Designed for avid hikers and fastpackers, The North Face Vectiv Fastpack Futurelight Hiking Shoes offer a blend of comfort, robust grip, and reliable weather protection. This guide helps you maximize your experience with these shoes, ensuring your feet stay dry and secure on varied terrain. While offering exceptional performance, be aware that like all specialized footwear, proper care is crucial for longevity.
Comfortable Fit: Engineered for extended wear, reducing fatigue on long treks.
Surface Control Rubber Outsole: Optimized for hiking, providing superior traction on both wet and dry surfaces, crucial for maintaining stability.
Moulded Lycra Collar: Offers a snug, comfortable fit around the ankle, helping to prevent debris entry and reduce chafing.
Breathable-Waterproof FUTURELIGHT Membrane: Utilizes advanced membrane technology to keep your feet dry from external moisture while allowing internal moisture (sweat) to escape, enhancing comfort in diverse conditions.
Excellent Weather Protection: The FUTURELIGHT membrane effectively shields feet from rain and puddles, making them ideal for unpredictable weather.
Superior Traction: Surface Control outsole provides reliable grip on varied terrain, including slippery rocks and loose dirt.
Comfort for Long Hikes: Designed with a focus on comfort, suitable for long-distance fastpacking and day hikes.
Durable Construction: Built to withstand the rigors of trail use.
Potential for Warmth: While breathable, waterproof membranes can sometimes feel warmer than non-waterproof alternatives in hot climates.
Specific Fit: The moulded Lycra collar provides a snug fit, which might not suit all ankle shapes universally.
Maintenance Required: To maintain waterproofing and breathability, specific cleaning and care routines are necessary.
Excellent Weather Protection: The FUTURELIGHT membrane effectively shields feet from rain and puddles, making them ideal for unpredictable weather.
Superior Traction: Surface Control outsole provides reliable grip on varied terrain, including slippery rocks and loose dirt.
Comfort for Long Hikes: Designed with a focus on comfort, suitable for long-distance fastpacking and day hikes.
Durable Construction: Built to withstand the rigors of trail use.
Potential for Warmth: While breathable, waterproof membranes can sometimes feel warmer than non-waterproof alternatives in hot climates.
Specific Fit: The moulded Lycra collar provides a snug fit, which might not suit all ankle shapes universally.
Maintenance Required: To maintain waterproofing and breathability, specific cleaning and care routines are necessary.
These hiking shoes are built for dynamic performance on the trail. The Vectiv technology (implied by series name) works to maximize energy on the trail, propelling you forward.
Wet Trails and Stream Crossings: The FUTURELIGHT membrane is your best friend here. It effectively repels water, keeping your feet dry even when encountering unexpected puddles or light stream crossings. This allows you to maintain pace without worrying about soggy socks.
Rocky and Uneven Terrain: The Surface Control rubber outsole truly shines on challenging ground. Its optimized lug pattern digs into loose dirt and provides firm grip on slick rocks, reducing the risk of slips and falls. You'll feel more confident navigating technical sections.
Fastpacking and Long Day Hikes: With their comfortable fit and relatively lightweight design, these shoes are ideal for covering long distances quickly. The support and cushioning help to reduce foot fatigue, allowing you to sustain your effort.
Varied Weather Conditions: From a sunny morning to an unexpected afternoon shower, the combination of breathability and waterproofing makes them a versatile choice for variable mountain weather.
Try On with Hiking Socks: Always try on your new shoes with the type of hiking socks you plan to wear. This ensures an accurate fit.
Lacing Adjustment: Experiment with different lacing techniques to find the most comfortable and secure fit for your foot shape. Ensure even tension to prevent pressure points.
Break-in Period: While comfortable out of the box, it's recommended to wear them on shorter walks before attempting a long hike. This allows the shoes to mold to your feet and reduces the risk of blisters.
Socks: Pair with moisture-wicking synthetic or wool hiking socks to optimize the shoe's breathability and prevent blisters.
Gaiters: For very wet or muddy conditions, consider using hiking gaiters to prevent water and debris from entering over the collar of the shoe.
Hiking Poles: Compatible with the use of hiking poles for added stability on challenging trails.
Cleaning: After each use, brush off loose dirt and mud. For deeper cleaning, use lukewarm water and a soft brush or cloth. Avoid harsh detergents which can damage the waterproofing.
Drying: Allow shoes to air dry naturally at room temperature. Remove insoles to speed up drying. Avoid direct heat sources like radiators or direct sunlight, which can damage materials.
Restoring Water Repellency: Over time, the Durable Water Repellent (DWR) finish on the outer fabric may wear off. You can restore it using a DWR-restoring spray or wash-in product specifically designed for waterproof-breathable footwear.
Storage: Store your shoes in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight when not in use.