After greater than 100 textured miles, together with a enjoyable and quick path half marathon, on this evaluation I’m specializing in how the VJ Spark ($150) ignites a hearth on the ft and within the physique.
This shoe is aptly named. Within the on the spot of lacing up and stepping out on the path, there may be a right away snap of connection and confidence. With out exaggerative parlance, the VJ Spark is a remarkably light-weight dependable strong pace shoe, with a corresponding blazing orange aesthetic.
As a regular Topo and Altra runner — on each the path and street — I discover the VJ Spark exhilarating with a purposeful area of interest as a brief distance, quick, and mildly technical terrain path shoe. I want the spaciousness of the aforementioned manufacturers’ shoe fashions, however as a former aggressive soccer participant and bike owner, I can simply slip right into a blade-like efficiency shoe so long as the toebox is forgiving, and it’s.
VJ footwear will not be new to you particularly you probably have an affinity for all issues gear, are an ultra-adventure athlete, or are concerned in impediment course racing. I beforehand reviewed each the VJ Extremely and VJ Extremely 2 — you’ll be able to look again at each our VJ Extremely evaluation and VJ Extremely 2 evaluation — and skilled their aptitude, grip, and materials efficiency, however nonetheless felt some key alterations have been wanted for general prime endurance working efficiency. Then, voila, the VJ Spark stuffed these gaps.
The VJ Spark persistently reveals up for coaching and race day. My latest Lithia Loop Half Marathon held in Ashland, Oregon, was virtually 6.5 miles up after which 6.5 miles down an extended sinuous singletrack. There have been about two miles of pavement on this race, which isn’t ideally suited for the Spark, however throughout race mode I ignored it for the quick downhill efficiency. The quick distance is right for the VJ Spark.
It has a 5-millimeter drop with a corresponding low claimed stack peak of 27 millimeters on the heel and 22 millimeters on the forefoot, and a comparatively gentle precise weight of 8.4 ounces (239 grams) for a U.S. males’s dimension 9.
These components increase my path sense and confidence particularly when the purpose is to maneuver swiftly whereas navigating slick and reasonably technical grounds.
The VJ Spark. All images: iRunFar/Bryon Powell
VJ Spark Higher
The VJ Spark higher is designed off a slender, blade-like shoe final. This development promotes midfoot to forefoot working for swift turnover and restricted floor response forces. Albeit and described extra extensively beneath, the bottom of the shoe is outfitted to grip. Though the shoe’s footprint is slender — the place it meets the bottom — there may be ample friction for bounding, traversing slab slopes, and mountain bike-esque descents.
I like to recommend you put on a half dimension up out of your regular sizing for an optimum VJ Spark expertise. This additionally permits the toebox to really feel comfy and versatile with none restrictions or undesirable rigidity. I write this as a staunch supporter of huge toebox footwear for purposeful ft and pure toe splay.
The Spark snugly warps the foot from the midfoot to the heel. The medial arch is built-in with what VJ refers to as their FitLock design for midsole stability. The FitLock thermoplastic extends up from the midsole to the laces, which profoundly retains the foot safe by way of the gait cycle. The comfortable match and low heel collar design additionally help in a no-slip match.
Nothing is overly cushioned on the Spark. Nonetheless, the open nylon mesh overlaying a lot of the shoe, with exception of the toebox, is delicate and intensely breathable — this lets path particles in, but additionally lets water and warmth out.
The tongue is partially gusseted with minor downward slippage, however is delicate and will be harnessed by the thick but too lengthy laces and lacing system. I’m an enormous proponent of the plastic eyelets and laces that stayed tied. Nonetheless, there isn’t a slipping these footwear on and off frequently due to the sturdy heel collar.
The toe bumper poly-plastic is thick, however slender. Provided that this blazer is near the bottom and appropriate for rocky and rooted areas, slightly extra safety could also be warranted, though on the expense of weight. The Spark is dubiously protected on each the lateral and medial heel. The bolstered poly-plastic provides to the additional heel assist when there are stretches of agility working and technical bounding.
A lateral view of the VJ Spark.
VJ Spark Midsole
The VJ Spark is outfitted with a full-length dense EVA midsole. The midsole permits for respectable floor really feel and suppleness coupled with sufficient cushion for the terrain.
The development of the midsole together with the low stack peak makes the Spark a super performer for shorter distances and on reasonably technical substrate. There is no such thing as a rock plate built-in into the forefoot, subsequently longer period runs on rubble routes could trigger foot and decrease extremity fatigue.
After my laborious half marathon race, I felt a tinge of soreness in each calves. It was fully price it for the safety and surety. The midsole development is certainly on the minimalist aspect, however one thing I actually admire in a path shoe lately.
A medial view of the VJ Spark.
VJ Spark Outsole
The VJ Spark shines throughout the board for its area of interest, however the signature efficiency of the VJ model begins the place the rubber meets the path, and it definitely lives as much as the model’s motto: “One of the best grip on the planet!” The outsole is comprised of 100% butyl rubber and that is most likely one of the exceptional attributes in regards to the Spark.
The outsole grabs the bottom with surety and confidence — making it ideally suited for slick and assorted path situations and never for street working.
The outsole design has 5-millimeter diamond formed lugs for additional seize, with arrow formed midsole foam uncovered down the middle of the forefoot, and with a singular mountain formed uncovered foam part on the lateral aspect. I reckon VJ designed the outsole to have these midsole sections to scale back weight, improve the flexibleness of the experience, enable for uneven landings, and to separate the forefoot from the heel.
A notice on the latter, this shoe is extra for midfoot and forefoot runners, however working downhill and whereas bounding the entire base was vital in my expertise. I used to be capable of cost laborious up and down granitic soil singletrack and confidently down steep and technical downhills. I’m trying ahead to extra winter miles within the Spark.
The outsole of the VJ Spark.
VJ Spark Total Impressions
After I slip on the VJ Spark, I really feel a surge of pleasure from the bottom up. It’s a shoe that has been designed particularly to navigate robust trails with heightened agility and swiftness. The safe match, responsiveness, and light-weight really feel provides an athlete permission to actually step into that rugged zone and to do it with confidence — the outsole is a sport changer.
It is very important notice that the VJ Spark is a nimble short-distance path shoe. I might push it to a path marathon or possibly a 50-kilometer race relying on situations, however I’ve discovered that 10 to twenty miles of textured terrain is perfect to get probably the most out of what the Spark has to supply and what my physique is able to face up to from a extra minimalist perspective.
Total, the midsole is dense and provides again what it will possibly with out an excessive amount of firmness or rigidity.
I’ve been impressed with the VJ model and what they provide all-terrain athletes. I’m trying ahead to not solely working extra within the Spark, however testing the VJ XTRM 2 additionally.
Name for Feedback
- Have you ever tried the VJ Spark? What have been your ideas?
- When you put on VJ footwear, how does the Spark evaluate to different fashions for you?
[Editor’s Note: If you’re affiliated (i.e., an employee, ambassador, etc.) with a brand, please share your relation in each of your comments on this article. Thanks!]
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A high view of the VJ Spark.