Details
Brand
The North Face
Heel To Toe Drop
8mm
Breathability
9/10
Latest Version
Yes
Terrain
Trail
Type
Neutral
Key Features
• Mesh upper construction• Supportive TPU overlays• Gusseted tongue keeps out debris• Protective TPU toe cap• OrthoLite footbed• EVA midsole for impact protection and comfort• Ultra Protect heel offers additional stability• ESS Snake Plate for protection underfoot• Vibram MegaGrip outsole construction
Upper
The TNF Ultra’s upper is made of mesh material and features TPU overlays for support. A gusseted tongue keeps out debris, and a TPU toe cap protects the toes. Inside, an OrthoLite footbed keeps feet dry. Reviewers with narrow feet liked the slim design of the shoe, but many reviewers found the shoe’s tongue too thin and the laces to be poorly designed. Even narrow footed runners, however, found the length of the shoe to be too large and required sizing up. Reviews really liked that the upper was thick and well-reinforced for extra durability.
Midsole
The midsole is composed of single density EVA foam. The TNF’s cushioning seems to be concentrated in the heel, however, some runners with a forefoot or midfoot strike found this to be uncomfortable. The heel, which holds the brunt of the cushioning, has a soft feel but is rigid enough to be supportive. The ESS Snake Plate offers up a protective layer to keep wearers from feeling too much of the trail beneath them without sacrificing too much ground feel. Reviewers found the cushioning responsive, the ESS plate to provide adequate protection, and liked that there was enough cushioning for longer efforts. Some reviewers did not find there was enough midfoot arch support.
Outsole
The outsole of the Endurance II is made of Vibram MegaGrip material. Reviewers unanimously agreed that the TNF shoe is incredibly grippy and capable of handling all kinds of surfaces and trail conditions. There’s very little the outsole can’t deal with. Underfoot there’s also an ESS Snake Plate. It’s positioned in the forefoot, which might explain why some runners found the front of the shoe poorly cushioned and too jarring for their preferred strike pattern. Overall, the tread on the TNF shoe is suitable for running and hiking.
Breathability
The TNF Endurance features a mesh upper with TPU overlays. The design is incredibly breathable. Reviewers seemed to agree with this assessment. The Endurance II is advertised as being an ultra-breathable trail shoe. While it won’t do for those training during the colder winter months, the TNF is an excellent choice for summer runs or hikes or for wearers who tend to run hot and need more ventilation than others.
Comfort
The Ultra Endurance II features a single density EVA midsole that reviewers characterized as very comfortable. The cushioning works for long or short distances and is suitable for running or hiking. One issue that reviewers mentioned was that the cushioning seems concentrated in the rear foot. With the presence of a forefoot ESS rock plate, landing on the front or ball of the foot feels jarring. Those with a forefoot or midfoot strike, therefore, may not enjoy the ride feel of the TNF shoe. Despite this, the Endurance II is a good option for narrow footed runners and offers superior breathability for hikers and runners.
Style
The Endurance II features a traditional rugged style. The design matches the shoe’s ability to handle tough terrain but is anything but boring. Both the men and women’s versions are available in bright easy to spot colors so your trail buddies can keep tabs on you on your adventures while you sprint ahead. For men, the shoe is available in blue & neon yellow. The women’s shoe is available in grey & peach and red & grey.
Durability
The off-road trainer is incredibly durable. From a Vibram brand MegaGrip outsole that’s highly resistant, to a sturdy mesh upper construction reinforced by TPU overlays, the TNF shoe is ready for hardcore trail running. The EVA foam is resilient, too. Overall, the Endurance II is likely to last several hundred miles of trail running.
Protection
The Vibram MegaGrip outsole protects users from rocks and nooks and crannies on technical trails. The ultra-grippy sole delivers outstanding traction with an additional ESS Snake Plate layer that dulls the jarring effect of running on uneven rocky surfaces strewn with debris. The midsole’s EVA cushioning offers adequate cushioning for trail running or hiking purposes and softens the effects of the impact. The mesh upper hugs the foot and protects wearers from coming into contact with water, dirt, and grime. An aptly named Ultra Protect heel provides stability even on the most treacherous trails. The shoe also features a protective rubber toe to prevent wearers from stubbing their extremities on rocks or logs. An attached tongue also covers the top of the foot and keeps out rocks and twigs.
Responsiveness
Reviewers characterized the Ultra Endurance as responsive. The EVA midsole is firm enough to offer a degree of energy return. Even with a sturdy rock plate in place and well-cushioned midsole, reviewers felt the shoe provided enough ground feedback for confident running and hiking on technical terrain.
Support
Some reviewers felt the TNF Endurance II did not provide enough arch support. Otherwise, though, reviewers felt the fit was supportive and narrow footed runners liked the close fit of the trail shoe. The snug construction of the mesh upper really locks the foot down, so there’s minimal movement even when tackling rugged trails where footing is unsteady. The reinforced upper is exceptionally supportive, and the Ultra Protect heel provides runners with a steady rear foothold.
Terrain
The TNF Ultra is made for trail running. It’s also suitable for hiking. Suitable for long or short efforts, the neutral shoe is outfitted from top to bottom to handle all kinds of trail types. Easy or hard, the Endurance II can tackle anything. The Vibram MegaGrip outsole is incredibly grippy and is capable of providing traction on wet or slick surfaces. The outsole is also highly resistant to wear even when repeatedly used on gnarly trails. The midsole’s ESS Snake Plate offers up exceptional protection against hard debris, and a toe cap covers the front of the foot. The mesh upper itself is nice and thick keeping runners well protected from dirt and debris on the trails.
Price
The price of the TNF brand shoe is on par with its construction. The design is appealing, and each shoe component from the outsole to the upper is made with durability in mind. You can spend your hard earned dollars on the Endurance II knowing that you’ll get a lot of use out of the neutral trainer. The versatile nature of the Endurance means that it can be used for hiking or running, too. Lighter than many reviewers expected, the shoe is still incredibly resistant to wear and tear.
Drop
The Ultra Endurance II features a moderate 8mm drop. The ride feels close to the ground without giving users too much of a preview of what’s underfoot. The ESS Snake Plate offers a defense against hard trail obstacles but doesn’t completely limit ground feel.
Stability
The trail shoe doesn’t feature any traditional stability features, but its sturdy design provides a stable ride for neutral runners. The very grippy Vibram brand outsole offers a steady hold on all types of surfaces. The cushioning is comfortably soft but firm enough to feel supportive. A reinforced upper design holds in the foot surprisingly well and continues to do so even on seriously technical trails. At the back of the shoe, the Ultra Protect heel design adds another element of stability for wearers. Overall, the TNF Endurance is incredibly stable for a neutral trainer.
Flexibility
Reviewers noted that the TNF Ultra was not flexible at all. The thick Vibram MegaGrip outsole doesn’t have a lot of bend to it, and the upper is thick rather than stretchy. A lack of flexibility doesn’t diminish overall comfort, though. Rather, users were impressed with the durability afforded by the thick materials used in the TNF’s construction.
Traction
The Vibram MegaGrip outsole provides outstanding traction for pretty much any kind of terrain. Reviewers were incredibly impressed with the grip-ability of the TNF. The reinforced outsole will last upwards of 300 miles and can handle a variety of trail conditions.
Bottom Line
The TNF Ultra Endurance II is an incredibly stable neutral trail shoe made for running and hiking adventures. While most trail shoes are offered in plain color schemes, the TNF Ultra is offered in bright designs that feature pops of color. If you’re in the market for a trail shoe that provides excellent traction, the Endurance is second to none, according to reviewers. The Vibram MegaGrip outsole is incredibly grippy and highly resistant to repeated wear. The versatile TNF shoe combines comfort and responsiveness in a rugged, trail-ready package. The Ultra Endurance II will work best for heel strikers who will appreciate the soft well-cushioned rear foot and runners who are looking for a shoe that offers plenty of protection for off-road situations.
