The North Face has expanded its trail running line with a shoe equipped for handling terrain technical enough that you don’t even need to stay on the trail.
The North Face Offtrail Ultra launched this week with the brand’s first dual-density DreamBound foam midsole. A nitrogen-infused combo balances comfort, durability and support by using a firmer foam both on the sides of and beneath a softer material. Further down is an enhanced Surface Ctrl G2 outsole with 5mm lugs and a scrambling zone at the toe.
For the upper, a bonded internal frame with TPU overlays helps lock down the foot and provide resistance to abrasions. A high-stretch ScreeGuard gaiter then hugs the ankle to prevent any debris from entering.
“In a world of over-engineered footwear, the Offtrail Ultra stands out for its simplicity,” TNF athlete and ultra-marathoner Zach Miller said in a press release. “No plates, no extreme rockers or towering stack heights — just a clean, functional design built for real mountain movement. Even its built-in gaiter is minimalist, offering a snug, sock-like fit that keeps debris out without the fuss of zippers or dials. That simplicity translates to versatility: it climbs, descends, scrambles, corners, and cruises with ease.”
A men’s size 9 comes in at 9.3 ounces (264 grams), and a 29mm stack height features 6mm of drop.
One of the Offtrail Ultra’s launch colorways comes as part of the of the Summit Trail Run collection drawing inspiration from the 1990 Trans-Antartica Expedition. The high-vis orange and blue shoe is joined by a jacket, tee, shorts, running vest and hat in matching and complementary colors.
The North Face Offtrail Ultra is out now through TNF’s website and stores, as well as select third-party retailers. Pricing is set at $190.
The North Face Offtrail Ultra (lateral)
The North Face Offtrail Ultra (above)
The North Face Offtrail Ultra (heel)
The North Face Offtrail Ultra (outsole)