When we first tested The North Face Altamesa 500, it was a quiet contender in the trail-running space—a surprisingly cushioned, versatile shoe from a brand better known for jackets and backpacks than running shoes.
Earlier this year, The North Face returned with the Altamesa 500 V2, refining its award-winning predecessor and building an even more comfortable and capable daily trail trainer.
The North Face Altamesa 500 V2 – Taking the Original to the Next Level
Now, they are taking things a step further with a GORE-TEX version, giving the Altamesa 500 V2 GORE-TEX some added protection for those long, wet Oregon seasons.
Construction and Fit
If you are looking for a full breakdown of the Altamesa 500 V2, I would recommend checking out our original review, where we go much deeper into the shoe’s construction, fit, cushioning, traction, and overall ride. The GORE-TEX version keeps the same basic foundation, so rather than making you read through all of that again, let’s focus on what makes this version different.
| Feature | Altamesa 500 V2 | Altamesa 500 V2 GORE-TEX |
|---|---|---|
| Stack Height (heel) | 36 mm | 36 mm |
| Drop | 6 mm | 6 mm |
| Midsole | DREAMBOUND nitrogen-TPU | DREAMBOUND nitrogen-TPU |
| Outsole | SURFACE CTRL SC2 rubber, 4 mm lugs | SURFACE CTRL SC2 rubber, 4 mm lugs |
| Upper | Seamless engineered with dust bootie | water-repellent ripstop, waterproof membranes and lace protecting shroud |
| Colors | 7 colorways | 3 colorways |
| Weight | 9.8 oz (men’s 9) | 10.7 oz (men’s 9) |
Notes:
The biggest change is pretty obvious: GORE-TEX.
The Altamesa 500 V2 GORE-TEX takes the same cushioned daily trail-running platform and adds a waterproof GORE-TEX Invisible Fit membrane. The upper also gets a ripstop construction, a DWR treatment, and an integrated lace shroud to help keep the elements out.
For Oregon falls, winters, and springs, its something that probably is more of a necessity than a luxury.
There is a big difference between running a trail shoe through a couple of damp spots and spending several miles on a trail that has basically turned into a sponge. The GORE-TEX version gives the Altamesa a little more protection when the weather decides to do what Oregon weather does best.
Same but Different
Outside of the waterproofing and upper changes, this is still very much the Altamesa 500 V2 we reviewed earlier this year.
You still get the same 36mm heel stack, 6mm drop, and DREAMBOUND midsole foam that gives the shoe its cushioned feel. The outsole also returns with its 4mm lugs, giving you the same basic traction platform we enjoyed on the original V2.
The Altamesa 500 V2 was already a comfortable, approachable trail shoe. It didn’t try to be an ultra-light race-day option or an overly aggressive mountain shoe. Instead, it found a really nice middle ground for everyday trail miles. Adding weather protection doesn’t change that personality—it just makes the shoe more useful when conditions get ugly.
Considerations
Of course, there is always a tradeoff when you add waterproofing to a running shoe. The GORE-TEX version weighs in a little heavier than the standard Altamesa 500 V2. It isn’t an enormous difference (just shy of an ounce), but you can feel that this isn’t the exact same shoe with a magic waterproof coating slapped on the outside.
And, as you would expect, the added protection comes with a little less breathability. That isn’t really a knock against the shoe as much as it is the nature of the beast. When the weather is cold, wet, and miserable, I am more than willing to make that trade.
Built for Oregon
Oregon gives us an incredible trail-running playground, but it also gives us months of rain, saturated trails, puddles, mud, and generally questionable decisions about whether we should have gone for a run in the first place.
The Altamesa 500 V2 GORE-TEX is built for those days. It is the kind of shoe I would be happy to grab when the forecast is calling for rain or when I know the trail is going to be wet from start to finish.
The North Face didn’t need to reinvent the Altamesa 500 V2 with this version. Instead, they took what already worked and added something that makes a whole lot of sense for trail runners who regularly deal with wet conditions.
If you liked our experience with the Altamesa 500 V2, the GORE-TEX version offers that same general ride and personality with an added layer of weather protection.
