The The North Face Altamesa 500. All pictures: iRunFar/Bryon Powell
The North Face Altamesa 500 ($155) is the shoe I by no means knew I wished. In truth, once I first acquired it, I assumed it was an excessive amount of shoe. Its sister shoe, The North Face Altamesa 300, with its decrease stack peak, appeared extra up my alley.
Because of this, once I first acquired it, I solely used the Altamesa 500 for climbing and strolling. However as I spent extra time within the shoe, I grew fairly keen on it. After which I began to run in it.
This previous yr I’ve discovered myself routinely reaching for my sneakers from The North Face. After I’m not testing a pair of path sneakers, I’m coaching in The North Face Vectiv Infinite 2 (evaluation) or racing in The North Face Summit Collection Vectiv Sky (evaluation) sneakers. I’ve been extremely impressed by the lineup of sneakers the model has produced, so once I heard whisperings concerning the new Altamesa line, I needed to take a look at them.
With a 6-millimeter drop and 30 millimeters of froth on the heel, this shoe is all about consolation. However one of many issues I really like about this shoe — which has an precise weight of 11.0 ounces (312 grams) for a U.S. males’s 9 — is how agile and steady it’s for a maximally cushioned shoe. The 4-millimeter lugs mixed with the Dream foam midsole, which has wonderful rebound, make this shoe an incredible selection for almost any run — from technical trails to the highway.
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The North Face Altamesa 500 Higher
A lateral view of the The North Face Altamesa 500.
The North Face Altamesa 500 is constructed for consolation and stability, from the highest of the shoe to the underside. The padded tongue envelops the foot in cushioned assist, and a sturdy toe cap shields in opposition to stubs and impacts. Stability overlays strategically positioned all through the higher present added assist and construction the place wanted most. The padded heel cup and collar are comfy, although I noticed that whereas this felt good, the heel of the shoe was barely much less safe and looser than desired on difficult trails. Nonetheless, the midfoot stays securely locked, and the shoe gives loads of stability, particularly on technical terrain.
Internally, the shoe incorporates wings strategically positioned on the midfoot. These inner wings present a cosy match and improve lockdown assist. Moreover, the Ghillie lacing system gives a safe and customised match, permitting wearers to regulate the stress for optimum consolation and efficiency. The shoe has a barely roomier toebox than another choices from the model. I discovered that my pinky toe appreciated the broader platform, however I did suppose the shoe was a bit longer than different fashions. Contemplating how broad the bottom of the shoe is, I used to be stunned at how comfortably cosy and safe my midfoot felt.
The North Face has taken steps towards sustainability by crafting the seamless, lofted, engineered mesh higher with 62% recycled supplies, which reduces its environmental influence. The fabric has nice breathability and adaptability, offering most consolation and freedom of motion.
The North Face Altamesa 500 Midsole
A medial view of the The North Face Altamesa 500.
The midsole of The North Face Altamesa 500 is engineered to ship distinctive efficiency. A important part of its design is the dynamic stability zone situated on the forefoot. The broader forefoot platform is designed to boost stability on the path, offering confidence and reassurance with each step. I feel this function works nicely on principally clean or barely technical terrain, however I discovered the bigger forefoot mixed with the marginally swimmy heel brought on me to decelerate and be a bit extra cautious when operating down pretty technical trails.
The midsole’s cushioning made me love this shoe, although initially I didn’t suppose I’d. It’s product of ultralight Dream midsole foam, which is thought for its super-high rebound properties. This foam affords a responsive and energized really feel, propelling wearers ahead with every stride whereas sustaining light-weight agility. I may legitimately really feel the rebound impact, although it was extra pronounced once I ran on tougher, smoother surfaces quite than on trails. It’s the actual deal. The shoe has 30 millimeters of midsole on the heel to optimize cushioning and luxury. This beneficiant cushioning absorbs influence and minimizes fatigue, permitting wearers to sort out lengthy distances simply and offering important safety in opposition to exhausting landings and tough terrain.
With a 6-millimeter drop, the shoe strikes a stability between stability and agility, selling a pure foot strike and fluid motion on the path. This average offset enhances versatility, making the shoe appropriate for numerous operating kinds and preferences.
The North Face Altamesa 500 Outsole
The outsole of the The North Face Altamesa 500.
For those who haven’t observed to this point, The North Face Altamesa 500 incorporates stability and luxury into each facet of the shoe design, and the outsole isn’t any exception.
Constructed with Floor Ctrl rubber, the outsole is optimized for sturdiness and grip, providing confidence-inspiring traction on numerous path surfaces. The outsole grips nicely on completely different surfaces and options steady, easy, single-axis, 4-millimeter lugs. Whereas I largely ran on dry trails, roads, and paths, so I can’t say for sure, it appears the average spacing between the lugs would forestall mud and particles buildup. I discovered they did job of sustaining stability throughout transitions. The micro-grip know-how embedded throughout the middle and base lugs enhance traction, notably on gravel and free terrain, offering confidence and management with every stride.
The North Face notes the shoe’s versatility, recommending it primarily for endurance path operating whereas acknowledging its capability to enterprise into the hybrid shoe zone. Its grippy outsole and sturdy development make it appropriate for mild highway operating, catering to adventurers searching for efficiency throughout numerous landscapes. I did get pleasure from operating on the roads with this shoe, and the rebound and modest lugs made it really feel like an incredibly quick path shoe.
Total Impressions
A high view of the The North Face Altamesa 500.
At $155, The North Face Altamesa 500 looks like a cut price that punches method above its worth level. I’m genuinely stunned by how a lot I get pleasure from operating on this shoe, as sometimes, I’m not a fan of extremely cushioned sneakers.
Transitioning from testing the Brooks Caldera 7 (evaluation) to this shoe, I used to be astounded by the stark distinction. Much like the Caldera 7, the Altamesa 500 is visually thick. However regardless of its cumbersome look, the shoe feels fairly the alternative in observe.
It maintains a implausible really feel even throughout dash intervals and is much from cumbersome. The froth’s rebound is noticeable and welcomed, particularly on lengthy runs. Regardless of its vital cushioning, the shoe stays pretty agile in comparison with different maximally cushioned sneakers.
The shoe does match a bit longer than different fashions from The North Face. The laces aren’t something to put in writing house about and I did have a problem with them coming untied just a few instances, however that’s what the trusty double knot is for.
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