What Our Gearhead® Experts Are Saying:"I used these on a long mountain run with steep climbs and rocky descents, and the cushioning really stands out over big mileage days. The carbon plate keeps the stride feeling smooth and efficient when the pace picks up, and the rocker geometry helps carry momentum over uneven terrain. They feel surprisingly stable for such a high-stack race shoe."When race day stretches beyond a marathon and deep into the mountains, we want a shoe that keeps our stride efficient mile after mile. The Summit VECTIV Pro Athlete 2023 Trail Running Shoe is designed for long-distance trail racing, where speed, cushioning, and stability all need to work together. The North Face built this athlete-driven design to handle demanding mountain ultras and technical race courses like UTMB. The VECTIV™ 2. 0 system combines a rockered midsole with a carbon-fiber plate to create powerful forward propulsion while maintaining control on uneven terrain. A full-length foam midsole delivers high levels of cushioning for long efforts, while stability wings and a forked heel-and-forefoot design help keep footing secure through technical sections. Beneath it all, the SURFACE CTRL™ rubber outsole with 3. 5mm lugs provides dependable traction across loose dirt, wet rock, and rugged mountain trails.