We Ran The North Face Altamesa 300 v2 On Roads And Trails, And Here’s Where It Shines

Introduction to The North Face Altamesa 300 v2

REESE: I’m a bit of a North Face fan girl. I tend to like how TNF shoes fit snug around my foot. However, the Altamesa line, both the 500 and the 300, was not my favorite in its first iteration. The Altamesa 500 v2 was an upgrade from the original, but still not a shoe I’d throw into my weekly rotation. And honestly, the first Altamesa 300 felt unstable to me on technical terrain (the 500 also felt that way, too). This was mostly due to the outsole being lackluster, the last being a bit longer than in other TNF shoes, making the shoe feel very voluminous.

The upgrades to the Altamesa 500 v2, the 300’s bigger sibling, addressed the outsole issues I had in the first version, but the fit was still not great for me. I had low hopes that the second iteration of the 300 would fit it as well.

But I should note that if you have a wider foot or need more volume in a shoe due to foot shape or swelling, the 500 and 300 might be your perfect shoes. I simply have a narrower foot.

TAYLOR: Fan girls, fan boys, we’re all on The North Face train here. It’s been a stellar past few years for the big mountain brand, and many of our all-time favorites came from The North Face’s Vectiv line (Vectiv Sky 2, Vectiv Enduris 4, and Vectiv Infinite 3).

So, expectations are naturally high on this one too, even though these Altamesas are designed for the lower end of the technical spectrum. The North Face proved it can build a mileage gobbler with the original Altamesa 500, and then upped the ante with a thoughtful update in the Altamesa 500 v2.

Again, we can let expectations lead the way with the North Face Altamesa 300 v2, which received a similar update. Even though the silhouette is quite similar to the original, this budget-friendly do-it-all shoe swapped out the major components to create a lighter, more versatile package.

MICHAEL: While I, like my compatriots before me, am also a fan of The North Face and the innovative direction it’s taken trail running in recent years, I have to say I’m not quite as taken with the eventual execution of its most recent offerings. It’s kind of like when your sports team tries a little too hard with a new uniform colorway: “I can see what they’re trying to do there, but it just doesn’t work,” has been the common refrain for me between the Summit Vectiv Pro 3 and the Altamesa 500 v2, both of which just amassed too much bulk underfoot for me to really enjoy on my home terrain.

The Altamesa 300, however, retains some of the common materials used in the Altamesa 500 v2 but presents them in a more subdued, lightweight, and “traditional” package. When I pulled this shoe out of the box, I immediately noticed the high-quality materials and construction, a familiar feeling after unboxing the Altamesa 500 v2. Read on to see how these first impressions took to the singletrack.

What we like about The North Face Altamesa 300 v2

REESE: Like the Altamesa 500, the Altamesa 300 got a nice little glow-up of materials in its second iteration. The outsole is my favorite upgrade… and the serrated laces. Love those.

The previous version’s outsole felt a bit lacking, never quite giving me enough traction when I needed it. The new Surface Control SC 2 with 4 mm lugs felt much grippier across rocks and trails, especially when I’m jumping around a bit. And yet I was still unbothered by the lugs when I ran on the road, which is often where most of my runs start before I get to the trails. These lugs have held up pretty well over the testing period. I’ve logged over 50 miles in this shoe, and the rubber is still in great shape.

At 31/25 mm stack with a 6 mm drop, the stack height (midsole and outsole) is just about perfect for me. I’m glad stack height is coming back down to earth, or at least companies are offering stack height options that are in our atmosphere. Above this height, things start to get unstable for me.

This shoe is slimmer than its sibling, so the smaller stack height is welcomed. For what it’s worth, the Altamesa 500 v2, with a much thicker midsole, is a little clunky, but because the platform is insanely wide, it feels more stable than, say, the Mafate 5. But, while I think the new combination of stack height and outsole made me trust it more than the original Altamesa 300, I won’t say this one was the pinnacle of stability.

One more note on midsoles, the actual materials are pretty dang comfortable. I know it’s EVA, perhaps not the most sexy foam, but it is comfortable, playful, and keeps this shoe at a great price of $150. I actually really enjoyed running in it, to the point that I kept running in my pair after I was done testing it. It just feels good on almost all trails here in Fort Collins.

TAYLOR: One of the most noticeable enhancements to the North Face Altamesa 300 v2 is how light it feels on foot. Even though weight wasn’t really a concern for us prior, slashing grams was a major priority with this update, and it sets the stage for performance. Typically, in a shoe of this stature, there’s a risk of creating imbalances, but that didn’t happen with the Altamesa 300 v2.

Up top, a new seamless engineered mesh that checks the boxes of durability, breathability, and appropriate structure. Even though the Altamesa line boasts a generous fit, the Altamesa 300 v2 had a stoutly padded heel counter, race laces, and a gussetted tongue to ensure a satisfactory fit on roads and trails. For those with a wider/voluminous fit, the Altamesa 300 v2, and Altamesa 500 v2, for that matter, should accommodate your needs (especially in the mid and forefoot).

The midsole is where this shoe feels noticeably different. As Reese mentioned, yes, this is only an EVA foam, but this is one of the EVA foams that will prove the haters wrong. EVA is alive and well and displays its versatility here. No, this isn’t Dream foam, but it could fool you into thinking so.

The North Face Altamesa 300 v2’s lightweight midsole is probably the softest and bounciest slab of traditional EVA that I’ve run on. Out of the box, I took it on a two-hour-long run with great surprise. The day after, it felt wonderful on an easy trot. A couple of days later, I was surprised at its ability to pick up the pace. It gives me La Sportiva Prodigio 2 and Topo Athletic MTN Racer 4, but with a lighter, more lively underfoot feel — and thoroughly enjoyed both of those shoes too!

An updated outsole followed suit, delivering a noticeable performance boost. This is a solid Surface CTRL SC2 rubber that played well on all surfaces and could handle a fair amount of iffy conditions with ease. These 4 mm lugs had some limitations in terms of digging power, but they were smooth enough to tackle gravel and pavement without a hitch. So, that’s versatility in its own right.

Price will be a huge win for runners. $150 is now our “value” price. Because of the build quality and subsequent performance, the North Face Altamesa 300 v2 feels borderline bargain!

MICHAEL: At $150, I would like to assert that this is absolutely one of, if not the best bargain trail shoe thus far in 2026. Everything seems to have come together in this shoe, and I found myself really, really enjoying my miles in it. As my predecessors noted, both the outsole rubber and midsole perform admirably, despite their lack of premium distinction. In fact, I enjoyed this EVA midsole material far more than the top-spec Dream foam found on the Altamesa 500. The pattern and stack heights, respectively, really lent themselves to the perfect blend of versatility for the everyday runner looking for a shoe that errs on the slightly more cushioned side.

In the world of $150 shoes, I would place the Altamesa 300 v2’s technical trail capability in the same vein as the Peregrine or the Cascadia, both of which were shoes we enjoyed. The wide footprint and hints of bathtub construction resulted in a comparatively stable shoe in my experience for something with a midsole this soft, and I found I could take corners fairly aggressively for a shoe with a stack much higher than say a Topo Terraventure or Brooks Catamount.

Ultimately, the biggest factor in my book has always been and will likely always be the shoe’s fit, and the Altamesa just absolutely crushes it here for me. As Taylor mentioned, the upper does an exceptional job of balancing lightweight and durable construction with the ability to adapt subtly and comfortably to my foot’s abnormalities. Serrated laces and a load of breathability polish off a fantastic package. One quick note: the weight of this shoe feels fantastic underfoot and really sets it apart from the aforementioned competition in the $150 range.

Of course, we can talk about foams and materials and everything, but I wish I could convey just how good this shoe felt on the run. Sometimes, a shoe that looks great on paper, like the Summit Vectiv Pro 3, just does a terrible job of putting it all together on the trail. Such is not the case with the Altamesa 300 v2. This shoe has a synergy going on that I’m really loving these days, and I think it’s worth noting that within the same general period in which I received the Brooks Cascadia Elite and also have plenty of other fantastic shoes on the rack, I found myself reaching for the Altamesa again and again after my official testing period was over.

What we don’t like about The North Face Altamesa 300 v2

REESE: The main thing I struggled with in this shoe was just the fit. My foot is just sliding around in there. I am a US W7.5 in the Summit Series Vectiv Sky 2, and that shoe fits me perfectly. The W7.5 in the Altamesa 300 (and the 500) is a touch too long.

I’m not sure if it’s actually longer than my other TNF shoes, or if the high volume of it makes it feel that way, but the Altamesa 300 felt a touch too big for me. Some might think this is a benefit (all of you 200+ mile race runners), but for me, it makes me nervous on descents and technical terrain.

I also felt like I wasn’t able to lock in my midfoot. Sure, I could really cinch down the laces, but that just ended up hurting the top of my foot without stopping lateral movement.

The lack of lateral support with the roomy fit slowed me down anytime I encountered anything technical. (I’m very nervous about twisting my ankle again.)

I’m wondering if I should size down by a half size from my normal size, and if that would solve my problems. Sigh. Sizing seems to be my Achilles heel…

TAYLOR: I’ll follow Reese’s lead again here, too. The fit is a bit finicky on this one. While I have a fairly average foot in terms of width and length, this upper was roomy all the way around. It didn’t bother me, but I had to be strategic with how I laced for moderate to technical trails. I had to cinch up about as tight as I could go to get a fully secure fit. Even so, there was some forefoot slip. It was not a deal-breaker at all; there’s just some strategy involved in finding the best functional fit.

Another slight concern came in the durability department. EVA is typically among the most durable midsole options. We remarked that this squishy hunk is full of character… at least initially. From my first to third run in the North Face Altamesa 300 v2, there was noticeable cushion and bounce. That bounce-factor dwindled after the first few runs. While it didn’t completely lose its luster, the foam did settle a bit and has retained a still-squishy yet slightly bouncy ride.

I’m curious about how this trend will persist at the 100-, 200-, and 300-mile marks… and maybe a little worried.

MICHAEL: I’m a tad bummed to hear my fellow reviewers had a tough time with the fit on this one. It was basically perfect for me, and I’d typically put myself in the camp of narrow foot, technical trail for sure. Beyond that, I really have nothing else negative to say about the shoe, except for the diminished midsole bounce, as Taylor mentioned, after some mileage. That being said, I still keep reaching for it.

Final thoughts on The North Face Altamesa 300 v2

REESE: At $150, this shoe is a perfect all-rounder, do-it-all kind of shoe. Road to trail, trail, long distance… I think the Altamesa 300 v2 hits the sweet spot of specs and price. The North Face made a shoe that is easy to choose for most runs. I say most, because if you’re headed out on a super technical trail, these might not be ideal if you have a narrow or low-volume foot. Need a high-volume shoe? This is probably perfect for you.

TAYLOR: I really can’t argue with the North Face Altamesa 300v2. It’s one of the shoes that is simple, versatile in application, and is a surprising performer. The big story is that it boasts an EVA midsole that’s not to be overlooked. From longer runs to easy days, it was equally satisfying and dependable.

When paired with a trusty new rubber outsole and a lightweight upper reminiscent of the Altamesa 500 v2, this is a valuable update that comes in on the lower end of the price scale.

MICHAEL: While it’s somewhat ironic that after testing a $250 shoe and a $170 shoe from The North Face, the one I’m getting really excited about is $150. But I really do think that if the fit works for you, this will be a fantastic, budget-friendly option for upwards of 75% of your everyday trail mileage. Everything about the shoe screamed versatility, and as I head into the summer heat, I have to say I’m extra excited about the weight and breathability here. Like I mentioned previously, this is shaping up to be the summer of Altamesa 300 for me, and I’m not at all mad about it.

You can pick up The North Face Altamesa 300 v2 for $150 from Running Warehouse (featuring free shipping and 90-day returns) by using the buttons below.