Trail and Scramble Shoes

The North Face Vectiv Fastpack Futurelight | Review

A fast, lightweight, and comfortable hiking shoe with in-built propulsion made for taking on rough terrain

Low cut hiking shoes are a popular choice for warm weather excursions, as they are typically cooler, lighter, and more versatile in the heat than mid-cut boots.

The North Face Women’s Vectiv Fastpack Futurelight hiking shoes are lightweight, low cut and designed for taking on technical terrain. Where they stand out is that they are just as capable on wet mountain trails as they are on dry summer climbs.

At 544g, the Vectiv Fastpacks are on the lighter end of the spectrum and are full of features designed to make hiking feel easy. The shoes feature The North Face’s waterproof membrane and forward propulsion technology, abrasion resistant fabric and 4mm lugs.

The women’s version of the shoes come in sizes 3- 9 and in five different colours.

Materials

The Vectiv Fastpacks feature an upper made from abrasion resistant performance mesh with a waterproof membrane, a combination which provides good levels of comfort, breathability, and protection against the elements.

I found that the mesh upper allowed my feet to breathe and it was robust against technical terrain while the waterproof Futurelight membrane ensured moisture was kept at bay.

Internal moisture is controlled through the OrthoLite footbed which is cushioned and antimicrobial, and designed to help feet stay fresh and dry. It is made with 5% recycled rubber content.

Features

Where the Vectiv Fastpack really excels is in its built-in forward propulsion technology, the 3D plate and rocker midsole which helps propel you forward when you move. This technology helps hikers to maintain energy – essentially making you move more smoothly and effortlessly.

The low-profile rubber sole has a good, grippy tread with 4mm lugs. That’s not that aggressive but I did find that it had enough bite on the light trails and rocky mountain ascents that I wore these on. It had its limitations on slimy wet rock, but that’s the case for most shoes. If you want a pair of walking shoes that are similar but that offer a bit more bite for super muddy trails then I’d recommend the Arc’teryx Sylan GTX.

The fit is comfortable and supportive, thanks to the superfoam cushioning, moulded spandex collar and the stable heel positioning. Another noteworthy feature is the double-punched lacing system which means the fit can be fine-tuned to ensure maximum stability when moving over varied ground.

The shoes also feature a protective moulded-TPU toe cap and a no-sew mud guard to help keep the dirt out and offer protection from sharp rocks and roots.

The North Face Vectiv Fastpack Verdict

The Vectiv Fastpacks are an excellent pair of lightweight low-cut hiking shoes which offer decent cushioning, good grip and stability over uneven ground.

It is worth noting that at 544g the Fastpacks aren’t the lightest on the market, and it would be nice to see The North Face incorporate more than just 5% of recycled materials into the fabrics of the shoes.

That aside, the Fastpacks make hiking feel light and fast and you can feel the shoes propelling you forward. It is impressive. The 4mm lugs offer decent enough traction and the waterproof membrane makes these shoes ideal for summer, spring and autumn which means you should get a lot of wear out of them.

What I liked: fit and forward propulsion from the mid sole
What I didn’t like: quite low on recycled content