The North Face VECTIV Enduris Review
Cushioning is King in the VECTIV Enduris
Likes
- Rocker design
- Soft step-in feel
- Protective underfoot cushion
Dislikes
- Runs large
- Lacking gusseted tongue
- Thin laces
What's New
The Enduris is an original from top to bottom, just like the other shoes in the VECTIV lineup. The Air Mesh upper provides a light, breathable, comfortable fit and the Surface Control rubber outsole offers substantial traction while on-trail. But the highlight of the all-new Enduris has to be the midsole design. Featuring a dual-density foam construction, FORMFIT foot cradle, Rocker Geometry and VECTIV technology, the Enduris delivers a soft and smooth ride that is sure to impress.
The Bottom Line
Among The North Face’s VECTIV lineup - maybe even among all trail shoes - the Enduris is going to be the go-to shoe for runners who want a super cushy ride. Our testers noted that this was one of the softest trail shoes on the market, and rated the underfoot protection as a perfect 10/10. While plush, the shoe propels runners forward with a rocker-style midsole, and the TPU plate also adds rigidity, contributing to the quality responsiveness of the shoe.
The Enduris is a little voluminous, so it may not provide the optimal fit for those with narrower feet. However, it would be a fantastic choice for many runners seeking a shoe with plenty of cushioning to keep their feet and joints happy on long trail runs.
Shoe Performance
Shoe Softnessi
FirmSoftRide/Energy Returni
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protectioni
LowHighFlexibilityi
RigidElasticUpper Supporti
StructuredAdaptableSpecifications & Fit
How It Fits
| Toe Box | Width: Medium | Height: Medium |
| Midfoot Volume | Medium |
| Heel Width | Medium |
| Arch Height | Medium to High |
Shoe Specs
| Weight | Men's: 11.1 oz (size 9) | Women's: 9.8 oz (size 8) |
| Stack Height | 38 mm (Heel), 32 mm (Forefoot) | 6 mm Heel-Toe Offset |
| Terrain | Trail |
| Stability | Neutral |
| Sizing | Fits large |
Our In-Depth Look
Shoe Softnessi
Kaitlin: "This shoe has ample cushioning, but the underfoot feel isn't super plush in my opinion. It provides a nicely padded landing and protection for heavy mileage on a variety of trail terrain."
Becky: "My favourite thing about the Enduris is how soft the step-in experience feels. I have not worn another trail shoe that is quite this soft and comfortable. Putting this shoe on for the second long run of the weekend is a treat."
Liz: "The Enduris is one of the softest trail running shoes that I have ever run in. The foam has an incredibly soft, 'sinking-in' feel that is very comfortable without feeling mushy. I don't usually like soft trail shoes, but the combination of the plate with this soft, yet responsive-ish foam feels great!"
Ride/Energy Returni
Kaitlin: "When my foot touches down on the trail, this shoe effortlessly rocks me forward. It has a 'rolling' responsiveness, but not necessarily a springy or snappy performance feel."
Becky: "Although this shoe is quite soft, the TPU plate helps prevent it from feeling too mushy. However, I would not wear the Enduris for a faster effort on the trails."
Liz: "This shoe has a surprising amount of energy return for how soft it is. This seems to come from the plastic plate in the midsole and the rockered design. It keeps me moving forward smoothly and prevents me from losing my momentum."
Underfoot Protectioni
Kaitlin: "The cushioning of this shoe minimises the impact, keeping my feet fresh and joints happy. Additionally, the outsole/midsole combo provides a lot of protection from rocks and trail hazards."
Becky: "I would put the Enduris in the same category as the HOKA Stinson. It does not get much plusher than this. This is the shoe I used when my feet were tired from training for a 100 miler because it feels so protective and comfortable."
Liz: "There is a lot of cushioning underfoot in the Enduris. I could go all day with no problems wearing this shoe. It provides plenty of underfoot protection and has inherent stability that keeps my knees feeling strong at the end of the day."
Flexibilityi
Kaitlin: "The ride of this shoe is smooth and rolls forward easily. While it provides a fluid forward motion, it is still semi-structured. This results in stability that provides confidence and protection from rolling an ankle."
Becky: "The forefoot flexes some, but the TPU plate makes it a stiffer shoe. The rocker geometry makes the transition smooth and easy."
Liz: "With its plate and high level of cushioning, the Enduris is a pretty rigid shoe. I really enjoyed the rock protection and stability that the rigid midsole provided on rocky trails, and thanks to the dramatic rocker, this shoe still had a very smooth ride."
Upper Supporti
Kaitlin: "The toe box feels spacious, and the midfoot is very generous. It provides a moderate-to-loose wraparound. I was not able to get a great lockdown through the midfoot; however, this fit might be accommodating for a wider foot or someone with a higher arch or bridge."
Becky: "The upper is a soft mesh that wraps around the foot nicely. It has a higher volume fit, which works well with thicker socks for trails. For those with a low volume foot, this shoe may not provide the best fit."
Liz: "I was pleasantly surprised by the upper on this shoe. I found the VECTIV Infinite's upper to feel slightly restrictive, but the Enduris has a plush upper design that gave me no issues. The forefoot had enough stretch to accommodate my slightly wider feet, but it still felt very secure on technical trails."
Individual Thoughts
The Enduris might be my favourite shoe in the VECTIV lineup. The cushioning is soft and provides comfort for long trail runs, but the shoe doesn't feel sluggish thanks to the rocker design and midsole plate. I don't usually like super soft trail shoes because they tend to feel unstable on the rough, rocky trails in my area, but this shoe offers the perfect balance of cushioning and stability while also being one of the softest trail running shoes I have ever run in. I think everyone, from daily trail runners to ultramarathoners, should consider this option if they are looking for a well-cushioned trail running shoe with a smooth ride.
Shoe Softness
FirmSoftRide/Energy Return
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protection
LowHighFlexibility
RigidElasticUpper Support
StructuredAdaptable
The VECTIV Enduris fit true to size for me in terms of length, but it did feel rather voluminous. This shoe gave me a lot of confidence on the trail, with plenty of comfort for high mileage, protection from the elements, and great traction for a variety of terrain. It also performs decently on short stretches of road. My only wish is that this shoe had a gusseted tongue and a better fit through the midfoot, as it felt a little bit sloppy. Overall, this is probably one of the better and more interesting shoes I have reviewed this year.
Shoe Softness
FirmSoftRide/Energy Return
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protection
LowHighFlexibility
RigidElasticUpper Support
StructuredAdaptable
The Enduris is quite a departure from The North Face trail shoes of the past, in a good way. Although quite cushioned, it isn't too clunky. These shoes helped keep my legs and feet fresh during the peak of training for an ultramarathon. The areas I hope for improvement on a second version are the overly thick tongue and too-thin laces. However, the overall comfort of the upper and the midsole combine to make the Enduris a new favourite among my trail shoes.