The North Face Ultra Mesa 300 V2: First Impressions of a Value-Packed Trail Shoe

Introduction

The North Face Ultra Mesa 300 V2 is a fairly simple, standard trail shoe on paper, and that is exactly what makes it interesting. It arrives as a companion to the Ultra Mesa 500, aiming for the same versatile lane: road to trail, onto single track, and into more burly terrain. The twist is that it does so while staying on the affordable side of the lineup, with a price of $150 that sits right in what many runners now consider good-value territory.

The hype around this shoe was not random either. At a running industry event, Bret Rivers of the North Face product team, a longtime retail veteran and co-founder of the San Francisco Running Company, described the foam in this shoe as the best EVA he had ever run in. That is a strong claim from a trusted voice, and it was worth putting to the test.

First Impressions

The Ultra Mesa 300 V2 keeps the same silhouette as the original Ultra Mesa 500, but it updates the formula across the board: new foam, a lighter upper, and a better outsole. The original V1 of the 300 series was already a versatile, durable shoe that a reviewer on our team raced in and pushed hard, and this version clearly aims to build on that foundation.

The premise is straightforward: take the proven versatility of the 500 line, tune the ride, and keep the price accessible. If the performance holds up at this price, the value proposition is significant.

The Ride Underfoot

This is a single-layer, all-EVA midsole, and it delivers a surprisingly refined ride for that construction. The foam is squishy yet responsive, with enough cushioning to carry a long effort comfortably. Over a full half-marathon distance with significant climbing, the legs felt good the entire way.

The shoe sits lower to the ground than many modern trail shoes, and that grounding pays off with better control on varied terrain. A subtle rocker helps smooth the transition between surfaces, from pavement to gravel to single track, and the overall feel is very runnable. There is noticeable ground feel, which many runners will appreciate, and the energetic character held up throughout the run rather than fading.

How It Handled a Burly First Run

The debut run was no gentle shakeout: roughly 3 to 4 miles of gravel road, some fire road, and lots of single track, about a third of which had snow on it. The route totaled a bit more than a half marathon with over 2,500 feet of gain, mixing uphill and downhill across varied conditions.

Taking a more budget-friendly shoe into terrain like that is a gamble, but the Ultra Mesa 300 V2 handled it. Nothing about the ride felt out of its depth on the climb or the descent, and it confirmed the versatile road-to-trail positioning the line is built around.

Fit and Feel

The fit follows the broader Ultra Mesa sole line, which means a roomier forefoot. Up top there is more volume than some runners may expect. From the front of the collar through the heel, the shoe felt nicely secure, so lockdown at the rear is not the problem.

The trade-off is some foot movement inside the upper on technical single track. With the braided laces cinched down properly, the fit should tighten up and perform better, so this is largely an adjustable issue rather than a flaw. Runners who prefer a locked-down, narrow forefoot may want to try before buying, while those who like room to spread will feel at home.

Comparisons and Buying Advice

Against the Ultra Mesa 500, the 300 V2 shares very similar underfoot properties: cushioned, noticeably energetic, and consistent over distance. The 300 sits lower to the ground for more control, which makes it a compelling alternative for runners who liked the original 500 but want a closer-to-the-ground feel at a friendlier price.

For $150, this is a lot of shoe. The value case is simple: versatile road-to-trail capability, a genuinely good EVA ride, durable construction, and a price that no longer demands a premium-tier budget. Runners logging mixed surfaces, longer trail efforts, or races on varied terrain are the clearest beneficiaries. If you want max cushioning or a snug performance fit above all else, look elsewhere in the lineup.

Conclusion

The Ultra Mesa 300 V2 lives up to its billing. It may not settle the debate over the best EVA ever, but for a single-layer EVA trail shoe it has to be up there: squishy, responsive, and cushioned enough for the long haul. Add in a lighter upper, an improved outsole, and a versatile ride that handles everything from gravel to snowy single track, and it stands out as one of the more compelling value picks in the trail category this season.