The North Face Vectiv Endurance 4 Review: A Trail Shoe With Grip and Build Quality to Spare

Introduction

The North Face is a name most people associate with outerwear, jackets, ski equipment, and climbing gear. Running shoes are a lesser-known part of the lineup, and the Vectiv Endurance 4 makes a case that they deserve more attention. After a cold, soggy, muddy test run, this shoe left a strong impression, mostly for the right reasons. At $159, it sits in a price band where trail shoes usually demand a bit more, and the build quality on offer makes that number look even better.

Who This Shoe Is For

The Vectiv Endurance 4 suits trail runners who want a cushioned, protective shoe with serious grip and are willing to put in a break-in period before it reaches its best. It works well for training runs on muddy and mixed terrain, and it could earn a spot on longer efforts.

One important caveat: the 41mm heel stack is genuinely tall. If you are new to trail running or prone to rolling your ankles, a shoe with a heel higher than around 35mm on technical terrain carries real risk. Experienced trail runners with adapted ankles will be far more comfortable here.

Main Strengths

The midsole is the headline. It uses 41mm of foam in the heel and 35mm in the forefoot for a 6mm drop, a geometry that works nicely for trail shoes. The foam itself is nitrogen-infused TPU, which brings reduced weight and increased longevity compared with standard EVA. A TPU plate runs through the midsole, and in muddy, rocky conditions the shoe negotiated the terrain well.

The outsole is another highlight. The Surface Control rubber is tacky, and the lugs measure a genuine 4mm, with the depth imprinted right on the outsole. They look a little like Salomon’s lugs, and they perform. In the mud, the shoe came close to sliding out only once, and the lugs deserve credit for catching the slip.

Up top, the upper is a fairly basic mesh with a full gusseted tongue, a stout eyelet chain, and overlays through the toe box. It is not overly plush, but the fit is laid onto the foot well. The toe cap is stout enough that kicking a rock or a root does not register. On a wet run, the overlays kept feet feeling good for roughly 80 to 90% of the distance, even if they were damp by the end.

Things to Consider Before Buying

The main drawback is break-in time. Expect roughly 100 miles before the midsole really settles and the shoe starts to breathe underfoot, though that could be closer to 50 miles depending on your build. On top of that, the upper is not especially plush at the heel counter, so runners wanting extra Achilles padding should look elsewhere. Hot-weather performance through that mesh upper also remains an open question.

Weight is worth weighing too. In a typical size, with a little mud on board, the shoe comes in just under 10 ounces. That is not bad overall, but it is a little heavy for racing. As for durability, the feel to the touch suggests five to six hundred miles is achievable, though whether it matches the very longest-lasting trail brands is not certain.

Buying Advice

At $159, this is an easy call for the right runner: the price is genuinely competitive for a trail shoe, and the combination of grip, build quality, and protective toe hardware makes it a buyer. It would be a reasonable consideration for something like a 50k distance, provided the weight does not bother you. Runners who prioritize a lighter racing shoe, or who want plush heel padding, should keep looking. And if you are a newer trail runner, choose something with a lower stack height until your ankles have adapted to technical terrain.

Conclusion

The North Face Vectiv Endurance 4 delivers tall cushioning, nitrogen-infused TPU foam, trustworthy 4mm lugs, and stout toe protection at a fair $159 price. The break-in period and racing weight are the trade-offs. For training miles on wet, muddy, mixed terrain, it is a shoe worth serious consideration.