3/1/2023 0 Comments Boots of the long roadThe North Face VECTIV Exploris Mid offers excellent protection from track hindrances and hurdles. So much so that the boots were ideal when negotiating my sandy and sometimes sludgy rambling, from slippery rocks to boggy sand. The Surface Control rubber outsoles bite into loose and rocky terrain and the 4mm lugs provided excellent grip or stickiness, even in the rocky and sandy conditions that we encountered in Bouddi NP. While comfort is always paramount on the trail, traction comes a close second and happily, it’s one of the VECTIV Exploris’ strengths. The curved sole of the boot is a case of function over fashion. And it works I was just as fresh-footed at the 10km mark on my day’s hike as I was at the outset. The idea and science behind this is to encourage a rolling, forward motion and in turn maximise and maintain energy transfer. Also, the criss-cross and cross-ankle lacing system (aka Ghillie), padded tongue and mesh collar with moulded details hold my foot securely (I’m prone to an ankle roll, so this is something I always look for in a boot) without any pressure points.įor me, the boot’s most distinctive physical feature is its shape – it curves up at the toes. Together they make for a comfy and supportive stride and keep my feet safe from rocks, sticks and any spikey vegetation on the track. Slip your foot inside the shoe and the interior is plush with a nicely padded midsole, What makes it so? The hard-working OrthoLite footbed combined with a high-rebound, single-density EVA midsole (a man-made material that is considered foam). Weighing in at just 346 grams per shoe (women’s size 8) and with a slew of trail-running inspired features, The North Face VECTIV Exploris Mid is inarguably an ultra-modern take on a hiking boot. The rockered profile can feel odd when you first pull on these boots (I have a pair of the trail runners and full disclosure, am a fan of their forward propulsion, so knew what I was in for), but the boot impressed, handling everything the trail threw at it. Right out of the box, it’s comfy, puts up with a lot of wear and tear thanks to its hardy construction, and holds steady across a host of surfaces, including the slips and slides of a recent trek in the wilds of Bouddi National Park when yet another rain-bomb dumped its load. We take a long walk in search of the truth.ĭrawing inspo from its VECTIV trail-running collection, The North Face VECTIV Exploris Mid brings innovative design to the realm of the lightweight hiker. The North Face claims its new hiking boot technology boosts your stride and speed on the tracks.
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