Back when carbon fibre was a mere myth belonging to the road-running world, lots of work was going on behind the scenes to break it into the off-road industry. Among those leading the charge were The North Face, who still today aim to continually push the boundaries when it comes to cutting-edge performance tech. Enter, The North Face Summit Series.
Within the Summit Series sits new trail running shoes, the VECTIV™ Pro and VECTIV™ Sky. Primed for lightweight racing and high performance, these trail kicks are built with The North Face’s new foam technology and VECTIV™ 2.0 carbon plates.
Revolutionary VECTIV ™ technology
Launching in 2021, The North Face’s VECTIV™ sole technology integrated carbon-fibre into one of their trail running shoes for the first time, but it didn’t stop there. In the years since, The North Face has continued to finesse the craft, with a focus on improving shoe stability, grip, and shock absorption.
In practice, the VECTIV™ technology has seen success and worn by the likes of pro athletes Katie Schide, who took victory at UTMB in 2022 and Elsey Davis, who achieved a record-breaking winter Bob Graham Round.
Designed to provide the ‘perfect merge of efficiency, stability, and comfort’, the two newest additions to the VECTIV™ collection are made to add cushioning to your feet and fire to your stride during long-distance trail runs.
Sneak Peak: The North Face Summit VECTIV™ Pro
Joining the VECTIV™ footwear range is the Summit VECTIV™ Pro, which is an updated and refreshed version of The North Face’s previous Flight Vectiv model.
The new Pro features a VECTIV™ 2.0 carbon plate which is formed in a forked shape with two forefoot wings which aim to stabilise the foot when running along rough terrain, while maintaining energy transfer from heel strike to toe-off.
Meanwhile, the superfoam rocker midsole is built with an increased stack and toe height, which are designed to work together and generate a greater rebound and spring to your step, especially during fast racing. An increased 4mm of midsole cushioning should aid comfort and shock-absorption.
The shoe keeps its 6mm drop, which aims to add stability and support to the arches and ankle, along with some slight padding in the heel for a locked-in fit. The gusseted tongue paired with ventilated polymer mesh upper should allow plenty of breathability and reduce trail debris getting inside the shoe.
Moving onto the all-important grip, the Pro’s outsole is made using a bio-based compound called SurfaceCTRL which aims to provide plenty of traction, with 3.5mm lugs. The Pro’s build should allow you to take on a variety of off-road terrain, including both soft and hard-packed trails, as well as sections of road with confidence.
If you like the sound of carbon speed paired with a lightweight design, but prefer a more minimal set-up, then The North Face Summit VECTIV™ Sky has all the bells and whistles of the Pro, with a lower stack height for a closer-to-the-ground feel.
The new VECTIV™ range and the Summit Trail Run collections are available to buy from 23rd February atwww.thenorthface.com and in select The North Face stores.
Win a pair of the Summit VECTIV™ Pro!
For your chance to win, simply complete the form below. The prize draw opens at 9am on the 23rd Feb and close on the 23rd March 23 at 23:59pm.
Terms and conditions:
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The prize draw opens on the 23rd Feb and closes at 23:59 on 23rd March 2023.
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This competition is open to UK residents aged 18 and over.
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There is 1 prize consisting of a pair of The North Face Summit VECTIV™ Pro trail running shoes.
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One winner will be picked randomly from all valid entries. The winners will be contacted shortly after the closing date and notified by email and have 7 days to respond before an alternative winner is chosen.
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Only one entry per person will be counted.
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This prize may be offered in a limited number of other promotions.
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_No purchase is necessary. To enter for free visit:_https://www.livefortheoutdoors.com/trail-running/shoes/the-north-face-vectiv-running-shoe/
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Full terms and conditions can be found at www.bauerlegal.co.uk/competition-terms.html
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The prize is provided by The North Face. We are not responsible for any aspect of the prize, including unsatisfactory quality or late delivery or a prize winner being unable to take up any aspect, or the entirety of the prize due to their own circumstances or restrictions. Prizes are non-transferable, non-refundable and no cash alternative will be offered.
Top image: The North Face