Summit Series VECTIV™ Pro 3 Shoes

Congrats on the new role! Speaking from a consumer/racer perspective, the main hurdles are: * Aesthetic/Brand Perception: For serious trail runners, TNF is seen as 'hiking' or 'lifestyle' first, not a technical running brand, which impacts perception vs. Salomon, Hoka, etc. * Fit Consistency: I've found older models lacked secure lockdown, especially in the heel. People stick to what fits their feet for 50k/100M races. * Stack Height/Drop Profile: The line needs clear, differentiated profiles (low stack/minimalist vs. high stack/maximalist) that target specific races better. The VECTIV plate is the key differentiator. Lean into the technical advantages of that stiffness/efficiency and get them on the feet of influential, non-sponsored runners. P.S. As an avid 50k runner, I'd happily put some miles on a VECTIV Pro 3 for development feedback! 😉

They are to narrow for my feet. I have tried the Vective pro 2 and 3

Narrow in the toe box. On the 2 the winglet bit into my foot and the 3 seemed narrower than the two. I run a lot in the Hoka Tecton x3 so my foot is not that wide but it just didn’t fit in Vective. To bad as I had hopes for that shoe - especially the 3 seems well thought out.

Prodigo Pro destroyed my big toenails on long technical descents. Don’t know why, but the hard toe box just shattered them. They were great until I took them to a race in the Pyrenees with 1hr+ descents. For me, North Face Vectiv Pro 2 or 3, it Sky 2 are better shoes.

North Face Vectiv Pro 3

A lot — firm but springy — good for fire roads and forest trails — not for technical terrain

“Comfy” is relative — they are high stack but firm — would definitely be my goto for a race like that. I’m 6’ / 200# and run a 1:45 relatively flat trail HM

About 13 years ago, I had some NF trail shoes that I really liked, so I got the Vectiv Pro 2. I enjoy that model and raced a 100k in it where it performed really well. So I got the Vectiv Pro 3, but that model doesn’t work for me. It‘s uncomfortable on the ball of my foot, especially uphill. I have been curious about the Enduris but because the Pro 3 was expensive and didn’t work out, I have been reluctant to invest more money in NF shoes.