The RW Takeaway: A grippy, moderately cushioned shoe built to tackle technical trails.
- Durable rubber lugs grip loose ground and shed mud
- The heel is firm but the forefoot is softer than average
- A nearly indestructible upper protects you from sharp rocks and sticks
Price: $160
Weight: 9.4 oz. (M), 8.5 oz. (W)
Drop: 4mm (M), 5mm (W)
Type: Trail
More From Runner's World
The second model we’ve tested from Finnish trail shoe maker VJ is the Maxx, a trainer designed for long runs of 20-plus miles on rugged terrain. Like its sibling, the XTRM, it has an exceptionally burly build with a protective rock plate but doesn’t feel overly clunky or slow. This shoe has an outsole that’s a little more tame, yet will still grip just about anything you encounter. And the upper is indestructible, which is great if you spend long days on rocky, rooty trails.
If VJ is new to you, know that the company is based in Finland, has been building shoes since 1981, but first hit the U.S. last year with the XTRM. We found that shoe to be really firm, but it excelled on mud-caked trails and soft ground. It was designed and optimized to work on technical terrain and was quickly adopted by obstacle course racers. The new Maxx will cater to the same crowd, especially those who want a bit more comfort than the XTRM offers.
Pros
- Excellent traction
- Durable upper mesh
- Soft, protective forefoot
Cons
- The heel is fairly firm
- Laces are short
Softer Sole With Extra Grip
On trail shoes, we typically see shoes sacrifice comfort for technical performance. After all, if you stick hard rubber and a rock plate under the foot, you stiffen the sole and dampen the ground feel. On the Maxx, though, testers found the mix of protection and cushioning well done, even if they were split on overall comfort. Those testers accustomed to thick, soft shoes like Hokas wanted a softer layer of foam, but others who run in thinner, more responsive models raved about the cushioning.
In the RW Shoe Lab, we found the heel is exceptionally thin and firm compared to other shoes on the market. But, because the shoe has just a 4mm drop (5mm on the women’s model), the forefoot is fairly thick and softer than average. That thickness also lends some additional protection if you’re bashing over sharp rocks.
Like with the XTRM, there was unanimous praise among our test crew for the Maxx outsole’s performance. It’s not as rugged as that more aggressive shoe, using fewer, shorter and broader lugs for more even contact and a secure underfoot feeling. But we found it shone in just about any conditions, especially when the ground got sloppy.
“I’ve run in Salomons, Reebok’s Spartan sneakers, and Altras, yet these are way better!” gushed one tester. “I didn’t really slip at all, and I ran a lot on wet, leafy terrain. The traction is incredible.”
No-Rip Mesh Holds Tight
This shoe isn’t a casual jogger for your local rail trails. No, you’re going to lace this thing up for harrowing ascents and filthy scrambles. Such outings will eat up lightweight, flimsy shoes. Thankfully the Maxx has the same high-powered mesh we loved in the XTRM, bolstered with Kevlar, so it won’t stretch or rip as you go up, down, and sideways along ridges. We found the material, combined with a couple of strategic overlays, delivered all the security we needed in those situations. A sturdy “Fitlock” wrap up the medial side, covering the arch and a strap that locks the laces to the midsole right at the ball of your foot, keeps you centered no matter which way the earth slants.
One tester reported that she took them on a rocky stretch of the Appalachian Trail in Hamburg, Pennsylvania,—“where shoes go to die!”—and was pleased that they survived the day. In fact, she then put them to the test on subsequent 15- and 45-mile trail outings, involving pouring rain and lots of bushwhacking. The result: “They’re now my second favorite trail shoes, next to my Salomon Fellraisers,” she said.
What One Tester Said
Jeff H., tester since 2012
Arch: High | Gait: Neutral | Footstrike: Midfoot
“I immediately liked the minimalist feel of these shoes and was impressed with the grip that I thought Inov-8 had pioneered. I felt like I had quick feet and didn’t miss the added cushioning of my Hoka and Brooks trail shoes. The toe box fit my feet well without a lot of extra room, but the tongue folds over—I had to unfold it and retie my shoes.”
Jeff is Runner-in-Chief for Runner's World, guiding the brand's shoes and gear coverage. A true shoe dog, he's spent more than a decade testing and reviewing shoes. In 2017, he ran in 285 different pairs of shoes, including a streak of 257 days wearing a different model.
