The North Face Ultra MT Gore-Tex Review
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The North Face describes the Ultra MT Gore-Tex shoe as, “The ultimate shoe for the hardest trail running courses…that delivers unrivaled traction.” And I would say that they are spot on.
The North Face Ultra MT Gore-Tex is super comfy right out of the box. The shoe has a wider toe box that offers the perfect amount of room for your toes to splay. The insoles of these shoes strike the perfect balance between cushioning and rigidity, giving the right amount of comfort, while still allowing for trail protection. The thin yet nicely padded tongue lays comfortably over the foot. The laces are the thinner style and slightly ribbed, cinch them down tight and they stay securely put. The shoe just feels light and fast out of the box….. let’s take them out for a run to see what they are made of.
What better place to test out the North Face Ultra MT Gore-Tex shoe than a wet, muddy, rocky, root filled, sloppy trail? That is exactly where I took them. The first thing that I noticed was the extreme traction or as Vibram calls it “Megagrip”, it gripped everything from slick roots to wet rock, soggy ground to slushy puddles. The traction on these shoes are absolutely top notch! The shoes feel light and while the sole is rugged and protective, it is still flexible enough to make for a fast turnover of the feet. The Ultra MT positively feels solid and comfortable on the foot. The Gore-Tex waterproof/breathable membrane kept my feet pleasantly dry on the muddy trails and slushy puddles. The shoe has ripstop mesh along the forefoot that prevented any tearing from some of the downed sticks and branches that I ran across and into. It definitely holds its own against brutal and wet terrain.
FEATURES
- Waterproof, breathable GORE-TEX® membrane for all-weather protection
- Durable overlasted ripstop mesh in forefoot for optimal protection
- FlashDry™ collar lining
- Two-piece midsole for proper heel and forefoot cushioning
- ESS in the forefoot to distribute impact and protect from stone bruising
- Exclusive Vibram® Megagrip outsole delivers unrivaled traction
- 17/9mm stack (8mm drop)
After putting over 70 miles on the shoes, they have held up extremely well, with just some minor scuffs here and there. The Vibram sole shows almost no signs of wear and ripstop mesh has held up superbly. If I were to give the shoes a good buff and shine I am sure they would appear as if they were new.
When it comes to trail running performance, it’s hard to beat the features on the North Face Ultra MT Gore-Tex shoe, it is a “Megagrip” traction trail machine that will help put the miles behind you, without slowing you down.
To purchase or find out more, visit : www.backcountry.com/thenorthface.
