Tuesday, January 28, 2025

The North Face Altamesa 500 Review: 3 Comparisons

 Article by Nico Wagner

The North Face Altamesa 500 (140 € / $155)

Introduction

I was looking for an alternative to the Hoka Speedgoat (mainly because of the fit and the latest changes since version 4). Some time ago, I came across the North Face Altamesa 500. According to the website, the shoe promises soft cushioning, top grip and a comfort-oriented fit for plenty of training kilometers. I have now put in more than a few kilometers and would like to share what I discovered.

Pro & Cons

Pro

  • High level of comfort for long distances
  • Super fit with plenty of room in the toe box
  • Versatile use on different surfaces
  • Robust upper material for stability and protection
  • Grippy outsole for a secure step, even on technical terrain
  • Top price/performance ratio

Cons

  • Not much ground feel due to the thick cushioning

Stats

Sample Weight: 335g / 11.82 oz (men's US 10.5)

Stack Height: 38mm Heel / 32mm Forefoot, 6mm

First impressions, Fit and Upper

When you try them on for the first time, you immediately notice the great fit in combination with the wider forefoot. The upper material is made of breathable mesh with overlays in the most important areas. The padding on the heel and tongue fits perfectly and gives the foot a secure hold (despite the wide toe area) and without constricting. 

The lacing also works just right and distributes the pressure evenly over the foot. I had two sizes to try on (US 11 / 10.5) and opted for the smaller size.

Midsole

The midsole material of the Altamesa 500 is made from Supercritical EVA foam (DreamFoam) and is the same as in the flagship Vectiv Pro 2 and their is plenty of it as we have a 38 mm heel / 32mm forefoot full stack height . The cushioning of the midsole doesn't feel quite as soft as I initially expected, but offers an extremely good balance of comfort and responsiveness. The wide base and the midsole provide stability and also prevent easy twisting of the ankles.

Outsole

The outsole made of SurfaceCTRL rubber (4mm lugs) gave me good grip on all surfaces tested (road, forest paths, forest roads, rock, mud, snow). In deep mud, these (like most other outsoles with 4mml lugs) reach their limits. But that's not what the shoe is designed for.

Running feel, summary, recommendations

What really convinced me was the midsole. The ultra-light Dream foam delivers an impressive level of cushioning and reactivity. The "rebound effect" is particularly noticeable on harder surfaces - almost as if the shoe is propelling you forward. With plenty of cushioning at the heel, the impact is optimally absorbed, which not only increases comfort but also reduces fatigue on longer runs. 


Despite the generous cushioning, the shoe remains surprisingly agile, especially compared to other models with maximum cushioning. The Altamesa 500 scores with a running feel that offers both comfort and dynamism. The 4 mm lugs in combination with the Dream midsole create a shoe that feels comfortable on any surface - from technical trails to asphalt roads. 


In short, the Altamesa 500 combines comfort, protection and energy return in a versatile trail shoe. For me, it's definitely more than just an alternative to the Hoka Speedgoat 6 - and at an impressive price of €140.

Score: 10/10

Ride: 10 (50%) Fit: 10 (30%) Price/Performance: 10 (15%) Style: 10 (5%)

3 Comparisons

Nike Zegama 2 (Review):

The Zegama 2 is slightly softer and, like the Altamesa, has a very 'lively' and well-cushioned midsole. I had some issues with the fit (low toe box) and lockdown with the Zegama 2. Outsole Vibram vs Surface CTRL. The Zegama is also 40 € more expensive than the Altamesa.

Hoka Speedgoat 6 (Review):

The Speedgoat 6 with slightly stiffer, less reactive EVA cushioning and a narrower fit but provides a little more security in technical terrain. In all other areas, the Altamesa impresses with its versatility, better fit and performance. The SG is €20 more expensive than the Altamesa.

Brooks Caldera 7 (Review):

The Altamesa is more dynamic, more versatile and has a better fit. The Caldera, on the other hand, is softer and slightly heavier. Similarly priced (Caldera 150€, Altamesa 140€)


Tester-Profile

Nico Wagner (29, Innsbruck). My running career started in the classic way, with road running. To make my training more varied, I occasionally explored the trails around Kahlenberg to the north of Vienna. After moving to Innsbruck in 2020 and with my enthusiasm for the mountains, I now mainly run on the trails of the Innsbruck Nordkette and have taken part in various events such as the Grossglockner Ultra Trail or the Innsbruck Alpine at different distances (20-85 km). In the off-season and in winter, I also like to spend my time ski touring, mountaineering or climbing.


The review was translated from the original German with assistance of Deepl.com


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The Altamesa was a personal purchase.. RoadTrail Run has affiliate partnerships and may earn commission on products purchased via shopping links in this article. These partnerships do not influence our editorial content. The opinions herein are entirely the author's.

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3 comments:

70's Teen said...

How does it compare to the same price and weight Enduris 4?

JTBiii said...

It is much more plush and wider underfoot.

Austin said...

How does this shoe compare to the New Balance Hierro 9?