The North Face Women’s Vectiv Exploris 2 Futurelight Hiking Shoes Review

My Honest Review Of The North Face Women’s Vectiv Exploris 2 Futurelight Hiking Shoes

Quick Info

Price: $300 AUD
Upper Material: Futurelight membrane
Waterproofing: Yes – Futurelight
Weight: 362 g per shoe (women’s size 10 US)
Width: D-width shape
Colours: Black, Purple Cactus Flower, Misty Sage/Forest Olive
Sustainability: Futurelight fabric uses 90% recycled materials
Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty
Activity: Day hikes, fast-paced hiking, adventure travel

Positives

• Rocker shape saves energy
• Lightweight compared to the protection and stability provided
• Very comfortable
• Great waterproofing abilities

Negatives

• On the expensive end
• Not sustainably made
• The rocker shape may not be for everyone

The North Face Women’s Vectiv Exploris 2 Futurelight hiking shoes are designed with comfort, durability and support in mind. The Vectiv 2.0 propulsive plate technology boasts impressive stability, while the Surface CTRL rubber outsole provides confidence-inspiring grip on a wide variety of terrain.

But what truly impresses me is the exceptional comfort straight out of the box – that and the durable design that is yet to show any serious wear after some intensely overgrown and rough hiking trails.

Who Are The North Face Vectiv Exploris 2 Futurelight Hiking Shoes For?

If you’re looking for a pair of hiking shoes that can accompany you everywhere, from the gnarliest trails to the streets, then The North Face Vectiv Exploris 2 Futurelight hiking shoes could be the right fit for you.

These hiking shoes forego the traditional frumpy style and go for a modern and stylish design instead. This allows you to take them wherever you go without feeling like you need to change your shoes before heading to the bar for post-hike pints.

But more importantly, the TNF Vectiv Exploris 2 Futurelight shoes will keep your feet dry on dewy mornings, remain sturdy on all terrains and provide all-day comfort and support where you need it most.

Size and Fit Of The North Face Vectiv Exploris 2 Futurelight Hiking Shoes

The North Face Vectiv Exploris 2 shoe comes in a D width, which is standard for men and slightly wider for women. I find that this fit is ideal for hiking, as it provides extra room in the toe box to accommodate foot swelling during long treks.

I was pleased to discover that these shoes stay true to size. I typically wear a size 40-41 in EU and a size 10 in US for both hiking and running shoes. The women’s US size 10 fits me perfectly, giving my toes ample room to splay while keeping my heel securely in place.

The Vectiv Exploris 2 also delivers a well-balanced fit. The design makes it easy to achieve a snug, comfortable feel across my entire foot – and I haven’t needed to stop and re-tie the laces during hikes at all. The ankle fit is particularly impressive, providing secure support that prevents heel lift, while allowing the main body of the shoe to remain slightly looser for added comfort on long trails.

Weight

My women’s size 10 US Vectiv Exploris Futurelight hiking shoes weigh 362 g per shoe, placing them firmly in the lightweight category. Only a handful of competitors, such as the  Salomon Outpulse and the Hoka Anacapa 2, come in lighter. However, these alternatives don’t quite match the Vectiv Exploris when it comes to stability and durability. 

A closer competitor is the Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX, which offers comparable performance but weighs 37 g more per shoe. 

In my experience, the Vectiv Exploris strikes an excellent balance – feeling lightweight on the feet while delivering outstanding support for carrying heavy loads and enduring long days on the trail.

Comfort Of The North Face Vectiv Exploris 2 Futurelight Hiking Shoes

The North Face Vectiv Exploris 2 Futurelight hiking shoes have impressed me with their exceptional comfort. The thick EVA foam midsole and TPU plate deliver excellent protection against rugged trail conditions without feeling overly rigid or uncomfortable.

The only initial issue I experienced was a slight stiffness around my toe knuckles during the first wear. However, within a day or two, the upper material softened and adapted to the natural movement of my feet. Since then, I’ve had no discomfort whatsoever.

I’ve put these shoes to the test during several multi-day hikes, including tackling the rough terrain of the Cascade Saddle Route and the stunning – yet relentless – Earnslaw Burn Track. Even after hours on my feet, these shoes kept me comfortable, ensuring my feet felt as good as they possibly could after such demanding adventures.

Waterproofing

The Vectiv Exploris 2 hiking shoes are equipped with The North Face’s innovative Futurelight waterproofing technology. This highly waterproof and breathable membrane fully covers the shoe’s upper and extends to its gusseted tongue, effectively blocking water from entering. 

From shallow streams to muddy trails and dew-soaked grass, these shoes have kept my feet completely dry. Naturally, if water rises above the collar or rain runs down your legs, the interior will get wet – though this is an inevitable limitation of any waterproof shoe.

The one downside to waterproof shoes, however, is that they take longer to dry compared to non-waterproof hiking shoes. It took these shoes all day to dry after walking in a river for a few kilometres, which was much longer than Dylan’s non-waterproof TNF Altamese 300 trail runners.

With that said, the dry time for these waterproof hiking shoes is quite good when you compare them to others. Because the upper is constructed completely of the breathable Futurelight membrane, they seem to dry faster than those with a mixture of materials.

Breathability Of The North Face Vectiv Exploris 2 Futurelight Hiking Shoes

Life is full of trade-offs, and hiking shoes are no exception. Choosing between breathability and waterproofing often feels inevitable – waterproof shoes will never breathe as well as their non-waterproof counterparts. That said, I’m genuinely impressed by how well these shoes manage to balance both, offering surprisingly effective breathability despite their waterproof design.

I have walked in several 30℃+ days without my feet overheating or becoming damp. However, I must admit that I don’t suffer from sweaty feet easily. Dylan does and he has found that he is happier in non-waterproof trail runners compared to waterproof hiking shoes.

That said, after reading several reviews, I have found enough evidence to back up my claim that the TNF Vectiv Exploris 2 Futurelight hiking shoes are exceptionally breathable for a waterproof hiking shoe.

Stability

The North Face Vectiv Exploris 2 Futurelight shoes feature a rockered midsole that enhances forward propulsion and reduces fatigue. This design won’t be everyone’s cup of tea and can take some time to get used to. The rockered shape can make you feel a little tippy and less planted, but it sure does work with reducing fatigue!

I thought I wouldn’t like the rockered shape, having previously sought out shoes with a decent heel drop. But I was surprised to find that I love it. I have never felt unbalanced or tippy and barely notice the difference – except for when I’m walking up a steep hill and need to walk on my toes slightly more than I would with a regular-shaped shoe.

What helps with feeling stable, even with a rockered design, is the full-length TPU plate in the midsole and the wider outsole. The TPU plate increases lateral stability and provides additional stiffness to the sole. The wider platform of the shoe also ensures that your foot feels planted and balanced.

I have spent hours walking in rocky riverbeds and up scree slopes in my Vectiv Exploris 2 shoes and have been pleasantly surprised by the high level of stability provided. Obviously, my feet move around a little bit more than they would in my hiking boots – but that is to be expected for every shoe.

Support

When I’m considering the support of a hiking shoe, I take into account ankle movement, protection from sharp and rough terrain, and whether I have any pain in my feet, ankles or knees after hours of walking.

For the Vectiv Exploris 2 Futurelight hiking shoes, I have been highly impressed by the level of protection from sharp and rough terrain – especially for such a soft and lightweight shoe! The low-cut design of the Vectiv Exploris does mean that my ankles move around a fair bit – more so than they did in my previous Salomon X Ultra 4s – but I don’t seem to get any pain in my ankles, feet or knees after a long day.

I believe the thick and soft EVA foam midsole has something to do with the level of support after hours on the trail, along with the laces design which allows me to keep a secure fit around my entire foot without any pain points.

Traction

I cannot fault the traction of the TNF Vectiv Exploris 2 shoes at all. Their in-house Surface CTRL rubber outsoles have performed exceptionally on slippery snow grass slopes, dry rocky riverbeds, loose gravel and scree. I feel extremely confident on all kinds of terrain, and they even seem to have good grip in wet conditions.

The level of traction I get from the Vectiv Exploris 2 shoes is comparable to that of my Lowa Mauria GTX hiking boots. They’re even almost as good as my Scapra Ribelle HD Mountaineering Boots!

Durability Of The North Face Vectiv Exploris 2 Futurelight Hiking Shoes

Another factor that I am incredibly impressed with is the durability of The North Face Vectiv Exploris 2 Futurelight hiking shoes. I have racked up over 200 km’s in these shoes, tackling some seriously rough terrain over the past few months, and they still look flawless without a single mark or abrasion.

To give you some insight into where I take these shoes, I’ve primarily been using the Vectic Exploris 2’s as approach shoes for my recent mountaineering adventures, swapping them out for my Scarpa Ribelles when it’s time to throw on the crampons.

Recently, I took them on a hike to Brodrick Pass – ultimately to climb Mt Mackenzie – in the Ruatinawha Conservation Park in New Zealand’s South Island where I spent most of my time wading through a shallow river and across a rocky dry river bed. They were wet for hours and then endured a dense and spiky bush bash followed by a scree rock scramble.

So in summary, I believe these are the most durable pair of lightweight hiking shoes I have ever owned.

Features On The North Face Vectiv Exploris 2 Futurelight Hiking Shoes

Lace Design

The laces on the TNF Vectiv Exploris 2 shoes are flat and thick, with two eyelets crossing above the ankle – which is often referred to as Ghillie-style lacing. The design of the laces allows for easy customisation to provide the perfect secure fit for each individual foot.

I can effortlessly create plenty of space for my toes to splay while keeping my ankle and heel perfectly secure. Furthermore, I have never experienced the laces coming loose while on the trails.

Toe Protection

The North Face Vectiv Exploris 2 hiking shoes feature a small toe cap and a wrap-around mudguard to prevent abrasions and enhance waterproofing abilities. I thought the toe cap would be insufficient for rock strikes, but I have yet to stub my toes and I can assure you that I am not careful!

With that said, it’s fair to expect a lot less toe protection compared to hiking boots with a full rubber rand.

Tongue

The Vectiv Exploris shoes are designed with a gusseted tongue, which means that the tongue is connected to the upper material with no gaps. The tongue is also constructed of the same Futurelight membrane and does a fantastic job of preventing water or trail debris from entering.

Padded Ankle Collar

A raised padded heel tab and padded ankle collar provide additional comfort and prevent rubbing on the ankles. The padding is slightly less than you’ll find on shoes such as the X Ultra 4’s, but that is potentially a positive as they have not gotten any holes or wear unlike the X Ultra’s.

Insole

The North Face Vectiv Exploris 2 shoes now come with a standard insole, replacing the previously included Ortholite option. In my experience, the current insole provides sufficient comfort for the time being. However, it’s easily replaceable if it wears out – likely the reason behind the decision to include a basic version, as many users prefer to customise their insoles to suit their personal needs.

Sustainability

The North Face Vectiv Exploris 2 Futurelight hiking shoes aren’t completely sustainably made, but few hiking shoes are. The Futurelight membrane that covers the entire upper of the shoe is constructed with 90% recycled materials, but the midsole, outsole and other components aren’t.

This is quite common with shoes, and while we like to purchase gear that uses recycled materials, it’s not the only sustainability factor to consider. The durability and longevity of the shoe are also very important so you can avoid having to replace your hiking shoes too often.

I have only been wearing my Vectiv Exploris 2 shoes for a couple of months, so I can’t comment on their longevity just yet (though I have done over 200km’s hiking in them). But I can say that from the durability these shoes have shown thus far, I expect them to last much longer than the average lightweight hiking shoe.

In regard to the sustainability of The North Face as a company, they have been driving for a more sustainable future for several years now and have some milestones they hope to achieve this year. You can read more about their efforts and goals in their sustainability report.

Value

The Vectiv Exploris 2 hiking shoes are priced at $300 AUD, positioning them slightly on the higher end of the mid-range category. Comparable designs typically fall between $240 and $350, with only a handful exceeding this range into the high $300s or low $400s.

With that said, I believe their support, durability and build quality are worth the price point. I have previously owned the Salomon X Ultra 4s and the Merrell Antora 2s, both of which showed signs of wear early on. The Salomon’s produced holes at the heel and abrasions on the upper within 6 months. The Merrell’s weren’t very supportive, and the midsole started separating from the upper within a few months of casual wear.

My Experience With The North Face Vectiv Exploris 2 Futurelight Hiking Shoes

Why I Chose The North Face Vectiv Exploris 2 Futurelight Shoes

My decision to choose the TNF Vectiv Exploris 2 Futurelight hiking shoes was largely influenced by Dylan’s great experience with the Vectiv Exploris Mid model. 

After my Salomon X Ultras began causing blisters again due to holes forming in the inner fabric, I needed a replacement and was drawn to the Vectiv Exploris 2 for their combination of dependable support, plush cushioning, and lightweight design. 

Their blend of casual style and functional performance caught my eye, and I was curious to see if the rockered midsole truly lived up to its promise of reducing fatigue on long hikes.

How They Perform

After several months of rigorous use, I’m thoroughly impressed with the performance of The North Face Vectiv Exploris 2 Futurelight hiking shoes. They’ve excelled on a variety of terrain, showing no signs of wear and never causing a single blister.  

Initially, I experienced some discomfort from the stiff upper, which created a sore spot on my big toe knuckle. However, this resolved itself after just a few hours of walking, as the material softened and adapted to my foot. Since then, the shoes have been nothing short of comfortable, even during extended hikes with a loaded backpack.  

The only minor issue I’ve noticed is that on really steep, loose terrain, my feet tend to slide forward slightly, causing my toes to press against the front of the shoe. While this hasn’t resulted in any blisters, I believe it’s due to the shoe’s wider toe box and low-cut design. That said, this feels like a small trade-off for the roomy, unrestrictive fit, which enhances overall comfort during long treks.

Where Do I Wear My TNF Vectiv Exploris 2 Hiking Shoes?

My Vectiv Exploris 2 Futurelight hiking shoes have accompanied me on most of my recent hiking trips in New Zealand. I wear as my approach shoe for mountaineering trips, which usually consists of scree slopes, overgrown forests and endless valleys.

In truth, they’ve almost replaced my Lowa Mauria GTX hiking boots for summer adventures – when there is less mud and much warmer temperatures.

They have also been fantastic for fast day hikes and more casual adventures where good grip and weather protection are necessary.

Final Thoughts

In all honesty, I am surprised by how much I like The North Face Vectiv Exploris 2 Futurelight hiking shoes. Due to flat arches and bad knees, I tend to gravitate towards heavy hiking boots or more robust hiking shoes anytime I have to carry a heavy backpack.

But I have been incredibly impressed with the support of these lightweight hiking shoes, which I didn’t expect to be as secure around my arches.

Of course, it is still early days for my Vectiv Exploris shoes, and I will continue to update this review any time I gain more insight or encounter any negatives. That said, I hope that my review and my experience with The North Face Vectiv Exploris 2 Futurelight hiking shoes have helped you decide whether they are the right fit for you.

If you have any further questions or would like to share your experience with these shoes, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below or reach out to us privately via Instagram.

Happy Hiking 🙂