Grip. Sturdiness. Efficiency. Unsurprisingly, the upgraded VJ Extremely 2 ($170) has maintained these defining traits of the unique and common VJ Extremely and has taken the technical path runner to the following stage. This new iteration, though its aesthetics have remained remarkably unchanged, now provides an additional layer of safety to its distinctive and unforgettable design.
I beforehand reviewed the VJ Extremely in early 2022 — learn our VJ Extremely assessment — with little information of the corporate VJ and its lengthy Finnish historical past. However after an fascinating first couple of runs acclimating to its stiffness and inflexible really feel, I rapidly acquired a style for this model and elegance of working. Equally, over the course of this 2022 working season, the visibility of VJ on the bottom and within the media has grown considerably. There’s a cause for that — high quality — along with an elevated curiosity in technical path working and mountain racing. The premier grip and design are onerous to compete in opposition to when the VJ design workforce takes into consideration that the underfoot terrain is way faraway from easy and buttery.
The VJ Extremely 2 involves market at $170 with a pair key enhancements that had been remarked upon not solely in my assessment, however from many different runners and racers. The general sentiment was that the unique VJ Extremely was unequalled in grip, carried out exceptionally on technical terrain with stability, and had stable cushion with respectable floor really feel and flex, nonetheless it lacked sufficient outsole protection on the forefoot and had a barely constricted toe field, inflicting toe rubbing. Customers additionally complained of cheaply designed shoelaces, and never sufficient safety underfoot for the technical terrain for which these footwear are primarily designed.
VJ evidently listened to the evaluations. The VJ Extremely was a tremendous technical path working shoe, however to make it even higher some important areas wanted to be addressed. They usually had been. Now we now have the VJ Extremely 2 wearing the identical shiny inexperienced garments with further fortification for an total stronger for longer expertise.
The VJ Extremely 2 now has a formidable layer of underfoot safety within the type of a rock plate and redesigned outsole butyl rubber beneath the toe field. The brand new model has maintained the 6-millimeter drop (33-millimeter heel to 27-millimeter forefoot) and 4-millimeter grabbing, gripping lugs. It has an precise weight of 272 grams, or 9.5 ounces, for a males’s measurement 9. This isn’t sufficient to gradual the turnover and the quick really feel these footwear embody.
The sizing additionally appears extra more true to measurement, however that is also from the marginally wider toe field, which resulted in no medial or lateral toe rubbing with this testing section of roughly 100 miles plus.
The VJ Extremely 2. All photographs: iRunFar/Bryon Powell
VJ Extremely 2 Higher
Studying any assessment of the unique VJ Extremely’s higher, it’s normal to report as I did, that at the beginning really feel, “the higher is stiff and inflexible with a level of plasticity.” Nevertheless, the VJ Extremely 2 took much less time to interrupt in. Personally, I desire a shoe with completely no break-in interval, and the VJ Extremely 2 is about there with the adjustments it made. The design adjustments helped the higher really feel extra supportive, cushioned, and protecting on the outset.
Practically, verbatim from the primary assessment, “the higher is constructed out of a breathable but sturdy mix of DuPont Kevlar fibers and nylon. The toe field is fortified with a closely constructed overlay to guard the realm from snags, rocks, and barbed wires that will current themselves throughout an impediment course race.” The midfoot area is fortified with instep FitLock know-how for a smoother and extra snug trip over tough terrain. The medial FitLock is a superb safety to have whereas hustling over technical floor. It’s an over-pronator protector. The heel cup design stays true with its easy gentle inside cushion and its exterior doubly constructed overlay, once more for added foot safety. The overlay additionally features as a protecting and steady heel counter including a comforting stage of stability upon touchdown.
The VJ shoe design workforce thought of the entire shoe with this model, which meant pondering and investing within the tongue and laces. I used to be capable of tie as soon as and slip the VJ Extremely 2s on and off with out resetting my desired higher match. This facet of a working shoe is essential to this explicit reviewer/runner. In fact, the heel is stiff — and on objective, contemplating the rugged circumstances for which it’s made. Thus, there was an anticipated battle to that each day slip on. Though the tongue continues to be not gusseted, it’s tremendously gentle on the dorsal foot, whereas the highest edge was felted as to not minimize into the higher ankle or decrease leg, particularly for runners who could desire to put on very low socks.
A lateral view of the VJ Extremely 2.
VJ Extremely 2 Midsole
Safety — the fourth notable variable added to the listing of VJ Extremely 2 integrals. As talked about within the introduction, the brand new upgrades embrace a rock plate for full underfoot safety and fewer vitality leakage. The VJ Extremely 2 is made for technical, slippery, inclement, and rugged environments. The addition of the rock plate provides to its sturdiness and stamina for the runner. The midsole is a full-length customized EVA mix. In some kind or one other, an EVA mix is discovered in lots of path footwear. It’s supportive and at a base stage, snug. It’s responsive and has a modicum of cushion that balances stability and a comfortable really feel which the higher offers.
It’s fascinating to notice, that this path shoe is assessed as cushioned. It’s inflexible. It’s stiff. It does have cushion, nevertheless it has large floor really feel concurrently. It isn’t a cushioned trip that hides the terrain or the results that sure strides or footfalls could radiate up the kinetic chain. It helps preserve the gait so as with swift and sensible turnover — one cause why I really feel quick after I put on these footwear. Beforehand, on the 100-mile mark, I started to note compression strains within the shiny yellow foam, however this spherical there was much less pronounced deadening and breakdown. The endurance issue went up a number of notches.
A medial view of the VJ Extremely 2.
VJ Extremely 2 Outsole
When the foot hits the bottom whereas working within the VJ Extremely 2, it sticks, and it means it. The unique VJ Extremely has an outrageous outsole designed with 100% butyl rubber, coupled with angled and aggressive 4-millimeter lugs. It means enterprise. The grip on the VJ Extremely 2 is second to none — it’s the most sure-footed I’ve ever felt in any situation that the Southern Oregon Cascade Vary can brew. Because of late fall rains, higher elevation snow, and early morning icy circumstances, I used to be capable of check and flex the brand new, added rubber on the forefoot. This main enchancment resulted in a extra built-in outsole, with diminished lateral flexion within the toe field area — a possible cause for earlier rubbing and chafing within the first model. The brand new rubber cohesiveness additionally elevated the sturdiness of “the very best grip on the planet,” as there have been no problems with shedding lugs or delamination on this model.
The outsole of the VJ Extremely 2.
VJ Extremely 2 Total Impressions
I’m solidly impressed with the VJ Extremely 2. I really feel just like the design workforce actually learn the evaluations and took into consideration what the runners, racers, and outside adventurers had been saying. They bounced again rapidly with two main enhancements that enhanced the general safety and sturdiness of the shoe. The Extremely 2 is good for rugged circumstances. It nonetheless performs nicely on typical grime, gravel, and easy trails — however the place it actually shines is the previous. I really feel like I can run a lot farther on this model — pushing it as much as roughly 30 miles/50 kilometers in distance. That is nonetheless not the lengthy distance they could be pushing for, nonetheless. The shoe design retains me trustworthy and on activity whereas out on the paths. It sparks confidence and quick working when potential. The VJ Extremely 2 excels in grip and now has added safety, on account of supplies and sensible design. Total, the sturdiness and efficiency elements are each elevated because the first model, rounding it out to be a stable and dependable path working shoe. I’m trying ahead to many extra miles within the inexperienced flash this winter.
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A prime view of the VJ Extremely 2.
