SHOE REVIEW: The North Face Flight Vectiv Guard Futurelight

Earlier this year, The North Face revamped its line of trail running footwear with the Flight Vectiv, which combines sleek streetwear style and performance for trail running. They have also created a winterized version of the shoe called Flight Vectiv Guard Futurelight. The shoe itself is loaded with features different than any other trail shoe on the market. Let’s get into it.

Category: Trail Neutral cushioning
Drop: 6 mm
Weight: 356 g (men’s size 9)
Stack height: 27 mm
Available: Now
MSRP: $329.99

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The upper

A waterproof gaiter is integrated into the upper, giving the shoe a cross-country ski boot look, equipped with The North Face waterproof/breathable membrane. The gaiter is guaranteed to keep everything out – from the snow, slush and mud.

The midsole

What’s beneath the waterproof upper is The North Face Flight Vectiv trail shoe, which has an abrasion-resistant inner-upper and a moulded carbon fibre plate. The carbon fibre plate locks onto the shoe’s midsole and provides energy return for propulsion on each step.

Beneath the plate is a lightweight dual-density midsole with high-rebound foam that can handle hundreds of kilometres on the trails.

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The outsole

The shoe’s outsole is built to handle all conditions on the trails, featuring surface control technology, a rubberized outsole with aggressive lugs optimal for grip while trail running.

The verdict

Although North Face’s Flight Vectiv Guard Futurelight comes at a cost, it’s as technical as it gets for winter running. The shoe itself is pretty darn sleek, as it looks like something you’d see at New York’s Fashion Week. After a few runs, I could tell the shoe is built more for mileage than performance. If you are wanting a sporty-style cushion boot for walking or easy runs, you shouldn’t look past the Flight Vectiv Guard Futurelight from The North Face.