THE NORTH FACE FLIGHT VECTIV REVIEW | The Ginger Runner

[@TheGingerRunner]

The Flight Vectiv from The North Face is their new flagship trail shoe designed to go fast and propel you forward with its carbon plate and low, responsive midsole. I've had a blast in this shoe, though it doesn't quite provide as well-rounded an experience as the Enduris. Curious as to your thoughts on this kickass trail racer?

[@ronaldrohan1679]

Instablaster

[@arcticfoam5480]

I work at a north face store and as someone who isn’t super into trail running specifically, I appreciate your review of the shoe and reviews like your help me communicate the product to customers better to make sure they get what works for them

[@DSRenner]

2022 was my second year of racing in the Vectiv Flights. LOVE THEM! Favorite shoe ever. Last year I raced Old Cascadia 50k and 50m, Tahoe Rim Trail 100, and Castle Peak 100k in the same shoes. Durability getting over 500 miles on a pair (I weigh 160lbs). Super comfortable shoe. It does need a little bit of break-in as the out of the box feel isn't perfect, but I find they just get better. I usually run wide toe box shoes and while on the narrow side I go up a 1/2, they wrap and stretch, such that I've had zero issues. This year I ran both Peterson Ridge 40, Bighorn 100 and High Lonesome 100 in these shoes, different pairs, but those shoes are still going strong with almost 500 miles on each set. Hoping that TNF keep making these gems.

[@pedromacd]

Thoughts on carbon in a trail shoe and heel lift. The carbon prevents the heel travelling with the heel. I see that in nike carbon road shoes as well. Also, on off camber side slopes, the carbon platform transfers torque all the way up the leg into the knee as the shoe doesn't flex naturally enough. Maybe a good shoe for flat trail racing, but I'll be avoiding for the reasons above.

[@robert13246]

a fairly late bit of input ( I was injured in spring): I love how smooth this shoe runs. took about 30k to break it in, but after that I've fallen in love. I find it get's a bit more stable after breaking in as well for some reason. my only real complaint is the collar, it tends to cut into my ankle, so I've taken to taping it off preventively.

[@benviolot8116]

I've reviewed these for a local retailer and overall I'd say I rather agree with you on all points, but one: the grip. I tried these in rather wet conditions and whenever I would hit a patch of mud I would loose grip mostly because of limited lug depth. This reached the point where I stopped trusting the shoe even though it performed highly even on wet rock. Still fun to use but got confirmation from TNF it was a dry weather shoe (yet they dropped it northern hemishpere winter). Great shoe if your weather forecast game is on point.

[@TheGingerRunner]

Mud is gonna test any trail shoe’s lug depth for sure - these aren’t nearly deep enough for that, but still performed decent enough in our recent slop. I’d definitely say wrong tool for the job if slop is the only course on the menu :)

[@aaronflynn7831]

I did a test on different colorways of shoes and found white shoes were 6-15 degrees cooler in the sun!

[@georgecraig8519]

Wore the Endurus TR for three years and missed them when they went, definitely getting these

[@ianbritton7534]

Still got a pair with only 259km on them. Really great shoe.

[@TheGingerRunner]

Yeah I really liked those - I think they were the last TNF shoes I reviewed!

[@georgecraig8519]

I’ve still got one pair I’ve not used 🤫

[@erikjohnson1449]

O the pearls... Still some of my all-time favorite shoes. Definitely peaked my interest with that comparison.

[@quirckybaldguy]

Thanks Ethan! Very interesting to hear your thoughts after many miles in the shoe. I just got mine last week, hoping it will fit in my rotation for the really long efforts (>50 km), specifically with a lot of downhill running. I did a first run (about 11 miles) and noticed many of the things you describe about the upper... Underfoot they're amazing and I really like how they handle going downhill. But: potential hotspot on the outside of the foot because of the welded overlay (between the matryx and the knit) and not very secure in the heel and therefore not great on very technical terrain and sharp corners. The latter caused another weird kind of potential hot spot at the bottom of the heel. I say potential, because over this distance it didn't become an issue, but it might over longer distances. Finally, I noticed a very, very subtle aggravation of my peroneal tendons, an issue that the Zoom Fly 3 gave me as well (probably due to the plate), but the Vaporfly didn't (yet). It seems I can handle only a limited volume of 'plated running' there, so I have to use it wisely and sparingly. So more runs needed to see how it breaks in and weather the amazing sole unit makes the shoe or the flawed upper breaks it... I'm definitely not taking it out for an ultra yet. Fingers crossed.

[@TheGingerRunner]

Report back after the break-in period!

[@quirckybaldguy]

@@TheGingerRunner will do! May take a while though 😂

[@RowOfMushyTiT]

Any update?

[@MrHepcat34]

Narrow is a killer for me. So far the only shoe I have found that fit me properly is Altra. I tried & loved the performance of the S-Lab ultra 2, but on my long runs my feet hurt bad.

[@gijssmets]

Are you looking into the new adidas terrex speed line? I'm curious about the Terrex Speed Ultra, it has boost and lightstrike

[@brianogrady9883]

Ive been running in them for the last 2 months and they are just superb. Adidas have engaged in some sorcery to make shoes with this level of cushion, responsiveness and lightness. They simply rip along both roads and trails. I've bought more or less all of the superstar trail shoes of 2020 and 2021 and the terrex speedultra are the ones I reach for every time. Read Ian corless review of them until Ethan has had a chance to run in them.

[@scottr5007]

I have over 50 miles in The Flight Vectiv. My biggest issue is the heel as well. Everything falls in the shoe with that wide ankle opening. Other than that, I love everything about the shoe!

[@xDcTpetx]

I know this is a shoe review, but I'm loving the intro background music. New release sometime?

[@TheGingerRunner]

New album this year :)

[@justinroloson7413]

I really appreciate your transparency with your reviews, thank you.

[@movemorenowjames]

Thought exactly the same; stupidly tested them on a 50 km ultra and paid the price around 40km, had to switch to the Timp 2 (love the Timp)

[@ErikRoseJohnsen]

Thanks for sharing. Haven't had the shoe on my feet, but I think I will wait for the second generation before trying them.

[@eddy5335]

Pearl Izumi N2 reference? (dreaming of that shoe again sadly)

[@TheGingerRunner]

RIGHT? Miss that whole line

[@googletookmyoriginaluserna4182]

Hi Ethan - how is the traction for this one? THANKS.

[@rmsrmsrmsrms]

Straight out of the box: on my right foot, slightly wider at the metatarsals, slightly longer, and with a bigtoe that distinctly does splay, the Flight Vectiv is very tight across the metatarsals, starting to spill over the sides of the shoe, and I could feel my toes wanting to overlap each other. Taking out the insole improved matters somewhat, but it was marginal at best. And that's basically a dealbreaker for me, I'll be returning them. The Flight Vectiv is narrower (out of the box) across the metatarsals than say the Salomon Sense 7, or Endorphin Speed. My other foot supinates a bit and the bigtoe curves towards the other toes, and the shoe fit is tight but less worrying. I also don't like the thick band that joins the matryx to the forefoot fabric, that feels like an irritation point for me. Please take all of this with Ethan's comment that the forefoot does stretch out, but for an ultramarathon shoe I can't justify taking the chance.

[@TriGuy1978]

You can't get a good heel lockdown because of the carbon plate. It's an issue on some other carbon-plated shoes. Do you think carbon plates are a good idea for technical trail running?

[@ivaylohadzhiev8642]

Strange that RW states the shoe's toe box width to be "Medium to Wide". Also, the weight seems way too high for a racing shoe.

[@inkjob12]

My., First one. I wondering how the other models are. Nice review Ethan.

[@TrailrunnerTroy]

Thank you, Ethan, for your excellent review. I was skeptical but this is such a fun ride! The 2nd Coming of Pearl Izumi. They just posted a new colorway on Running Warehouse.

[@johnmiller5630]

Surprised you didn’t mention the outsole and grip. Don’t think I’ll be buying. Good video though.

[@TheGingerRunner]

It’s been workin for me, same as the Enduris

[@thesii213]

I really do like the new bwow bwow intro sounds

[@saragonmcenany6229]

North Face has some good trail shoes in the Ultra range Endurance XF a good shoe less pricey too

[@RowOfMushyTiT]

Try the Salomon Pulsar - that is a proper trail super shoe

[@ArtyMcfly001]

Have you gotten ahold of the Altra Lone Peak 5?

[@TheGingerRunner]

Yup! Calf has been giving me issues lately so holding off on rotating them in at the moment

[@ArtyMcfly001]

@@TheGingerRunner haven’t seen any solid reviews on it yet and wanted to check em out before I leave to basic training, take it easy tho! Nothing goes above your health and well-being!

[@tonygross8106]

Great review. I’m curious if you have plans to review the Pulsar?

[@pauls3253]

are you going to review the nike acg mountainfly? that one also has a carbon plate, react foam with a gore-tex upper, its pretty much like the trail version of zoomfly.

[@RowOfMushyTiT]

Seth tested it and hated it

[@rachelbuker8526]

The heel fit and inability to tie a heel lock is my biggest complaint with the shoe. It doesn’t interfere with my running, but there is definitely a bit of slippage around my heel, and for a shoe of its cost an extra lace hole to tie a heel lock would have been great :-/

[@TheGingerRunner]

That’s exactly it! It’s not affecting the run, but it’s still an annoying amount of slippage, agreed

[@RowOfMushyTiT]

Can you notice this heel slip when you try them on in the store? or only when running?

[@saragonmcenany6229]

A bit off topic Ethan but you've gotta check out Winston an Kim KZbin channel - outdoor camping adventures in the pacific northest and beyond. Came across it looking for Mount Adams trail

[@Showmetheevidence-]

$300 for shoes is mad.

[@TypicalRunner]

Carbon plate shoes.... never had one... does it really works?

[@cordeiropedro]

I get this is all about the plate and the fit but this is the first show review I ever saw that doesn’t mention or even show the outsole. Grip in wet rock? Mud? Dry rocks? 🤔

[@samjam6989]

This or ultraboost all terrain??

[@ncodestudios4098]

Can this shoe be use for road running ?

[@brianogrady9883]

Yes it can but I would recommend it for long distance runs where there is a mix of roads and trails rather than exclusively road. It's buttery smooth on road sections

[@basrei1521]

But what about the grip 🤔🤔

[@TheBowerbird]

I have a pair and they are my favorite trail shoes of all time, beating the 2017 SLAB Ultra (before Francois D'Haene got his dumb, vacant, useless self involved in shoe design and ruined the series). No heel slip issues.

[@RowOfMushyTiT]

Yeah 2017 Sense Ultra was the best, and the S/LAB Ultra 1 was the worst shoe ever made. Have you tried the Kiger 5/6? Was actually not that far from the Sense Ultra. Wet grip is crap though.

[@MKHoadley]

Did you go true to size?

[@RowOfMushyTiT]

@@MKHoadley Me, yes. But i only used the kiger 5's.

[@colereinhold1789]

Ethan just saw you in like a 20 year old KZbin video on Nintendos channel?? Please explain! This was shown in BeatemUps latest video

[@TheGingerRunner]

Don’t know the vid you’re referencing, but I was a Nintendo ambassador for years :)

[@pete801]

Great review Ethan. I too am a very accomplished runner, I was born to run and running is what I do best. I often see people watching me run and go 'wow'. Anyway... The shoe... A good shoe... But I could run two ultras back to back in a pair of flip flops. Thongs... For my fans down under. Keep running guys, aim for the stars... And you'll be somewhere near my level of greatness.

[@CAIrondad]

Great review, nicely done, but I definitely would not buy this shoe. And come on, Ethan, you can say it .... Pearl Izumi may do rocker design, but more recently Hoka has perfected it. These shoes do run narrow, so medium to wider feet, beware! And the heel lock issue is a big factor. Yikes!

[@caxzrockz]

What are the best trail running shoes?

[@philippegagne268]

It is very subjective. It’s like asking what is the best car. You have to try and find out what works for you based on what you use it for, your foot shape and how you run. Depending what you do...5k on buffed trails or 100k on high technical mountain. I personally enjoy Hoka speed goat, challenger atr and Saucony mad River TR. Good luck!!

[@branislavmachala1776]

good job

[@joemamma3288]

Really miss the old background.

[@Scorp333]

TNF Color option for Men shoes always suck

[@ChristopheJezouin]

The weight is a dealbreaker

[@NoxiousNoodles]

To be honest I find a narrow fit a pro. Unless running on boring non-technical terrain, I don't want foot movement within the shoe. With that said, it has a very passive tread so... As for the knit upper, they've got the same lockdown problems as the epic react.

[@TheGingerRunner]

I definitely like a “precision” fit for techy stuff, so much better. This is that but also not entirely with such a flexible knit/heel lock.

[@paozap6086]

Since, it doesn't have US10.5 size for wide-footers like me... I will give it a pass...

[@grahamrichardson362]

Those uppers will not last more than 20miles on a real trail. It will scuff through on the sides where your toes are within the first rocky trail. Why does every manufacturer make trail shoes with road shoe uppers??? 🤦🏼‍♂️

[@TheGingerRunner]

Well, after nearly 200 miles, with some Wonderland, techy and lots of buffed out stuff, I haven’t broken through. Not even close.

[@bluebirdrunningcompany1840]

The upper is made with Kevlar; not typical material used in road shoes. 😉

[@brianogrady9883]

I've run over 100k including a 60k race on gnarly dry and boggy wet terrain and all they've gotten is dirty. I have a month of training to go before a 100k race with similar terrain and I plan to use the same pair

[@Movtail]

Narrow! I am out thanks for review !

[@perdomot]

Good video but I miss Ethan's humorous opening. Always gave me a good chuckle.

[@lukerunsfar9276]

Based on this review i would give this shoe away if someone gave it to me.🤣

[@darinburris9315]

Yyuuuyueeeeeeeeeeee 😎

[@davebegbie362]

Whoever signed the name off needs to be fired.

[@Nonixification]

I am not an expert but a carbon plate cannot be bend like that. Something is fishy here.

[@jamespratt8637]

Someone needs to cut one open. That seems oddly weird. I do agree that should not bend like that.

[@RowOfMushyTiT]

@@jamespratt8637 No need to cut open as North Face stores have a sample of the plate and midsole. The plate is indeed very thin and flexible carbon fiber. A rigid plate would never work on the trails.

[@ifonly4486]

Yep cos all Europeans have narrow feet. Exactly like all Americans weigh 400 pounds. Sigh !!

[@russellyb]

That's not quite what he said now, is it?

[@ifonly4486]

@@russellyb Well kind of. It doesn't matter anyway

[@privateinvestigator8607]

Ginger runner? Lmao. Sounds like a medieval peasant who would be on call to the royal chef in the event of a shortage of some pantry items.