The North Face has been around for decades. Their Vectiv technology was launched in 2021 and the Enduris 4 does not disappoint. This shoe is a beast on technical terrain and makes climbing comfortable and surprisingly easy.
If you are headed out for a trail run, where you know there will be hills and rocky terrain, The North Face Vectiv Enduris 4 is the perfect shoe to lace up. It can handle a wide range of conditions and trail surfaces.
Let’s see if this shoe meets your needs.
Who Is It Good For?
Who is the North Face Vectiv Enduris 4 a good fit for? Let’s break it down with some common categories:
- Wide feet: This shoe runs on the narrower side, those with wide feet will probably find it too tight.
- Technical trails: Excellent grip allowing you to propel with ease (though not rated for highly technical we liked it).
- Long runs: Held up well to back to back runs and would meet the needs when running a 50K. (I would order ½ size up)
- Front of the Pack: Not a go to for speed, but great for days to get lost in miles.
My first impression is that this is a great shoe for rocky terrain that was able to grip in snow and ice as well. It has excellent cushion which provides protection against the sharpest rocks.
Enduris 4’s Specs
There were some really great updates to this version, including the addition of a little more cushion and better heel fit.
- Weight: 10.1 Men’s, 9.0 oz Women’s
- Heel drop: 6 mm
- Stack Height: 32mm
- Usage: Trail running
- 2 colors
- Not available in wide
- Available from REI.com for $160.00
Who tried it?
Hello, I am Charity, a mom of 2 boys and a PTA who loves to get lost on a trail and discover all the beauty CO has to offer. I have been trail running for 16 years and ran on roads for 12 years prior.
I typically run 25-30 miles a week with a few friends and my faithful Springer spaniel Maggie. In the summer I love to find a new trail and go on an adventure!
The North Face Vectiv Enduris 4 Review
Out of the box, I notice the immediate comfort of The North Face Vectiv Enduris 4. The sole provides stability, the laces are unbelievable (I did not have to stop and retie my shoes), and it is a stiffer shoe.
At first try on, I noted that the Vectiv Enduris 4, felt narrow in the toe box and sizing ran a bit small. The arch support was efficient for a normal arch and for the amount of cushioning the shoe provides it is lightweight.
I tested these shoes on surfaces ranging from flat two track, smooth single track, technical rocky terrain, and technical trails with snow and ice. This shoe provides great traction but excels when ascending rocky terrain.
I didn’t notice a single rock underfoot and the lugs offered excellent grip even on ice. With a snug fit on the heel, I felt secure in the downhill no matter the speed or grade of the trail.
This shoe is stiff which provides excellent cushion and stability. The TPU plate propels you up the hill and this shoe provides enough cushion to be very comfortable but is still firm enough to have a good connection to the trails and not feel like you are floating.
The Good
The back heel cushioning helps this shoe feel really secure around your foot with both ascending and descending the trail. The tongue of the shoe needed a few runs to break in but after 4 days of running I did not notice any rubbing or hot spots.
I also feel after 4 days of running I became more comfortable with the sizing and the width of the toe box. I am in love with the laces. I have not had to retie my shoes on any of my runs which is a little bit of heaven.
The comfort of the shoe and the protection against rocks is spot on. I stubbed my toe a few times on the trail but did not feel any discomfort on my runs.
The best quality of this shoe is that it makes climbing a breeze. The grip is unbelievable and will help you ascend quickly to the top. While it’s only a 4mm lug, it provided surprising grip and I was confident in it on most trails.
The Bad
I would advise to order a half size up if you plan on running longer distances in this shoe. If you are someone looking for connection underfoot this might not be the shoe for you, but I feel this is something you give up with a shoe that is cushioned so well.
It’s not a wide toe box running shoe, which can definitely be a drawback if you’re wearing it for ultrarunning.
If you are looking for a road to traiI I would say this is a great trail shoe but will feel sluggish on flat smooth terrain.
The Bottom Line
This trail shoe loves to climb. It handles technical terrain with ease and makes climbing feel effortless. This will be a shoe I reach for when I need power and propulsion while climbing and protection against rocks underfoot.
The North Face Vectiv Enduris 4 with its grippy outsole, and moderate cushioning makes this a great shoe for even the most technical of trails and any distance.
So that’s our quick take!! We’re always curious to hear if you’ve tried a shoe or have other questions, so we can make sure to include that info in future reviews.
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