The North Face Vectiv Fastpack Futurelight Review | An Epic Travel Companion
If you’re researching The North Face Vectiv Fastpack Futurelight Shoes, then my guess is that you’re looking for a hiking shoe that offers lightweight comfort without compromising on performance or stability…
Well, luckily for you, The North Face Vectiv Fastpack Futurelight shoes ticks all those boxes and more. These ultra-lightweight hiking shoes have been my companion as I hike my way through New Zealand and aside from a little disagreement at the beginning, they have quickly become my favourite pair of hiking shoes for fast-paced trails and long distances.
In this post, I’ll break down each component of the TNF Vectiv Fastpack Futurelight hiking shoes and provide you with my honest review of each feature after spending countless hours tackling the rugged trails throughout New Zealand.
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My Honest Review Of The North Face Vectiv Fastpack Futurelight Hiking Shoes
Quick Info For The North Face Vectiv Fastpack Futurelight Shoes
Price: $250 AUD
Upper Material: Abrasion-resistant performance mesh
Waterproofing: Yes – Futurelight
Weight: 310g (per shoe)
Width: Regular
Colours: Men’s: Black, olive/black, yellow | Women’s: Purple/maroon, blue, grey/black
Sustainability: 5% recycled rubber content
Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty
Activity: Day hikes, fast-paced hiking, adventure travel
Alternatives: TNF Vectiv Fastpack Mid Futurelight Boots
Positives:
- Super lightweight without compromising on cushioning
- A great balance between weight and stability
- Highly breathable
- Exceptional traction on a range of surfaces
Negatives:
- They took a few days to break in, giving me blisters on my first use
- The durability is not quite adequate for highly technical terrains
The North Face Vectiv Fastpack Futurelight shoe is designed with fast-paced adventures in mind. The ultra-lightweight hiking shoe features a breathable and waterproof membrane, a sufficiently cushioned single-density EVA midsole and a highly versatile rubber outsole.
But what really sets the TNF Vectiv Fastpack Futurelight shoe apart from its competition is the innovative Vectiv technology that maximises energy with each step. Coupled with a 3D TPU plate for multi-directional stability, this hiking shoe provides exceptional stability and energy return so you can feel confident and supported on long days covering countless kilometres.
With that said, The North Face Vectiv Fastpack Futurelight shoe is not without flaws. The rigidity of the shoe caused me to encounter blisters on my first few hikes and the durability is questionable for highly technical terrain. But if your biggest concern is weight and all-day comfort, then I couldn’t recommend the TNF Vectiv Fastpack shoes enough.
Q. Looking for something different? Take a look at our detailed guides on hiking shoes and hiking boots for more options and buying advice.
Who Are The North Face Vectiv Fastpack Futurelight Hiking Shoes For?
If you’re after a pair of hiking shoes that won’t weigh you down or leave your feet in a sweaty mess after a long day on the trails, then The North Face Vectiv Fastpack Futurelight hiking shoes are the ones for you.
Not to mention, their low weight, high comfort and stylish design also result in creating the perfect shoe for adventurous travellers with room for just one pair of shoes.
Size and Fit
In my experience, the TNF Vectiv Fastpack shoes are true to size. I also own the Vectiv Exploris boots in the same size, which gives me confidence that The North Face maintains consistent sizing for their shoes. However, I have read several reviews that state they needed to go up half a size – which TNF offers – so it’s best to try these on around the house before committing to the trails.
For context, I have an average to wide foot with a high arch and find that the Vectiv Fastpack shoes fit perfectly. They provide enough room in the toe box, even when my feet swell after a long day. At the same time, my heel and arches are sufficiently locked in.
How Much Does The North Face Vectiv Fastpack Futurelight Shoes Weigh?
The North Face Vectiv Fastpack Futurelight hiking shoes weigh 310 g per shoe, which puts them very close to the top of the list for lightweight hiking shoes. As you would expect, this does impede slightly on protection and stability compared to beefier options such as Salomon’s X Ultra 4 GTX shoe. But for a shoe with that much support, you’re looking at a weight of almost 400 g per shoe.
Weight may not be a concern for everyone, but if staying light and nimble is a priority, every gram can matter in the long run. Personally, I choose a lighter, more breathable hiking shoe as I don’t require extra support. However, Candace prefers the X Ultra 4 GTX for its added stability and support, which provide protection for her knees and ankles.
Are The North Face Vectiv Fastpack Futurelight Hiking Shoes Comfortable?
Overall, The North Face Vectiv Fastpack Futurelight hiking shoes provide a moderate level of comfort compared to its competitors. You’ll find more cushioning in hiking shoes such as the Hoka Anacapa 2, but less in more traditional ones like the Scarpa Moraine Plus shoe.
I was surprised to discover that The North Face Vectiv Fastpack Futurelight hiking shoes lacked the initial comfort I experienced with my TNF Vectiv Exploris Futurelight hiking boots. Unlike the Exploris boots, which required no breaking in and performed well on a 4-day hiking trip to Aspiring Hut, Liverpool Hut, and French Ridge Hut, the Fastpack shoes caused some blisters and pain on the first hike up Isthmus Peak. However, I will add that this hike consists of over 1,000 m elevation gain within 8 km.
With that said, after the first hike, I wore the Vectiv Fastpack shoes on several smaller trips and they softened up quickly. After Isthmus Peak, I have had no more issues with blisters and find these shoes to be super comfortable for all-day wear. My only concern now is the stiff heel that results in pressure points after a long day of hiking.
Waterproofing
The Vectiv Fastpack shoes are designed with TNF’s Futurelight technology which excels in breathability, yet can sometimes fall short on its waterproofing abilities. However, I have been pleasantly surprised with the level of waterproofing found in these hiking shoes after testing them through shallow streams and light rain.
The shoes feature a gusseted tongue, which prevents water from seeping in through the bridge of your foot and from my tests, it has performed well. The biggest concern for most hikers is that a waterproof shoe will impede on breathability, but I believe that The North Face has created the perfect balance for the Vectiv Fastpack Futurelight shoe.
Breathability
Breathability is where The North Face Vectiv Fastpack Futurelight shoes excel. With a combination of the performance mesh upper and TNF’s innovative Futurelight membrane, you’re left with a shoe that is arguably one of the most breathable waterproof hiking shoes on the market.
With notoriously sweaty feet – trust me, it’s worse than you can imagine – breathability is my top concern. But, given our adventurous hikes, a waterproof hiking shoe is a must. Having already found exceptional breathability in The North Face Vectiv Exploris Boots, choosing the Fastpack shoes was a no-brainer and they have exceeded my already high expectations.
After wearing these on several hikes, the only time I was left with sweaty socks was after climbing Fanthams Peak in the blistering heat. Needless to say, I give the Vectiv Fastpack Futurelight shoes a 10/10 for breathability.
Stability Of The North Face Vectiv Fastpack Futurelight Shoes
The North Face Vectiv Fastpack Futurelight hiking shoes feature the brand’s renowned Vectiv technology which encompasses a rockered midsole and a 3D TPU plate. This combination is designed to provide maximum efficiency without sacrificing multi-directional stability.
As I’ve mentioned, these shoes were more rigid than I expected – especially considering the mesh upper and lightweight construction. This results in a firm fit that prevents any sideways movement, even when navigating extremely steep scree. I honestly expected these to feel more like a trail runner – just like my old Salomon Outpulse’s did – but in actual fact, they provide the stability of a rigid hiking shoe while giving the lightweight comfort and nimbleness of a trail runner.
With that said, the rockered midsole is certainly not everyone’s cup of tea. Some find it a little off-balancing and hard to get used to. However, from the first time I tested the TNF Vectiv shoes, I enjoyed the feel of the rocker and felt perfectly planted and stable. If you’re not sure that you’ll like the rocker, spend a decent amount of time walking in them through your house before committing.
Support Offered By The North Face Vectiv Fastpack Futurelight Hiking Shoes
The North Face Vectiv Fastpack Futurelight hiking shoe has a low cut and relatively minimal support compared to a more burly design such as Merrell’s Moab 3 GTX. The sole feels similar to the TNF Vectiv Exploris, but perhaps a step down when it comes to protection against sharp rocks.
But honestly, this is what you would expect from any ultra-lightweight hiking shoe and if we’re comparing only with others of similar weight, then the Fastpack shoes provide equal support – if not more. Where the support excels is in the heel. The rigid structure – coupled with the 3D TPU plate mentioned above – keeps your foot in place when navigating technical terrain.
Traction
While many hiking shoes use the well-known and loved Vibram outsoles, The North Face has an in-house outsole called SurfaceCTRL. There is absolutely nothing that I can fault with the SurfaceCTRL traction on my TNF Vectiv Fastpack shoes. I have walked through rugged forests with slick tree roots, over rock slabs and down scree slopes and the traction of these shoes hasn’t missed a beat.
The 4 mm lugs provide exceptional grip on anything from concrete to muddy forest tracks, with a line of lugs protruding slightly from the edge of the sole to increase traction on off-camber trails.
Durability
As you would expect from a lightweight hiking shoe, its durability doesn’t match that of a leather hiking boot. Nevertheless, TNF manages to strike a commendable balance between a lightweight, breathable design and a durable hiking shoe.
The Fastpack shoes feature a no-sew mudguard that wraps around the entire shoe to reinforce the mesh upper. In addition, the shoe also has a moulded TPU toe cap to prevent injury or scuffs from rock strikes.
I’ve walked over 40 km in the past 2 months, tackling over 3,000 m of elevation gain, and there is very little wear to show for it. The only small scuffs I have noticed on the mesh came from sliding down the rough scree of Fanthams Peak – Mt Taranaki’s alternative. But if you seek longevity, I wouldn’t recommend a hiking shoe like this for that sort of terrain anyway.
In comparison to other lightweight hiking shoes on the market, The North Face Vectiv Fastpack shoes are proving to be more durable than even the Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX shoes, which have already gained holes in the inner heels and rips on the collar.
Overall, If you take care of your Fastpack shoes and refrain from hiking through highly technical terrain often, I believe they will last a long time.
Features Of The North Face Vectiv Fastpack Futurelight Hiking Shoes
Lace Design
On The North Face Vectiv Fastpack Futurelight hiking shoes, you’ll find double-punched eye rows for more customisable and reliable lacing. This ensures that your laces won’t come loose and allows you to get an even tighter fit. The only downside to this lacing system is that they’re difficult to loosen and take a little longer to get your laces done up – and you want to get them perfect on the first go to avoid having to re-do the whole thing!
Tongue
The Vectiv Fastpack shoes feature a gusseted tongue, which provides increased waterproofing and prevents any debris from entering your shoe. I have found that the tongue works exceptionally for shallow streams and light rain. Plus, there is no annoying stitching to cause a hot spot like you can find on other gusseted tongues.
Toe Protection
You’ll find a moulded TPU toe cap on the TNF Vectiv Fastpack hiking shoes, which provide additional protection from abrasion and pain from rock strikes. So far, this has worked well and also offers extra grip on steep rock slabs.
Padded Ankle Collar
The North Face Vectiv Fastpack shoes support a moulded lycra collar for increased comfort around the ankles. This part of the shoe can be prone to causing hot spots and uncomfort until it softens, but the extra padding from the lycra collar prevents any discomfort.
Insole
The Fastpack Futurelight hiking shoes are constructed with a removable OrthoLite X55 insole. Generally, I will replace the insoles of my hiking shoes or boots as soon as I purchase them but I haven’t felt the need to upgrade from the OrthoLite X55 insole just yet. It provides adequate comfort for all-day wear and after countless hours, I am yet to receive any pressure points on my feet at the end of the day.
Sustainability
In recent years, The North Face has been putting a great deal of effort into becoming a more sustainable outdoor brand. While they still have a ways to go, especially with packaging, they have introduced recycled material into a wide range of their products and are working towards reducing their greenhouse gas emissions.
But while they are aiming to have all their footwear feature recycled, responsibly sourced, renewable or regeneratively grown materials by 2030, the Vectiv Fastpack shoe is not currently sustainably made.
However, another driving factor for sustainability is longevity. So far, The North Face Vectiv Fastpack Futurelight hiking shoes are out-living Candace’s Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX hiking shoes. But for an adequate testing of longevity, I will need to wear these shoes for a longer period of time. I will update this section once I have a better understanding of the life expectancy of these hiking shoes.
Value
The North Face Vectiv Fastpack Futurelight hiking shoes fall into the mid-range category for price. They’re certainly not the cheapest option on the shelves, but for what you get – and the rate at which they’re on sale – I believe that the Fastpack shoes are reasonably priced.
With that said, I highly recommend waiting for one of the big sale times – either the mid-year sales in June, the Black Friday sales in November or around Boxing Day – for a chance to save money.
My Experience With The North Face Vectiv Fastpack Futurelight Hiking Shoes
Why I Chose The North Face Vectiv Fastpack Futurelight Shoes
I chose The North Face Vectiv Fastpack Futurelight hiking shoes because I was searching for an all-round shoe that could do it all – from the occasional run to navigating technical alpine terrain to just general travel.
My main priorities were high breathability, lightweight and durability – which don’t always coincide. On paper, the Fastpack shoes ticked all these boxes and in practice, they aren’t letting me down.
How They Perform
Over the past two months of owning the TNF Vectiv Fastpack Futurelight hiking shoes, I have worn them on a wide variety of terrain and weather conditions. Aside from the initial blisters on my first hike, they have since performed exceptionally.
The grip inspires great confidence over every surface I’ve worn them on and the stability I feel for such a lightweight hiking shoe is surprising. My only gripe with the Fastpack shoes is that they aren’t durable enough for highly technical terrain – but that’s where my Scarpa Ribelle HD’s come in.
Where Do I Wear My TNF Vectiv Fastpack Shoes?
My Vectiv Fastpack shoes are my go-to for anything from seeing the sights of a new city to tackling a steep summit climb to enjoying an easy forest walk. They have provided exceptional breathability throughout my summer adventures, but don’t shy away from the occasional snowy trail.
The only circumstance where I will avoid wearing my Vectiv Fastpack hiking shoes in order to prolong their life is on highly technical hikes that include rough scree or sharp rocks – such as the Western Arthurs Traverse.
Final Thoughts
Overall, I have been extremely happy with my TNF Vectiv Fastpack Futurelight hiking shoes. They have exceeded most of my expectations and provided ample stability and support for day hikes and the odd multi-day hike.
If you’re searching for a lightweight hiking shoe that competes with the top trail runners for lightweight and breathability, but offers superior waterproofing and stability, then this is the hiking shoe for you!
Of course, I know that two months is not a long time to truly get to know a shoe and you can rest assured that I will update this post whenever I have fresh information regarding their performance and durability.
Happy Hiking 🙂
