It’s not too often that I find myself reviewing shoes from a company we haven’t worked with before. Sure, we’ve tested models from up-and-coming brands shaking up the industry, but when it comes to legacy companies, we’ve covered most of the major players.
Enter The North Face—an outdoor titan better known for jackets and backpacks than running shoes. Yet here we are, diving into the Altamesa 500, a shoe that’s not exactly new but has been quietly holding its own for over a year. Let’s break it down.
Looks
The Altamesa 500 sticks to The North Face’s straightforward design ethos. Its silhouette is clean and functional, with understated colorways in blacks, browns, grays, and blues. It’s not flashy, but it’s undeniably versatile, fitting seamlessly into both trail runs and casual outings.
While the visual simplicity might not turn heads, it doesn’t detract from what the shoe does best: performance. And despite the minimalist aesthetic, the tech packed into this shoe is anything but basic. In fact, its towering stack height rivals some of the most cushioned shoes on the market, like the Brooks Caldera and ASICS Trabuco Max models.
Construction and Fit
The Altamesa 500’s construction is all about balance. The wider toe box is a standout feature, offering plenty of room for toe splay without officially being categorized as a “wide” shoe. This makes it a great option for those with broader feet or anyone who prefers extra space up front. However, narrow-footed runners might find themselves swimming a bit.
Fortunately, The North Face compensates with a secure fit in the midfoot and heel. The collar, heel cup, and lateral overlays work in harmony to lock the foot in place. It’s a thoughtful design that ensures comfort without compromising stability – even with a wider base.
Specs
- Stack Height: 30 mm (heel), 24 mm (forefoot)
- Drop: 6 mm
- Weight: 10.4 oz (men’s size 9)
Upper
The upper features a breathable mesh construction with reinforced overlays for durability. Overall it’s nothing to write home about – its just quality.
You can read more about the fit of the upper in the section above, but we just want to highlight that this intentional wider toe box may make or break the shoe for you. Despite the hold – you may wanna give yourself a testing opportunity if you are on the narrower end of the foot spectrum.
The Ghillie lacing system is an additional nice touch to lock things down too. It offers easy adjustments and ensuring even pressure across the foot. I did find the laces to be a bit too long – perhaps a bit nitpicky, but I felt I needed triple knots to not feel like they were slapping against the shoes on runs.
Midsole
The DREAM foam midsole—a nitrogen-infused EVA—lives up to its name. It delivers a plush ride with impressive energy return, making it an excellent choice for those who prioritize cushioning. It is simple – a common theme in this review apparently – in that it there is solely this supercritical EVA blend and that’s it. No plates, not excess – just foam, and a good one at that.
The rocker is not overly bold – but does some nice gentle propulsion forward. The softness is there, but I think falls perhaps in the middle/high of cush as opposed to a marshmallowy soft option. Regardless, it does come at the cost of ground feel, so minimalist enthusiasts may not appreciate the ride as much as others. But for those who it works for, I think this could be a workhouse of a trail shoes to eat away the miles.
Outsole
The SURFACE CTRL rubber outsole is a standout feature, offering excellent grip across a variety of terrains. It’s not the most aggressive of trail shoes we have seen, but the 4 mm lugs are nothing to sneeze at. They provide reliable traction without getting in the way, making the shoe versatile enough for both trails and roads.
Additionally, the outsole incorporates 20% rubber sourced from small-scale farmers who follow regenerative agricultural practices—a win for sustainability and performance.
I’ll admit, I wasn’t sure what to expect when I unboxed the Altamesa 500. Despite The North Face’s outdoor pedigree, their absence in the running shoe world had me skeptical. But this shoe surprised me in all the right ways. With its plush cushioning, thoughtful construction, and eco-conscious materials, the Altamesa 500 holds its own among more established trail-running models. At $155, it’s priced competitively and delivers solid value for anyone looking to explore new heights on the trail.
