The North Face Summit Vectiv Pro 3 Review: Update Does Not Equal Upgrade

Introduction to The North Face Summit Vectiv Pro 3

TAYLOR: In the last three years, I’ve had a pretty short list when it comes to recommending a race day shoe. For me, it’s been The North Face’s Summit Vectiv or (almost) nothin’.

The first shoe in the line, the Flight Vectiv, was revolutionary in the fact that it was the first trail shoe I tried with a carbon fiber plate and such an aggressive rocker. Though firm, it gave me great results thanks to the ruthless efficiency. However, it was really the next generation, the Summit Vectiv Pro, where I experienced what felt like a true super shoe for the trails. I’m talking super foam with an updated winged carbon fiber plate for a more stable ride that I’d never felt before. Unfortunately, that update also brought some discomfort in the forefoot that resulted in 50/50 odds whether you’d love or hate the shoe.

Then, The North Face went back to the drawing board, made some adjustments, and brought out our 2024 Best In Gear Overall and Race Day Trail Shoe winner, the Vectiv Pro 2. It was able to adjust the plate placement and do some serious work on the upper fit to create a beast of a trail shoe. Honestly, it’s a hard one to compare to any other because it really had that super shoe feel with the flexibility to tackle a variety of trails. It will long live as one of my all time favorites. One of the downsides is that some runners were still thrown off by the carbon wings in the forefoot — though the odds were much more favorable this time around.

One year later, we have The North Face Summit Vectiv Pro 3 on our feet. The ever-evolving mountain company made a major overhaul to its lineup in 2025, which affected the trajectory of the Vectiv Pro series ever so slightly. On paper, the Vectiv Pro 2 and 3 are quite similar. Visually, though, it’s easy to tell the differences. The updated style gives a peek at what’s going on under the hood of the Vectiv Pro 3, especially the midfoot cutout that reveals not one but two plates and multiple layers of their succulent Dream Foam.

Without getting too much into the weeds yet, most of these adjustments sought to push this shoe into longer, smoother ultras. Think more Western States and less Hardrock… even though Zach Miller reportedly did a lot of his training in the San Juans in this very shoe. Either way, The North Face Summit Vectiv Pro 3 is a revamped beast of a shoe that hopes to be another revolutionary step in race day performance.

MICHAEL: Like most runners, the start of a new year brings both a sense of pride and accomplishment (as we check our Strava year-in-review recaps) and a sense of planning and anticipation (also as we check our Strava year-in-review recaps). So whether you hit all your mileage goals and are feeling like you killed it in 2024, or you’re feeling a little beat up and looking for a fresh slate on which to paint your picture of consistency in 2025, there’s a little something for every runner to appreciate as the clock ticks over into the new year. In many ways, this shoe, the North Face Summit Vectiv Pro 3, is an homage to the celebration of the past while walking (or power hiking) into the future with unashamed bravery.

You see, in February of last year, the Summit Vectiv Pro 2 knocked our socks off and was named the best overall trail shoe in our 2024 roundup. For the nitty gritty deets on that shoe, feel free to check out the review. For now, I think it will be worthwhile to, in the words of fellow reviewer Sam Edgin, wax philosophical on what made version two so incredible.

You see, the Vectiv Pro 2 was, at the time, the most idyllic and realized trail racing super shoe. From the tooling of the midsole to the stiffness of the plate, the whole shoe was designed from the ground up for racing trails without any unwanted design carryover from technology previously debuted in a road racing shoe.

This appreciably trail-racing-focused design is ultimately what made this shoe so awesome, as other attempts at super shoes seemed to trace directly from their road-oriented cousins. Sure, brands like Hoka have their origins in the trails, but The North Face (in my estimation) is the first trail-only brand to invest this much time and effort into bringing super shoe technology exclusively to trail shoes, and it paid off big-time.

All of the tech in the Vectiv Pro 2 was built from the ground up for marquee races like UTMB and influenced by marquee athletes like Katie Schide and Zach Miller. It’s an awesome feeling, truly, and validating to some degree — that trail running has become a big enough deal that major brands are investing major cash into majorly awesome products.

It’s with all that celebration of the Summit Vectiv Pro 2 that we begin our review of the entirely updated, all-new Vectiv Pro 3. If you’ve gotten this far, hopefully, you have an understanding of the massive amount of anticipation that has been building for this shoe, from its first public appearance at TRE to its upcoming public release for purchase. The question is, as always, how does it perform?

What we like about The North Face Summit Vectiv Pro 3

TAYLOR: I know y’all are wondering if the new is actually improved. Here’s the skinny: In some ways, yes. In some, well, we’ll get to that later. What I can say, though, is that the adjustments certainly make the Vectiv Pro 3 a more effective shoe on smooth to moderate terrain.

Like the Vectiv Pro 2, this new version looks and feels like a super shoe, and that’s largely due to the generous amounts of Dream Foam, with four additional millimeters of stack underfoot. It was already an energetic and cushioned ride, but now, it’s that and then some.

The blended nitrogen-infused TPU foam gave an incredibly smooth experience. My initial miles were full of pep and protection, especially when the trail was gentle enough to really open the stride. Flats and non-technical downs felt so fun to cruise.

Of course, the foam isn’t the only reason for the underfoot party. The Vectiv 3.0 System has also been updated. Along with the aggressive forefoot rocker, it is responsible for both a snappy forward motion and a surprisingly stable ride for the stack height. Typically, the two experiences don’t blend so well, but The North Face found a way to make it happen.

Also, I’m not trying to give the illusion that the Vectiv 3.0 system allowed for carefree, techy trail runs, but it did allow for a shoe with super stature to run confidently on smooth to moderate terrain. This time around, the forward and lateral responsibilities were divided between two plates instead of one.

On any normal day, a 37/31mm stack is sky-high on the trails, but The North Face countered that instability with a very wide base. Like the Hoka Tecton X 3, this expanded base gave some semblance of stability, but this softer foam needed more structure.

Just under the footbed is a wishbone-shaped 3D recycled carbon plate that spans the midfoot and forefoot and is what provides most of the stability. It’s not a very rigid material, but it did provide a governed sensation on the run. It reminded me of a lane assist feature in a modern car in that it was always working in the background to keep me upright and efficient. It was much more noticeable on hard corners and higher speeds, with noticeable structure toward the midfoot and stability in the forefoot. This dynamic form of stability was essential to get the most out of this shoe… otherwise, we would have another Saucony Endorphin Edge on our hands.

The propulsive mechanism at work in the North Face Vectiv Pro 3 is the full-length carbon plate that sits below the top plate and a layer of Dream Foam. The extra foam and embeddedness made the propulsion slightly more noticeable as compared to the previous model effectively making it one of the most responsive rides in the trail running market. It ranks up there with the Saucony Endorphin Edge, Adidas Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra, and Asics Metafuji Trail.

Because it is an ultra-oriented race shoe, the upper was designed with a more generous forefoot and was fairly fitted through the rest of the upper. The North Face Vectiv Pro 3 felt like it had more overall volume than the previous versions. Lengthwise, there was enough room to keep my normal size for daily training and ultra racing. It wasn’t long enough for me to really consider sizing down.

Thanks to the strategic padding, moderately structured heel, and top lacing holes, I was able to achieve a comfortably secure fit through the midfoot and heel — one that didn’t need a ton of wrenching down like in the original Vectiv Pro. Both serrated laces and a fully gusseted tongue assisted in the overall fit, which left me feeling more confident about sitting on top of the crazy concoction underfoot.

Also, while we’ve had mixed reviews about the Surface Ctrl rubber outsole in the past, this application with 3.5mm lugs did its job well. The rubber was tacky enough to leave me with no complaints over a variety of conditions and terrain. It also seemed to be more durable than previous iterations. After more than 40 miles, I’m just now seeing a little bit of wear on the foremost lugs.

MICHAEL: As I mentioned briefly in the intro, the Summit Vectiv Pro 3 is truly all-new and totally updated, so The North Face is certainly refraining from the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” adage here. Honesty, kudos to them for walking into 2025 with something completely new, even if it doesn’t live up to the high praise version two garnered last year. But before we jump the gun, let’s give credit where credit is due.

First, The North Face fixed one slightly aggravating characteristic of version two and moved the carbon plate from its position right underneath the Strobel last to underneath a piece of its proprietary supercritical Dream midsole foam. The result is a slightly more forgiving step-in feel, which may be better suited for some athletes looking to use this shoe for ultra-distance racing.

In addition to an updated upper, plate, and midsole tooling, the Vectiv Pro 3 also features a specialized recycled nylon cage that cradles both the midfoot and heel of the shoe and reaches down toward the midsole at the forefoot of the shoe. It’s pretty awesome and designed specifically to work in conjunction with the shoe’s carbon plate, resulting in a ride that blends high mountains of Dream foam cushioning and responsiveness with strong notes of stability. In my experience, the addition of this cage works beautifully and should also be a great addition for long-haul athletes.

Unfortunately, that’s pretty much all I have to say that’s positive about Version 3. Time to be a Debbie downer.

What we don’t like about The North Face Summit Vectiv Pro 3

TAYLOR: Unfortunately, this section is about to be lengthier than it’s ever been. Sure, this is partly due to the fact that the Vectiv Pro 2 was a once-in-a-blue-moon type of shoe, but that’s not the whole reason. I do think the Vectiv Pro 3 is special in its own way, but it ultimately fails to bring all of the ingredients together in a way that feels quite as special as its predecessor.

My biggest gripe is the midsole’s overall durability. Responsiveness, cushion, and durability are the three foundational characteristics of Dream foam — they’re what allows the special sauce sensation to continue far beyond expectations in both the Altamesa 500 and the Vectiv Pro 2.

Sadly, the quick rebound declined noticeably within the first 50 miles. My initial runs had me audibly giggling with excitement as I felt this new Dream was smoother, more efficient, and bouncier than any of the previous versions. Runs three, four, and beyond still had strong notes of the first two characteristics, but the bounce factor waned more than I had hoped it would. I’m not saying this shoe was dead after 50 miles — I just wish that fun, fast, confidence-inducing reaction held on for longer.

Adding to that sentiment, I feel that because of the overall stack, the Vectiv Pro 3 is not as versatile of a shoe. I would take the Vectiv Pro 2 on just about any racing endeavor. As for the Vectiv Pro 3, I’ll be a little pickier based on distance and terrain. I still think it’s a stellar option for the smoother and longer races, but not as much as one I’d consider for technical races.

Lastly, and I’m so sorry to say this, I still felt some forefoot rub right under the medial forefoot and big toe. Thankfully, it’s much less than the original version, but it’s still noticeable and could have major effects on those who have had this issue previously.

In the past, the Vectiv wings bothered some into fury and had zero effect on others, but I believe this is a manageable issue. In my case, medium-heavy socks and a little bit of chafe cream seemed to do the trick. It’s simply unfortunate that this is a continued issue because the stability mechanism is absolutely necessary in the Vectiv Pro 3.

MICHAEL: Before we get going here, I understand much of what I have to say will fall along the lines of “Version two had this, and then they changed it.” Of course, I don’t want to sound like a curmudgeon who longs for yesteryear and never has anything positive to say about change, but I probably will here, and that’s okay.

First, weight gain in the new year is never a good thing for racing shoes (or people), especially when they cost $250. The Vectiv Pro 3 gained a fairly hefty 0.7 ounces over version two in my US M9.5. That being said, there’s a lot of additional technology in version three, so the weight gain should be palatable with a corresponding increase in comfort, stability, and cushion. The shoe is designed for UTMB, after all.

Unfortunately, such is not the case. Starting with the upper, both comfort and fit take a real downward dive here. While I was generally a fan of the extended lacing chain that allowed for greater control of forefoot lockdown, the updated upper material felt harsh and plasticky, like it had no stretch or ability to conform to different foot shapes like the softer mesh upper of the last model. The new tongue has noticeably less padding and makes a comfortable lockdown very difficult to achieve.

Also, my runs fluctuated between feeling comfortable and locked down or so tight that I lost circulation in a toe or two, which brings me to my last issue with the upper — the heel. It’s less padded than the previous version, and I felt like the Summit Vectiv Pro 3 slipped constantly during toe-off. I tell people all the time that fit is the most important aspect of a good trail shoe, and in this case, it was a total miss for me.

Of course, the big change between this model and the last was an updated, higher stack of North Face’s Dream midsole foam, which we’ve praised in other reviews. Typically, this stuff is light, responsive, and perfectly tuned for the trails. In the Summit Vectiv Pro 3, however, it felt very firm, unforgiving, and honestly dead from the first step through the end of my review period. I never got comfortable in this shoe, and it just simply felt like a dud. Even with the updated placement of the plate, I had a very hard time feeling any magic from the foam, and all I could pick up on was how stiff, blocky, and heavy the plate was underfoot.

Last but not least, the Surface Ctrl outsole compound felt more slippery than the previous iteration, so there’s that. It was fine over dry terrain, but anything wet was a no-go.

Final thoughts on The North Face Summit Vectiv Pro 3

TAYLOR: I find myself in a pickle here, and I know it’s the same one that Michael had. The North Face Vectiv Pro 3 was an exciting and very innovative shoe. The overhaul makes sense in theory, at least for the terrain The North Face wants to perform best on.

Unfortunately, it lacks longevity. The full glamour of it all only lasted a short bit until it lost the pizzazz. Also, the added components made The North Face Vectiv Pro 3 a less tech-savvy trail runner. It’s all enough to make me wonder if the price tag, though it stayed the same at $250, is worth it.

With those facts out of the way. Is it still a wonderful shoe? Heck yeah. It’s efficient. It’s protective. It’s sexy. I have no doubt it can go the distance. It won’t be the same shoe you took out of the box, though. Honestly, I would love to hear that Michael and I were given pre-production models that had funky tooling. That would make all this very easy. Maybe an inline modification could happen? And yet, I can’t say any of that for sure.

Would I choose this over other modern trail racers? That’s a big question. It would be entirely terrain-dependent. For smooth to moderate terrain, it would certainly be in the running. However, I’d probably still reach for the North Face Vectiv Pro 2.

MICHAEL: As you’ve probably gathered, this shoe was a bit of a disappointment for me. It’s a shame because, in my engineering brain, the design of this shoe was as much of a winner on paper as the Brooklyn Nets were in January of 2021. All hope is not lost, though, because the two major things that made this shoe a dud for me could be totally fine for someone else. First, the fit is a bit subjective, so if you really appreciate the design intent behind this shoe (like I do) and find that the fit works for you, then party on, Wayne.

Second, supercritical foams have tricky manufacturing processes, and there’s a chance I may have simply gotten a dud off the line. It happens more often than you’d think in pre-production models, and it very likely was the case with my pair.

With all the negativity I’ve expressed about this Vectiv Pro 3, I still love the look and design philosophy behind it and wanted it to work just as much as the next guy. In the end, it just didn’t. It might work for you, though, so I would still definitely recommend giving the Summit Vectiv Pro 3 a try in 2025 — just maybe slip it on in your local running store first.

You can pick up The North Face Summit Vectiv Pro 3 for $250 from Running Warehouse (featuring free shipping and 90-day returns) by using the buttons below.