As shoes become more advanced and jam packed with technological innovations, more companies claim their products can conquer all things – from city sidewalks to mountain highs. Yet the reality is that not all “multi-sport” shoes are designed for the expanse of life that carries us from urban realities to more remote retreats. As such, there are certain expectations I have for my multi-sport shoes:
1. They cannot suffocate my feet on the drive to the trailhead;
2. They must be nimble enough to carry me swiftly and securely from from stumps to boulders;
3. And yes, I would like for them to look as good at the mountain tavern as they do on the trail.
Enter the Vasque Juxt – the multisport shoe where versatility is the name of the game.
The Vasque Juxt offers a comfortable fit that feels agile and ready to perform straight out of the box. From the moment you first slip them onto your feet they will compel you to move faster, cover more ground, conquer more of your world.
But before we take on the world, let’s start with the trail. Many a trip to the trail head begins with a lengthy car ride. Towards those ends a close-to-toe lacing provides for a fully adjustable, secure fit. Couple that secure feeling with an extra wide tongue (which was a favorite feature) that gently hugs the top of your foot; the Vasque Juxt provides as much comfort chasing squirrels as it does toe-tapping to Jack Johnson as you endure the long car ride to the trail head.
Once you hit the trail, the athletic fit of the Juxt encourages you to move swift and easy as the morning mist threading between the pines. Young branches whip across your shoulders and polished roots reach for your feet, but you can take comfort knowing that molded rubber toecaps, heel counter and a rubber outsole utilize a slip-resistant compound to provide the protection, support and traction you need to remain as agile as a mountain lion.
And props to the Vasque design team for integrating form with function as the toecaps and heel counter provide a distinctive design that looks as stylish at the pub as they did blitzing past more heavy footed hikers.
Whether your adventure carries you across the moist leaf laiden grounds of Autumn to the huff red clay trails of Summer, Vasque® OTG™ (Off The Grid) technology gives you an outsole that digs deep providing grip and stability as you bound through the backwoods.
Traversing the hills and deep ravines at the Auburn State Recreation Area in Northern California, most hikers were sporting heavier backpack specific boots. Yet the Juxt swallowed the downhills with ease and blitzed up the hills with airy precision. When the hiking was done, it was almost a guilty pleasure knowing our feet wouldn’t suffer or suffocate on the drive back home.
Room for Improvement...
The Juxt will carry you from curb to trail in lightweight ease, but our field team did have a few critiques. The first of which is more of an informational note than “critique”. For those with a slightly wider foot, some of the Vasque shoes can feel slightly narrow – our field team found this applies to the Juxt. If that’s you then you’ll want to purchase the wide version of this shoe which will provide the roomy comfort and freedom your toes will appreciate.
While the Vasque® OTG™ outsole performed just as well as heavier mountain specific treads on the trail, the Juxt lacks the undeterred confidence to tackle wet rocks and other slick terrain – in fact they proved to be downright slick in some instances. It also is worth noting that this particular pair of Juxt shoes is not waterproof. That being said, these critiques took a backseat to our field team’s adoration of the shoes’ lightweight and breathable construction. Besides, let’s be honest, not every adventure shoe in your arsenal needs to be waterproof.
Bottom Line…
Nimble, flexible and comfortable, the Juxt lets you break trail without breaking the bank. Time and again, our crew was impressed with the agile quick footed nature of the shoe. While they may not have the full compliment of features you’ll find in similar multi-sport shoes, there’s no doubt that they are a steal at only $95, leaving you enough cash left over to buy a few rounds for your hiking buddies.