When I started running competitively in my teens, I had an Olympian I looked up to explain to me a personal motto they lived by: Look good. Feel good. Run good. At the time I thought it was a bit egotistical, which in all honesty suited me perfectly because boy did I have an ego. Now, some 25 years later, despite having become far more humble (At least I like to think so) when it comes to racing I still live by those words. So, what does this have to do with a shoe review? Well, when it comes to assessing a product that I’m going to adorn on race day, I apply those three principles.
Look good:
There’s no denying that trail shoes can sometimes look a bit like the designers are putting too much thought into making the kicks appear burly or ‘traily’ and not enough into looking fast. Bright colours, excessive rubber and other trims – that’s not what I dig in race footwear. Give me sleek design, no extras, minimal weight, optimal energy return and just enough tread to handle the conditions. Essentially, a road shoe that’s angry enough to manage the more rugged terrain of an off-road event. The North Face has achieved something where most others have failed. They’ve delivered a trail shoe that looks rad. The Summit Series Vectiv Pro 3 places style right alongside substance, and both are at a very high level. These things are impressive to look at and something you know commands attention. After the first event I wore them at I had several people asking me what they were and when they could get their hands on some, and that was just based on how good they looked.
Feel good:
There’s no point being a fashionista on the start line if you feel like a piece of garbage. Feeling good comes from not only preparing well, but also self-confidence – partly derived from thinking you look fast – and also the gear you’re in being comfortable and fit for purpose. The Vectiv Pro 3, with its dual-stacked plates and high-rebound DREAM foam, combines both comfort and function. They’re soft enough to reduce the pounding, but give plenty back with every foot strike, propelling you forward and maximising energy return. The seamless, hydrophobic and breathable upper provides support in all the right places while keeping the weight to a minimum.
The sole uses their high-performance PEBA/EVA compound for super-high rebound and longevity. The stacked-plate system features a full-length carbon-fiber propulsion plate integrated with a recycled carbon-fiber stability top plate. When all combined, you have high levels of propulsion as well as stability. Speaking of stability, the rubber outsole has 3.5mm lugs that bite into the ground and provide plenty of traction, adding to your confidence when tackling rocky or muddy terrain.
Run Good:
When all of the above is combined the result is improved performance. I stand on the start line not only confident in myself, but the gear I’m using on the day. Knowing that The North Face athletes the world over are doing some incredible things in these kicks reassures me that they’re the right choice when it comes to racing. Yeah, I’ve heard a few comments about the price point. But think about this: you spend so much time, money and energy getting through all the miles in training, that you should do as much as you can to maximise your chances of a great result. Plus, after all the toil to get to race day, you deserve a reward for all the effort 😉
