Trail-Running Shoes Buying Guide

Designed to deliver uncompromising, top-level performance, The North Face Summit Series VECTIV Pro 3 trail-running shoes are made for ultra-distance training and racing while chasing personal bests.
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Imported.
View the The North Face Summit Series Product LineView all The North Face Men's Trail-Running ShoesBest Use | Trail Running |
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Trail-Running Shoe Type | Rugged-Trail |
Running Shoe Cushioning | Maximum Cushion |
Heel-to-Toe Drop (mm) | 6 |
Heel Stack Height (mm) | 36.5 |
Footwear Height | Ankle |
Footwear Closure | Lace-up |
Upper | Seamless engineered TPU yarn |
Midsole | Full-length ultralight DREAM nitrogen-TPU |
Support | Carbon fiber propulsion plate |
Outsole | SURFACE CTRL rubber |
Rock Plate | Yes |
Weight (Pair) | 1 lb. 4.7 oz. |
Gender | Unisex |
Sustainability | Contains recycled materials |
4.5 Mens/6 Womens | 5 Mens/6.5 Womens | 5.5 Mens/7 Womens | 6 Mens/7.5 Womens | 6.5 Mens/8 Womens | 7 Mens/8.5 Womens | 7.5 Mens/9 Womens | 8 Mens/9.5 Womens | 8.5 Mens/10 Womens | 9 Mens/10.5 Womens | 9.5 Mens/11 Womens | 10 Mens/11.5 Womens | 10.5 Mens/12 Womens | 11 Mens/12.5 Womens | 11.5 Mens/13 Womens | 12 Mens/13.5 Womens | 12.5 Mens/14 Womens | 13 Mens/14.5 Womens | |
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U.S. Men's | 4.5 | 5 | 5.5 | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 12.5 | 13 |
U.S. Women's | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 12.5 | 13 | 13.5 | 14 | 14.5 |
UK | 3.5 | 4 | 4.5 | 5 | 5.5 | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 |
EU | 36 2/3 | 37 1/3 | 38 | 38 2/3 | 39 1/3 | 40 | 40 2/3 | 41 1/3 | 42 | 42 2/3 | 43 1/3 | 44 | 44 2/3 | 45 1/3 | 46 | 46 2/3 | 47 1/3 | 48 |
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I first used these shoes in a 60km endurance challenge with over 4,500m of elevation. It was a fantastic test for these puppies. I found them be a responsive shoe as I progress through. I have found my shoe size to be slightly bigger with a unisex with other North Face shoes. Usually I am a 8.5 men's but went up to a 9 for this shoe. During the descent and rugged terrain that i had navigated I found that there was some uncomfortable feeling around the ankle on both feet. I found there wasn't the biggest amount cushioning. Other than that they held up great in the conditions, I look forward to seeing what else they will be able to accomplish in the future.
I am a light and very fit athlete. Average foot volume - med-high arch. The heel lock-down is great. Wraps my midfoot perfectly with no extra slop. Lots of room in toes for splay - no toe rubbing. The feel is very light and energetic. Promotes mid-foot landing and toe propulsion. Sizing is the exact same for Salomon, Saucony, and New Balance. Coming from Salomon Ultra Glide 2, it's much lighter and energetic. The upper mesh is best for hotter and dry weather. The sole is wider and more planted.
This shoe just feels dead, I think theirs is too much tech in this shoe with the two plates. It does not give the foam enough room to compress and decompress. Version 2 of this shoe is way better.
I ran in the Vectiv Summit Pro 1 and 2 the past couple of years. It's the best mountain shoe I have ever owned. The Vectiv 3 is a disaster in my opinion. It's heavy and non-reactiv. It's like the carbon plating has killed any bounce and the shoe just feels dead on the feet. It's like running with ankle weights on. It does absorb impact well but that's to be expected with added stack, carbon plating and also in turn added weight. It's not worth the added weight. Especially on longer runs with big elevation. I did 4 runs in varying lengths and elevation gain, my legs were not happy running in these. I have 7 pairs of Vectiv 1's and 2's to hold me over until the next iteration. Hopefully they go back to the previous styling or include the previous styling Vectiv Pro 2 as another option in the Summit Series trail running product line. I had to return all four pairs I ordered, bummed. Dare I say I will have to go to there biggest competitors race shoe?
I have got pro 2 in 45 eu size my pro 3 are 1 size and half bigger 46 2/3 , 2 compared to 3 is more aggressive and low on stack , 3 is more comfortable , I like the upper of 3 more and structure of the material is superb , amazing Color , I'm in love with white shoes , yes I know after first run , they are no more white... but I love them , the Color makes me to buy them , I'm so happy, after a day I'm in half marathon competition and can't decide which one pair to take with me .... The only cons is as 1 .2 and 3 the wings can make you hard moment , pleas tnf make one additional layer or foam to protect feet form the wings I have got also and flight series vectiv guard future light wig full leicht carbon Fiber Plate and no problem , yes they don't have wings like that but are so comfortable I run with them as training/race day shoes when weather is bad and I have 2 marathons with hem and they are amazing too , so make something with that wings , maybe additional layer of dream foam will be game changer !!!
Midsole is super fun! I can feel the wings slightly underfoot on off camber terrain at speed which is annoying and if I wear too thin of socks the upper can be abrasive on my outer toes. But overall a really fun shoe that I plan to race in for 50 mile and under races
Right out of the box did a fifty mile road to trail and the pro three were awesome. Soft but not squishy with great forward propulsion which is want I wanted as a heel striker. Could not be more pleased and will buy more of a new color.Hint hint North Face.
They run about a full size larger than your current size. I went with my standard 8.5 size and, then tried the 8. After a few runs, I could easily see fitting the 7.5.
my third and favorite pair of Northface. Feel like I'm walking on the cloud with sturdy support and flexibility plus sneakers wash clean like new every time.
I really like these shoes, they're light, well balanced and feel great. I just wish they weren't bright white.