Men’s The North Face Vectiv Enduris 4 Review

Bottom Line

The North Face Vectiv Enduris 4 are some of the comfiest shoes on our best trail runners for men guide. If your top priorities for new footwear are support, cushioning, and durability, look no further. Editor Ian Krammer’s logged over 600 miles across Colorado, and his are still going strong.

The Enduris 4s soft midsoles, plush heel, and seamless uppers felt great from day one, and the rockered design encourages a smooth toe-off. A wide base and TPU plates add stability. The 4mm tread grips well on dry, moderate trails. The Enduris 4 is for runners who want dependable shoes for everything from neighborhood laps to race-day comfort.

However, the high stack height and sheer amount of foam can feel a bit bulky and awkward on steep and technical terrain. Their narrow fit won’t work for everyone’s foot shape. These also run warm due to the dual-mesh uppers, making them less ideal for hot summer days. But, if you’re after plush comfort and longevity on asphalt, packed trails, and beyond, the Vectiv 4 is in the Goldilocks Zone.

Comfort

The North Face Vectiv Enduris 4 earns nearly a perfect score for comfort from our testers. The Enduris 4’s tall 38mm heel and cushy foam midsoles is cushy yet supportive for most terrain.

The Enduris 4 was comfy right out of the box and had no notable break in time. Their foam-forward soles devoured bumps and lumps on the trail. Combined with an assertive rocker design and a subtle TPU plate, the Enduris 4 still offers plenty of structure and arch support. Mile after mile on rugged, trenched trails in Colorado’s Sangre De Cristo range prove that this design is excellent at reducing foot fatigue.

Recently, some of our favorite cushy shoes have swapped thicker foam midsoles for springier and firmer rides. Not The North Face. These remind us of the older HOKA Speedgoat 3, 4 and 5, with a thick feel that cradles the foot.

The fit is a bit peculiar, though. Despite the slightly bulkier profile, the Enduris 4’s fit is narrow. With no wide sizes available, the Vectiv Enduris 4 may not suit wider feet. We also wish there was a heel loop for easier put-on.

The biggest downside? The Enduris 4 have less  ground feel and a slightly bulkier ride than other shoes we tested. Folks looking for firmer, more responsive shoes may be underwhelmed. That’s especially true in the heel, which felt too soft for gravel and mud. Running in Utah’s San Rafael Swell, Editor Ian Krammer discovered the heel was a bit mushy on the endless sand.

But overall, these are small potatoes. The North Face has a winner for comfort, and anyone who wants a plush ride will find it in the Enduris 4.

Traction

These shoes deliver reliable traction on moderate terrain. The broad chevron lugs, increased to 4 mm with this version, gives a stable grip on dirt and dry, rolling singletrack. The uniform pattern across the outsole keeps footing predictable. If your runs take you across asphalt, mellow routes, and moderately technical trails, the Enduris 4 offers a fun, controlled ride.

However, we don’t recommend this shoe in tricky conditions. Unpredictable, rugged terrain like rocky, muddy, and grassy terrain are where this model falls a bit short. Because of its smaller, shallower lugs, the Enduris 4’s tread don’t bite into the ground as well as more specialized shoes with deeper tread and busier lug patterns.

Editor Ian also finds the Enduris 4’s tall stack height and oversized foam heel can feel awkward – and a bit tippy – on downhills and off-camber sections. That means we had to stay hyper-focused on each step.

That said, as long as you stick to dry conditions and moderate trails, these are a fine choice.

Weight

At 1 pound, 4.2 ounces per pair, the Enduris 4 is in the upper half of our list for weight. They are impressively light, despite the double-mesh, no-seam uppers, and burly midsoles.

However, Ian finds they aren’t the most nimble or low-bulk shoe. We love the extra grams for runs where protection and support are key, but it’s not the most streamlined or sexy profile out there. The Enduris 4’s larger foam dovetail and outsole feels a bit sluggish compared to more minimalist options – a drawback for quick footwork on more technical trails.

Durability

If you want a shoe that keeps going, this one won’t let you down. Ian’s beaten up the Enduris 4s on more than 600 miles over two summers of running on backcountry trails in Colorado’s Gore and Elks ranges, and they keep going.

This shoe has dual-layer mesh uppers, which hold up better than thinner, single-layer alternatives. Reinforced stitching and TPU overlays at the toe, heel, and lacing saddle adds longevity in high-stress areas. Outsoles show minimal lug wear, and heel padding remains intact.

Even smaller elements like the strong, ribbed laces and sturdy foam maintain structure surprisingly well, making these an awesome value for the price range. Ian finds the Enduris 4 does, indeed, endure, and we’re confident they will push past the 1,000-mile mark. 

If you’re looking for something ultralight, nimble, and excellent at technical speed work, these might not be the best fit – but for durability, this North Face model earns a high score.

Breathability

Durability comes at the cost of breathability, though. This shoe is noticeably warm in temps above 80 degrees. After many long runs in July heat in the Denver foothills, Ian finds the dense upper material traps heat, although he didn’t get any hot spots or blisters.

The other downside is this shoe takes a while to dry compared to our other top picks. After a creek crossing on a hot day, even with thin socks, Ian clocked  the Enduris 4 at two hours until dry. That’s nearly twice as long as lighter options.

The advantage of this design? The Vectiv Enduris 4 is a great choice for shoulder seasons, high-altitude routes, and cooler conditions where a bit of added warmth is an advantage. As a result, these have been in our rotation  on spring and fall runs where protection, comfort, and a bit of added warmth are exactly what we want.

Responsiveness

Our rigorous testing of the Enduris 4 finds moderate responsiveness, placing it in the middle of the pack. The rocker design delivers a pronounced toe-off, and the thick foam and TPU plate keeps these feeling fairly lively, a balance that works well for everything from short hikes to long runs and even race day PR’s.

But compared to our top picks, the Enduris isn’t as responsive. Their medium stack height and plush midsoles means you don’t get much ground feel. That’s great for keeping momentum on rocky and root-filled trails, but they can feel a bit sluggish for fast, high-cadence efforts and steep inclines.

Should You Buy the North Face Vectiv Enduris 4?

Trail runners who prioritize comfort, stability, and durability over sheer speed will find a lot to love in The North Face Vectiv Enduris 4. It absorbs impact and has awesome lateral stability. Long-distance runners tackling mixed terrain will appreciate the excellent lacing system, high stack height and TPU stability plate for a smooth, cushioned ride with decent control. Runners in cooler and high-altitude climates will benefit from the double-mesh upperfor added warmth and protection. We recommend the Enduris 4 for runners who want a consistent, cushy stride instead of a bouncy, responsive feel for everything from short hikes to long runs and even race day PR’s.

On the other hand, the Enduris 4 isn’t the most propulsive, airy, or lightweight option. Their foam profile is a bit bulky, so these may miss the mark if you’re looking for spring-loaded groundfeel for fast ascents or technical uphills. They’re a bit narrow, too – and don’t come in a wide fit – which won’t work for all foot shapes. And, those training in hot, humid conditions may find the double-mesh uppers too warm. That said, these aren’t dealbreakers. Anyone who wants a comfy, smooth, and protective ride on moderate trails will find everything they need, and more, with these shoes.

What Other Trail Running Shoes For Men Should You Consider?

See our trail running shoes for men guide to see how The North Face Vectiv Enduris 4 compares to our other top picks. Here are some close competitors:

HOKA Speedgoat 6 Review: The HOKA Speedgoat 6 are a good alternative to the Enduris 4 when it comes to cushion, weight and heel-to-toe drop. If you want a bit more room, though, these comes in wide – and cost less.

TOPO Athletic Ultraventure 4 Review: The TOPO Athletic Ultraventure 4 are comparable in weight and traction. These have a lower heel-to-toe drop, but a more spacious toe box and a more sensitive lacing system for a lower price.

Brooks Catamount 4 Review: The Catamounts are one of our top picks for their outstanding all-around performance. The ride is less cushy, but check these out for superior traction, better breathability, and a faster performance.