VAMJAM Ultra Lightweight Review

This walking shoe is very lightweight with a breathable upper and slip-on design. Though not hands-free, the shoe can easily be slid on without having to untie and tie the laces. The foam sole provides decent cushion and the inexpensive price tag makes these an attractable option for occasional use.

Performance Comparison

Comfort

The Vamjam Ultra Lightweight provides acceptable comfort, but it also has noticeable shortcomings for a walking shoe. The mesh upper is constructed from one piece, meaning it doesn't have a tongue. Instead, the laces lay across the top of the mesh, though they aren't too useful. This also means the tongue is not padded, though I appreciated the ankle padding. The removable insole is also lightly padded to provide some additional cushioning. During the testing period, I noticed that the mesh upper and sole were more comfortable than expected. During the 10,000-step testing period, no hot spots or rubbing were noticed.

The shoes fit true to size in length and width. However, they are only available in regular width, so those with a wider foot may be uncomfortable. No break-in period was needed with these shoes, but I didn't enjoy them for long periods of time due to lack of structure and support. They have 30 millimeters of cushion under the heal and 15 under the toe. While this is a decent amount of foam, they didn't have the support needed for longer walks. The shoes slip on easily but are not completely hands-free. The laces don't do much in ways of securement and the heel loop assists with sliding the foot in and dropping the heel.

Support

When it comes to support and rigidity testing, the Ultra Lightweight fell short of the competitors. During the sole flex test, we see where the sole flexes with pressure to determine the level of support. An ideal walking shoe would have flex at the toe box and resist torsion when twisted. The Vamjam completely collapsed during the flexion test, which shows poor support structure. During the twist test, the shoe failed to resist torsion and easily twisted side to side. We did not feel this shoe had a lot of lateral support which may result in a rolled ankle or injury.

The lacing structure has four loops on each side but isn't very functional. I attempted to snug up the shoes, but the laces pulled unevenly and bunched the tongue material, another downside to the no-tongue approach. There wasn't a noticeable difference when they were tightened, in any case. This shoe would be best for a neutral gait and arch because it doesn't offer much support or gait correction. Additionally, the Vamjam isn't the best choice for longer walks.

Traction

The Vamjam performed sufficiently in the grip test with most surfaces we tested. With a foam sole, the traction bars are all horizontal and flex with movement. These shoes do best on concrete, but still not impressive. We were less impressed with its tile/indoor and gravel performance. The outsole doesn't have much tread, other than shallow horizontal lines. The tread does pick up small pebbles occasionally, which can be annoying. The shoes would occasionally slip on surfaces like tile, linoleum, or vinyl, especially if the surface contained dust or dirt. With a sole made of foam and no use of rubber, it is not surprisingly they didn't perform better.

Weight

Weighing in at about 5.95 ounces per shoe the Vamjam Ultra Lightweight is among the lightest of our testing group. The shoe's lightweight construction is hardly noticeable and would make a decent shoe to throw in your luggage. However, this light weight does come at a cost. The minimalist materials used aren't very supportive or comfortable, especially for longer walks.

Durability

The Vamjam Ultra Lightweight raises some serious concerns about durability with long term use. During the testing period, the upper material held up sufficiently and didn't show signs of wear. The material does not hold shape, however, and chooses to move as it wants. We found the heel cup to fold inward on its own, which has us questioning its longevity.

The midsole really showed signs of wear, which is clearly a weak point of the shoe. The sole is completely foam with no rubber covering or reinforcement which is a major concern, especially for outdoor use. At the end of our 10,000-step testing period, of which half was performed inside, the tread was tearing apart at the high-use areas. The heel and toe boxes suffered the most damage and don't give a lot of confidence in longevity, especially if they will be for use on concrete.

Should You Buy the Vamjam Ultra Lightweight?

Consider the Vamjam Ultra Lightweight if you are seeking an inexpensive walking shoe for running quick errands or something simple for inside the house. These shoes would be sufficient for somebody who has a neutral gait and doesn't require arch support. The shoes offer acceptable comfort but are lacking the support and durability for serious walkers and prolonged use.

What Other Walking Shoes Should You Consider?

If you seek a hands-free shoe with good comfort and support the Kizik Lima is a serious contender. For the budget-conscious shopper, the Under Armour Charged Assert 10 provides all-around support and durability at a good price. They will still cost you a little more than the Vamjam, but we think it is worth it, especially if you are interested in longer walks. For maximum comfort and cushion, the Brooks Ghost Max 2 will keep your feet happy all day, regardless of where you choose to walk.