VJSpark Lightweight, Quick Attack OCR & Trail Running Shoes Voted as a Runner's World Best New Shoe of 2022

Trail and mountain runner from NC. After all the hyper surrounding VJ shoes I decided to try them out for myself, I was not disappointed. First run was a 14 mile trail run at Hanging Rock State Park, NC. It summits 3 major peaks, is rocky and technical. With heavy fog and a mist the trails were saturated and rocks slick. Initially the shoes felt very stiff but broke in after a few miles. They were stable on the technical sections and I was shocked at how amazing the grip was on the wet rock. I was able to take long strides downhill with no worry of slipping. They also climbed very well. With the lack of a full rubber outsole and no rock plate I did feel quite a bit underfoot but I am used to thinner shoes. I used to run in old school Inov-8s which these remind me of. Fit was secure with a nice mid foot lock. I did get a few blisters but this was due to the break in. I sized up to a 10 from my usual 9.5 as recommended and they fit perfect with room in the front to prevent toe jamming downhill. All in all a great shoe, I will continue to run in VJs until I find something better.

I needed a new OCR shoe so I decided to give this shoe a try. I saw this shoe has quite a bit of really good reviews so i wanted to give them a try. I read as many reviews as possible and those were spot on. The shoe is very light which is great, the toe box is smaller then I prefer but the lightness of the shoe makes up for that a little bit, and I did size up per the reviews I read. I was wearing the MT King from Altra and that has a wide toe box so this was snug but not as bad as I thought it would be. I typically wear a men’s 8 but went with a 9 and it is perfect. An 8.5 would have been too small. I did break them in before going on a long run but I have to do that with any shoe! Overall I am very pleased with this shoe! I hope this review helps!

These shoes have great traction on trails! They have a narrow fit which works for my foot. They feel light and you do feel rocks and such underneath. I do not feel these would work for the street, only trails, as your foot lands differently than they would in a street shoe.

to small need next size up. I am returning them

I order it to US, then bring it to Portugal, to try them in the Portuguese mountain rocky trails. It is very light and fast paced shoe. I liked the fit, but I recommend that you order+ 0,5 size over your regular running shoes. Example: I wear 42 EUR size in Nike, Adidas or Hoka running and trail running shoes, but in these shoes, it is 42,5, and it was perfect fit. The shoe is stable, has a very sticky and responsive sole. Love them from the first kilometre. I will test it in the races CR and Trail races.

Perfect to wear on wet or dry rocks. I recommend to order 1 size up from your regular size. Surprisingly even with wide feet they fit like a glove and are very comfortable. Their grip is amazing! First hike with total confidence of not slipping. Absoute game changer. Love these shoes!

The quality seemed good but way too small and narrow. I might try them a 1/2 size up like others have said. Definitely not "sized to fit" as I read elsewhere.

Most shoes today are extra padding, you name it. This is a truly basic running shoe. I started running in Adidas County. This shoe is amazing!