How to choose the best VJ shoes

Löpning by Varuste.net / Toimisto-Jorma, 24.5.2023

What's up with these marvelous VJ shoes:
VJ was founded in 1981 for the need to develop appropriate footwear for top orienteers for demanding circumstances.
At the beginning there is a need. Then hard work, search of suitable materials and never-ending testing. Feedback from the world's best athletes finishes the process. The result is new VJ shoe.

VJ’s shoes help athletes achieve their dreams and win world championships in a variety of outdoor sports such as trail running, OCR, sky running and orienteering. The best athletes and adventurers in the world choose VJ shoes when grip and performance matter. #thebestgripontheplanet

What should I bare in mind when choosing the best VJ Shoe for me?
The grip of the sole is guaranteed in every VJ shoe. What you should pay special attention to is the patterning of the base (how aggressive the lugs you need for the bottom, or whether there are need for studs even outside winter time.) You have to remember that the perfect fit is found by personally testing and fitting the shoe for size. The VJ collection includes both a narrower and a wider lasts. Whatever the width of the last is, VJ's shoes have a firm feel and so it should be: the well-fitting shoe is precise and safe on challenging terrain.

In addition, it is noteworthy to determine what kind of distances you intend to run and in which type of terrain. For sprint-type running, the shoe must be light and fast, while long ultra trips require comfort (last, space reserved for the toes) and extreme grip, especially if you are performing in demanding terrain such as mountains.

In terms of the durability of the footwear that has to be noted is the surface material used. VJ's shoes are basically designed in detail to serve the needs of the trail runner, but there are differences in the cover materials: there may be different percentages depending on the model, mixed with DuPont Kevlar® + Nylon, also armored nylon and Schoeller Keprotec® used especially in newer models. Each material has its own special properties in terms of durability and mobility.

VJ's special shoe innovations:

Superior Contact sole + lugs / studs
The Superior Contact sole, made of special rubber developed by VJ guarantees that you can rely on the grip of your shoes without any worries, no matter what kind of platform you run on. Depending on the model, the height of the lugs vary from three to six millimeters. In VJ's fastest shoes (for short sprint distances), the lug height can be of 3mm (eg X-Speed and Sprint -models), while for long distances the lug size can be considerably higher (XTRM, XTRM2, Spark, iRock).

VJ's most popular studded model can be found in the Devil collection. The bottom grip is reinforced with star-shaped carbon steel studs. The studs obviously produces more edge and grip.

Fitlock system
Thanks to Fitlock, the shoe is a natural and perfectly fitting extension of the foot which, together with the laces, provides millimeter-precise guidance exactly where you place your foot. At the same time, Fitlock supports and protects the arch of the foot from impact.

One more word about outsoles and a bit about damping
From the trail runner point of view, VJ is focused on all special situations and the surprises offered by the terrain: the midsoles are mainly made of highly responsive CMEVA material, which guarantees a great running feel for the shoe. In addition to this, there is a Rock Plate covering the entire length of the sole between the midsole and the outsole, which prevents sharp stones and branches from feeling through the sole and increases the stability of the shoe.

Preliminary conclusions about damping can be drawn from the sole thickness (mentioned with each shoe). As an example, the Ultra with the thickest sole (22/16) is perfect for long distances and for those runners who appreciate the comfort of proper damping.

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How to choose the best VJ shoes

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