4 minute read
FLIGHT VECTIV
The North Face Flight VECTIV Tested
BY RUNAWAY CREW PHOTOS ANDREA SCHILIRÒ
The North Face is synonymous with mountain, technical clothing and outdoor equipment. Always one of the leading brands in the outdoor sports, in the beginning of 2021 it has decidedly moved the bar upwards also in the Trail Running segment, proposing to the world the first trail shoe presenting a 3D carbon plate, an innovative Rocker geometry and a great gripping sole.
All these features make Flight VECTIV one of the most interesting offer among the off road models currently on the market. "About 40% of UMB participants ends the race and we would like to improve this percentage" this has been the introductory note of The North Face presenting the shoe.
Over 9,000km of tests and two years of research and development are just some of the data that allowed the brand to reach the final model of the shoe.
We tried the Flight VECTIV in Valle d'Aosta on the technical slopes and on the steep terrains of the Mont Avic Natural Park, in Trentino along the snow-covered trails in the Val di Non, in Liguria between the mule track of the Natural Park of Portofino and finally in Lombardy on mixed terrains and on the slopes of the Lombardy Prealps. In these months we literally put them to test to achieve this overview in collaboration with the guys from The Pill Magazine. Let's find out more! The 3D VECTIV carbon plate is immediately positioned under the foot in direct contact with the sole, to offer greater thrust and stability.
The Rocker form of the midsole has a "curved" longitudinal profile that favors a quick transition from the heel to the forefoot, or a quicker roll. It is a double density midsole, one is reactive and cushioned, the other denser and more stable in the greater impact points. The drop from the ground is 25mm rear and 19mm in the front, for a 6mm total drop.
The Surface Control sole is made of a compound of super grippy rubber with 3.5mm lugs offering an excellent grip on every type of terrain, even on snow and ice. Talking about gripping, the level is very
high, almost as much as the adherence that Vibram Megagrip offers but with less wear when dealing with gravel roads.
The upper is in lightweight, breathable, comfortable and adherent mesh. The high collar is well designed to "close" the footwear above as if it were a gaiter and in this way preventing the entry of debris and other disturbing elements. The model is a bit tiring to wear for those who do not have a skinny foot, but the comfort once it’s on is excellent. Externally on the sides there is a Matryx panel made with Kevlar and Polyamide to ensure rubbing and abrasion resistance. Finally, some reflective details guarantee better visibility at night.
Our feelings. Aesthetically we liked it a lot, on the feet it is very light, it weighs in fact only 275g. Furthermore, the shoe turned out to be damn fast when you decide to push. As soon as you start running, you realize how much the shoe leads to being competitive even without really being so, you are in fact pushed, especially downhill, to a fast and easy ride. After only a few hours the feeling is that of extreme effectiveness without being fatigued. According to some tests, Flight VECTIV reduces the descent tibial impact by 10%, allowing runners to cover more kilometers without negative repercussions. The fit is precise and comfortable, the final feeling leads you to keep the shoe on for the whole day without any hassle.
Which terrain and what distance. The shoe turns out to be ideal for covering any distance, on each type of terrain. Trails, dirt roads, more or less technical mixed terrains. To whom it is recommended. In our opinion, to better appreciate the features of Flight VECTIV, you must follow a “runner" lifestyle, or at least being used to run. A slow, undecided or fatigued step could make you feel less stable in the medial area of the foot.
Conclusions. We confirm its features of speed, reactivity, stability downhill and above all the feeling of lower fatigue during and especially after the race.
