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The RW Takeaway: Lace up the Spark if your shoe M.O. is ground feel, flexibility, a locked-in fit, and uncompromising traction. Just don’t expect a plush ride.
- New nylon mesh breathes better than VJ’s previous uppers.
- Go up a half size for the best fit.
- Phenomenal wet surface grip and modest rock protection.
Price: $150
Type: Trail
Weight: 8.8 oz (M), 7.2 oz (W)
Drop: 5 mm
More From Runner's World
Every now and then, we’ll test an exciting shoe over the weekend that we can’t wait until Monday to tell our fellow editors about. On a Saturday evening, Runner-in-Chief Jeff Dengate sent this message via Slack:
[July 10, 2021, 5:05 PM]
You know how VJ says “greatest grip on earth”? No joke! I ran with a friend up in the Adirondacks this morning. He’s sponsored by VJ and was wearing a shoe not yet released (Spark). He was stuck to the wet rocks on Giant Mountain like a gecko. We had 5,000 feet of vert over the first seven miles and a 3,000-foot descent over the final three miles, so it was kinda treacherous.
Pros
- Excellent grip with 5mm lugs
- Very stable and secure fit
- Good durability and ground feel
Cons
- Cushioning is not super bouncy
- Toebox feels a bit snug
When we got our samples, we experienced it ourselves. Credit that grip to VJ’s butyl rubber outsole. The 5mm lugs aren’t super-long, and they’re not sharp like a set of YakTrax, but they’re tacky and flexible to grip slick terrain. The Spark is designed to be super-lightweight and fast, so while you won’t get cushioning for an ultra, the foam is ample for trail runs and obstacle races. No, VJ’s fairly standard and dense EVA isn’t on par with the latest bouncy nitrogen-injected TPU offerings out there. But you don’t buy the Spark for its cushioning. You buy it for the grip to dodge roots and rocks at speed, or heck, even hop an OCR fire pit and scale a rope wall.
Overall, the Spark has a precision fit. Testers felt locked in, thanks to a sturdy strap over the midfoot that ensures you won’t shift around inside the shoe. The snugness at the collar also helped keep gravel and debris from trickling in and prevented any Cinderella situations on the trail—i.e., losing a shoe in thick mud. Go up a half size if you have a wider foot or want more room for toe splay.
What Our Wear-Testers Said
Kelly A. | Tester since 2021
Gait: Neutral | Average Weekly Mileage: 30
“Saucony’s Peregrine has been my go-to trail shoe for a long time, but the VJ Spark quickly became my favorite for feeling quick on rocky, technical, and leafy mountain trails. I loved how light and responsive they were—wherever I wanted my foot to land, I knew the shoe would respond accordingly. There’s not much cushioning and they’re not the softest ride; I definitely felt it when I landed midfoot on a particularly pointy rock. They also aren’t great for routes that have more than a little pavement. My routes typically have 1 to 3 miles of road before access to the trails where I’ll do the bulk of my run. When I went more than a mile or so in the Sparks, I felt some hot spots and just general soreness in my feet that I didn’t feel on the trails. The longest I ran in them was 12 miles (mostly trail, some road) and I would not push it much farther. Even though the Spark is a snugger fit than what I’m used to, I ended up really liking how secure I felt. I often find myself re-tightening the laces of my Peregrines midrun— especially if I’ve been aggressive on the downhills—but that was never the case with the Sparks. Once I tied my laces, they were good for the whole run.”
Rip C. | Tester since: 2021
Gait: Neutral | Average Weekly Mileage: 40
“With its lightweight design and minimalist feel, the Spark is useful for short-distance racing. My feet did not tolerate the narrow fit and low cushion for the long haul. I prefer moderate-to-high cushioning, so it was not really my bag. The flexible, low-riding profile makes them ideal for speedwork but they were not comfortable for absorbing long, base-building miles. On the rocky trails in eastern Pennsylvania, the shoes did not adequately protect my feet. However, their grip is formidable—truly remarkable. The deep lugs effectively handle mud and the aggressive, super-sticky tread gives confidence over slippery surfaces. The integrity of materials also appears solid and durable. There was no tearing, peeling, or premature wear. It’s a breathable shoe, which kept my feet cool on warmer days. I would not reach for these on sub 40-degree days.”
