With aggressive 5mm lugs, Kevlar reinforcements, taped seams, and waterproof Gore-Tex technology, The North Face (TNF) Offtrail TR Gore-Tex shoe is built for technical terrain in wet conditions.
TNF already offers a solid lineup of trail running shoes, but not many come with the added protection of GTX.
True to their “Never Stop Exploring” mantra, they’ve taken their trusted Offtrail TR and made it even more rugged, upgrading key features, including adding Gore-Tex®, to ensure it’s ready to handle any adventure, no matter the weather.
I received these shoes right in the middle of Colorado’s winter. After a harsh arctic blast, temperatures quickly shot up, turning snow into slush and leaving the roads and trails muddy and slushy. It was the perfect opportunity to put the Offtrail TR shoes—and the Gore-Tex waterproofing—to the ultimate test.
Overall, they performed as I had hoped, keeping my feet stable and dry in mud and slush. However, the deep lugs did tend to hold onto mud more than I expected, making it a bit trickier to shake off after muddier stretches.
Who is Offtrail TR GORE-TEX a good fit for?
Let’s break it down with some common categories:
- Wide feet: No wide option, but these land on the wider side of shoes
- Technical trails: Yes! Yes! Yes!
- Long runs: Grab these if your long run includes slush, rain, or mud
- Front of the Pack: Training days in inclement weather
This shoe is a great option to have in the lineup for when the conditions get wet and you still need to get in your miles. It will likely last quite a bit longer than your daily trainer, as these are more of a niche shoe and won’t be worn on the regular.
The North Face Offtrail TR GORE-TEX® shoe conquers winter and spring conditions.
Offtrail TR GORE-TEX® Overview
Having a solid pair of GTX shoes in your rotation can really extend your training days, but over the years, I’ve realized not all GTX shoes are created equal. Some claim to be waterproof, yet my feet still end up soaked, while others may keep the water out but lack the aggressive lugs needed to handle tough terrain.
The Offtrail TR GORE-TEX® impressed me by doing both well. Running through slush, puddles, and mud, these shoes kept my feet dry and maintained solid stability and grip through the wet conditions.
The SURFACE CTRL™ outsole features 5mm lugs for aggressive traction, full-length lug coverage for added stability, and a forefoot rubber wrap for extra durability and grip. 
Aggressive lugs are a must for trail running, but one downside to the 5mm lugs is that, when trotting through mud, you eventually hit the point of diminishing returns. They work great until they don’t.
The deeper lugs helped me stay stable longer in the mud, but once it started caking on, it was tougher to shake off. Even so, I’d still pick these shoes on muddy days over any of my other trail shoes. Mud is mud, and no shoe is going to completely conquer it.
A quick note: these shoes aren’t winter-specific, meaning they don’t have studs.
They handled snow-packed and slushy roads just fine, but they’ll slip on ice. While trail shoes are a better choice than road shoes for icy conditions, if your runs are mostly on ice, you might want to opt for shoes with studs for better grip.
Offtrail TR GORE-TEX® Specs
- Weight: 11.22 oz Women’s
- Stack Height: 24 mm
- Heel Drop: 6 mm
- Dusted Purple/Lunar Stone Colors
- Not available in wide
- Available now without Gore Tex for $150
- Or with Gore-Tex for $179
I actually love the deep purple color scheme — I think it pairs perfectly with the brown of the mud.
I’m not someone who obsesses over keeping my shoes spotless, but this color works great for my designated “going to get dirty” pair. It’s a nice touch that adds some style while still being practical for those messy runs.
Offtrail TR GORE-TEX® Fit
I’ve tried TNF shoes in the past, and they always seemed too narrow for my standard footbed. But these have plenty of space in the toe box and narrow down nicely to the heel. It’s not as wide as a Topo or Altra, and my feet never felt loose or too snug. I’d say they are true to size.
I liked the vamp of the Offtrail TR GTX. The padded gusseted tongue is a nice touch, especially since I tend to tie my laces extra tight when I know water, slush, or mud will be involved in my run. 
Speaking of laces, these flat, minimal stretch laces are fantastic—they stayed tied throughout the run. Ideally, they’d have a little extra length for those who like doing a heel-lock lace-up, but overall, I was impressed.
Another great feature is the padded heel collar. It offered just the right amount of comfort while closing the opening slightly enough to help keep debris out. Sometimes, too much cushion can rub and cause chafing, but this one fit my heel shape, and the heel cup kept my foot locked in place even with the weight of mud.
Offtrail TR GORE-TEX® Feel
The High-Rebound EVA midsole was pretty comfortable right out of the box during my test walk, but I found it a little stiff when I started running. These shoes aren’t super bouncy or responsive, so I wouldn’t reach for them on speed days (unless it’s slushy).
However, there’s plenty of cushioning to keep things comfortable for longer runs. There was a short break-in period, and by my fourth run, I noticed the stiffness had lessened significantly.
Part of that stiffness comes from the upper, which is made with an overlasted Matryx forefoot and Kevlar reinforcements. “Overlasted” means the material is wrapped over the midsole, offering added protection to the outsole. 
And the Kevlar?
It’s a synthetic fiber known for being strong, lightweight, and heat-resistant — the same stuff used in bulletproof vests…. Does this mean these shoes are bulletproof? Technically, no, but it does mean they are incredibly durable! Similar to the Salomon S/Lab we recently reviewed!
It would take a lot to scuff, scratch, or tear them. I noticed no wear on the shoes after wearing them for the second half of winter. I’d consider them to be “bulletproof” shoes, but, ya know…not literally!
The back of the shoe holds up just as well, made with High-Tenacity Ripstop that can really take a beating. And the toe has a reinforced toe cap. Honestly, I never worry about puncturing or tearing any part of the shoe. They’re made for going off the beaten path — hence the name “Offtrail.”
Similar Shoes to the Offtrail TR GORE-TEX®
We’ve tested a few that feel similar, but different based on the brand fit:
- Inov8 TRAILTALON GTX – 6mm lugs with a bouncier midsole
- Salomon SPEEDCROSS 6 GTX – 10mm drop and lighter
- Altra Timp 5 – Great wide toe box and stellar grip
I tested these in the winter, and they worked great in cooler temps, with the GTX membrane trapping in heat to keep my feet warm. However, when summer rolls around, these shoes are likely to feel much hotter, so it’s important to consider that trade-off.
While they’re perfect for colder weather, they might not be as comfortable in the heat, especially if you’re running in warmer, wet conditions.
Carbon Foot Print
This is an area we are really interested in and try to call out when we see it!
10% of the rubber used in the product is sourced from smallholder farmers who are committed to agroforestry principles and regenerative agriculture practices.
While 10% may seem small, it’s a meaningful start and helps create a market for more sustainable farming methods. As someone who grew up on a farm, I appreciate brands that are making an effort to be more sustainable and support regenerative agriculture.
The North Face Offtrail TR GORE-TEX® shoe is an excellent pick for anyone looking for a shoe to put in their rotation for those wet, snowy, or muddy training days. And for the runners who need a durable, waterproof shoe that can handle technical terrain in unpredictable elements.
Who Tried It?
Constance Mahoney jumped into the world of running, starting with a 9-mile race and quickly progressing to a high-altitude 60k race. During that 60k race, she opted to test some brand-new gear, including a shirt, socks, and insoles that she had never worn before. She is a dedicated gear tester, to say the least! When she isn’t out on the trails with her family, you can find her with her camera in hand, searching for wildlife to photograph.
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