The VJ Extremely 3. All photographs: iRunFar/Bryon Powell
(Editor’s Notice: VJ’s U.S. operations unexpectedly shut down the week earlier than we revealed this assessment. We’re going forward and sharing it for our worldwide readers or artistic U.S. readers.)
Previous to wanting on the spec sheet for the VJ Extremely 3 ($190)I actually hadn’t heard of the model, however on paper, the shoe appeared like it could hit my candy spot by way of stack top, drop, and general safety. I discovered in a short time throughout my first run within the shoe that I used to be in for a uncommon deal with. With ample cushioning that doesn’t sacrifice stability, the shoe is designed to cowl miles over tough terrain, and it does so with the very best outsole grip I’ve skilled.
VJ is a Finnish firm based in 1981 that originally targeted on orienteering sneakers and later branched out into winter and path trainers. Within the U.S., VJ sneakers are well-known within the impediment course racing (OCR) scene and are famend for his or her grip on tough, slippery terrain. The model produces a small secure of shoe fashions that appear to have a devoted following from path and extremely runners who practice and race on slick, rocky, and technical terrain. The Extremely 3 doesn’t stray removed from this theme, and all through a fall and winter of testing in sloppy and moist situations, I discovered the shoe provides greater than sufficient safety.
Because the title implies, the VJ Extremely 3 is made for longer distances, and it has essentially the most cushion of any shoe within the model’s lineup. The 37-millimeter stack top beneath the heel and full rock plate present loads of cushion and safety from the bottom, and the 8-millimeter drop makes the shoe accessible to many forms of runners. To cowl a number of distance over variable terrain, the butyl-rubber outsole gives loads of grip, and the 4-millimeter lugs supply traction on looser surfaces. The shoe has an precise weight of 9.5 ounces (268 grams) for a U.S. males’s 9, which is cheap for a extremely cushioned shoe.
VJ Extremely 3 Higher
The rand across the decrease a part of the VJ Extremely 3 higher gives elevated sturdiness.
The VJ Extremely 3 higher supplied on the spot consolation on my toes. VJ prides itself on creating sturdy sneakers, and this higher is manufactured from multi-density mesh, which is nicely strengthened by a rand that extends from the toe round each side of the shoe. This one-piece higher is essentially seam-free, minimizing the chance of sizzling spots or irritation. The tongue is skinny and stays in place nicely, and the lacing system is strengthened and feels very sturdy. The flat laces assist evenly distribute stress throughout the highest of the foot.
VJ employs its Fitlock design, which is a strengthened band on the medial facet of the shoe that helps foot lockdown by the arch. I didn’t discover this characteristic in any respect when initially making an attempt on the shoe, however the further stability it gives is straight away obvious when operating on technical or cambered terrain. The padding across the heel collar is fairly minimal, and I used to be stunned at how locked in my heels stayed when operating uphill. My favourite a part of the Extremely 3 is the toebox, which feels marvelously unrestrictive given the heel and midfoot lockdown. On steep downhills, I didn’t expertise any sliding ahead or toes bumping the entrance of the shoe.
I used the Extremely 3 this previous fall and winter in muddy and sloppy situations, and the higher exhibits little to no put on. I discovered the higher to suit true to dimension.
VJ Extremely 3 Midsole
The Fitlock band on the medial facet of the VJ Extremely 3 gives additional construction and stability.
The VJ Extremely 3 has a nitrogen-infused SuperFOAMance midsole. It is a light-weight foam that feels pretty smooth and bouncy in comparison with many different path sneakers. This softer really feel is bolstered by a full-length rock plate that sits between the midsole and outsole, providing surprisingly good safety for the way versatile it feels. For me, this flexibility was the large shock takeaway with the VJ Extremely 3, and a characteristic I not often expertise in newer path sneakers. The flexibleness jogged my memory of sneakers just like the early Different Superior fashions or Pearl Izumi N2 (assessment)the place I really feel like my complete foot is absolutely engaged through the footstrike. The Extremely 3 is not at all a minimalist shoe, however I did really feel like I wanted to heat up my plantar fascia and calf muscle tissue to run nicely.
Regardless of the excessive 37-millimeter stack top beneath the heel and 8-millimeter drop, it appears like a nimble shoe. The midsole has a rockered form to assist the foot transition by footstrike to toe-off.
VJ Extremely 3 Outsole
The butyl rubber outsole of the VJ Extremely 3 is likely one of the stickiest in the marketplace.
The VJ Extremely 3 boasts a 100% butyl rubber outsole, which has a superb fame amongst OCR racers, orienteering fans, and path runners in sure components of the nation, together with the Appalachian Mountains. This butyl rubber definitely feels totally different from the opposite rubber outsoles I’m used to on different sneakers. I examined the outsoles on hardpack trails, mud, roots, moist rocks, and on trails in downpour situations. I can confidently say that is the stickiest and most safe outsole I’ve ever used, particularly on moist and moss-covered rocks and roots.
The Extremely 3 outsole consists of quite simple 4-millimeter lugs. The chevron-shaped lugs present grip whereas climbing, and the less complicated diamond-shaped lugs within the rearfoot help with downhill traction. Operating on loamy and muddy trails did trigger the lugs to carry onto some soil, however the outsole didn’t gather sufficient mud to get heavy.
VJ Extremely 3 General Impressions
A prime view of the VJ Extremely.
The VJ Extremely 3 is refreshing in its simplicity and skill to work successfully for the terrain the place I used to be operating. I desire a shoe to really feel like an extension of my foot with sufficient safety for the gap I intend to run, fairly than feeling like a propulsion machine with baked-in rigidity, plates, or different mechanical aids. Whereas I really like a carbon-plated tremendous shoe for street operating, to this point, tremendous sneakers haven’t been for me on the paths.
The Extremely 3 has a dialed-in match and provides all-day consolation because of its flexibility and area for pure toe splay. The light-weight cushioning and rockplate really feel protecting, and the outsole is extremely sticky. Whereas $190 may really feel costly for a path shoe, those that repeatedly run on moist, technical trails will admire the grip and surefootedness the VJ Extremely 3 gives.
Name for Feedback
- Have you ever run within the VJ Extremely 3? What did you suppose?
- What are your favourite sneakers when grip is paramount?
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