Trail Runner’s Shoe Review: VJ Shoes XTRM 2

Trail runner Sarah Barber reviews the XTRM2 from VJ Shoes. The shoes were provided at no charge for the review and VJ Shoes is an ATRA corporate member.

Finding my glass slipper

I’ve spent the past two decades believing that I’m terrible at running on technical trails, but I was recently struck by epiphany. I’m not a terrible technical runner after all. I simply haven’t worn the right shoes!

Everyone knows better than to bring a knife to a gunfight, and similarly, no one would trot along a razor-edged ridgeline in a squishy, high-stack height, ultra running-style shoe. When conditions are gritty and extreme, a standard trail shoe simply won’t cut it. I’m no Cinderella, and trail races are not fairy tales, but I found my magical glass slipper in the XTRM 2 made by VJ Shoes.

Barber sporting VJ Shoes XTRM2.

The basics

Originally hailing from Finland and now featuring an outpost in North America, VJ Shoes fills the extreme niche with its fittingly named model, the XTRM 2. A full-length rock plate, reinforced rubber toe-cap, and humongous 6 mm lugs on the outsole are just a few of the features that make these sneakers RLLY XTRM. (LOL)

I have yet to race a vertical kilometer or attempt a sky run, but if either event was on my agenda, the XTRM 2 is without a doubt the right tool for the job. The XTRM 2’s chassis sits close to the earth, allowing the aggressive tread to bite into whatever she’s wearing—mud, sand, slickrock, roots, turf—it’s all just a snack.

Although they are designed with obstacle course racing and swim-run in mind, these kicks elevate even the most non-Spartan among us to Tough Mudders on any terrain. And if said terrain includes a rope-climb, you’re all set: the XTRM 2 has a patented rope-lock surface on the midsole instep for extra grip. Incidentally, I once did a trail race in Moab that included rope sections (spoiler alert: I’ll be back this fall, and now I have the right shoe for it).

Testing VJ Shoes in various terrain, including a water feature.

The test

Test-driving the XTRM 2 on the velvety dirt trails near my home felt like sacrilege, so I waited until a camping trip took me into mountains with craggy routes above the tree line. Contemplating scree slopes and knife-like shale typically fills me with existential dread—one wrong step, and medevac teams are repelling down from choppers to rescue me. But thanks to the XTRM 2, I did not need to be rescued. My saviors were right there on my feet, gripping the loose surface like claws. The snug fit reminded me of the five-point restraint system of a race car, and I was glad I had followed the advice on VJ’s website to order a half-size up from my usual. The only thing worse that my own lack of coordination on technical trails are sloppy shoes that reduce my skill level by an entire order of magnitude.

Made to last

Like most European products, the XTRM 2 is made to last, and you can feel it when you hoist the shoe out of the box. There’s a certain density that seems disproportionate to the mass of the shoe. And it’s worth it—the best shoes can keep going long after you stop. But make no mistake: the XTRM 2 isn’t excited to run a 50K. 10 miles? Think twice. But how about this: set those high mileage goals aside and try something that really hurts: a 5 kilometer trail race with 2000 feet of vert. Do you miss your well-cushioned kicks whose name rhymes with schmoka? You do not. The XTRM 2 will annihilate those softies like they’re standing still.

Sarah Barber sports VJ Shoes and looks confident and ready to rock the trails.

Confidence boost

Finally, if you’re like me and struggle to find your rhythm on the technical stuff, recognize that simply looking sharp will not only boost your confidence; it will also intimidate the competition. To that end, VJ Shoes offers color-themed socks with options to match each of their trail shoe models. It doesn’t get any more pro than that!