The VJ Ultra 3. All photos: iRunFar/Bryon Powell
[Editor’s Note: VJ’s U.S. operations unexpectedly shut down the week before we published this review. We’re going ahead and sharing it for our international readers or creative U.S. readers.]
Prior to looking at the spec sheet for the VJ Ultra 3 ($190), I honestly hadn’t heard of the brand, but on paper, the shoe looked like it would hit my sweet spot in terms of stack height, drop, and overall protection. I found out very quickly during my first run in the shoe that I was in for a rare treat. With ample cushioning that doesn’t sacrifice stability, the shoe is designed to cover miles over rough terrain, and it does so with the best outsole grip I’ve experienced.
VJ is a Finnish company founded in 1981 that initially focused on orienteering shoes and later branched out into winter and trail running shoes. In the U.S., VJ shoes are well known in the obstacle course racing (OCR) scene and are renowned for their grip on rough, slippery terrain. The brand produces a small stable of shoe models that seem to have a dedicated following from trail and ultra runners who train and race on slick, rocky, and technical terrain. The Ultra 3 doesn’t stray far from this theme, and throughout a fall and winter of testing in sloppy and wet conditions, I found the shoe offers more than enough protection.
As the name implies, the VJ Ultra 3 is made for longer distances, and it has the most cushion of any shoe in the brand’s lineup. The 37-millimeter stack height under the heel and full rock plate provide plenty of cushion and protection from the ground, and the 8-millimeter drop makes the shoe accessible to many types of runners. To cover a lot of distance over variable terrain, the butyl-rubber outsole provides plenty of grip, and the 4-millimeter lugs offer traction on looser surfaces. The shoe has an actual weight of 9.5 ounces (268 grams) for a U.S. men’s 9, which is reasonable for a highly cushioned shoe.
VJ Ultra 3 Upper
The rand around the lower part of the VJ Ultra 3 upper provides increased durability.
The VJ Ultra 3 upper offered instant comfort on my feet. VJ prides itself on creating durable shoes, and this upper is made of multi-density mesh, which is well reinforced by a rand that extends from the toe around both sides of the shoe. This one-piece upper is largely seam-free, minimizing the risk of hot spots or irritation. The tongue is thin and stays in place well, and the lacing system is reinforced and feels very durable. The flat laces help evenly distribute pressure across the top of the foot.
VJ employs its Fitlock design, which is a reinforced band on the medial side of the shoe that helps foot lockdown through the arch. I didn’t notice this feature at all when initially trying on the shoe, but the additional stability it provides is immediately apparent when running on technical or cambered terrain. The padding around the heel collar is rather minimal, and I was surprised at how locked in my heels stayed when running uphill. My favorite part of the Ultra 3 is the toebox, which feels marvelously unrestrictive given the heel and midfoot lockdown. On steep downhills, I didn’t experience any sliding forward or toes bumping the front of the shoe.
I used the Ultra 3 this past fall and winter in muddy and sloppy conditions, and the upper shows little to no wear. I found the upper to fit true to size.
VJ Ultra 3 Midsole
The Fitlock band on the medial side of the VJ Ultra 3 provides extra structure and stability.
The VJ Ultra 3 has a nitrogen-infused SuperFOAMance midsole. This is a lightweight foam that feels fairly soft and bouncy compared to many other trail shoes. This softer feel is bolstered by a full-length rock plate that sits between the midsole and outsole, offering surprisingly good protection for how flexible it feels. For me, this flexibility was the big surprise takeaway with the VJ Ultra 3, and a feature I rarely experience in newer trail shoes. The flexibility reminded me of shoes like the early Altra Superior models or Pearl Izumi N2 (review), where I feel like my entire foot is fully engaged during the footstrike. The Ultra 3 is by no means a minimalist shoe, but I did feel like I needed to warm up my plantar fascia and calf muscles to run well.
Despite the high 37-millimeter stack height under the heel and 8-millimeter drop, it feels like a nimble shoe. The midsole has a rockered shape to help the foot transition through footstrike to toe-off.
VJ Ultra 3 Outsole
The butyl rubber outsole of the VJ Ultra 3 is one of the stickiest on the market.
The VJ Ultra 3 boasts a 100% butyl rubber outsole, which has an excellent reputation amongst OCR racers, orienteering enthusiasts, and trail runners in certain parts of the country, including the Appalachian Mountains. This butyl rubber certainly feels different from the other rubber outsoles I’m used to on other shoes. I tested the outsoles on hardpack trails, mud, roots, wet rocks, and on trails in downpour conditions. I can confidently say this is the stickiest and most secure outsole I have ever used, especially on wet and moss-covered rocks and roots.
The Ultra 3 outsole consists of very simple 4-millimeter lugs. The chevron-shaped lugs provide grip while climbing, and the simpler diamond-shaped lugs in the rearfoot assist with downhill traction. Running on loamy and muddy trails did cause the lugs to hold onto some soil, but the outsole didn’t collect enough mud to get heavy.
VJ Ultra 3 Overall Impressions
A top view of the VJ Ultra.
The VJ Ultra 3 is refreshing in its simplicity and ability to work effectively for the terrain where I was running. I want a shoe to feel like an extension of my foot with enough protection for the distance I intend to run, rather than feeling like a propulsion device with baked-in rigidity, plates, or other mechanical aids. While I love a carbon-plated super shoe for road running, so far, super shoes have not been for me on the trails.
The Ultra 3 has a dialed-in fit and offers all-day comfort thanks to its flexibility and space for natural toe splay. The lightweight cushioning and rockplate feel protective, and the outsole is incredibly sticky. While $190 might feel expensive for a trail shoe, those who regularly run on wet, technical trails will appreciate the grip and surefootedness the VJ Ultra 3 provides.
Call for Comments
- Have you run in the VJ Ultra 3? What did you think?
- What are your favorite shoes when grip is paramount?
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