VJ iRock 4+ Plus Review
The VJ iRock+ is a wider-fitting, soft-ground trail running shoe from the Finnish Orienteering Specialists. The main feature of all VJ running shoes is the use of Butyl rubber for their outsoles. This natural rubber is both grippy on wet, slippery surfaces and durable. Soft rubbers tend to grip better on wet rock, which is why they are used in rock climbing shoes, where the rubber needs to stick to the rock. The downside of these rubbers is that, when used on flat, hard surfaces like tarmac or even hard-packed bridleways, they wear down quite quickly. However, Butyl rubber offers a noticeable level of traction along with a high degree of durability.
The outsole features a 5.5mm stud length, designed to bite into soft ground, although the studs are not as long or as pointed as those on the iRock 4. As a result, the iRock 4 provides better grip on soft, muddy ground. The slightly shorter, flatter, and larger studs on the iRock+ offer a more versatile grip, which can also be used comfortably on harder, packed surfaces. This is similar to the VJ XTRM, which has become a very popular fell running shoe because of the traction, foot protection, and durability it provides.
The wider fit is noticeable and provides a good option for runners who use a men’s 2E width or women’s D width in their road running shoes. The toe box is more pointed than the VJ shoes designed for harder, packed ground, such as the VJ Maxx 2, which has a rounder toe box to allow the feet more room to spread and function inside the shoes. VJ soft-ground shoes are designed for a snugger fit to prevent foot movement when running on rough or broken ground, or when on a camber. The shoe’s flexibility also helps with this, as it takes the curvature of the ground. This allows the runner to have better ground feel, making them nimbler when navigating tricky terrain.
The stack height is 33mm in the heel and 27mm in the forefoot, providing the VJ iRock+ with a good level of underfoot protection. The 6mm heel-to-forefoot drop makes them suitable for both midfoot and heel strikers. The Light EVA used for the midsole is not too firm, offering good cushioning in combination with the studs when used on harder, packed surfaces.
The upper is made from Armored Nylon, a tough, tightly woven material designed to resist abrasion and reduce the risk of holes forming. The fit and feel of the upper are similar to older VJ shoes of this type, in that it is quite stiff. It doesn’t mould to the curvature of your foot as nicely as the softer upper used in the iRock 4, but this is because it is designed for longer, more frequent use on firmer, more abrasive surfaces. Despite its durability, the upper does not affect the shoe’s weight; the iRock+ weighs just 240 grams in a men’s UK 8.
The heel cup features plastic on both the inside and outside, while the section where your Achilles tendon sits is free of plastic. This design helps reduce irritation and allows the heel cup to mould around the heel for a secure fit. Inside the heel cup, at the centre, is a piece of material designed to grip the runner’s socks, further enhancing the heel’s stability so it doesn’t move up and down, even after long ascents. To protect the upper from cuts and abrasions, there is an overlay that runs around the base of the shoe, along with a thick toe bumper.
The tongue is gusseted to help prevent debris from getting into the shoe. It is thin but soft, designed to absorb minimal water, preventing the shoes from becoming heavier in wet conditions. On the midfoot, on the medial side, there is a thick overlay attached at the base of the shoe through which the laces thread. This is VJ’s fit lock, which firmly pulls the upper around the foot to prevent slipping forward, even during long descents down steep mountainsides.
I have used the VJ Irock+ on a variety of surfaces. At this time of year, we do regular ‘cross-country’ sessions around a large, rough grass field that includes a few climbs and descents in the roughly three-minute loop. The ground has been muddy, which has provided a good test for the iRock+ outsole, especially with a few tight corners along the loop. The traction was good, and the upper held my foot securely inside the shoe. Although the 5.5mm studs don’t offer the same level of traction as the 8mm studs found on the Scarpa Spin ST or Inov-8 Mud Talon, I didn’t experience any slipping. However, I did feel slightly less secure, and on the steep uphill sections, I had to maintain my cadence and pick my feet up to avoid slipping. The flexibility through the midfoot of the iRock+ made this easy to do, and there was no noticeable difference in my times around the circuit.
The advantage of the slightly shorter and flatter stud on the VJ iRock+ outsole is that it still feels comfortable on harder, packed surfaces. Long studs bite well into soft ground, but when you run over ground that isn’t soft enough for the stud to sink into, the ride of the shoes can become less smooth. The VJ iRock+ offers the versatility to run across a muddy field and continue comfortably on firmer ground. This makes it a great fell shoe option, as many footpaths in the mountains are reconditioned, with rocky paths between sections of soft, boggy grass.
VJ running shoes are similar in length to Brooks, Saucony, 361, Scarpa, Altra, and Topo. If you wear La Sportiva, Inov-8, or Hoka, we recommend trying half a UK size larger in VJ shoes to achieve a similar fit.
In summary, the VJ iRock+ is a trail running shoe designed for rougher terrain. It is versatile enough for cross-country racing on all but the muddiest courses, but it truly excels on mixed trails and in fell races or similar mixed-terrain events.
Other Considerations
Inov-8 Trailtalon: 6mm long lugs on the outsole. The toe box shape is more rounded which allows for more foot function inside the shoes. The Trailtalon isn’t as flexible through the midfoot so doesn’t ride as well on the more broken ground but, this does make the Trailtalon cruise a bit better on harder packed ground. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/inov-8-trailtalon-review/
Scarpa Spin ST: An 8mm stud gives the Scarpa ST better traction on soft ground. The stud doesn’t ride as smoothly on harder surfaces but, at the same time doesn’t feel uncomfortable and the midsole does offer a nice level of underfoot protection. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/scarpa-spin-st-review/
Terraventure 4: A broad rounded toe box allows more space for foot function. The traction isn’t as good on reallt soft ground as the Terraventure isn’t flexible enough to take the curvature of the ground. However, it rides nicely on firmer tracks and trails. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/topo-athletic-terraventure-4-review/
La Sportiva Mutant: Probably the real rival to a shoe like the VJ Irock + as the Mutant is designed as a Mountain Running shoe. The 10mm heel to forefoot drop makes the Mutant more of a heel stikers shoe. Like a lot of La Sportiva shoes they take a bit of wearing in but, after about 100 miles they become really comfortable. Ideal for long days out in the Mountains. The outsole has a similar level of stickiness on wet rock but are flatter and so don’t bite quite as well on softer ground. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/la-sportiva-mutant-review-new-version-for-2023/
Scott Supertrac RC 2: Like the Irock + the Scott Supertrac RC 2 is a very versatile shoe. A comfortable option for fell racing. Not quite as grippy on soft cross country mainly due to the stiffness in the midsole that gives the shoe a curve. The curve forms the eRide which helps the runner maintain good posture and cadence on firmer surfaces. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/scott-supertrac-rc-2-0-review-trail-fell-running-shoes/
Altra Lone Peak: A broad rounded toe box gives the runners feet plenty of space to function inside the shoes. Best used for mixed terrain which can include some soft ground but, the lugs are too short for muddy ground and your foot can move around a little when running on a camber. https://www.northernrunner.com/altra-m86/lone-peak-t110
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