumstances. VJ designers used Schoeller Keprotec materials, which incorporates Kevlar, for its protecting qualities, lightness, and resistance to the snags, barbs, and sharp rocks.

Schoeller Keprotec was developed for motorbike racing, however the cloth has excelled throughout different trade requirements reminiscent of out of doors sports activities and building. I like that indisputable fact that the mesh is thick, malleable, and nonetheless drains exceptionally. I ran by onerous rain and deep puddles, and the water appeared to be of little concern.

A lateral view of the VJ XTRM 2.

I acquired each the VJ Spark and the VJ XTRM 2 on the similar time. After I took each of pairs out of their respective containers, I used to be barely nervous in regards to the slender blade-like building, but concurrently excited at their interesting quick and aggressive seems. 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 an extra 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 may be comparable 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 attention-grabbing and efficient attribute of the XTRM 2’s higher, and one thing I actually haven’t skilled on different path sneakers, is the smooth and delicate Velcro non-slip materials on the heel collar to discreetly present more practical 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 steady all through the gait cycle. As with all of the VJ fashions I’ve examined, the partially gusseted tongue is free with an inclination to slip down significantly. It hasn’t warranted any main considerations, as a result of abrasion isn’t a difficulty, however it strikes, and I would favor it keep in place. Within the drier months, mud and particles could also be extra apt to discover a path inside.

General, the XTRM 2 higher has an aggressive appear and feel — the brilliant pink and orange graffiti colorway signifies that the toes can 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 persona 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 comparable sneakers, 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 experience, attracting swarms of path runners as of late. However this building is warranted given the mission of the XTRM 2.

It’s, nonetheless, designed with smooth 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 gentle and agile. It provides pep and actually evokes 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 actually upholds the corporate’s motto as having “the perfect grip on the planet.” Certain, it’s cheesy and loud on pavement and onerous surfaces, however in the case of 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’ll be able to really feel the grip and traction distinction, and whereas each are glorious, 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 help, 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 sneakers post-run.

The outsole of the VJ XTRM 2.

I did fairly a couple of intervals within the XTRM 2 — it simply evokes that type of coaching run. One wet, snowy morning, I laced up the XTRM 2 sneakers 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 had been uphill and with out hesitation.

The integrity of the outsole — grip and lug design — had been on level for surefooted onerous uphill singletrack operating together with equal confidence on the descent.

VJ XTRM 2 General 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 may get entry to.

VJ has fastidiously designed every layer of the XTRM 2 to carry out optimally for its supposed functions. I did stable speedwork on snow and smooth 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 evaluate; 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 usually hold 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 onerous rubber appear to restrict the shoe to extremely experiences fairly than extremely distances. I’m wanting ahead to taking this shoe on extra uncovered mountain prime operating — within the vein of sky operating. The XTRM 2 can also be adequately normal 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.

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