The RW Takeaway: The VJ Ultra is likely one of the best shoes out there if your number one priority is traction. But, you’ll have to be willing to sacrifice bouncy energy return and cozy upper materials.
- EVA-based midsole offers smooth, consistent, and moderately flexible ride.
- Butyl rubber outsole with 4-mm lugs provides excellent traction, but is less versatile for portions of road running.
- Mesh upper uses a mix of Kevlar and nylon fibers for protection and increased durability.
Price: $170
Type: Trail
Weight: 9.3 oz (M8.5/W10)
Drop: 6 mm
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VJ has been around since the 1980s, but just arrived in the States in 2019. Before then, it mainly served the demand of Finnish trail runners and orienteers. With ample forests, marshland, and technical trails, Finland offers plenty of opportunities for VJ to build some of the grippiest shoes. While VJ models like the Maxx and the XTRM are specifically built for obstacle course racing and trail running, the Ultra is the first shoe from the brand that is specifically designed for mega-distance. It adds considerably more cushioning underfoot for spending hours to days on the trail.
Pros
Lightweight with ample cushioning- Excellent traction on both wet and dry trails
- Good upper durability and secure fit
Cons
- Upper and toe box lack comfort and stretch for very long distances
- Less energy return and less rock protection
- Cheap-feeling laces for a $170 shoe
Truly Hashtag-Worthy Outsole
The best part of VJ shoes is still the outsole, and the Ultra lives up to the brand’s hashtag #BestGripOnThePlanet. The butyl-rubber outsole is studded with 4-mm, chevron-shaped lugs, which give the Ultra a really tacky hold on wet, jagged surfaces. “The traction this shoe had in all conditions was insane,” said one tester. “I ran these shoes through everything from bone-dry trails to monsoon summer rainstorms and was blown away—definitely the most grip I’ve had on a trail shoe, hands down. On short road stretches, the feeling is like walking across a dirty dive bar floor on a hot summer day—sticky.”
VJ doesn’t cover the entire outsole with rubber, which helps keep the Ultra lightweight and flexible.
The downside is that the exposed foam surrounding the lugs can show some early wear.
Well-Cushioned Ride That Lacks Some Pep
Moving out of the mud and up to the midsole, the Ultra still keeps things pretty simple and straightforward. A single slab of EVA feels consistent throughout and well cushioned from its tall 33-mm stack height in the heel. Testers said the material has some bounce to it, but the energy return felt a bit lackluster in comparison to newer, bouncier foams. Nevertheless, there’s more than enough cushioning underfoot for protection sans rock plate, and the ride feels nimble, flexible, agile and quick enough for technical singletrack. The firm cushioning also lends a bit of stability (you don’t sink into the foam), which helps counter the smidge of tippiness that testers noticed from the tall heel.
More ImagesA midfoot strap connects the lacing to the medial side of the midsole for supreme lockdown.
Sturdy Spartan Upper
The upper uses a mesh made from a blend of Kevlar and nylon. Designed to resist snags from barbed wire during an OCR race, the rugged material shines just as well for protection from brambles and debris on the trail. The drawback is that the upper feels stiff right out of the box. Testers found that this improved over the 100-mile test period, but the Ultra’s cramped toe box never opened up any more for wide-footed runners.
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The skinny flat laces feel a bit chintzy and cheap. One tester found they often came untied, even when double-knotted.
More Tester Feedback
Chris P. | Tester since 2020
Arch: Medium | Pronation: Neutral | Footstrike: Midfoot
“Upon first handling the VJ Ultra, the shoe’s materials did not feel as premium as those of Salomon’s Ultra 3 or On’s Cloundventure Peak. But on the trail, these shoes did quite well—especially on the more demanding trails where energy return is less important. The VJ’s cushioning felt a bit dead and did not have great energy return in my experience. It didn’t feel slow, just not very lively underfoot. You can definitely feel the terrain you’re running on (I actually could’ve used a tiny bit more rock protection). When I landed, the midsole felt like it absorbed more energy than it returned, so the foam technology felt a bit outdated in that sense. The upper materials never caused me any trouble comfort-wise, but they were a bit stiff and abrasive for a shoe designed to be worn for 50-plus miles. The upper lacked that ‘forget-you’re-wearing-them’ feeling (but it also never gave me any pain or hotspots) and while the toe box is on the narrower side, it worked fine for my narrow foot. Due to its incredible traction, the VJ Ultra will definitely be my go-to rain/winter/sloppy conditions shoe.”
FAQs
Trail-running shoes have bigger lugs for better grip while going over rocks, roots and uneven trail. The size and pattern of the lugs vary based on the type of terrain the shoes are designed for, so it's best to match your shoes to the surface you'll be running on.
Are Altras good for walking? ›
With Altra's Balanced Cushioning approach, our shoes simply allow the customer to run/walk naturally, while providing cushion no matter where they land. With Balanced Cushioning our goal is to promote proper posture and alignment, not to change it.
Are trail shoes more durable than running shoes? ›
Like road running shoes, a trail shoe is more breathable and lighter in weight than a hiking boot. But a trail shoe will have more protective reinforcements than a road running shoe. The outsoles have better grip–often with lugs that will prevent slipping on rocks or mud.
How many miles do trail shoes last? ›
The typical industry recommendations suggest replacing shoes anywhere between 300-500 miles. That's a wide range. The optimal and safe lifespan of a shoe depends on the model, how you use the shoe, your gait, and how you care for the shoe. Absorbing ground reaction force is a key factor that leads to wear and tear.
Which shoes have more grip? ›
The benefits of rubber-sole shoes
As well as giving you better grip when you're out on adventures on or off the beaten track, rubber-soled shoes offer a whole host of additional benefits: They're durable. They're flexible. They're suitable for all seasons.
Can you wear trail running shoes all the time? ›
Trail running shoes are quite versatile and a great choice if you're interested in running through nature and over rocky, wet, or uneven terrains. You can also wear trail running shoes on the road and treadmill, however stick to shorter distances as they are heavy and often don't provide as much cushion as road shoes.
Why are Altras so popular? ›
Many hikers love Altra's minimalist, zerop-drop design, which is meant to imitate barefoot running to promote a more natural gait. Beyond that, the Lone Peak's simple comfort and roomy toebox have helped boost its popularity.
Why is there velcro on the back of my Altra shoes? ›
The velcro tab at the back is called the gaiter trap and it allows the gaiter to be easily attached to the shoe. The gaiter helps protect against rocks and debris while running or walking on trails.
How long do Altra trail shoes last? ›
Most of our shoes will last between 300 and 600 miles, depending on your chosen activity. Can I wear my insoles or custom orthotics in Altra's? You bet. The Balanced Cushioning and FootShape™ design of Altra shoes work with the insoles by putting them on a stable and natural base.
Is it bad to use trail running shoes on pavement? ›
Trail shoes have lugs that provide the grippiness needed for running on technical terrain. If you run on paved surfaces, the lugs will break down and decrease the life expectancy of the shoe. Additionally, wearing shoes made for the trail on roads could lead to an injury.
While you can hike in trail runners, they don't offer the same durability, support, or protection as hiking shoes or boots. Trail running shoes are built with a lugged outsole and a more dense and rigid midsole than a normal running shoe.
Is it OK to walk in trail shoes? ›
Both trail and hiking shoes have the potential to be equally comfortable over long days of walking. For shorter walks, carrying lighter loads and where speed is important, trail running shoes offer a balance of cushion and flex.
How long do hokas last? ›
With the Hoka Clifton, depending on how well you take care of them and what terrain you're using them on during your runs, you can expect around 300-500 miles (we've seen some clocking 400 miles easily before any reported serious physical damage). But remember, these shoes are not designed to last forever.
How do I know when to replace trail shoes? ›
You should generally replace your running shoes every 300-500 miles. That's because it's around this point that the midsole cushioning on most shoes will lose resiliency and stop absorbing shock as well as when newer, which can cause more impact on your muscles and joints.
Do hiking shoes have good grip? ›
Hiking Boot Outsoles
Hard outsoles increase durability but can feel slick if go you off trail. Lug pattern: Lugs are traction-giving bumps on the outsole. Deeper, thicker lugs are used on backpacking and mountaineering boots to improve grip. Widely spaced lugs offer good traction and shed mud more easily.
What are trail shoes good for? ›
Trail running shoes are specifically designed for running on more aggressive trails with roots, rocks, and uneven terrain. They help runners avoid slipping in the mud or on loose debris with specially designed lugged outsoles, while also offering protection underfoot with a more dense, rigid midsole.
What shoes have best grip on grass? ›
Opt for Turf Shoes for Balanced Surface Performance
In between turf cleats and grippy trail-running shoes you'll find turf shoes. On your typical pair of turf shoes, you'll find rubberized nubs and slightly-more-pronounced tread patterns that provide additional surface grip without overdoing it.
Should trail shoes be snug or loose? ›
Snug-fitting heel and midfoot
You want to avoid slipping, lifting or rubbing in the midfoot as much as possible, and that means avoiding shoes that are too big behind the toebox – especially if you're not using them for distance running.
