The super shoe revolution in trail running is a few seasons old at this point. Where all roads lead to Nike’s Alphafly with a handful of worthy number twos, there’s still no one defining super shoe for the trails — the type where if you line up in anything less, you’re sacrificing first place.
Because of its unfortunate pandemic timing, you might have overlooked the fact The North Face was the first to put a carbon plate in a trail running shoe with its original Flight Vectiv. This rush to be first represented a two-pronged attack by The North Face. It signaled the possibilities for trail super shoe technology that would follow, and it put The North Face back on the map as a running shoe company after long periods of absence or wayward offerings.
The original Flight Vectiv now stands as a mere shadow of the company’s new Vectiv 3.0 footwear; these super shoes for trail racing are the company’s boldest, but are they the most successful? I tested both the Summit Vectiv Pro 3 and Summit Sky 2 to feel out where the trail super shoes now stand. While I have some preliminary thoughts on both, I will focus my first impressions on the shorter-distance racing option, Sky 2.
In short: For the last 4 years, The North Face has continued to level up its commitment to high-performance trail footwear. With the new Summit Vectiv Pro 3 ($250) and Summit Sky 2 ($200) incorporating refinements to the amazing “Dream foam” midsole and dual stacked carbon fiber plates, that commitment is as firm as ever. The cliched “quiver of one” the Sky 2 is not, but it provides specific benefits for trail racers, depending on course profiles and running style.
Don’t miss the GearJunkie guide to the Best Trail Running Shoes.
- Price: $200
- Available: Now
- Midsole height: 28mm to 22mm
- Midsole drop: 6mm
- Weight: 238g
Pros
- Combines fast-running super shoe tech with improved ground feel for descending
- Much better grip with larger 5mm lugs
- As lightweight as trail racing shoes with lesser midsole technology
Cons
- Tongue winglets may cause rubbing or irritation
- The fairly narrow forefoot could be uncomfortable for some runners
- This is a purpose-driven shoe (racing) and isn’t the most conducive for really long trail running at easy efforts
The North Face Summit Vectiv Sky 2 Review

Comparison: The North Face Vectiv 3.0 Shoes

TNF Vectiv Pro 3
TNF Vectiv Sky 2

TNF Summit Sky 2: More Bounce to the Ounce

Outsole Traction

TNF Summit Sky 2: Who Is It For?
