North Face Altamesa 500 V2 Assessment | Like a Cushioned Street Shoe for the Trails

When you’re searching for a flexible path shoe that works for all sorts of path adventures, the North Face Altamesa 500 V2 stands out as the shoe for you.

North Face is well-known inside the out of doors neighborhood and these sneakers present the standard I’ve come to anticipate with this model. I used to be initially skeptical of the massive stack peak on these sneakers; the froth is what I anticipate on a soft street shoe relatively than an on a regular basis trail-runner.

When you’re seeking to simulate the texture of a excessive stack peak, extremely cushioned street shoe, this may be an excellent choice. These wouldn’t be my go-to shoe for technical path runs.

However I’ll be reaching for these for lengthy, simple path runs or logging climbing miles.

This can be a nice shoe for somebody who does a little bit of every thing on the path, performing particularly properly for lengthy climbing days. The additional cushion goes to really feel actually nice for prolonged time on ft.

North Face Altamesa 500 V2 Overview

I are inclined to gravitate in direction of lighter path sneakers with a decrease stack peak as a result of they’re extra nimble on technical trails and permit for selecting up the tempo. However it’s all the time enjoyable to toss stuff new within the rotation since you by no means know when it would shock you.

The Altamesa is a chunky ton of cushion shoe and it seems that’s fairly good on restoration days.

I examined these sneakers on lengthy path runs and a weighted vest hike. With an additional 25lbs on my again, the cushioning absorbed among the load.

The longest run I accomplished in these sneakers was 20 miles. This was a sizzling day, after a number of hours in these sneakers, my ft weren’t overheated. Nor did I really feel the affect of the mileage on my ft, due to the DREAM midsole foam.

I additionally examined these sneakers on a half-muddy / half snowy path. The 4mm lugs offered nice traction all through the various circumstances. North Face makes use of the Floor CTRL SC2 outsole which had nice traction throughout each mud and snowI didn’t slip in any respect.

I’m curious how this outsole will examine to the well-loved Vibram outsole after 100s of miles.

Counter to the excessive stack peak, I didn’t really feel like I misplaced continuity with the bottom. These sneakers grip properly on trails, though they wouldn’t be my first alternative for a extremely rocky or rooty path.

North Face Altamesa 500 V2 Match

If I had to decide on one phrase to explain these sneakers: Comfy.

The North Face Altamesa ran true-to-size. Carrying my typical dimension, I had the correct quantity of room for my toes. Loads of room to splay with no toe bang.

As a path shoe that appears chunky with the thick foam, it doesn’t really feel cumbersome in all places else. It suits adequately throughout my foot, offering simply what you want, and nothing extra.

I didn’t really feel just like the shoe was missing padding with the sunshine mesh and minimally padded heel. The heel has much less padding than most of my different street or path sneakers. The heel counter is barely increased which helps my heel comfortably, regardless of much less padding.

The higher is narrower and snugly holds my foot. For these with extensive ft, the mesh is versatile and would accommodate some area within the higher. I feel the higher could also be too tight for people who usually purchase sneakers in Huge.

The mesh is mild and breathable, retaining my ft from overheating on a sizzling spring day. The play within the higher would accommodate a thicker sock, however doesn’t have the play to accommodate my warmest socks for the coldest winter days.

My heels slipped going downhill, this may increasingly have been mitigated by heel lock lacing.

North Face Altamesa 500 V2 Really feel

The  DREAM midsole foam gives cushioning for a really comfy experience, smooth underfoot and absorbing affect of lengthy miles.

I didn’t really feel the ‘excessive rebound’ response with this foam. I didn’t really feel a change in vitality response by way of varied paces, making them heavy for particular tempo work. However, the chunky foam ensured my ft and legs felt sturdy after prolonged miles.

The broader midsole was nice for these purely dust trails, however didn’t have the precision I’d select for extremely technical terrain. Working throughout ruts and rocks, the froth is simply too thick to shortly reply to small modifications within the terrain.

I might really feel my ankles working more durable to offset the gradual response from the excessive stack peak.

The serrated laces are a small design alternative that had a huge impact for me. The laces didn’t loosen or un-tie all through any of the miles.

This could not be my shoe of alternative for blended road-to-trail terrain. The 4mm lugs mean you can really feel each inch of asphalt or laborious terrain. For people who dwell in snowy areas, these sneakers can be nice once you want a bit additional traction on the street.

Just like the heel and higher, the tongue is minimally padded but comfy. The tongue curves completely throughout the bridge and ankle joint.

Comparable Sneakers to the North Face Altamesa 500 V2

In search of one other max cushioned path shoe? Right here’s our comparisons from different strains:

This isn’t your typical path working shoe, prioritizing cushion over agility.

Total, I feel this shoe is a superb choice for somebody who:

• Is a path runner in search of extra cushion
• Needs to simulate the texture of a soft street shoe on the paths
• Makes use of one path shoe for quite a lot of totally different functions and/or on a varied terrain