The North Face Shoes

The North Face Company is famous for its high quality and often fashionable down jackets, fleeces and adventure gear. But North Face also a somewhat limited selection of footwear. North Face shoes are function specific and fairly hard to find, but if you’re an expert mountain climber or avid outdoor runner you might want to check them out. The largest selection of North Face shoes can be found online at www.altrec.com, but many outdoor equipment stores and online shopping centers carry a few models from The North Face. These include high-priced hiking boots, multi-sport trainers, trail running shoes, sandals and stylish casuals. North Face offers a bit of everything, but not much of anything.

Run of the Mill
Most North Face shoes are activity specific. North Face hiking and backpacking boots are solid but unspectacular. A number of models are offered with construction and price supposed relating to the amount of weight you will be carrying while hiking. From the $150 Fortress Peak with Gore-tex waterproofing to the $65 dollar Mt. Tam Low, breathable North Face boots cover the whole hiking spectrum but provide little choice or depth at any one level. Similarly, North Face offers a limited selection of conventional sandals whose main attraction seems to be brand name recognition.

Run of the Mountain
North Face does offer some interesting footwear options for trail running and general outdoor play. In the “multi-sport” category, the North Face Company has recently been pushing a handful of models which look and perform like super tennis-shoes. The Adrenaline, Blaze, Fury, Resilience, Wrath and Seive are all cut from pretty much the same mold, although weight and ankle coverage do vary. A cross between hiking boot, tennis shoe and sports utility vehicle, North Face multi-sport shoes are absolutely fantastic for day hikes, mountain biking or casual wear. A number of the models include Gore-Tex water-proofing and are choc-full of technology, including: AgION anti-mircobial lining and footbeds, breathable mesh uppers, gripping rubber outsoles, and more. They are rather heavy, so if you’re a runner you may want to look at North Face’s trail running line. North Face trail runners are top-of-the-line and are designed to keep your feet and ankles stable as you rocket up and face down the mountain. With X-2 cushioning all over, a de-coupled heel and a reinforced toe cap, the most expensive North Face trail runners are built for a beating. North Face also sells a few stylish “mountain life” casual shoes which promise durability despite their sleek look.