The North Face has made a fantastic collection of running shoes. In this article, I will show you the ins and outs so that you can find just the right shoe for your use.
At first glance, the lineup from The North Face can be a little bit hard to figure out. They all have very similar names and they look very similar. But rest assured, I will help you out in no time. First one important thing, The North Face makes trail shoes, so in this article, we will be focusing 100% on trail running.
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Technologies
Vectiv midsole
The name Vectiv is present in all the models from The North Face, and this is the name of the rocker-shaped midsole The North Face has implemented, to help with propulsion and running feel. All shoes have the Vectiv midsole, some with just one foam (single-density), and some with two foams (dual-density) that combine into one midsole.
Vectiv Plate
All shoes have a plate inside. Shoes with dual-density midsoles have a full-length plate, in this article I call these shoes the "top models". This plate can be made of carbon, Pebax, or TPU. Carbon is the stiffest, and TPU is the most flexible, and this makes a big difference in how the shoe is to run with.
The North Face Vectiv midsole
Surface Control outsoles
Every outsole is made with Surface Control, a sticky rubber from The North Face. They either have 3.5mm or 5mm lugs and are all with strategical cut-outs to minimize weight.
Futurelight
The last technology is arguably the most impressive one. Futurelight is a breathable waterproof technology The North Face has made, and if the shoe has Futurelight in the title, it is water-resistant.
Top models
The following three shoes in this category have a dual-density Vectiv midsole and a full-length Vectiv plate. These are the top-of-the-line shoes from The North Face, implemented with the best technology that The North Face has to offer.
Having a dual-density midsole can contribute to a faster transition and increased support without it feeling like a supportive shoe.
The North Face Vectiv Enduris II
The North Face - Vectiv Enduris II
The North Face Vectiv Enduris II is made for the longer runs where comfort is important. It has an increased stack height and a softer foam for a more premium feel when running. The ankle area is nicely padded and the engineered mesh upper is soft and nice on foot.
It has a full-length TPU plate, the softest and most forgiving material The North Face offers, for a more comfortable running feel. Combined with a wider midfoot platform and 3.5mm lugs this shoe provides a nice and stable ride on the trails, even when it is wet.
The North Face Vectiv Enduris II is perfect if you want to run longer distances, and prioritize comfort over pure speed.
The North Face Flight Vectiv
The North Face - Flight Vectiv
Flight is the right word for this shoe, as it is meant to give you that extra little something for the longer ultra races, where speed is a priority. This is the most responsive trail shoe that The North Face offers with a lower weight for those faster runs.
It has a lower stack height, a firmer midsole foam, and a full-length carbon plate to help you keep the speed during a longer race. The upper is divided in two parts, with a midfoot in Matryx quarter panel that gives stability around the midfoot and a toe box that can expand and adapt to swelling feet.
Just like in The North Face Vectiv Enduris II, The North Face Flight Vectiv offers a surface control outsole with 3.5 mm lugs for good traction on wet surfaces.
The North Face Vectiv Infinite
The North Face - Vectiv Infinite
We have already gone through the fast and the comfy, now we enter the domain of the strong. The main feature of The North Face Vectiv Infinite is the full Matryx upper, which is Kevlar-reinforced and great if you decide to push the shoes to the max. It drains very quickly and gives a lot of stability around the foot.
Around the heel, you have a molded heel counter for a bit more support, and the tongue is attached on both sides so it stays in place through every twist and turns.
The North Face Vectiv Infinite has a full-length Pebax plate that is light and gives just the right amount of stiffness for more balanced propulsion when you hit the trails, and the 3.5 lugs with the SurfaceCTRL outsole gives great grip on all surfaces.
The North Face Vectiv Infinite is available in a Futurelight version with 5mm lugs, especially suited for the toughest and wettest of days.
Budget-friendly models
The main difference between the top models and the budget-friendly models is the midsole construction. In these two models, you will only see only one foam in the midsole and a shorter plate in the forefoot. Both are made to enhance the simplicity of the rocker shape and still give you a great roll forward.
The North Face Vectiv Eminus
The North Face - Vectiv Eminus
The North Face Vectiv Eminus is the soft, everyday trainer, perfect for the longer runs and hikes. Here you get a bit of extra stack height for added comfort and the same great Vectiv rocker-shaped midsole that gives a great running sensation. A perfect shoe for the longer runs where comfort is key.
The North Face Vectiv Levitum
The North Face - Vectiv Levitum
The North Face Vectiv Lecitum is made for tempo running. It has less foam than the Eminus and is lighter and more nimble to run with. If you're not in need of a full-length plate in the shoe and just want a shoe that can handle faster paces, then The North Face Vectiv Levitum is the right choice for you.
Didn't you find your favorite?
See our entire colleciton of running shoes here:
