After greater than 100 textured miles, together with a enjoyable and quick path half marathon, on this assessment I’m specializing in how the VJ Spark ($150) ignites a hearth on the ft and within the physique.
This shoe is aptly named. Within the on the spot of lacing up and stepping out on the path, there may be a direct snap of connection and confidence. With out exaggerative parlance, the VJ Spark is a remarkably light-weight dependable stable pace shoe, with a corresponding blazing orange aesthetic.
As a normal Topo and Altra runner — on each the path and street — I discover the VJ Spark exhilarating with a purposeful area of interest as a brief distance, quick, and mildly technical terrain path shoe. I favor the spaciousness of the aforementioned manufacturers’ shoe fashions, however as a former aggressive soccer participant and bicycle owner, I can simply slip right into a blade-like efficiency shoe so long as the toebox is forgiving, and it’s.
VJ footwear is probably not new to you particularly if in case you have an affinity for all issues gear, are an ultra-adventure athlete, or are concerned in impediment course racing. I beforehand reviewed each the VJ Extremely and VJ Extremely 2 — you may look again at each our VJ Extremely assessment and VJ Extremely 2 assessment — and skilled their aptitude, grip, and materials efficiency, however nonetheless felt some key alterations have been wanted for total prime endurance operating efficiency. Then, voila, the VJ Spark crammed these gaps.
The VJ Spark persistently exhibits up for coaching and race day. My latest Lithia Loop Half Marathon held in Ashland, Oregon, was virtually 6.5 miles up after which 6.5 miles down an extended sinuous singletrack. There have been about two miles of pavement on this race, which isn’t supreme for the Spark, however throughout race mode I missed it for the quick downhill efficiency. The brief distance is good for the VJ Spark.
It has a 5-millimeter drop with a corresponding low claimed stack peak of 27 millimeters on the heel and 22 millimeters on the forefoot, and a comparatively mild precise weight of 8.4 ounces (239 grams) for a U.S. males’s dimension 9.
These parts increase my path sense and confidence particularly when the aim is to maneuver swiftly whereas navigating slick and reasonably technical grounds.
The VJ Spark. All pictures: iRunFar/Bryon Powell
VJ Spark Higher
The VJ Spark higher is designed off a slim, blade-like shoe final. This development promotes midfoot to forefoot operating for swift turnover and restricted floor response forces. Albeit and described extra extensively beneath, the bottom of the shoe is outfitted to grip. Regardless that the shoe’s footprint is slim — the place it meets the bottom — there may be ample friction for bounding, traversing slab slopes, and mountain bike-esque descents.
I like to recommend you put on a half dimension up out of your regular sizing for an optimum VJ Spark expertise. This additionally permits the toebox to really feel snug and versatile with none restrictions or undesirable rigidity. I write this as a staunch supporter of huge toebox footwear for purposeful ft and pure toe splay.
The Spark snugly warps the foot from the midfoot to the heel. The medial arch is built-in with what VJ refers to as their FitLock design for midsole stability. The FitLock thermoplastic extends up from the midsole to the laces, which profoundly retains the foot safe via the gait cycle. The cosy match and low heel collar design additionally help in a no-slip match.
Nothing is overly cushioned on the Spark. Nonetheless, the open nylon mesh masking a lot of the shoe, with exception of the toebox, is gentle and intensely breathable — this lets path particles in, but in addition lets water and warmth out.
The tongue is partially gusseted with minor downward slippage, however is gentle and will be harnessed by the thick but too lengthy laces and lacing system. I’m an enormous proponent of the plastic eyelets and laces that stayed tied. Nonetheless, there isn’t any slipping these footwear on and off repeatedly due to the sturdy heel collar.
The toe bumper poly-plastic is thick, however slim. On condition that this blazer is near the bottom and appropriate for rocky and rooted areas, just a little extra safety could also be warranted, though on the expense of weight. The Spark is dubiously protected on each the lateral and medial heel. The bolstered poly-plastic provides to the additional heel assist when there are stretches of agility operating and technical bounding.
A lateral view of the VJ Spark.
VJ Spark Midsole
The VJ Spark is outfitted with a full-length dense EVA midsole. The midsole permits for first rate floor really feel and suppleness coupled with sufficient cushion for the terrain.
The development of the midsole together with the low stack peak makes the Spark an excellent performer for shorter distances and on reasonably technical substrate. There isn’t any rock plate built-in into the forefoot, due to this fact longer period runs on rubble routes could trigger foot and decrease extremity fatigue.
After my exhausting half marathon race, I felt a tinge of soreness in each calves. It was utterly value it for the safety and surety. The midsole development is unquestionably on the minimalist aspect, however one thing I actually recognize in a path shoe nowadays.
A medial view of the VJ Spark.
VJ Spark Outsole
The VJ Spark shines throughout the board for its area of interest, however the signature efficiency of the VJ model begins the place the rubber meets the path, and it definitely lives as much as the model’s motto: “The perfect grip on the planet!” The outsole is comprised of 100% butyl rubber and that is in all probability probably the most exceptional attributes concerning the Spark.
The outsole grabs the bottom with surety and confidence — making it supreme for slick and various path circumstances and never for street operating.
The outsole design has 5-millimeter diamond formed lugs for further seize, with arrow formed midsole foam uncovered down the middle of the forefoot, and with a singular mountain formed uncovered foam part on the lateral aspect. I reckon VJ designed the outsole to have these midsole sections to cut back weight, improve the flexibleness of the experience, enable for uneven landings, and to separate the forefoot from the heel.
A notice on the latter, this shoe is extra for midfoot and forefoot runners, however operating downhill and whereas bounding the entire base was essential in my expertise. I used to be in a position to cost exhausting up and down granitic soil singletrack and confidently down steep and technical downhills. I’m trying ahead to extra winter miles within the Spark.
The outsole of the VJ Spark.
VJ Spark General Impressions
After I slip on the VJ Spark, I really feel a surge of pleasure from the bottom up. It’s a shoe that has been designed particularly to navigate powerful trails with heightened agility and swiftness. The safe match, responsiveness, and light-weight really feel offers an athlete permission to actually step into that rugged zone and to do it with confidence — the outsole is a sport changer.
It is very important notice that the VJ Spark is a nimble short-distance path shoe. I might push it to a path marathon or possibly a 50-kilometer race relying on circumstances, however I’ve discovered that 10 to twenty miles of textured terrain is perfect to get essentially the most out of what the Spark has to supply and what my physique is able to stand up to from a extra minimalist perspective.
General, the midsole is dense and offers again what it will probably with out an excessive amount of firmness or rigidity.
I’ve been impressed with the VJ model and what they provide all-terrain athletes. I’m trying ahead to not solely operating extra within the Spark, however testing the VJ XTRM 2 additionally.
Name for Feedback
- Have you ever tried the VJ Spark? What have been your ideas?
- When you put on VJ footwear, how does the Spark evaluate to different fashions for you?
[Editor’s Note: If you’re affiliated (i.e., an employee, ambassador, etc.) with a brand, please share your relation in each of your comments on this article. Thanks!]
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A prime view of the VJ Spark.
