The North Face Summit Series Line
I was sent the latest gear from the North Face, here's some first looks!
I’m an official North Face athlete now?!
In my dreams. But, I was lucky enough to be chosen as a North Face shop ambassador at my local run shop that I’m very involved with, Snoqualmie Running.
What this means is that I got to provide my sizing and the North Face brand rep went HAM picking out gear from the Summit Series line and sent it to me. When I picked up the package from the shop, I was blown away. This experience made me feel way cooler than I actually am. It was my first glimpse into what being a brand athlete could possibly feel like with free gear…not just gear…the best gear in the sport.
I’ve been putting all of this new gear through the gauntlet by logging a lot of miles. I’m truly loving it all.
Here’s what my kit included:
Shoes
VECTIV Enduris 4
I got these last week and I have over 20+ miles in them currently. If you aren’t a trail running race day enthusiast, Black Canyon Ultras 100k and 50k races occurred this past weekend. Mr. 1st Place, Seth Rhuling — the Boulder Boy himself, sported these for his record-breaking finish in an insane elite field.
This shoe is a beast. It’s one of the better looking trail shoes on the market in my opinion. The balance of foam, stability and grip is phenomenal. When I’m out on the trail, I feel completely in control.
I’ve logged miles with elevation gain, ice, snow powder, mud and hard packed trail. Every terrain I tackled I never felt slippage or sketchy. I love the small details in this shoe such as the race day serrated laces so you never have to worry about them coming untied.
I really love this shoe, and it’s right here that I also must say, it breaks my heart. If you’re new to the North Face trail offerings, you’re likely to have heard the saga of the rubbing of the plate wings from the Pro models. In the Enduris, they decided to add the wing for added stability. Functionally, it’s a great call. However, in reality, it might cause issues for some.
Up until 20 miles, I could tell that the wing was there depending on how my foot landed, especially on turns, but it never rubbed. That changed when I hit 20+ miles. I could tell on my 6 mile run, at about mile 4 that the wing was digging into the side of my foot. I was so bummed. I have a theory that when the shoe is brand new, there’s the slightest fresh layer of foam between your foot and the wing, but after time that foam is going to compress and I think others might find that wing rubbing issue that still haunts us from the Pro 1. Now, this won’t be the case for everyone. It seems to always be a split between users who experience the issue and those who don’t. Unfortunately I fall into that category.
For me, I don’t want to give up on this shoe. So many of its other benefits are so hard to pass on. Going forward, I’m going to brainstorm how I can find a solution to protect my foot from that wing. We will see how I get on!
Here’s some specs on the Enduris 4:
Weight: 8.4oz
Plate: VECTIV 3.0 high-performance 3D TPU plate for propulsion and support, forefoot wings designed to enhance stability
Foam: Ultralight DREAM nitrogen-TPU midsole for high energy return
Outsole: 4mm lugs, durable SURFACE CTRL rubber outsole for great sticky grip
Stack: 32mm heel / 26mm forefoot (6mm drop)
Price: $160
VECTIV Sky 2
Full disclosure, I haven’t run in these yet. They are just too pretty. I want to frame them and hang them on the wall in my office to be commemorated forever. I mean just look at them!
Jokes aside, I’m so stoked to get my feet into these for some miles. I’ve been focused on putting the Enduris through testing, but I’m thinking my run is going to be in these bad boys tonight. I really love the quiver that the North Face has built with their VECTIV line. There’s something for everyone and every scenario. This shoe being a technical beast, ready to tackle challenging terrain, but also pick it up in the flat sections with the carbon plate and lightweight design.
Here’s some specs on the Sky 2:
Weight: 8.4oz
Plate: Full-length VECTIV 3.0 carbon-fiber propulsion plates, forked forefoot and heel for race-tuned propulsion
Foam: Ultralight DREAM nitrogen-TPU midsole for high energy return
Outsole: 5mm lugs, durable SURFACE CTRL rubber outsole for great sticky grip
Stack: 28mm heel / 22mm forefoot (6mm drop)
Price: $200
THERMOBALL Traction Mules V
Trail running shoes are sick, but you know what’s arguably even cooler? Recovery shoes. I was so psyched when I opened this. While everything was completely unexpected, slippers were beyond my expectations.
It’s cold in Washington state right now. It was 19 degrees out this morning, and to some across the country, that might seem weak. But for us, it’s freezing. These Traction Mules are the perfect companion for taking the dog out in the early icy mornings. Not to mention when I’m done with a run on the trail and ready to swap out of my trail shoes to drive home, I can just thrown on the mules with the warm interior fleece lining. The heel also breaks down and lays flat so I can wear these as slippers too. Absolutely stoked on these for post-run, around the house adventures!
Price: $60
Tops
Summit Series Superior Futurelight Jacket
Living in Seattle, a rain jacket is a staple in one’s wardrobe. However, every rain jacket I’ve ever owned has been way too heavy and essentially offered zero breathability for a high-output endurance sport. Great for avoiding the rain on the way to the office, but I’d never take it on a trail run.
For a few years I’ve looked at lightweight running rain jackets, but everything has been too expensive and the function didn’t seem to align with what I needed based on other reviews.
Then the Futurelight Jacket entered my life…
This ultra-light rain jacket was designed specifically for Trail Runners. It packs into it’s own pocket, which has plenty of space for gels, your phone, or any other trail snacks/items you might need.
Having this jacket now gives me the piece of mind when planning for trail adventures, that if the Pacific Northwest rain is going to be present, it’s not going to prevent me from my adventure.
I’m loving this Digital Orange/Iron Bronze colorway as well. If you’re in the market for a lightweight, waterproof no-nonsense jacket for mountain adventures, look no further.
Price: $320
Summit Series High Trail S/S
Diving right in, I love this tee. I’ve worn it three times already across 20 miles. What I love most about it is something I haven’t yet to experience. It’s been so cold. I am so over it. Warmer days are in the near future, and this tee gets me so amped.
The lightweight construction and breathability of this shirt is hands down going to be my go-to.
At this moment in time, I’m 85% sure this is going to be my 50k shirt of choice. I mean, come on, Seth Ruhling wore this one as well in his 100k victory. Maybe I’ll be fast just like him?!
Some features of the shirt worth mentioning:
Underarm gussets for increased mobility
Split hem at the sides for increased mobility
FlashDry Pro fabric — accelerates the removal of moisture from the skin and speeds up drying. Doesn’t add weight and it never washes out.
Reflective logos
Made for longer miles and intense trails
Price: $75
Summit Series FUTUREFLEECE™ LT ½-Zip
The fleece of all fleeces. I’m sure I sound like the ultimate TNF hype man at this point, but I genuinely love this stuff. It’s built and crafted so well for all of my intended uses. What I love about what TNF sent me is that I probably would have never chosen this colorway myself, but I freaking love it.
This fleece does me so well in the 30-50 range. What I love is that it adapts with you as the temperature rises. It provides enough warmth and excellent moisture management, pushing the sweat out, but it also breathes well too. Then it adapts when I’m out on a warmer run, never overheating me. I’ve taken this on 3 voyages so far, and we have many future dates in our future together in this happy life we’re building.
Some notable features:
Low-pile version of our full-loop fabric technology that helps minimize weight and optimize body temperature
Designed to be worn over a base layer or under whatever insulation
Flat-locked stitching and no shoulder seams
Raglan Sleeves And Stretch Underarm Gussets For Increased Mobility
Price: $140
LIGHTRANGE™ Sunriser Hoodie
Another sweet layer I got from the kit, the Sunriser. This hoodie is extremely lightweight and versatile. While its intention is built for sunny coverage, I find it can handle cold weather when paired with another layer as well.
My colorway is more of a cream color, but this was the photo I could pull from online. My own photo of my hoodie sucked, so we’re stuck with this one.
Constructed using FLASHDRY™ fabrics, anti-odor properties and LIGHTRANGE™ technology for sun-ready coverage, you can hit your stride before hitting the town.
Price: $70
Bottoms
Summit Series Pacesetter Short
The shorts below are black, however, in my kit I received the same shorts but in that amazing Digital Orange color to match with the High Trail tee and Futurelight jacket. I’m basically a walking carrot…and I’m so ok with it.
A good pair of shorts goes such a long way out on the trail. My top features in terms of importance are comfort and storage. These Pacesetter shorts hit both marks exceptionally well. With a zipper back pocket and two power-mesh drop in pocket built into the waistband sides, there’s plenty of room to store gels and a phone, keys and even a wallet if needed. If I’m going on a shorter effort where I don’t need my running belt or pack, I can rest easy knowing these shorts have what it takes to hold the gear I need.
I want to emphasize how sick the drop-in mesh pockets are. It’s super easy access storage, but also very secure.
The comfort of these shorts is on par with all my other shorts I own. They have a built in brief liner and are ready for anything a long day on the trail brings.
Price: $75
Gear
Lightrange Summer Run Hat
What can I say, I’m a hat guy. When I see a hat in my kit, my love language has been met. I have a closet full of hats and now I’ve got another one for the collection. Totally digging the blue green and orange colorway on this one, matching with some of the other items I received from TNF.
I haven’t been out on the run in this hat yet, mainly because it’s been so cold here, so I’ve been attached to my merino beanies.
From the other gear, the North Face reputation, and the feel of this hat, I have no doubts about the performance. Looking forward to brighter and warmer days where I can take this thing out with me all day.
Price: $40
Summit Series Run Vest 5L
The shop only had good things to say about this vest. Taryn at the shop was hyping it up on her Strava for a weeks before I got mine, so I’ll be honest, I was hopeful TNF might send one. And sure enough they did!
I haven’t had the opportunity to run in this vest yet. I’ve tried it on and it feels so good. It reminds me of a comfier Salomon Adv Skin. I’m not going to sit here and pretend like I can offer any feedback on the pack, but I’ll have thoughts soon.
For now:
FlashDry™ materials offer enhanced moisture management to help keep you comfortable
Two chest pockets for soft flasks with an elastic valve stabilizer to reduce bounce, Two lower chest pockets, Secure-zip chest pocket, Large back pocket
Two 500-ml soft flasks included
Elastic loops to hold a hydration tube
Upper and lower sternum strap with an S/R buckle
Horizontal trekking-pole sleeve
Stretch side panels
Side compression straps allow user to adjust tension around rib cage
Upper and lower easy-access shelves for a modern UTMB kit that includes soft-flask hydration, nutrition and poles
Whistle included
Reflective logos
Price: $150
TNF™ Run Pole Sleeve
I have always wanted a quiver. Partly because Robin Hood looked so sick when I was a kid. Legolas too.
I use the Leki trail poles (which are phenomenal) and I’ve historically used a Patagonia running pack where I attach the poles to these stretch-roped-loop things. It’s sucked honestly. The rope has ripped multiple times.
When I opened the kit to find the quiver, I was so amped.
I don’t have a ton to say about this. I have a 20-miler coming up soon and I think I want to test this quiver out on that run. Connecting the quiver is super easy to the pack. Excited to get some great use out of this one.
Price: $30
El Fin
In case you didn’t know, el fin means “the end” in Spanish. Look at me being all bilingual and stuff.
I can’t thank Taryn at Snoqualmie Running enough for choosing me to be this ambassador for such an epic brand like the North Face. It’s really like a dream come true. I never wanted to be one of those influencers that oversaturate Instagram with all their product discount codes and ads. I just like running and I love trying new gear. It’s not often you come across people that see you at your core, what you enjoy, and figure out ways to tangibly support you and build you up. I guess I’m super blessed with the people I’ve chosen to surround myself with — and that alone is the best part of my kit.
If you’re in the Seattle area or Pacific Northwest, please hit up Snoqualmie Running. They have all the North Face goods you need, many of the same items featured above. Come on down to the shop and get outfitted for your adventures. I’m in all the time and would love to talk shop.
Hopefully this breakdown of my North Face kit was cool to see. I’ll continue to put all this incredible product out on the trail and give deeper reviews once I get more miles in. For now, thanks for reading as always.
See you out there!
—Ryan from Into the Wild
Disclaimer: While all of these items were provided to me for free, I was not paid or persuaded to give any particular sentiments on these products. These thoughts are completely and honestly my own.