Intro
When considering a new running shoe, there are so many similar-looking shoes on the market being made by so many different companies, it is virtually impossible to (1) know where to begin; (2) quickly figure out which one or two products from a given brand might work well for you; and (3) determine what products from other brands might be the most similar and also worth considering.
So in our new “Blister Brand Guide” series, we provide an overview of the entire product lineup of a brand; highlight how each product stands out from the rest of that brand’s lineup; and help you figure out quickly and easily which shoe might work best for you.
In our individual product reviews, we go very deep into the details of particular products. With these Brand Guides, the goal is not Depth, but Breadth. Our Brand Guides and full reviews are designed to complement each other — provide a broad overview of entire company lineups, and then also very detailed reviews of individual products.
Brand Background: VJ
Globalization has done a lot for trail running beyond simply increasing its popularity; the sport’s growing reach has cut channels between different markets, thereby expanding the variety of products available to runners everywhere. In the past few years, several footwear makers have used the momentum from this proliferation to jump the Atlantic and establish a presence in North America, particularly the US, a country undergoing a prolonged boom in ultra-endurance sports.
Though the brand is over 40 years old, VJ shoes have only been available in North America since 2019, when they expanded to the US to satisfy the demands of OCR (obstacle course racing) athletes and trail runners in need of aggressive, durable shoes for the Pacific Northwest’s notoriously treacherous terrain. Originating from the Finnish hinterland, VJ’s history begins in 1981, when a shoemaker and orienteer developed footwear specific to the densely forested region encircling the town of Orivesi. As the brand has aged over the years, they’ve made sure to retain their Finnish influence, which comes across in their shoes’ attention to durability, fit, and grip. A few notable features exhibited throughout most VJ models help them do this, namely 100% Butyl-rubber outsoles (a particularly grippy rubber compound), reinforced uppers, and medial overlays VJ calls their “FitLock” system. Collectively, these components work in unison to create trail shoes ideal for technical terrain and obstacle course racing, though it should be noted that VJ has added more stack height and wider toe boxes to several of their most recent models to make them better suited for ultrarunning.
In this brand guide, we’ll summarize every one of VJ’s trail shoes, tracing their designs and intended uses to give you a better idea of which model might best fit your needs. For reference, stated weights are for a US Men’s Size 9.5 and a US Women’s Size 7.
TRAIL SHOES
Most Cushion
Stack Height
- Heel: 33 mm
- Toe: 27 mm
Drop: 6 mm
Stated Weight
- Men's: 295 g
- Women's: N/A
MSRP: $170.00
Versatile, supple, and lightweight, the MAXx is VJ’s take on a single-quiver shoe suitable for both long-distance runs and short, high-intensity workouts. To accommodate such a wide range of uses, the MAXx balances moderate amounts of cushioning — including select units under the forefoot and heel — with protection in the form of a full-length rock plate. Up top, VJ uses a sandwich mesh material for the MAXx’s upper, which is designed to be durable and breathable. Below, the shoe rides on a 100% Butyl-rubber outsole lined with 4 mm lugs, slightly shorter than those on most other models in VJ’s lineup and probably better suited for road-to-trail use (and less so for wet, loose conditions). As a “generalist,” the MAXx should have a pretty standard fit, with VJ’s FItLock system in place to help lock down the midfoot. Those in the market for a lightweight shoe capable of handling a wide range of scenarios should look to the MAXx as a potential option.
Stack Height
- Heel: 29 mm
- Toe: 23 mm
Drop: 6 mm
Stated Weight
- Men's: 286 g
- Women's: N/A
MSRP: $160.00
VJ calls the Spark an “attack shoe,” a model designed to optimize ground feel, traction, and confidence at speed. Built with VJ’s racing fit, a semi-gusseted tongue surrounded by a mesh nylon upper, and the brand’s FitLock system for foot security, the Spark should have a more precise feel than roomier models like the Ultra 2, which consequently might require some athletes with wider feet to go up a 1/2 size. The same combination of EVA foam and 100% Butyl-rubber seen throughout VJ’s line make up the Spark’s midsole / outsole pairing, and slightly longer 5 mm lugs should give the Spark a bit more traction on loose surfaces. It’s neither the most protective nor the most cushioned option in VJ’s lineup, but if you’re looking for a sharp, lightweight trail shoe for short to medium-distance races and/or workouts on loose terrain, put the Spark on your list.
Stack Height
- Heel: 27 mm
- Toe: 22 mm
Drop: 5 mm
Stated Weight
- Men's: 254 g
- Women's: N/A
MSRP: $150.00
Hinted at in its name, the XTRM 2 is VJ’s designated model for sky running, obstacle course racing, and really any type of activity on toothy, technical terrain. Forced to balance protection with precision, the XTRM 2 makes a point of emphasizing both. The shoe incorporates VJ’s “Soft Heel” technology to comfortably hold the hind foot, a FitLock system to provide midfoot stability, and a bit of width in the toe box, which, taken together, should lend the XTRM 2 a pretty dialed, comfortable fit for faster paces on unsure footing. To hold up against the punishment that style of running brings with it, VJ made sure to add plenty of protective elements to the XTRM 2 too, including a full-length rock plate, strengthened rubber toe cap, and an upper made with Schoeller “Keprotec,” a textile originally developed for motorcycle racing. The shoe’s 100% Butyl-rubber outsole and aggressive 6 mm lugs should also help shield the foot from sharp debris, while also likely delivering above-class grip on most surfaces. The XTRM 2 has a fairly modest stack height at 24 mm / 20, which should help keep the shoe balanced, but potentially reel in its range as a long-distance option. Still, its full-length EVA blend midsole is likely soft enough for medium-distance efforts of around 20 miles and shorter. So, if running ridgelines, scampering up peaks, or obstacle course racing is your jam, check out the XTRM 2.
Stack Height
- Heel: 24 mm
- Toe: 20 mm
Drop: 4 mm
Stated Weight
- Men's: 267 g
- Women's: N/A
MSRP: $170.00
Least Cushion
It’s fitting for a Finnish footwear brand like VJ to have a dedicated winter running shoe, and the Ice Hero is exactly that. While it shares a similar silhouette and fit as the MAXx, the Ice Hero includes several components specific to the demands of running in icy / snowy conditions. Perhaps the most obvious is the shoe’s unique “Superior Contact” outsole, which comes dotted with 18 carbon steel star-shaped studs; however, the Ice Hero’s winterized design also extends to its water repellant upper, made from a weave of aramid fiber and nylon. These two considerations, a steel-studded outsole and a tough, wicking upper, should lend the shoe enough grip and protection to handle even technical trails in winter. The Ice Hero’s modest 21 mm / 13 mm stack height, while not the most cushioned midsole, should also help with stability, a priority when running on frozen ground. If you’re a year-round runner who lives in an area that gets a ton of snow or ice, check out the Ice Hero as a seasonal option for when the trails start to freeze.
Stack Height
- Heel: 21 mm
- Toe: 13 mm
Drop: 8 mm
Stated Weight
- Men's: 275 g
- Women's: 235 g
I do have both the VJ Ultra (the original) and the Spark. I love them both. I use the Spark for running in the fall when leafs have fallen and grip becomes more critical in my local trails. I use the Ultra more to run in snow or frozen pavement to get to the trails. Their butyl rubber outsole is amazing in terms of grip… but definitely not ideal to run a long time on the streets (feels harsh). I have narrow feet and prefer the fit of the Spark… the best lockdown I have felt in any trail running shoe, and I have tried many across Salomon, Hoka, Adidas, Inov-8.