The North Face Vectiv Enduris 4 is a high-performing trail running shoe that shines on tough mountain terrain.
Trail running is hot right now, and, as a result, so is the trail running shoe category.
The North Face has been a player in the space for decades, but over the last several years has rejuvenated its efforts to become a leader in performance at the front of the pack. Since the introduction of its high-performance Vectiv line in 2021—The North Face’s proprietary technology covering everything from fit to midsole foam to carbon-fiber propulsion plates—the brand’s trail running shoes have quickly moved to the front of the pack and are now among the industry’s best technical trail running shoes and its athletes are regularly vying for podium spots at major trail races around the world.
The Vectiv Enduris 4 Race Edition, which was launched with a Flora Alpina aesthetic motif during the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB) week in Chamonix, France, two weeks ago, is no exception. This year’s update is comfortable, stable and responsive whether you’re running a fast trail 5K, a tough mountain ultramarathon or a multy-hour training run. Colorado runner Seth Ruhling wore a pair to win the Black Canyon 100K in Arizona back in February and on his way to finishing sixth in the Western States 100 in late June, and that’s saying something. (British runner Josh Wade wore a pair of The North Face’s pinnacle racing model, the Vectiv Pro 3, last week on his way to third place in the 107-mile UTMB race in Chamonix, France.)
After running more than 50 miles in this high-mileage workhorse, here’s our take on The North Face Vectiv Enduris 4 Race Edition.
What’s New: The biggest update to this edition of the Vectiv Enduris is an enhanced midsole that is now made from Dream foam, a nitrogen-infused supercritical TPU foam that is not only softer and more responsive but also slightly thicker than the EVA-blend compound in the previous edition. There is also a new upper made of a dual-layered textured mesh that combines breathability with durability on rugged terrain and an improved outsole with SurfaceCtrl rubber and 4mm chevron lugs that provide more grip on variable terrain. Embedded in the midsole is a Vectiv TPU plate, which serves more to provide stability and protection than it does for propulsion.
Fit/Feel/Ride: The North Face Enduris 4 fits true to size with a medium-volume interior that feels more spacious than most trail running shoes. The toe box is relatively roomy, and provides ample space for toe splay which, when combined with the lockdown lacing, makes the shoe a good choice for most foot shapes (except truly wide footed runners). I ran in these with thin, medium and thick socks just to make sure. And every pair worked for me (I have a pretty standard medium-width foot).
And, while they’re roomy for most feet, if you have a truly wide foot, they may feel a bit snug. The step-in feel is soft with all-encompassing comfort, thanks to the padded, gusseted tongue that cinches down the durable upper around the top of the foot with a low-pro lace channel and, flat, textured laces help to expertly secure and lock the fit providing both structure and protection. (This really surprised me because, at first glance, I thought the laces were “ruffled” for style rather than function. Turns out you can have both; they work really well to keep the fit secure and they look quite snazzy.)
The reinforced heel cup is slightly wider than average, though, so for runners with narrow heels, the marathon lacing technique is a good idea to ensure a personalized fit. I’m one of those unfortunate runners, so I felt some slippage (and an oncoming blister) before I employed the lacing hack. Afterwards? Far more comfortable.
The 6mm heel-to-toe drop is low profile enough that you feel balanced on uneven terrain without being so minimal that it adds to achilles and calf strain. What’s perhaps most noteworthy about the shoe, though, is the plate through the midfoot. It’s there to add rigidity to the shoe which, in turn, keeps your foot more stable on the uneven surfaces you encounter on the trail. It also acts a bit like a springboard to help propel you forward with less energy expenditure, make your heel-to-toe transition smoother while also offering some extra protection against sharp rocks and other trail debris. All that said, it works. Beautifully in fact.
Price: $160
Approximate Weights: 9.0 oz. (women’s size 8); 10.1 oz. (men’s size 9),
Heel-Toe Offset: 6mm; 32mm (heel); 26mm (forefoot)
Why It’s Great: The North Face Enduris 4 is the perfect companion for semi-technical to technical trails for every distance from just a few miles to multi-hour trail runs and the longest ultra-distance races.. And while it’s perfectly OK for a few pavement miles (I have been wearing them on many trail runs that include a few miles of pavement), this trail running shoe really shines on tough mountain terrain thanks to thick rubber lugs with reliable grip, stable yet propulsive cushioning, and an all-around supportive fit for confidence with each step.
I’ve been pleasantly surprised with how responsive it feels. Despite being firm (the shoe doesn’t have a lot of flex), it does feel nimble and fast on varied terrain at varied paces. I would happily wear it in both a long, slow trail run in the mountains and a short, fast trail race.
Why You’ll Love It: The advanced midsole compound gives off a cushy, semi-soft vibe that provides comfort and shock absorption upon touch down with the ground and a bit of propulsion through the latter stages of a stride. Noticeable cushioning in the heel is also a welcome feature on technical or steep descents. I really noticed this in the later parts of long runs particularly when I was already feeling fatigued. The cushioning added a layer of comfort and ease I found beneficial for effortless downhills.
Why You Might Not Like It: Given its weight and width, the Vectiv Enduris 4 is not the lightest or most nimble trail runner out there. The faster you run over short distances—especially on rocky technical terrain—the less agile it seems to become.
Pro: The North Face is doing an excellent job with their new footwear colorways and patterns; I’m loving the flower detail on the latest model in the Flora Alpina aesthetic that the brand launched in advance of UTMB week in Chamonix, France. (Who said trail running shoes shouldn’t be stylish too?)
Con: The forefoot feels much more firm than the uber cushy heel. While that seems to aid propulsion, it can create awkward transitions.
The North Face Enduris 4 is a high-performing trail running shoe that shines on tough mountain terrain. It’s soft and responsive (the unicorn combo). Plus, it’s constructed with durable materials so you know you’ll get the life you expect out of the shoe. We’re not the only ones that liked this shoe, the crew at Believe in the Run did, too.
Contributing editor Ashley Arnold is the director of brand at Fleet Feet and an ultrarunner who lives in Missoula, Montana, with her husband and two young children. She tells stories through video, words and photos, and is most at home running trails, adventuring in wild places with her family and sipping coffee while eating cake.
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