Absolutely the BEST! It's been single digits for a few weeks and my feet stay really warm. Great grip as always with roomy toes box. They are the reason I get out every morning.
In general this shoe is a improvement over the original max in many ways. The toe box is larger, the cushioned sole makes it more comfortable for distance runs and the tread seems to manage mud a little better. With the cushioned sole you do loose some of the stability that made the Maxx perform very well on rugged mountain trails but overall I've enjoyed the three pairs I've run in .
These shoes are incredible daily drivers in Colorado high country...walking the dog, going to work, navigating icy and snowpacked streets and trails.
I've worn other brands, and really nothing compares to the grip of these shoes, and the overall comfort.
I normally wear 11.5, but had to size up to a 46.
I've been struggling with some plantar fasciitis and the profile if these shoes seem to have alleviated my symptoms too.
I'll be looking at some VJ trail runners for sure this spring.
What more is there to say about these? There was a time when I only bought Hoka, because noone else was using Vibram outsole. Then, I discovered VJ. Even if I'm practically sideways, they still grip. The waterproofing on this is excellent, lockdown is great, and the toebox is snug but not painful at all on my wider forefoot. I cannot find a single thing wrong with these XTER.