The North Face Vectiv Infinite 3 Review: A Do-Everything Trail Trainer

Introduction

The North Face is having a strong year for trail shoes, and the Vectiv Infinite 3 is one of the clearest examples of why. It is the fourth major overhaul of the Vectiv line, and like the rest of the updated range it now runs on Dream Foam, a supercritical foam that changes material depending on the shoe it sits in. Here, it is a supercritical TPU, the same family of foam used in the Vectiv Sky 2, which this shoe is meant to complement.

Where the Sky 2 leans toward racing, the Infinite 3 is the everyday trainer of the pair: similar technology, but a little more beefed up. After time on the trails, it leaves an impression as a shoe that offers more protection and substance than its profile suggests, while still running far more nimbly than a high-stack trainer has any right to.

Who This Shoe Is For

The Infinite 3 suits runners who want one shoe that can handle everyday miles, varied terrain, and even the occasional fast segment. It is built as a trainer, not a race weapon, and the extra density in the foam reflects that purpose. If you want a protective daily trail shoe that does not feel sluggish, this is the profile to look at.

It also works for anyone whose trail days spill over into other activities. This shoe was taken backpacking and held its own, which says a lot about how versatile the platform is.

Fit and Upper: Secure Where It Counts

The dual-wrap upper is shared across the Vectiv line, but here it is a little more built up and a little heavier. There is a sock liner inside, so the upper is not as see-through, and extra overlays add durability. In short, there is just more shoe here, and more protection to go with it. It is also heavier, as you would expect.

Fit is a genuine highlight. It is secure in the right spots, nicely locked down through the midfoot and heel, and slightly generous for those who need a bit of room. For an average to slightly wide foot, it fit really nicely, recalling the fit of the Merrell Long Sky 2 and the original Skyfire, which rank among the best-fitting trail shoes around.

Midsole, Stack, and the Vectiv 3.0 Plate

The big change compared to the Vectiv Sky 2 is five extra millimeters of stack, landing at 37mm in the heel and 31mm in the forefoot. That is still a fairly high stack by today’s standards, even if the shoe does not look it. The foam feels denser than the Sky 2’s, not as light and responsive, which is fine for an everyday shoe that has to do a bit of everything.

What stands out most is how nimble the ride feels despite the stack height. A big part of that comes from Dream Foam serving multiple purposes at once: cushioning, some response, and a platform that can still pick up and move.

Inside sits a Vectiv 3.0 plate, different from the versions in the Enduris or the Pro model. It is a subtle, top-loaded plate system similar to the Vectiv Sky 2, but in TPU rather than carbon-infused. It was not noticeable in the ride, just a natural feel with light stability, which suits this shoe’s everyday role perfectly.

Grip and Outsole: Surface Control at Its Best

The Surface Control outsole is more aggressive on this model than on the Vectiv Pro or the Enduris 4, and it holds up. It is quite grippy. On wet rocks during a backpacking trip it performed well, and it was equally sure-footed on drier, easier ground.

For runners who mix technical trails with smoother terrain, this outsole covers a wide range without compromise. It is one of the reasons the shoe runs so well across a lot of trail types.

Things to Consider Before Buying

The main trade-off is weight. The more built-up upper and denser foam mean there is more shoe here than the sleek profile suggests, and if you want the lightest, most responsive option in the Vectiv family, the Sky 2 remains the sharper choice. The TPU plate is also deliberately subtle; runners chasing a pronounced plate-driven propulsion feel will not find it here.

None of that is a flaw so much as a design decision. This is a trainer first, and the protection, fit, and grip are tuned for that job.

Buying Advice

The Vectiv Infinite 3 makes sense as a daily trail trainer for runners who value a secure, slightly generous fit, confident grip on wet and dry surfaces, and a cushioned but still nimble ride. Pair it with the Vectiv Sky 2 if you want a fast-day shoe, and let the Infinite 3 handle the everyday miles. With more long-run testing still underway, including big training days at altitude, early impressions point to one of The North Face’s best all-round trail updates yet.

Conclusion

The Vectiv Infinite 3 delivers on its trainer brief with a denser supercritical TPU Dream Foam midsole, a protective dual-wrap upper, an aggressive Surface Control outsole, and a naturally stable TPU plate. It is a little more shoe than its looks suggest, but the fit, versatility, and surprisingly nimble ride make it easy to recommend for everyday trail running.