VJ markets the VJ XTRM 2 ($170) as a outstanding selection for impediment course racing, sky working, path working, and swim-run occasions. I might add that the VJ XTRM 2 is a strong working shoe to have round in the course of the early winter months, comparable to when navigating moist and snowy singletrack trails round southern Oregon the place I dwell.
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 for those who throw environmental situations atop the filth and rock. I typically discover myself on trails because 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 images: iRunFar/Bryon Powell
VJ sneakers scream pleasure, ruggedness, and excessive instances 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 working 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 provides the sneakers a extra lifted really feel, practically on par with the VJ Spark — see my VJ Spark assessment.
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 yr, 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 aspect 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 capability to really feel and seize the bottom with pronounced surety.
VJ XTRM 2 Higher
The VJ XTRM 2 higher deserves approval for its development and its capability to defend and supply a tender 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 material has excelled throughout different business requirements comparable to out of doors sports activities and development. I like that undeniable fact that the mesh is thick, malleable, and nonetheless drains exceptionally. I ran by way of 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 packing containers, I used to be barely nervous concerning the slim blade-like development, but concurrently excited at their interesting quick and aggressive seems. To my shock, each uppers present a cushty 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 general 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 may be comparable TPU safety granted on the medial and lateral aspect of the heel, guarding a softer extra compliant heel collar, which I admire for slight movement management and adaptability.
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 tender and delicate Velcro non-slip materials on the heel collar to discreetly present more practical heel lock. Personally, I believe this distinctive addition labored properly for a cosy 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 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 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 intense pink and orange graffiti colorway signifies that the ft can be turning and burning. As somebody who usually gravitates towards easy and unassuming designs in my each day trainers, the VJ area of interest and technical trainers spark a flash if you slide them on.
The designers did an excellent job at matching the shoe’s mission and persona to its outward look, which impressively mirrors how you are 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 general 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 as of late. However this development is warranted given the mission of the XTRM 2.
It’s, nonetheless, designed with tender 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 conjures up some turning and burning when the path opens up.
A medial view of the VJ XTRM 2.
VJ XTRM 2 Outsole
Just like the opposite VJ outsole masterpieces, the outsole on the VJ XTRM 2 definitely upholds the corporate’s motto as having “the very best grip on the planet.” Certain, it’s cheesy and loud on pavement and onerous 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 working 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 help, and fast mud and snow launch. Contemplating all of the mud and rocks I ran by way of, 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 just a few intervals within the XTRM 2 — it simply conjures up that sort of coaching run. One wet, snowy morning, I laced up the XTRM 2 sneakers for some path working 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 working 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 way of southern Oregon the place I dwell — 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 tender 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 working by way of 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 assessment; 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 preserve 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 somewhat than extremely distances. I’m trying ahead to taking this shoe on extra uncovered mountain high working — within the vein of sky working. 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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A high view of the VJ XTRM 2.
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