North Face Altamesa 500 V2 Evaluation | Like a Cushioned Highway Shoe for the Trails

In case you’re on the lookout for a flexible path shoe that works for every type of path adventures, the North Face Altamesa 500 V2 often is the shoe for you.

North Face is well-known inside the outside group and these footwear present the standard I’ve come to anticipate with this model. I used to be initially skeptical of the massive stack top on these footwear; the froth is what I anticipate on a soft street shoe fairly than an on a regular basis trail-runner.

In case you’re seeking to simulate the texture of a excessive stack top, extremely cushioned street shoe, this may be an amazing possibility. These wouldn’t be my go-to shoe for technical path runs.

However I’ll be reaching for these for lengthy, straightforward path runs or logging climbing miles.

This can be a nice shoe for somebody who does a little bit of all the pieces on the path, performing particularly properly for lengthy climbing days. The additional cushion goes to really feel actually nice for prolonged time on ft.

North Face Altamesa 500 V2 Overview

I are inclined to gravitate in direction of lighter path footwear with a decrease stack top as a result of they’re extra nimble on technical trails and permit for choosing up the tempo. But it surely’s at all times enjoyable to toss something new within the rotation since you by no means know when it would shock you.

The Altamesa is a chunky ton of cushion shoe and it seems that’s fairly good on restoration days.

I examined these footwear on lengthy path runs and a weighted vest hike. With an additional 25lbs on my again, the cushioning absorbed a few of the load.

The longest run I accomplished in these footwear was 20 miles. This was a sizzling day, after a number of hours in these footwear, my ft weren’t overheated. Nor did I really feel the affect of the mileage on my ft, due to the DREAM midsole foam.

I additionally examined these footwear on a half-muddy / half snowy path. The 4mm lugs offered nice traction all through the various situations. North Face makes use of the Floor CTRL SC2 outsole which had nice traction throughout each mud and snowI didn’t slip in any respect.

I’m curious how this outsole will examine to the well-loved Vibram outsole after 100s of miles.

Counter to the excessive stack top, I didn’t really feel like I misplaced continuity with the bottom. These footwear grip properly on trails, though they wouldn’t be my first alternative for a extremely rocky or rooty path.

North Face Altamesa 500 V2 Match

If I had to decide on one phrase to explain these footwear: Comfy.

The North Face Altamesa ran true-to-size. Carrying my typical dimension, I had the correct quantity of room for my toes. Loads of room to splay with no toe bang.

As a path shoe that appears chunky with the thick foam, it doesn’t really feel cumbersome in every single place else. It matches adequately throughout my foot, offering simply what you want, and nothing extra.

I didn’t really feel just like the shoe was missing padding with the sunshine mesh and minimally padded heel. The heel has much less padding than most of my different street or path footwear. The heel counter is barely greater which helps my heel comfortably, regardless of much less padding.

The higher is narrower and snugly holds my foot. For these with vast ft, the mesh is versatile and would accommodate some area within the higher. I feel the higher could also be too tight for those who sometimes purchase footwear in Broad.

The mesh is gentle and breathable, preserving my ft from overheating on a sizzling spring day. The play within the higher would accommodate a thicker sock, however doesn’t have the play to accommodate my warmest socks for the coldest winter days.

My heels slipped going downhill, this will likely have been mitigated by heel lock lacing.

North Face Altamesa 500 V2 Really feel

The  DREAM midsole foam gives cushioning for a really comfy journey, smooth underfoot and absorbing affect of lengthy miles.

I didn’t really feel the ‘excessive rebound’ response with this foam. I didn’t really feel a change in power response by varied paces, making them heavy for particular tempo work. However, the chunky foam ensured my ft and legs felt sturdy after prolonged miles.

The broader midsole was nice for these purely dust trails, however didn’t have the precision I’d select for extremely technical terrain. Operating throughout ruts and rocks, the froth is just too thick to rapidly reply to small adjustments within the terrain.

I may really feel my ankles working more durable to offset the sluggish response from the excessive stack top.

The serrated laces are a small design alternative that had a big effect for me. The laces didn’t loosen or un-tie all through any of the miles.

This could not be my shoe of alternative for blended road-to-trail terrain. The 4mm lugs let you really feel each inch of asphalt or onerous terrain. For those who reside in snowy areas, these footwear can be nice while you want a little bit further traction on the street.

Just like the heel and higher, the tongue is minimally padded but comfy. The tongue curves completely throughout the bridge and ankle joint.

Related Footwear to the North Face Altamesa 500 V2

On the lookout for one other max cushioned path shoe? Right here’s our comparisons from different strains:

This isn’t your typical path working shoe, prioritizing cushion over agility.

General, I feel this shoe is a good possibility for somebody who:

• Is a path runner in search of extra cushion
• Desires to simulate the texture of a soft street shoe on the paths
• Makes use of one path shoe for a wide range of completely different functions and/or on a varied terrain