The North Face Summit Vectiv Pro

The first impression when looking at The North Face Summit Vectiv is that, somehow, formula 1 has definitely arrived in the world of trail shoes. Since Nike set the trend with its carbon versions for asphalt, this Vectiv is the first one that gives me that high performance feeling. The shoe is aesthetically very nice, with a clean and simple design; the finishes and fabrics are top quality with details such as the carbon fiber visible. The foam is soft and the outsole has a minimalist tread pattern.

Fitting them is easy, they have awrap-around elastic tongue but nothing compressive and the laces have a braiding that prevents the shoes from slipping or loosening once knotted. The interior sizing is normal, the foot is supported but without burden, the oversizing is only an appearance, a consequence of the bulky sole. Details and more details. The upper reinforcements are also minimalist and are inside the shoe! The entire outer fabric is an indestructible-looking polyamide mesh that makes the foot hyperventilated.

The insole is removable, fluffy enough but without the outrageous water-retaining foams. Another discovery; the fiber plate is at the top, glued to the insole and the foot, but you can't feel any hardness. In the forefoot you can see, on each side, two wishbones protruding from the plate towards the ground, with a negative angle of descent; this is the secret of its supposed stability. The TNF Summit Vectiv is one of those shoes that, as you put them on, generate uncertainty and excitement in equal parts.

For what type of trail runners do I recommend The North Face Summit Vectiv?

With fiber soles you have to change the light runner/heavy runner chip. The North Face Summit Vectiv is a lightweight, all-around shoe with cushioning that may seem like it's aimed at heavier runners, but it's friendly for all types of runners. This is the miracle of carbon fiber; well applied it provides reactivity and well accompanied (foam) provides cushioning, protection and comfort. Incredible but true.

The most important thing with carbon plate shoes is the running technique; on the flat and uphill it is almost obligatory to run with our forefoot (toes, we are well protected), leaving the heel only for the descents. They require adaptation, especially the triceps surales, but once the transition is made, we will be a different type of runner, undoubtedly faster and more efficient. This is the only way to take advantage of carbon fiber and the prices it commands.

When you put them on, the first thing that comes to your mind is ultra-distance races with long trails and rolling trails. They are not for rock climbing because they are oversized and may not fit everywhere, but on broken and rough descents, they are very, very stable and stable. Even so, if we have to recommend them for a use, it would be the long distance from 30km to infinity; thanks to their stability and grip, from those kilometers in which the physique is already tight and any technical terrain or obstacle is a death trap, we will be grateful to wear them for the rest they provide.

What I liked most about the The North Face Summit Vectiv

What I liked the most, their strong points, are the comfort, evident, and the stability, surprising. They are easy to put on, wrap around the foot without unpleasant friction, they feel ventilated and cushioned and knotting them is a pleasure because they do not come loose. You can not ask for more, they are a ten. The issue of stability must be crumbled. So far I have tried plate shoes that were looking for reactivity, they give you back amplified what you give them.

The North Face raises the plate to the height of the insole, unlike the models I've tested so far that have the plate between the layers of foam. At the same time it has designed a pair of lateral spoilers in the forefoot (similar to the old Salomon 3D chassis) that extend to the sole. On landing, these spoilers literally open up and increase the base of the shoe in such a way as to give extra stability to the ankle while the protrusions and rocks are blurred by the foam. This invention together with the fantastic grip of the sole (dirt, rock or asphalt), give the shoe the technical characteristics of a "harder" shoe. The tread pattern is sufficient for wet conditions, although it will obviously be more difficult in mud due to its shallow size.

Little more can be asked from a shoe that is designed with intention and a lot of detail to give them the indicated use; long distance and ultra long distance. In 100km they have not shown any signs of premature wear and we can only ask them to last for many more kilometers.

The The North Face Summit Vectiv's rivals

Their alternatives could be the Saucony Endorphin Edge with plate or the New Balance Hierro v7. They beat the Saucony in everything, absolutely everything except reactivity, but in long distance they are of little use. The Hierro v7, despite not having a plate, are a worthy alternative, much less dynamic but equally protected.

Conclusion

The TNF Summi tVectiv are wonderful shoes. Extremely comfortable, light, ventilated and beautiful. When jogging, the cushioning is extraordinary and the feeling is still light. Running on technical terrain, the foot is wrapped and stable thanks to the characteristics of its plate that seek precisely that and despite having so much foam up to the sole, if you ask them for pace, they respond well; on the flat they can run at 3'45 "min/km as if it were an asphalt shoe. The sole is equally good, on asphalt it goes well, on dirt they are perfect and on rock they are more than adequate.

We are talking about expensive shoes, but with the current trend of high technology that is being implemented, for the moment we have no choice but to look for the best price; undoubtedly the TNF are worth it because they exude technology and quality on all four sides. For athletes looking for a premium shoe for the bottom, they are a safe bet and in races they will allow them to move quickly in the top third of the rankings and comfortably in the rest of the table because they are as comfortable as they are dynamic. An ultratrail shoes with capital letters.

Txus Romón's notes

• LIGHTWEIGHTNESS: 10
• RESPONSE: 9
• CUSHIONING: 10
• STABILITY: 9
• FLEXIBILITY9 GRIP: 9