Touted as The North Face’s final ultra-distance trail-racing footwear, the Summit Sequence VECTIV Professional 3 may probably be that shoe.
I’ve had many items of The North Face gear over time (my favourite pair of working tights that I wore for over a decade) that didn’t disappoint, however for some purpose I had by no means tried any footwear till now.
The VECTIV Professional 3 seems like that high quality piece I’ve come to count on from TNF. And after a couple of lengthy runs on this shoe, I can verify that I’d fortunately use this shoe for a path extremely.
Hitting my regular Colorado technical testing trails, there undoubtedly had been some circumstances the place these footwear had been a stand out and a few trails the place they had been fantastic however wouldn’t be my first alternative.
Who’s the The North Face Vectiv Professional 3 a great match for, let’s break it down by some widespread classes:
- Broad ft: Commonplace to narrower match, even for ladies with this unisex shoe.
- Technical trails: Not essentially fitted to extremely technical or steep ascents and descents.
- Lengthy runs: An ideal alternative for lengthy runs and ultras.
- Entrance of the pack: Can choose up the tempo on the proper kind of trails.
The North Face VECTIC Professional 3 Overview
Opening this field, the large stack top and the aggressive rocker are the primary issues I seen after which instantly questioned if this was what a carbon plated path tremendous shoe was speculated to be. However I used to be excited to check out an final ultra-distance trail-racing shoe.
Each time I see an enormous stack top on a path shoe my first query is on which kind of path is that this going to shine? So after all I needed to attempt the VECTIV Professional 3 on all my favourite Colorado trails.
My first run testing these was the day after an enormous vert, very technical day on tremendous drained legs and I’ll admit that that run felt surprisingly good, not daisy contemporary, but additionally not similar to lead legs.
So, I’m projecting, however I can think about that these footwear would really feel good 30+ miles right into a race.
Buttery easy trails with a couple of rollers had been the clear winner for the VECTIV Professional 3’s use. With the 37 mm stack top, I felt a bit excessive off the bottom on actually technical trails particularly once I would choose the foundation or rock as my touchdown spot.
Whereas I adjusted to the curve of the rocker, it did alter how I landed on actually steep descents. For runners used to footwear just like the Hoka Mafati X or others with an enormous stack, this won’t be a problem, however I nonetheless like extra floor really feel to belief my footing. Cushioned can completely nonetheless be quick, simply will depend on what you’re in search of within the shoe.
I used to be shocked by the DREAM nitrogen-TPU foam within the VECTIV Professional 3. For me, it by some means hit that candy spot of a lot of cushion that didn’t really feel too gentle and was actually extremely mild.
From starting to finish of brief runs, lengthy runs, again to again runs, the froth all the time felt supportive.
I believe this foam will maintain up very well over a lot of miles on this shoe.
And I all the time love when an organization works towards sustainability. The SURFACE CTRL rubber outsole is made with “10% rubber from smallholder farmers dedicated to agroforestry rules and regenerative agricultural practices” in accordance with The North Face.
The North Face VECTIV Professional 3 Specs
Execs
- Loads of cushion but additionally supportive.
- Light-weight, breathable higher.
- Absolutely built-in tongue that doesn’t slip to the facet.
Cons
- Laces are actually lengthy, even with a heel lock lace and double knotting.
- Carbon plate is noticeable underfoot typically.
- Vital modifications from model 2
The North Face VECTIV Professional 3 Match
The North Face Summit Vectiv Professional 3 is a real to measurement shoe. It’s onerous to explain this shoe as slender or vast – the heel is comfortable, the center foot is fairly normal, and there may be loads of room within the toebox.
The tongue is nearly totally gusseted retaining it in place via all of the miles. It’s not overly padded, retaining the majority below the laces to a minimal. There are additionally some good respiration holes within the tongue for these scorching days.
Whereas the VECTIV Professional 3 initially feels a bit stiff, due to the diploma of the rocker my foot nonetheless rolled properly alongside the path in a pure motion. This paired with a snuggly held heel made for a cushty run. The heel just isn’t totally padded however has a padded bumper up the again and barely across the sides.
The North Face VECTIV Professional 3 Really feel
Certainly one of my favourite options of the VECTIV Professional 3 is the DREAM nitrogen-TPU foam. For me this was that goldilocks of froth, not too squishy, supportive all through all of the miles.
My legs felt nice in the course of all these future marathon coaching miles. I didn’t run within the predecessor to the Professional 3, however there have been feedback that the froth just isn’t as responsive. I didn’t discover an issue with choosing up the tempo once I needed to, however responsiveness is one thing to concentrate on for individuals who liked the final mannequin.
This shoe isn’t messing round. It’s packing two carbon plates, and you may undoubtedly really feel it out on the run.
Proper below the footbed, there’s a wishbone-shaped carbon plate (made out of recycled supplies) that runs via the midfoot and forefoot. It’s not tremendous stiff, which is definitely a great factor, it offers you a little bit of construction with out feeling harsh. There’s a pleasant sense of management via the midfoot and a secure, planted really feel up entrance.
Then beneath that, you’ve received a full-length carbon plate paired with a layer of Dream Foam. That is the place the magic occurs for propulsion (bear in mind it’s concerning the foam and the plate!).
Put all of it collectively, and also you’ve received a journey that feels each secure and quick, which is strictly who they’re focusing on with this shoe.
For a quick shoe it’s not the lightest, however once more that’s tougher in a path shoe to perform than a street shoe. You want all that rubber and grip, which goes so as to add to weight.
The higher mesh is extraordinarily breathable and water repellent (not waterproof). Whereas working via a creek my socks did get moist however had been in a position to dry shortly over the following couple miles.
The mesh on the VECTIV Professional 3 is versatile sufficient whereas nonetheless feeling sturdy sufficient to not rip on the first snag.
Initially I needed the lugs to be deeper than 3.5 mm, however for the paths that these footwear had been made for, the lugs don’t must be any deeper. Traction was greater than satisfactory for gravel, grime, and easy single observe paths.
On any of these circumstances, it was straightforward to get misplaced in thought, interested by every little thing however your footwear, which is just about my aim on most runs.
Comparable Sneakers to The North Face VECTIV Professional 3
Searching for one other comparable extremely path shoe? Right here’s our comparisons from different traces:
- La Sportiva Prodigo Professional – Comparable stack, however lighter, we actually liked this shoe
- Brooks Cascadia Elite – Able to go quick and designed with an connected gaitor
- Adidas Agravic Extremely – One other designed for velocity and lengthy distance working
83%
May this path shoe deal with an extremely with ease? Completely it’s received an ideal quantity of cushion for longer miles with that little umph from the rocker as nicely. Our solely disadvantage could be on extra technical trails the place we’d like a bit extra lug and little extra floor really feel.
