Experiencing The North Face’s Flora Alpina Collection In Its Element

THE ALPINE

Above treeline is a dichotomy all of its own. There’s a tug of war between the rigid and soft, harsh and delicate, extreme and gentle – a place where very little can survive but everything wants to. Welcome to the alpine. 

For a short season, this place flips the script. Alpine environments change from desolate to abundant for a very short time. Blue skies, clear pools, and vibrant flowers flood the highest parts of our landscape with unsurpassed rugged beauty. 

This is the inspiration behind The North Face’s Flora Alpina collection.

OURAY

A group of 32 runners were gathered in a small western Colorado town that’s aptly nicknamed the Switzerland of America. Steep climbs out of the dry canyons of Ouray quickly reveal why this town of 900 residents received the name.

Our stay at the Western Hotel was also appropriate as it was established in 1891 and had all the architectural reminders of this once booming mining town. It boasted hardwearing endurance and intrigue of the American West in all of its features. The setting would establish the tone for the days ahead. 

As a mix of athletes, journalists, influencers, and designers, we collected for a night of preparation before we jumped feet first into the mighty peaks of the San Juans. The first night was all about becoming acquainted with each other and the floral collection we were all there to experience.

FLORA ALPINA

In an obvious fashion, the Flora Alpina collection bears the beauty of these delicate flowers. As I found out, these designs are more than a bountiful bouquet for running, though. 

As with the alpine flora and fauna, there are stout adaptations that allow these plants to thrive in such harsh conditions. French for alpine flowers, the Flora Alpina collection is to remind us all of that similar rugged beauty within ourselves. Similar to the high-elevation blooms, to step foot on the trails requires boldness, strength, and the willingness to endure.

Printed on each piece, you’ll find the alpine snowbell,  mountain avens, aster, gentians, and more native alpine flora printed all over the collection. These are all flowers found in the Alps.

THE PIECES

Let’s take a look at the pieces that comprise the Alpina Collection. With the exception of the tops, the rest of the collection takes on a black background with the stunning contrast of individual Flora Alpina printed all over it. Even when the full collection is strewn over an athlete, it’s so tasteful and pleasant. Like the alpine flowers, it comes off as subtly bold and beautiful more than anything else.

At the helm of the The North Face’s Vectiv line is the Vectiv Pro 3 ($250). It’s the ultra distance race day model that boasts a high-stack of Dream Foam, a dual carbon plate Vectiv 3.0 system, a Dual-Warp engineered upper. It’s a showcase of truly innovative trail racing footwear.

For the Flora Alpina collection, it retains its white colorway but adds a paintbrush red lace with floral accents on the tongue, overlays, ankle collar, and insole. It’s honestly one of the most eye-catching shoes I have ever seen.

As one of our most highly-appraised shoes of the year, I was excited to see that The North Face Vectiv Enduris also received flower power. 

Our reviewers love the overall versatility of this shoe. It has the comfort, security, and technology to go just about anywhere the trail takes you – even through the mighty fields of alpine flowers.

The colorway on the Enduris 4 is a little more bold with a contrasting black and orange with splashes of flowers here and there.

The North Face’s Pacesetter Shorts are a fan favorite for their comfort. A series of pockets integrated in the waistband make these a functional short as well. The floral print runs 360 degrees. Featuring FlashDry-XD fabric, these shorts provide enhanced moisture management, abrasion resistance and durability.