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Very nice that will be an amazing experience. As long as you're training consistently that is the important bit the one thing you don't 'fell' till race day is just how bigger a compound effect consistency has.

Thanks, the only slight issue with rice is it has to be cooled in a fridge once cooked before reaching room temp for too long and likewise must be eaten when cool or steaming hot...when room temp theres a risk of spores which can make you sick...if you have a crew this is not a problem but if not near impossible to use. I had no crew in my latest 55 miler so used cheese and pickle wraps (just white tortilla type bread) and jam/peanut better wraps with some chia charge chews and other bits and pieces.

Hi, this is a very complicated subject but what you describe is what happens to me in ultras and I put much of it down to dehydration. The difficult part is understanding why you’re getting dehydrated, not enough fluid or not enough salt/sodium etc as it is possible to get too much sodium too…if you race in warmer weather and don’t use any products to get sodium and electrolytes I’d bet on lack of that and consider using precision hydration. I use that but generally run in cooler climates so don’t need much. On the food front, I’d recommend chia charge chia chews if you’re uk based they are ace and Maurtens gel 100 for a simple gel that’s easier to get down.

@DarrenSmithTrailRunning Thank you. I suspect it was too much water not enough salt.

Hi, not been able to find time to review yet and only managed 3 runs in them so still early days. But on the cushioning side for me they feel comfier in terms of softness under foot, more responsive and it’s a much much better midsole, some felt the ultra was a little like a plank of wood when running long, giving little back I feel the new maxx will be a big step up on that front.

Yes when they originally designed the shoe it was made with that course in mind and tested on the course too...perfect for it.

@@DarrenSmithTrailRunning Just bought my third pair for good price in case I won't find it anywhere later. Have 580km + 500km in old ones and these still look pretty fresh.

Just done an Ultra at weekend so had no time to test unfortunately but did get a true to size...found them a little too big, half size down seemed slightly too small but based on the one run I did (if you can get the sizing right) they're very comfortable. Give more back than any other VJ, like the new midsole and comfortable.

@DarrenSmithTrailRunning I was thinking that even though the ultra 2 has a higher stack, the maxx 2 would feel more comfortable and cusioned over ultra distances because of the new midsole? Is that a fair assumption or is it still a fast shoe on technical terrain for max half marathon or marathon distances?

Hi mate, all good thanks just getting ready for the Hardmoors 55 in a few weeks time. The Ribelle Run are a great shoe my only issue was the lack of side support as someone who pronates and can have issues with lack of stability in my strike it was going to be a problem. But that aside I'd have loved to keep using them

@@DarrenSmithTrailRunning great to hear from Darren and you are still running. Miss the channel always had good content put out. All the best for upcoming race if you are back up in the lakes give me a shout and I'll meet up if you like all the best Darren 👍👍

I have mate yes, looks very interesting. They sent me a half size down but found it a little too tight so waiting on true to size now to test. Will all come down to fit but if fit is ok I think it could be a cracking all rounder and responsive which is something VJ have lacked a little on in the past

@DarrenSmithTrailRunning do you think it could replace the vj ultra for long mountain days given the increase in cusion?

That was my initial thoughts and hope but it all comes down to fit. For me the ultra always fit quite well and wide, the new MaxX seems more of a precise fit so depends how tight they’ll be in half size down or if they’ll be too roomy true to size

@@bilaltahir9978 I am meant to be getting a pair of the MaxX 2 on Monday not quite in time for my next Ultra but will let you know how they are

@DarrenSmithTrailRunning I went to myracekit in Sheffield which is the only shop I know of that is selling it. For reference, I wear size 10 in the xtrm 2 and it is quite a precision fit with half thumb or less gap between my toe and toe box. However the size 10 of the maxx 2 was way too big - more than a thumb width. Unfortunately sizes 9.5 and 9 were sold out.

Hi, its usually chest measurement from under the armpit.

Thanks appreciate that 😊

Thanks ☺️

I haven’t tried them no but I have heard they are very good for grip, but they are also quite narrow

If you can afford to I’d buy two at that it’s rare to find them under £100 let alone that but make sure it’s the supertrac RC as the normal supertrac are colletely different and I found them terrible

@@DarrenSmithTrailRunning Oops 😬 They are the normal ones.... However, sports shoes are selling the RC for £50

I’d get the RC but usually they only do that when they have odd sizes left unless you are lucky with odd sized feet 😊

Have you reviewed the RC carbon?

Afraid not because I don’t road run often and I think they’re way overpriced

Thank you 🙏

True to size for me mate good room in the toe box and fits just right all round they’re quite rigid for the first 20-30 miles but wear in nicely

I made the same transition many years ago from Peregrine to Supertrac and they're a real step up. Cracking durability too, while the grip has gone I am still using this pair for easy short runs after 700 miles!

Yes it will take a bladder and poles...personally don't use either but it has the capability and designed for it. I'm sure there are loops at the front for the poles.

Hey, I haven't tried the SG in fairness but I have tried them on and found the VJ Xtrm 2 comfier...so for me still VJ

@@DarrenSmithTrailRunning would you consider the VJs versatile enough for quicker stuff / speedwork?

Definitely they are my go too for raceday at marathon or under

@@DarrenSmithTrailRunning thanks for info 👍

Good to hear, I love mine still.

The sizing's are quite broad and generic so you may lie on the border of two, maybe go a size down. Assume you have tightened up all the adjustments available.

@@DarrenSmithTrailRunning right, fits fine around lower chest, but shoulders are not so tight as i would want, thanks for reply

TBH the longer I used these the more I struggled with the lack of protection...yes it feels like a slipper (in a comfy way) but it feels like a slipper in a bad way too when the going gets tough. I didn't have issues with the outer toe despite having similar concerns but I'd highly recommend the VJ Xtrm 2 over these...its a wider toe box but precision fit higher up where it won't rub, has a rock plate that offers a little snap and protection while not losing ground feel and the lugs are made of butyl rubber, much better in wet conditions. My go to now, there's a review on the channel if your interested

@@DarrenSmithTrailRunning Thank you very much, that's really useful!

Hi, I'd highly recommend the VJ Irock for that type of fell race, never looked back since I started wearing them. Or if you want a little more protection then the VJ Xtrm 2 is ideal with its rock plate. But the Xtalons are too minimalist for type of course IMO

Nice one, thank you for the reply 😀 will look into them

They're great :)

Yes the idea came to me from having sushi homemade, just found it a little fiddly so tried to simplify :)

It can depend on the effort you will put in. For me I always fuel less in training than races. When racing I start around the 30th minute and training around 40 minutes. How much glycogen your muscles can hold varies from person to person but as a rule no more than 90mins to 2 hours so you want to be replacing what will be lost ahead of time.

@@DarrenSmithTrailRunningThank you for your reply, how about electrolytes intake?

Sorry forgot that, I personally use Precision Hydration but its very specific to how much you sweat. Personally I don't use in training unless its a warm day, in racing I do half a PH1000 tablet in 500ml of water and have the other 500ml bottle plain water but if its not hot I'll reduce to 1/4 tablet and every time I refill bottles I'll have the same mix again, but always having one full bottle with no electrolytes as sometimes your body won't want them and may make you feel sick. Reason is you can get too much sodium which has messed my stomach up before.

Thank you again. I appreciate it. I wish you all the best.

No it’s the original 3 peaks race the fell race that’s been going for years.

I don’t wear gaiters with any trail or fell shoe so I guess it’s personal choice. Compared to original xtrm it’s better in the toe box and generally more comfortable for me.

Thanks :)

They have exactly the same mould so no difference in fit. Only difference is how the rock plate feels in the early miles for me. It just needs wearing in...for me the Ultra 1 isn't any good on rocky terrain after 200 miles so prefer the Ultra 2

It depends on what you need personally but for me the VJ Xtrm 2 would be ideal for its sticky grip and decent lugs, plus the rock plate will be appreciated in the final descent.

Only difference is the addition of a rock plate, which offers protection under foot and makes it more responsive, then the grip has changed slightly to make it more durable, thats all. For me I don't see how either can be seen as worse, they are enhancements. I can only think other shave judged the shoe before fully wearing them in as the rock plate may be a little stiff in the early miles.

Yeh for sure. The sticky grip is unrivalled so great on that side and with decent lugs plus a rock plate its ideal...only thing better is the irock 3 but that's quite the minimalist shoe so not ideal for longer distance

Thank you