North Face VECTIV Exploris owners: does the space-age banana rocker actually help, or is it just a very expensive way to trip more efficiently?
Tried these on and felt like my feet were being gently escorted toward the horizon whether I agreed or not. I get the idea: rocker geometry + TPU plate + cushy midsole = happy miles. But how does that translate once the trail stops pretending to be a treadmill?
Curious about real-world stuff nobody covers in the glossy marketing:
- Sidehilling and contouring: does the rocker make your ankles feel like they’re negotiating a peace treaty with gravity, or is lateral stability fine on off-camber sheep tracks?
- Descents with a heavy pack: any toe-bang or “I’m being yeeted downhill by my shoes” moments? Lacing hacks that actually work?
- Microspike compatibility: anyone run Kahtoola/Hillsound on these? Does the rounded forefoot cause strap creep or weird pressure points under the plate apex?
- Slab and wet rock: does the Surface CTRL rubber behave on damp granite/limestone, or is it more “choose your favorite skid mark”? Bonus points if you’ve compared it to Vibram Megagrip.
- Scrambling/edging: can you stand on small nubbins without the rocker fighting you, or does it feel like edging on a canoe?
- Futurelight breathability: on warm, humid days, are your socks steamy dim sum, or is the membrane actually doing adulting? Dry-time after full dunk?
- Durability check-in beyond 300 miles: outsole rounding at the rocker apex, toe rand peel, midsole collapse, heel counter mush, lace eyelets crying for help?
- Foot mechanics: anyone with mild pronation/sensitive arches feel the TPU plate underfoot? Orthotics play nice or start a turf war?
- Resoling or parting out: has anyone successfully slapped a Vibram sole on these after murderizing the stock rubber, or does the midsole/plate make cobblers run away?
- Gaiter and pole compatibility: decent gaiter hook placement? Does the “I walk myself” rocker mess with pole rhythm on climbs?
If you’ve tried the Exploris II (low or mid) and can contrast it with Hoka Anacapa, Salomon X Ultra 4, Altra Olympus 5 Hike, or La Sportiva Spire, please enable my questionable life choices with data. Looking for a shoe that can do shoulder-season mud, rocky ridgelines, and the occasional scramble without behaving like a runaway shopping cart. Bonus anecdotes for anyone who’s worn them for back-to-back 20-mile days and still had functional feet and dignity.