Favorite trail shoe of the year?! // THE NORTH FACE VECTIV ENDURIS 3 REVIEW // Ginger Runner

[@TheGingerRunner]

I am absolutely LOVING the new VECTIV Enduris 3 from The North Face. It's soft, bouncy, protective, flexible and holds plenty of grip. What are YOUR thoughts? If you wanna snag a pair for yourself, feel free to use our Running Warehouse Affiliate link: www.runningwarehouse.com/The_North_Face_VECTIV_Enduris_3/descpage-NFVE3M0.html?from=ginger

[@patricksaunders2674]

I have the Enduris 2 and 3, the 3 is definitely an improvement with winged tongue and slightly softer cushioning. Used them in 60k race on buffed trails and they smashed it, ended up 4th from 200 starters.

[@filipsobota6839]

I got the Enduris 3 and ran my first ultra in it recently. It is incredible, I love it. I am a bit surprised about the points that you mentioned. I don't know why you find the price inappropriate, it is cheaper than speadgoat 5, caldera 6, Zegama and any Salomon shoe, and additionally I found it on sale right after it was released. I bought it for less than 100$ a couple of weeks after the release and I find it on sale constantly, so I think the price is right. Also I disagree about the outsole. The material is good, but you don't want this shoe in the mud. The lugs are simply too small for that. In the dry they are fantastic though. I agree with you about the fit. It is very accommodating and makes you feel comfortable even after 50km. The shoelaces look a bit cheap, but they have never came undone on me. My worry with this shoe is durability. I probably got about 200km in my pair and I can see a lot of creasing in the midsole. This is not surprising considering how soft it is, but it looks funny to me when I compare it to my pair of Caldera 6, in which I got over double the distance and zero wear on any part of the shoe. Overall, the softness of the midsole is the highlight for me. The comfort is just what I was looking for and I am looking forward to running another mountain 50K in it this year. It is probably the first shoe ever that I will buy for the second time.

[@Squiershire]

Never before have I ever been at a video when it was uploaded and I just wanted to say that I couldn't have done it for a better content creator. You've helped me fall in love with Saucony again - thanks for everything you do!

[@TheGingerRunner]

Happy to help and wishin you billions of fun miles!

[@jamesbeaumont237]

I have tried many trail shoes over the years. Every single pair has been relegated to the back of the cupboard by these shoes. Absolutely amazing!

[@jenniferdaniel9952]

I love mine and plan on wearing them for race in September

[@ryanderkson4704]

Just raced a 50k in these this past weekend after only running a short 5 miles in them beforehand, might be the best trail shoe I have ever put on my foot! Perfect!

[@jontyfisher2927]

I’m absolutely loving this shoe, such a big improvement over the 2’s on technical trails. Brilliant

[@nicholkid]

I have the enduris 1 and they've converted me to a north face shoe fan. For my foot the fit and comfort is amazing. I took them on a trip where they were my only shoes and they handled everything so well.

[@davebul38]

I’d never considered North face trail trainers until your first review of them a few years back, now their my go to trail trainer. Cheers for another great review

[@TrailrunnerTroy]

Thank you - I really like this shoe for the more buffed out trails I rarely get to run here in the Foothills of the Rockies. It’s a much more stable Saucony Endorphin Edge. Highly recommend, but for anything technical, the Norda 002 and the Naked T/r are much better options. Summit Vectiv Pro is also a big step forward for The North Face, although mine have durability issues that make it not an option for training; definitely a race shoe for less technical terrain ultras. I might use the Summit Pro in next year’s Cocodona 250.

[@GriffRunning]

I run in a brand you don’t review (Mizuno) but I still watch all of your reviews!

[@facilitatinghappiness]

I appreciate you doing this review. I bought a pair of North Face shoes over 10 years ago and was disappointed. It's nice to see that things have changed. :)

[@ivansalasurrea2349]

I have them and they are quite unstable due to the soft midsole and unstructured upper, so it's quite easy to roll an ankle, as I did, and given the stack height, it was quite bad. My advice is to test the shoe before buying it to see if it easy to get the ankle into inversion and then decide

[@obsidiantain]

I ADORE the Vectiv Eminis, I’ve used them every time I get outside of the city since you reviewed them a good while back. Loved it so much I’d defo try more NF trail shoes.

[@mrstone1881]

I started out with a pair of North Face Levitum Future Light shoes last fall and winter for some trail running here in Sweden. I really fell in love with them but this is where my trail running started. When I needed a pair of shoes for spring and summer without a waterproof membrane it was between the speedgoat 5 and the Enduras 3. The speedgoat’s had a wider base in the sole and are likely great shoes however the Enduras 3’s just felt better in the width. (I even tried the speedgoat’s in the wide) I’ve now had my Enduras’s for 2 months with about 100-125K on them and I love them. I run between 5-8k most training days May different paces and they have done great for me. The traction is great, the cushion is well balanced and I can admit I am sold on TNF shoes. (I also have some of their Taraval lifestyle shoes) I’m still a rather new runner only doing it for about a year now however I’m very pleased, and plan on using them for my first 10K race later this month.

[@slavomirgajdos]

My first TNF shoe was Eminus based on your review and I absolutely love the shoe and became a TNF shoe fan. Second shoe I bought was Enduris 2 and it is my go to shoe when we talked about distance. Great to see that Enduris 3 is even better. When Enduris 2 will be worn out this is the one to replace it.

[@bev9708]

I too bought the Eminus off his review and though I do love the cush, unfortunately I find them way to flexible for me, which I thought I would like, but finally no! I'm thinking the higher stack height of the Enduris might solve that... Please could I ask you , do you find the Enduris to be a stiffer more supportive shoe to run in than the Eminus, but with as much cushion??

[@slavomirgajdos]

@@bev9708 Yeah it is a little bit more supportive than eminus, I think because of full TPU plate and dual density midsole.

[@bev9708]

@@slavomirgajdos Much better for the long efforts then, thanks so much for that!!🙏🏻👍🏻

[@Nelsonjosh24]

I have these and ran a 100k with them. Toe socks fill that space when they break in. All in all, Once again. The enduris are the best shoes in TNF lineup. Would be my shoe of the year if not for the MTN racer 3’s fitting my foot so well.

[@paulalmond8242]

Thanks Ethan! Comments on weight, stack height/ground feel, distance/use case could be handy!

[@TheGingerRunner]

those stats are in the beginning title and distance/use case is described pretty well I think?

[@Northernerdownsouth]

You must now continue to make these videos until you depart this mortal world. It’s part of my life and they are always 👌

[@hopoutside]

Just got a pair on sale ($100 USD) and went on a 11 mile run. Awesome feel w/ one exception. The outside wing on my right foot was digging into the side of my toe…very painful. I used a box cutter to slice off the blue plastic wing on the outside. Will keep testing to see if this solves the issue. At first blush, the shoe was more comfortable after cutting down the wing a bit. Seems like this wing should be addressed, although i must admit I had no issue on the left foot. Maybe the Altamesa line is what i’ll try later this year if I cannot get the plastic from digging into my poor defenseless toe!

[@MrClemencio]

Bought mine, very excited to try this on the trails.

[@oakleytrecartin6524]

Got 50 k on mine super light and good traction! Funky color but I went with it

[@fairyboy444]

good, i’m glad these are good! i work at vans and run a lot. unfortunately, vans does not make a single running shoe, and when i go to stores that specialize in running, asics are like almost $200 :/ thankfully, the parent company that owns vans, also owns northface, so my discount on these would apply. wasn’t too sure, since i was surprised that northface made a running show at all! but still, glad these are real and still are real good

[@jansommerlund5497]

I really LOVE my Vectiv Eminus and its one of my alltime favourite shoes. And I, only almost, try as many shoes as Ethan. The new Enduris sounds like a must try shoe. Better on the more technical trails that is the only soft spot for the Eminus. Enduris is on sale here i Denmark for only 108 $ so have to try it out.

[@matthewwells5026]

I have these and love them but wish the lugs were deeper!

[@tyb6770]

Ran in the Vectiv Flight and had lots of issues with the heel lockdown and forefoot knit overstretching. Really liked the Enduris 2. I work at Fleet Feet and I was bummed to hear we were no longer carrying the Vectiv line because it they seemed to have addressed flaws of the first generation of shoes.

[@hargoj7984]

Went to the shop to try the vectiv infinite and saw these too so thought I might see what they were like. Looking for a replacement for my speegoat 4 that I got to about 1000 miles of mostly long runs so something with a decent cushion. The level of squidge in the enduris 3 absolutely blew me away. It is definitely the leader in my short list now. Can see these going well into ultra distance in super comfort. Just want to try the caldera 6 and trabuco max 2 before I make the final decision but it will take something utterly perfect to beat the enduris 3 for me.

[@nielslouwes7695]

Don't buy the Trabuco max. The tongue is massive and flops around if you go through water.

[@domtoa]

I bought the enduris 1st generation and I felt the rocker was too much for me and it was a bit too stiff. The rocker especially on the heel caused me to land more heel strikes this giving me back of the knee pain. I've never had any issues with the Xodus ultra and will likely continue using that model.

[@mikes.9755]

I want to like a shoe other then Salomon but with low volume feet I have to except the short comings of Salomon for the fit. I wish we could get Hoka or Northface to make a low volume option.

[@cordeiropedro]

I also have a low volume foot and besides the salomons and la sportivas the only mountain running shoe I really like is the speedgoat 4 (and only the 4). When the 5 came out and after testing it I bought 4 pairs of the 4.

[@karmaforgotme]

Are these TTS? I had a pair of North Face shoes long ago and I had to size down from my normal running shoe size (I wear 14s in Hoka/Asics/Nike/etc. running shoes but 13 in those North Face shoes). I am in love with the tropical peach/blue/off white colorway.

[@TheGingerRunner]

definitely TTS for me!

[@PerryScanlon]

Does the cushion last?

[@thewalkingwaffle1549]

Just got a pair and put some miles into them. I'm in the mountains so mainly technical terrain and I must admit, although I love the cushioning and bounce on flat and rolling terrain. They are just so unstable on technical downhills (not as bad on uphill)... mixed feelings for me on those 🤷🏻 feel like I could twist my ankle at any moment.

[@bev9708]

THAT's exactly how I feel in the Eminus, just way to flexible and not nearly enough support for the steep downhills and twisty uneven trails!! I thought the Enduris might be better, but perhaps not after all!!

[@andreacavallaro7762]

This shoe can be a good choise for day to day use, either for road or for trail?

[@alwaystmoza]

Thanks compared to Asics Fuji 2 ?

[@8minutefabs]

These look awesome, but just review the Saucony Xodus Ultra 2 already so I can decide which one to get, oh and the Nike Wildhorse 8 which might be the surprise trail shoe of the year

[@MARKO21BG1]

Is this sneaker waterproof?

[@stephenhalliwell7429]

I agree that the North Face made some great improvements to the Eduris lineup. But I ran a 100 miler last year in the Enduris 2 and never took them off. So I got the 3's thinking they would be just as good, but no😢. They are better in a lot of areas except comfort, I find them not as cushioned or as the 1st and 2nd additions. Also, the rocker feel kind of went away as well. Overall, it's a great shoe most definitely drains way better than the older versions.

[@FastHc0]

I've enjoyed my time with those shoes. But for technical trails like we have here (Quebec, Canada), they are not perfect. I prefer the Infinite 2 (even if they totally suck on big wet rocks)

[@TrlRnrRvs]

What’s the longest distance you’ve run in the infinite II’s? I’m curious on that shoe against Vectiv sky…or enduris III.

[@FastHc0]

@@TrlRnrRvs 110km and my feet felt good! I don't like bigger stack height though, the enduris 3 being at the highest of what I can tolerate.

[@felicio1881]

Dang north face getting into the run game for real

[@scottcollier9178]

I have a pair of the original Vector Enduris which I like but they run warm as the upper is a bit thick. Other than that I really enjoyed running in the shoe.

[@adityakumara1989]

Is this shoes softer & more cushioned then Vectiv Eminus?

[@EnzoMiori]

Is it better, in terms of stability in technical terrains, than the previous two versions?

[@chrisdavies7923]

Hi - thanks for the review, and I am verging on ordering a pair right now! Just a question - is the lockdown good / do they feel stable on technical terrain at slower speeds obviously). I’ve tried a pair of Vectiv Infinite 2 which I was massive psyched on (28mm, 5mm lugs - what’s not to like!?), but the lockdown was gash. Also tried the Vectiv Sky, but the materials where very abrasive (plastic / weird). Hoping that these could be the ones! How have you found sizing? I went half a size down in both the other models, and still roomy (maybe to do with the wider toe box, which I am not used to (much wider than a Speedgoat in my humble opinion. Only £95 here in the U.K. for the Enduris 3, so very keen.

[@COB506]

Vectiv Enduris 3 vs HOKA Speedgoat 5 ? My first trail shoe

[@luismcolato]

Just picked these up for 43 bucks. Exited to Ty them

[@DemSangines]

Does it have great grip on muddy trails? (rainforest trail) Awesome review as always :)

[@TheGingerRunner]

I'd probably lean towards the Infinit with the deeper lugs - review of that coming soon too!

[@gogob5643]

My road shoes haveing deeper lugs... 😂

[@sofusrothman]

How would you say it compares to Hoka speedgoat 5?

[@simonpollock2799]

FYI: if you want to try the VECTIV Enduris 3s this summer, The North Face has them on sale for $104 USD right now, plus another 25% if you join or are already a part of their loyalty program, through July 5. CANNOT RESIST.

[@ellensilva3122]

Thank you! Just paid $78 for them!

[@simonpollock2799]

@@ellensilva3122 same (+ WA state sales tax, lol). just got out for my first run in them yesterday and LOVED.

[@the187alx]

hey, are you gonna check out the Summit Vectiv Pro? I'm currently obsessed with that shoe, and I would like to know what you think about it

[@davidtfrederick]

$148 is in the Topo Mtn Racer, Speed Goat, Timp range… seems like it’s in line with the market.

[@Thefifaplayeryant]

It's still correct to point it out, even as this sadly is the new "normal"...

[@jman6890]

I've been a hoka speedgoat runner for a while. How do you compare this shoe to the speedgoat? I'm looking at trying something new.

[@IanLoughead]

I love that $148 is considered expensive. In Canada it is $199.

[@jeanyves4220]

Great review. I might have to try them to see if they fit my wider feet. What distance do you think these shoes are better for? Do you think the outsole will survive paved roads?

[@dpbg]

I've used them for a couple of months now and I just do not understand how people consider them adaptable to wider feet. And I don't have a crazy wide foot. These just feel very narrow. Maybe it's just me.

[@Talos353]

I disagree with the other reply here. I have relatively wide feet and these fit me great. Very comfortable. Much better than a speedgoat 6 wide thats for sure. Great shoe for not too technical terrain.

[@Lag10]

Is anyone able to compare this to the fit and performance of the Brooks Catamount 2? Cheers

[@TheGingerRunner]

Catamount feels a bit more precision fit, these are more accomodating and break in quicker. LOVE these, very much like the Catamount 2

[@albertmills9365]

This is a great shoe for the road or for very gentle trails....it is way too loose for anything slightly technical. Otherwise great. Would use it as a road shoe, but not a trail shoe.

[@beesyspeecer8190]

Watch 36-:41 the shoe is obviously too voluminous and is folding down on itself. Seeing that it’s a no for technical trails for me. Same issue I had with Xodus Ultra v1; Soooo so so close but not quite Salomon fit. Exciting to see so many good trail shoes out there!! Good job on the review GR!

[@jamesholt3081]

Vectiv Pro 2 is now the best trail shoe on the market. I was a huge fan of the 1 but felt it needed improving. And they nailed it. Might check this out too

[@TheGingerRunner]

It's in rotation now!

[@rschreck876]

Could be that PI last… 😉

[@Ecoxiss]

They make a terrible squeaking noise in the back which is really bothering me.

[@briandavenport1443]

I still agree, $170+ for a shoe is ridiculous!

[@lh3540]

did they just copy paste the nike trail pegasus, lol. That's fine, I've been needing a wider forefoot anyway, I'll have to try them. I trialed the Enduris 1 and loved it, but it had this weird pigeon toe roll-off where the shoe was fighting my stride. I had to return them.

[@jamesbeaumont237]

They run way better the the Pegasus.

[@mattlogan1]

I cannot stand trail shoes that struggle with upper stretching & upper lockdown. Speedgoat & Mafate Speed come to mind. I think I will pass on this one!