The North Face Vectiv Infinite 3 Review: Limitless Versatility

Introduction to The North Face Vectiv Infinite 3

TAYLOR:  This shouldn’t be a shock at this cut-off date, however The North Face has confidently returned to their former glory of being a juggernaut within the outside efficiency biz. They’ve proved it with years of returning to type and blowing away expectations. 

Simply this 12 months, they’ve launched a number of path footwear which might be in rivalry for the highest of the rostrum of their respective classes. Their attire and kit are literally items I seize for as a result of they merely make me really feel good on runs. Even particular collections just like the Flora Alpina line echo their desired existence throughout the area. 

Any such constant efficiency carries excessive expectations – which is why I actually needed to get into their fourth main replace of 2025.

Much like many street operating lineups, The North Face has pairs of footwear that should complement one another for coaching, racing, and adventuring. For instance The Summit Vectiv Professional 3 (extremely race mannequin) and the Vectiv Enduris 4 share related design and applied sciences. 

Considered one of our favourite technical performers of the 12 months, The North Face Summit Vectiv Sky 2, additionally has a buddy. The Vectiv Infinite 3 is constructed on the identical final, has an identical foam concoction, complementary plate design, the identical outsole, and a well-known higher comparatively.

What’s totally different is that the Infinite 3 has the next stack (37/31 mm / 6mm drop) and a extra sturdy construct. This shoe truly has a singular development for the present market. There usually are not many footwear on the market which have a extra technical match whereas being constructed up sufficient to go the space. A couple of related choices are the La Sportiva Prodigio Professional, Arc’teryx Sylan Professional, and the Salomon S/Lab Genesis – all are primetime opponents.

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What we like about THE NORTH FACE VECTIV INFINITE 3

TAYLOR: Versatility will completely be the theme all through this evaluation. 

The capabilities of The North Face Vectiv Infinite 3 begins with the general match. 

A well-known however extra sturdy Twin Warp higher (in comparison with another Vectiv mannequin) laid the muse. It has extra materials, extra construction all through, a finer weave, and a full-length interior sockliner. The semi-slim width by means of the midfoot/heel and semi-gusseted tongue notch the match up much more. Then, a average quantity of padding within the heel and tongue with serrated laces give the match a chef’s kiss. 

The general match felt like a mild but safe hug all through the foot – you already know, the not too tight however not too unfastened sort of embrace.  My foot merely stayed put and remained snug. That is the kind of match that actually units a efficiency commonplace greater than another element.

Typically a extra sturdy higher and safe match may cause some irritation however I had zero sizzling spots or discomfort. After all this match jogs my memory of the Vectiv Sky 2. Different footwear with an identical match are the Merrell MTL Lengthy Sky 2,  La Sportia Prodigio Professional, and Saucony Peregrine 15. 

Sturdiness goes to extend the worth of this shoe as effectively. . I’ve no inclination that this higher will put on out with the energy of the Twin Warp TPU yarns and strategic overlays. 

Underfoot is what continued to set this shoe aside from most others in its classes.  This  shoe additionally obtained the Dream therapy with a supercritical TPU/EVA midsole. Though there’s not fairly as a lot character felt in comparison with the opposite Vectiv fashions, there’s nonetheless sufficient to be enjoyable. Actually, I’m completely okay with this as a result of the medium/tender density is considered one of my favorites for the tails in any case.. Since it’s blended, you may get some true cushioning, a little bit of power return, and an applicable density for operating on technical terrain confidently. 

In some respects, this mix felt a lot decrease to the bottom than it truly was (37/31mm stack). I felt very in charge of this trip. Though it lands within the high-stack class, the Vectiv Infinite 3 might simply tackle the extra tumultuous terrain of the Rocky Mountains.

On the similar time, the high-stack of Dream foam was felt in each cushion and safety elements. That is completely a shoe I might go the space in. Even on a 6 hour outing on gnarly terrain and 20+ miles, my ft felt simply high-quality throughout and after.

Fact be instructed, it’s not simply the froth influencing efficiency. “Vectiv” means that there’s some form of plate expertise at work too. I consider that is what actually permits for the array of efficiency and luxury. The Vectiv 3.0 plate is a TPU materials that has forefoot and midfoot wings. Just like the Skyvault plate within the Brooks Catamount 3 and 4, this plate leverages dynamic stability and encourages a easy trip. I say “encourages” as a result of it doesn’t essentially really feel uber propulsive, however it’s definitely environment friendly. 

Though this can be a shoe that clearly leans in direction of the technical/aggressive aspect, the sleek trip makes it straightforward to run on relaxed terrain as effectively. The recipe of every little thing already talked about and a delicate forefoot rocker made Vectiv Infinite 3  a real do-it-all-er. 

The one factor left to examine off the listing is grip, actually. The Vectiv Infinite 3 has it. 41 5 mm multi-directional chevron lugs of Floor Ctrl rubber positively do the trick. I discovered that the rubber was fairly cheesy and the lugs dug into softer surfaces. They dug into scree, filth, and caught to rock properly.

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What we don’t like about The North Face Vectiv Infinite 3

TAYLOR: A typical grievance amongst The North Face customers is the outsole sturdiness. Whereas this new model of Floor Ctrl rubber has taken a leap within the longevity division, it’s nonetheless taking a beating right here within the mountains. The rugged granite takes no prisoners. My forward-most lugs, close to the toe bumper, and the uncovered foam within the midfoot/heel are noticeably disturbed after 30 miles.  The again two-thirds of the outsole seems to be nice, although. When you stay in a soft-ground surroundings, I wouldn’t fear about this sturdiness, TBH. 

Additionally, whereas expertise didn’t present it inside my miles, the Dream Foam is noticeably creasing. That doesn’t essentially imply it’s shedding life, it simply seems to be prefer it. I do have my reservations, although, after how rapidly the froth died within the Vectiv Professional 3.

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Closing ideas on the THE NORTH FACE VECTIV INFINITE 3

TAYLOR: Versatility is among the frequent denominators of the very best performing path footwear of 2025. The North Face Vectiv Infinite 3 is flexible. Any such technical prowess and underfoot consolation is sort of unparalleled. Very hardly ever can a shoe really feel so good on a delicate singletrack or excessive on the peaks. 

Doesn’t this all sound like what the unique Hoka Speedgoat followers liked concerning the shoe? Precisely! The North Face Vectiv Infinite 3 is a one shoe quiver that may fulfill nearly any runner on any terrain although its bread and butter is the extra average to technical stuff. 

If it means something, lots of The North Face’s athletes are utilizing this shoe for extra technical coaching and race day situations which will (or could not) embody important distances. 

At $160, it’s positively the most effective worth footwear accessible.

You possibly can choose up the The North Face Vectiv Infinite 3 for $160 by utilizing the buttons under.

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