The North Face Flight Vectiv is a trail running shoe that provides comfort, a fun roll-through and a built-in carbon plate.
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I have tested the shoe, and in this article you can read more about my experience of wearing the shoe, as well as learn more about its different features.
The North Face Flight Vectiv's Sock-like Fit
The shoe's tongue has been built into the upper, and, as a result, The North Face Flight Vectiv sits very close to the foot, providing a firm but comfortable hold. However, in this regard it's worth mentioning that I wear half a size smaller in these shoes compared to most other brands I run in. At first glance, the shoe may seem slightly narrow and long, but the upper is able to extend upwards, which means that even in a half size smaller shoe, it is still able to provide suitable stability.
The North Face Flight Vectiv Matryx-mesh
Generally speaking, the mesh on The North Face Flight Vectiv is a sensible and durable material called "Matryx". It is thin and allows for ventilation around the toes and is firmer around the instep. The shoes are laced up easily and without trouble or discomfort. In the heel cap there is a heel pad on the inside, and on the outside at the heel and toe there is a thin layer of TPU, which provides extra protection.
The North Face Flight Vectiv is Designed for Endless Running
The North Face Flight Vectiv is not the lightest trail shoe on the market - but by no means the heaviest either. It weighs 300 grams in a size US 9, and in light of the shoe's overall weight, you really get a lot of comfort for money.
With a 6 mm drop and a stack height of 25 mm at the heel, there is a huge midsole for your landings. I have run approx. 30 km as my longest run wearing the shoes and my feet have had a very pleasant and comfortable experiencet - nor is there any doubt that this shoe will be ideal for even longer distances, such as ultra-running.
The Grippy Outsole
With trail shoes, 2 of the most important factors that determine grip are:
- Size of lugs
- Rubber type
The size of the lugs probably speaks for itself; the muddier the conditions, the bigger the lugs you need. The North Face Flight Vectiv features 3.5mm lugs, and for this reason is not suitable for very muddy terrain.
The rubber type is important for two reasons - one is durability and the other is grip. If you choose a very soft rubber type, typically you will get a slightly lower level of durability, but in return a better grip - and vice versa.
Surface CTRL
The rubber compound on The North Face Flight Vectiv is a material that The North Face describes as “SurfaceCTRL”, and is a relatively soft material. This means that you get an outsole that is grippy on most surfaces - even on rocks, gravel and asphat. Even in terms of durability, despite the good grip, the shoe seems very promising - I have run approx. 500 km in the shoes, and the outsole still seems in tact, despite the fact that a good portion was on asphalt roads, which wears the lugs down more quickly.
The outsole of The North Face Flight Vectiv is suitable for most surface types - as long as it is not completely muddy. Overall, I have been satisfied with the grip and I have run in them in everything from small forest paths and a few asphalt roads to the Alps in Switzerland.
A Rocker Midsole
The midsole is designed with built-in "rocker geometry" - this meaning that the entire shoe functions as one large "rocker". The rocker geometry is designed perfectly and ensures a great roll-through when taking a stride. On flat terrain, it feels very natural landing on the midfoot of the shoe, whilst on hills I can easily start by landing on my heel first and roll through the rest of the stride. This gives a really good feel when running downhill and provides an almost effortless feeling.
The North Face Flight Vectiv performs particularly well on descents!
The Carbon Plate
As previously mentioned, The North Face Flight Vectiv features a built-in carbon plate. The carbon plate is designed in 3D and runs along the full length of the shoe. Around the heel, it bends upwards and outwards, so that it forms a kind of cup around the heel.
The shape of the carbon plate helps to provide more stability, and generally speaking, I find that carbon plates help to give a springier push-off.
What The North Face Flight Vectiv Excels at
It is impossible to find a trail shoe that can do it all! And this is also the case for the The North Face Flight Vectiv.
If we take a closer look at what the primary features of this shoe are, then in my opinion comfort and "roll-through" are definitely worth mentioning. This makes the shoe a really good choice if you have to run long distances. The shoe excels as a result of the rocker geometry on long and regular slopes. In such conditions, the North Face Flight Vectiv gives a great sense of flow in your run!
As for surfaces, The North Face Flight Vectiv tackles most types well, as long as it is not really muddy. The rubber compound in the outsole grips well and I have felt satisfied with the shoes on everything from asphalt to grass, forest and rocks.
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