by Casey McGuire

So you can better understand what I first look for in a shoe, it helps to know my personal distinctions. My feet are wider than most, and so a toe box with room, or that opens immediately is most important. Though I slightly overpronate with my right foot only, it is so slight that it has no bearing on my shoe choices, and both my arches are still high and strong. I’m dropping down about 150 lbs on my shoes, and my feet point directly forward, without any angle, during my running gait.

Alternating through five pair of trail running shoes, I thought it safe to compare them a bit and toss out some opinions of them. My newest pair are my Velocity VSTs, which I only have about 80 miles on so far. I wanted to start with these because I just don’t feel like saying anything bad right now, and these don’t allow much room for that.

Description

My first concern was the color, as I did get the darker pair, and I am in a desert where temperatures will rise here quickly. So far, I have only tested these in about 97 or 98 degrees, but they have airmesh lightweight uppers, which are extremely breathable, and impressively so. They also noticeably wick moisture away from the foot.

Inside the shoe, the unique Vasque Spine Technology (VST) system works to lessen shock. The top plate consists of a thermoplastic urethane (TPU) which incorporates SEBS gel, to create a centered and consistent heel strike release, and is covered by a removable EVA footbed for cushioning.

My favorite part of the shoe is the tread. The outsoul is rigid and firm, though flexible where it needs to be. The profile is lower than the original Velocity, but the front to rear differential seems to have maintained proper proportions. I like a slightly lower shoe to get a good feel for the trail, and these comply. The lugs are multidirectional and very aggressive. The traction has been outstanding so far, and the most impressive feature in my early opinion.

Performance

Tested on everything I could find in my desert so far, excluding mud, I have little to complain about. Because the tread is so aggressive, it may dig a bit in soft sand, which is easily remedied by a slight modification in stride. I worried a bit that I might rip through dirt a bit with the tread, but there is no slip, no rip, and only grip in all terrain. Rocks seem to surrender to my footfalls, and the rockier the area, the more fun these shoes become.

Hills, regardless of incline, are only something else to grip through up and down. My third run with them was up a small group of hills that climbs 400 ft in about a quarter mile. My legs weren’t any stronger with the VSTs on, but without any slipping, there is no extra work involved. I wanted to give the shoes a little time to form to my foot before attacking the more uncompromising hills, but it didn’t seem to matter much. They were fitted to my feet by the end of the first run, and certainly into the second.

Drawbacks

I had read a couple of other reviews before I got my pair, and both of them said the shoe wore a bit large. I had thought that at first, but then they just formed to fit, and seemed more like wearing a pair of slippers than a larger shoe. My heal stays in place, and there is no movement in front or back either. If there is a drawback here, it might be that I sometimes feel like I run slower if my shoes are too comfortable (can’t run in slippers). That’s about as negative as I can think to be about these.

One of the other reviews I read said that his shoes didn’t seem to be very waterproof, which is about the last thing I want for my desert. I saw no claims from Vasque saying anything about these being waterproof, and if anything, the opposite for breathability. So, if you’re looking for waterproof shoes, I guess there’s a “drawback” here.

Categorized

The Velocity VST is designed for comfort and stability. I wouldn’t recommend them as a motion control shoe, or for someone looking for a tremendous degree of lateral support. They are built for strong, higher arches, and made for the long runs. After my 80 miles on them, I would have to say they do maintain their comfort on long slow distances, while being very prepared for aggressive aspects of any trail.

Comparison

With the other two reviews I read, my opinions seem to agree for the most part, besides the fitting. They do not fit a bit large for me, just comfortably. Both of the other runners weigh a little more than I do, and still found the tread to be optimal for their adventures. They had the opportunity to test them in mud as well, and aside from one not happy that the VSTs weren’t waterproof, they both agreed about quality performance through all types of terrain.

Summary

The Velocity VSTs are a very fun pair of shoes. As I often let the trail decide on which shoes I don, it just doesn’t matter with these. With only 80 miles on them, I cannot attest to durability yet, but as for now, I would certainly sink my feet into another pair once these have expired. If you want a rating, I’d give them a 4.5 out of 5, and to be honest, to get a 5 out of me, they’d have to do my laundry or something. If you don’t feel like doing the math, I’d give them a 9 out of 10, if that rating works better for you.

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