The North Face Altamesa 500 V2: Quick Evaluation
By David Salas
The North Face Altamesa 500 V2Price: $170 at Running Warehouse
Weight: 9.8 oz, 277g (men's size 9), oz, g (women's size 8)
Stack Height: 36 mm heel / 30 mm forefoot
Drop: 6 mm
Shoe Purpose: Trail Running, Road to Trail
Pros: Excellent at running on both road and trail, spacious fit, good forefoot rocker
Cons: Some heel rise noted
SIMILAR SHOES: Salomon Ultra Glide 4, New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro V9
PAST MODEL: The North Face Altamesa 500
PERFORMANCE SUMMARY
I was very excited to run in The North Face Altamesa 500 V2. The North Face is a company I have less experience with and I was curious to see how the fit and the ride of this shoe compares with others in a similar category. The North Face Altamesa 500 V2 did not disappoint.
The North Face Altamesa 500 V2 did fit true to size in my men's 9.5. The fit is generally spacious throughout. There is plenty of volume through the forefoot and enough width for toe splay. The fit through the heel is generous as well. I did have a small amount of heel rise, but nothing problematic. Those wanting more space posterior to the calcaneus will have that here. This could be a potential option for those with a cranky Haglunds. The general lockdown is good. I did not have any issues with foot translation. The engineered mesh upper is decently comfortable. It feels a touch more synthetic, but it breathes well and holds its shape under load. The tongue is moderately padded and I had no issues with biting from the laces. The laces are serrated to prevent any slipping. The fit is generally good throughout. The extra space in the heel could make this shoe better for some and not for others.
The Altamesa 500 V2 is intended mostly for trail running, but it can also share some miles with the road if needed. The ride is characteristic of a high stack rockered trainer, but with some trail considerations. The nitrogen infused TPU DREAM foam felt nice underfoot for both footing types. The foam maintains good cushioning upon impact, but it does not feel overly compliant or mushy. The structure of the foam holds under load, which is certainly appreciated in trails. The geometry of the shoe is rockered, with the forefoot rocker being the most noticeable. The shoe maintains a good amount of stiffness to the platform. It feels as though it is plated, but it is not. The wide base provides plenty of cross sectional area underfoot and your steps are sure footed. The 4mm lugs feel sticky enough for the large majority of footings you will run through without feeling like it is too much for the road. The midsole feels best at daily running paces. It feels good at taking the impact and helping absorb the load. However, I don't feel like I get a whole lot of rebound out of it when it is pushed. The Altamesa 500 V2 feels geared for long outings on the trail.
Doctors of Running Checklist
Is This a Good Shoe for Walking: Yes
Is This a Good Shoe for Standing: Yes
Is the Forefoot Flexible: No
How Flexible is the Shoe: Not flexible
Is This a Good Heel Bevel: Yes
Recommended for Haglunds: Yes
Is This Shoe Orthotic Friendly: Potentially
Recommended for Sockless: No
Durability Expectation: Good
FINAL THOUGHTS
David
Fit: A- (Spacious fit throughout that does not sacrifice lockdown. Slight heel rise, though not problematic.)
Performance: B+/A- (Great for long and rhythmic efforts, though lacking some in responsiveness)
Stability: B+/A- (Good stability throughout. Stable neutral platform with a well done rocker.)
Value: A (Definitely on par with the competition from a pricing standpoint.)
Personal: B+/A- (I really like some things about this shoe, but I'd like a better heel fit on me)
Overall Design: B+/A-
The North Face Altamesa 500 V2 is a trail running shoe for long outings and controlled efforts. The shoe provides plenty of cushioning on a sound rocker platform. The forefoot rocker feels the most pronounced and keeps your rolling into your next step. The Altamesa 500 V2 is an option that can run smoothly on both road and trail. The fit is spacious in both the forefoot and the heel without sacrificing lockdown. There is a little bit of extra space in the fit posteriorly. Those that get Achilles tendon irritation from rubbing do have an option here. I find The North Face Altamesa 500 V2 to be a solid option for smooth efforts over long outings that have multiple footing profiles.
SHOP | SUPPORT DORThe North Face Altamesa 500 V2Price: $170 at Running Warehouse
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