The North Face Vective Infinite Review

[@ericpetersen8645]

I’ve been watching shoe reviews Steady for about 3 years. This was far and away the most technical and logical. The YT algo sent me here and I really enjoyed it. Very informative with a few a-ha moments. Thanks!

[@TrailsCollective]

Thanks for taking a minute to day so Eric, appreciated. About to release the Flight VECTIV one, hopefully today. Topo Ultraventure V2 later this week or next. Where are you based? Thanks again for the support.

[@regnismada4936]

Dude that was such a good review!

[@bev9708]

VERY thorough review, many thanks!! Now a year later they are heavily reduced... I found them for €69 (instead of €160) so probably worth it then!! I've heard some really bad reports of them in the mud!

[@TrailsCollective]

Their lugs aren't that deep so they just can't grab well in mud. Additionally I think a plated rocker platform is more conducive to linear motion and not as adept at fostering fuller foot and mechanic draw in adverse condition.

[@bev9708]

@@TrailsCollective MANY thanks for you insight and thoroughness... it's much appreciated!!!

[@julianvillar6720]

Excellent review...

[@RChannelst]

Thanks for the review

[@duncaninvest]

very detail thank you

[@andrewgolley6607]

Great video, really detailed

[@TrailsCollective]

Thanks Andrew!

[@Frip36]

"A dysfunctional gate pattern which can be potentially injurious." Way to deliver a difficult line bro.

[@richburmond6761]

2 short questions! 1: I'm flat footed with overpronation. I read on the product page that it has a high arch, which is good for me. You think this works out without orthotics or nah? 2: Is this cool enough for summer days casual use? Literally cool/ cold, not cool cool

[@TrailsCollective]

1. It should accommodate an orthotic okay in terms of volume. If your orthotic is pretty thick in the heel it could kick you up and into the calcaneal cushions wrapping the heel collar. You can feel the arch support secondary to the 3D plate having a fin that rises up around the rear 2/3 of the shoe, so the insole has reinforcement in that area. So long as your orthotic has you neutral the plate design should work. If someone had an uncontrolled level of overpronation, I'm not sure that would flow with the linear propulsion of the plate and rocker geometry. 2. I think breathability is pretty good as the Matryx fabric is pretty thin and perforated, as well as hydrophobic so it doesn't hang onto water, including perspiration.

[@richburmond6761]

​@@TrailsCollective Yeah the orthotic is pretty thic, like the full size one is for sport shoes. But I'm trying to find a modern shoe for every day use in the summer which already has an increased arch, so that I dont have to wear the orthotics in them. For ease of use, and because the orthotics get quite hot. I mean, feet are flat with fallen arches but with the orthotics they dont collapse. Theyre always flatter and a bit more pronated than neutral, but It's the best I can do. Reason i'm looking at trail shoes is because there's a lot of people advising on them for flat feet, like brooks adrenalin, hoka one one, or new balance fresh foam lineup . But I can't seem to find info on if these shoes would have a higher and more solid arch in them even without an orthotic. And to work under like jeans and a shirt. There must be ones that have right? So I don't have to put one in. And have a brand where I can buy shoes without the eternal struggle. The orthotics I have for every day shoes are the half ones, but my toes always get scratchy because after removing the normal insole, theres rough materials there. Perfect that it breathes btw! But any advice on the without orthotics support / other ideas? U guys have experience with the shoes named above? Like the fresh foam, i dont see areview on your channel

[@TrailsCollective]

@@richburmond6761 Ah, got it. Yes, because of the plate is has more arch reinforcement than most. Most companies / shoes have generalized the midfoot / arch contours over the years, or at least that's how it's felt on my feet. Mostly it's playing to numbers / anatomical demographics, but also partly good as for most people, you really want the arch and midfoot to drop/splay as it's the natural function and design of the foot for multiple reasons. Historically pronation control was oversold on its interplay with injury, and many shops over-sell inserts. I've worn / worked with / know just as much on road models, just to date I haven't done reviews on them as I've tried to keep the channel focused on trail. I'm thinking of doing some on road models though as well as I'm putting at least half of my miles into road shoes, and seeing the lines well in advance of production, so I midaswell. Adrenaline has a decently stable hindfoot secondary to their revamped design and "Guiderails", but it's not really providing support through a raised / reinforced arch contour. Similarly, Hoka, and with a model such as the Arahi, has a good stable rearfoot secondary to their "J Cradle" design of firmer density midsole blend, but also, not really from a high arch per se. The NB 1080, a fresh foam model, was my go-to road trainer for most of the past decade. I do feel the contour there regarding arch, but it's not designed to control for overpronation. Their MORE lineup has provided a bit wider midfoot gauge so it might capture your arch as opposed to letting it spill over a narrower semi-curved lasted shoe. It didn't do that well in the shop so I phased it back out over a year ago and haven't worn the current and releasing model.

[@richburmond6761]

Yeah you should! For me the more like, nike looking road shoes are good since I use them for every day activities + at work. So they cant look like the asics nano line up or they fire me :)) But there must be a few that have the looks and perform okay. Like enough so I dont get crazy shin splints after walking for 1-2 hours like when I wear a flat shoe like vans. Hm so the more at least has more room to properly fit an orthotic then, which is nice i guess. But all the fresh foams (others than the more) have around the same fit? I was looking at the arishi trail gore tex, they look nice. And are actually affordable. Like the thing with me is, because I do focus on walking correctly, I can get away with my asics gel kayano 21 running shoes to do walking without orthotics. It's not perfect but okay. But I need a biiiiit more arch support than these had. But they definitely feel better than when I for example put vans on lol. Or regular nike shoes. Any more that jumps to mind after reading this? Also, maybe u tried those gore tex fresh foams, Gore tex gets hot in the summer right? since sweat also stays in? My mid nike shoes are SO hot, I don't know the material but it feels like pure plastic above my feet. Suns out?? r.i.p heated feet

[@TrailsCollective]

@@richburmond6761 Yes, in general avoid water proofing unless you need it for winter commuting or are planning on wet backpacking. Even the nicer fabrics like Gore or eVent still aren't close to regular mesh on breathability and thus remaining feeling cool in summer. I phased Nike out years ago as I really wasn't okay with the company culture / practices. Most of their customers are sporting goods or online / direct from Nike or otherwise rather than run specialty. They recognized this and doubled down on their already cocked company culture and are doubling down on Direct to Consumers vs specialty shops like ours. I recognize you were just using them as an example though of style. Traditionally the Kayano was one that had a more aggressive arch contour, and one which has been toned down over the years. Not all Fresh Foams fit the same and they use the foam across styles / fits, etc. Some of the models with increased medial density, in this case, the latest 860v11 have more reinforcement on the medial side but it'll still be more your orthotic that you'll feel as the actual contour...the shoe will just support / reinforce it. That would be true of all brands. Often people will feel the shoe more in narrower midfoot fits, as the fabric hugs tighter, but those with really narrow midfoots often don't seat an orthotic quite as well or capture an arch dropping down over the shoe's base.

[@michaeleverest3487]

Would you say the Enduris could be a good replacement for the Akasha?

[@TrailsCollective]

Tough for me to judge on that as I haven't run either one of them. My filter was already a bit pre-loaded against rockers, and I've also not been a fan of really high stacks, so I didn't have much interest in the Enduris. I've literally had 1 person over 15 years in the shop ask about LaSportiva so I haven't had much reason to open them even with their presence occasional at the mountain trail events, and with one of my Co-RD's sponsored by them. I had been curious though, and purchased a pair of their Kaptiva's this past year to test. I was really unimpressed and so that didn't help raise interest in their models much. It appears (though I didn't look at actual numbers) that the Akasha would be a bit less in stack and cushion, and the Enduris higher / bit more cushioned, and with the Enduris' rocker fulcrum being more pinpoint than the Akasha (which looked more like it had a higher than normal heel and toe spring more than a central rocker).

[@mikecomikechannel]

What about Futurelight? Yes or no? thanks for you advice

[@TrailsCollective]

I have a pair but I've yet to run them so I can't really comment. It's rare that I feel like I need a waterproof shoe. The couple times I did, I went with the Salomon Wildcross GTX instead of pulling out TNF.

[@harveyfeliciano2476]

Are they true to size? Running Warehouse recommend to go 1/2 size down.

[@TrailsCollective]

For me my true size was correct. They run a tad long but going a half size down would have been too close, and as they were didn't feel off at all in motion. In that equation always better to stay up in size. I'll follow up or edit this post after I have more people try them on in the shop and if my experience is an outlier.

[@TrailrunnerTroy]

Thank you, Ian. Sounds like not quite ready for prime time but some intriguing aspects. Have you run in the new Craft CTM Ultra? Interested in the comparison. Looking for a 100-mile shoe for a rails-to-trail race in Kansas in March; mix of crushed graded limestone and asphalt. Brooks Catamount is maybe a candidate, although some days (as I like rockered designs for more road like trail races) I’m leaning toward the Carbon X 2. Welcome your thoughts -

[@TrailsCollective]

Troy, I forget if you mentioned some time ago, are you based in Denver? Whoa...when did Craft get in the shoe game? Have they been for awhile and I just missed it? If they haven't been, what's Craft doing in the shoe game? No, hadn't even heard of or scene the CTM Ultra. In general I've shied away from rockers, and haven't had much interest in the Carbon X. Even the Saucony Endorphin Speed I was seeded to test, I just couldn't get into. Some of these have me curious though, such as the Vectiv Series and the Endorphin Trail slated to release this summer. I'll look into the Craft shoe a bit, thanks for asking!

[@TrailrunnerTroy]

@@TrailsCollective foothills SW of Denver above Morrison. Hope we get to meet sometime. You are the most thoughtful gear reviewer in our great country.

[@TrailsCollective]

@@TrailrunnerTroy so you're one in the same working with the Navajo Nation? If so, nice work. I ran the Canyon De Chelly Ultra, maybe the first year they put it on...unsure about that part. It was a true honor to take part and run those canyons. Although the trip was a mess getting out and I exhaustedly crashed and burned during the race, it was beautiful and some cool experiences during the run.

[@TrailrunnerTroy]

@@TrailsCollective the same. That landscape is alive, jiní (Navajo for, “they say”), and it will change you and always be part of you.

[@TrailsCollective]

@@TrailrunnerTroy at one point mid race, the front of the field separated a bit from me, I came around a bend and found myself confronting a herd of, if I remember right steer. Wasn't quite sure what to do so i tried some classic hiyas which got them moving, and ran them a half mile or so before they found a spot to pull off and out of the way. Cool moment. Spent a few days on the reservations with some great experiences and conversations.

[@bikeinmotion]

That rocker is strange. Did it deform that much from running? I just pulled mine out of the box and they have way less rocker. Maybe it'll change after some run :)

[@TrailsCollective]

Meaning you pulled them out of the box for the first time and they have less rocker than you thought they'd have? Or you've put a number of miles in, still keep them in a box, and feel that they've lost rocker from plate deformation? I think the rocker is quite prominent and didn't notice deformation over the hundred miles or so. The rocker is the full combo design vs just plate so it shouldn't deform out of it significantly.

[@bikeinmotion]

@@TrailsCollective I compare to that scene you showed with the paper. Your one has way more rocker, thats why I thought maybe your pair shaped during the run? Let me take a picture and post a link

[@bikeinmotion]

@@TrailsCollective Here are my pictures imgur.com/a/CcKbin6 It looks much less prominent then @ 15.53 in your video altough I suspect with abrasion of the lugs mine will look more like yours

[@TrailsCollective]

@@bikeinmotion Interesting. Is your forward paper slid all the towards the center point of contact with a lug? If so, yes, you have much less rocker than mine had out of the box, or that others have which I have in the shop. I wonder if there's been factory inconsistencies?

[@bikeinmotion]

@@TrailsCollective Yes it is tough I can imagine that with a little bit of abrasion on the lug of the front part (and maybe less in the middle) it will slide further in. Let's break 'em in :)

[@Frip36]

I've been wondering who you sound like for while now. It finally came to me at 22:20. "...what this is all about." Ron Howard. LOL

[@TrailsCollective]

That's funny...that would be a first. But I'll take it. I think he was a bit goofy, but a pretty decent dude in character from the virtually nothing I really know about him.

[@Frip36]

@@TrailsCollective Yeah Ron's a bit goofy. He was Ritchie Cunningham after all. heh. You're not goofy at all. Anyway, he's a talented director. I see the similarity in his adult interviews. Not only similar voice, but you're both enthusiastic, sort of intense. And articulate. kzbin.info/www/bejne/ombKemiIh9mobNE&ab_channel=UpfrontVentures

[@TrailsCollective]

@@Frip36 well, then I for sure appreciate it then. Thanks!

[@8prive286]

Io ce l’ho vectiv fight 😎