The North Face Vectiv Endurus 4 - Review - I love these shoes!

 

Shoe Review - Recently, I picked up a pair of the North Face Vectiv Endurus 4 (these are trail running shoes), and I’ve got to say, they are quickly becoming my most favorite pair of trail running shoes I have ever worn. If you're like me, someone with wide "hobbit" feet, finding shoes that actually fit and feel comfortable over long distances can be a pain in the ass. But these shoes 100% nailed it (for me)—they have the perfect shape to accommodate my feet comfortably, with the right amount of cushioning to keeping my feet from hurting too too much on the really long runs.

Update March 24th, 2025- Just finished the Hat 50k in these and my feet were totally fine, not sore at all. Still absolutely love theses shoes. 

One standout feature for me that immediately caught my attention was the rocker. This is the first time i have run in a shoe with this much rocker and I have to say I am in love. Life changing. The rocker in these shoes seems to effortlessly propel you forward and through each stride, making even longer runs feel a lot smoother and less taxing. Although that could just be in my head. Now with traction, the traction provided by these shoes is nothing short of incredible—even on wet and extremely muddy trails, they hold firm and provide a secure footing. Those decent sized lugs are doing exactly what they need to be doing without getting in the way, aka tripping hazards.

In general, North Face has been absolutely killing it lately with their recent shoe designs, and the Vectiv line up with the  Endurus 4 is a great example of that.

Now, I’m not a professional runner or a professional running shoe reviewer. And I don't always have all the technical terms to describe shoe performance, nor do I dive deeply into minute details like a footwear expert would. BUT what I can give you is my honest experience with the shoes—and I absolutely love them. Easy to run in, plenty of grip, and great cushioning. 

Now I know there are lots of people out there who love THE DETAILS, So I thought I’d supplement my own thoughts by highlighting the insights from one of my favorite YouTube channels, Conversational Pace, which recently reviewed the North Face Vectiv Endurus 4. I wanted to share their insights to give you a fuller picture.

According to Conversational Pace, the Endurus 4 could very well be considered the first true "trail super trainer." They praised the updated Dream Foam midsole, which now includes a Nitro EVA and TPU blend designed for improved responsiveness and durability. The addition of a flexible TPU top plate provides essential lateral stability without sacrificing comfort, which aligns perfectly with my experience—these shoes felt stable and supportive without being overly rigid.

Another highlight from their review that resonated with me was the upper's comfort. Despite having a slightly stiffer mesh material initially described as "starchy," the upper quickly proved itself as both durable and breathable. The gusseted tongue and exceptional lacing system—which they humorously dubbed "ribbed speed nubs"—provide excellent lockdown. Like me, they found no heel slippage or issues with comfort even on longer runs.

Conversational Pace also extensively tested the Endurus 4 across various terrains and distances. One reviewer put in 84 miles primarily on snowy trails, while another logged 94 miles across mixed surfaces including dry dirt, wet dirt, roads, and even a treadmill. Both found the shoes exceptionally durable, with minimal wear even after intense usage.

In terms of performance, they highlighted how the shoe’s balanced cushioning and stable ride made it an ideal "one-shoe quiver"—suitable for daily training, recovery runs, and even races. Despite a slightly heavier weight compared to some racing shoes (around 10.7 ounces), its versatility, comfort, and protection more than compensate for that additional heft.

They concluded that the Vectiv Endurus 4 offers incredible value at its price point ($160). Considering it borrows design elements from the higher-end North Face racing models, this shoe makes high-performance trail running accessible without compromising on quality or comfort.

Like the Conversational Pace reviewers, I found myself repeatedly reaching for these shoes day after day, impressed by their resilience and comfort. Whether you're training for a 5K, a challenging mountain ultra, or simply enjoy logging miles on local trails, the North Face Vectiv Endurus 4 might just be the perfect companion.

Check out the full video review by Conversational Pace here, and if you’re interested in trying out the Vectiv Endurus 4 yourself, definitely consider adding them to your trail running rotation. I promise—they won't disappoint.

Conversational Pace - The North Face Vectiv Enduris 4 Review