Trail Technical

The North Face Offtrail Ultra

A purpose-built alpine/scree-terrain technical trail shoe with a supercritical dual-density bathtub midsole and aggressive 5mm-lug Surface Control outsole that performs excellently once trusted, but a too-stretchy scree gaiter and roomy midfoot/heel hold back upper security — an overall B grade with A-level performance. — Believe in the Run

Physical blueprint

Where this shoe sits

Weight 269 g

Heel stack 35.0 mm

Drop 6.0 mm

Cushioning High

Specifications

Weight (M9)

269g (9.5 oz)

Stack (Heel)

35.0 mm

Stack (Forefoot)

29.0 mm

Drop

6.0 mm

Midsole

DREAMBOUND (supercritical nitrogen-infused TPU/EVA blend), dual-density

Outsole

SURFACE CTRL rubber, 5 mm lugs

Upper

Leno weave mesh forefoot + ripstop rearfoot

Lacing

Traditional

Fit Profile

Forefoot Width

Wide

Midfoot Width

Narrow

Heel Width

Average

Lockdown

Good

Toe Box

Average

Sizing

True To Size

Ride Characteristics

Cushioning

High

Stability

Neutral

Durability

Outsole

Above Average

Expert reviews · 2 reviewers · grouped per channel

Believe in the Run Youtube ↗

Best for: Technical, high-alpine, off-trail terrain (scree, scrambling) for runners who prioritize durability and midsole security over a locked-down upper fit

source

+1 earlier review from Believe in the Run

Best for: Wide-footed runners tackling technical, off-road terrain; reviewer is still curious how it performs on technical uphill climbs.

source

Doctors of Running Youtube ↑

An unexpectedly stable, comfortable ultra-distance trail shoe with a soft but durable midsole and one of the best-fitting built-in gaiters the reviewer has used; a contender for trail shoe of the year.

Best for: Technical trail running and ultramarathons

source

Frequently asked questions

How does the The North Face Offtrail Ultra fit?

Reviewers note: Heel and forefoot both run noticeably wider than other North Face models the reviewer has worn, especially compared to the Summit Series Pro 2 and Sky 1/2, which fit snug and locked-down. A visible 'bubble' forms at the cinch point when laced down hard, though it wasn't noticeable on the run itself. Good for wide-footed runners.

Per Believe in the Run.

How much does the The North Face Offtrail Ultra weigh and what is its drop?

The The North Face Offtrail Ultra weighs about 269g (men's 9), has a 35.0mm heel stack and a 6.0mm heel-toe drop.

What shoes is the The North Face Offtrail Ultra compared to?

Reviewers compare the The North Face Offtrail Ultra to The North Face Summit Series Pro 2, The North Face Summit Series Sky 1/2, Arc'teryx Vertex Speed, Salomon S/Lab Genesis 2.

Per Believe in the Run.

How many experts have reviewed the The North Face Offtrail Ultra?

Next Pair aggregates 3 expert reviews of the The North Face Offtrail Ultra, including Believe in the Run, Doctors of Running.

Per Believe in the Run, Doctors of Running.

Where it sits among similar shoes

Compared to other trail technical in the same lane.

Weight · lower = lighter Men's size 9

The North Face Offtrail Ultra

269g

HOKA Speedgoat 7

272g

Hoka Speedgoat 6

283g

HOKA Tecton X 3

275g

Heel stack · higher = more cushioning mm

The North Face Offtrail Ultra

35.0mm

HOKA Speedgoat 7

38.0mm

Hoka Speedgoat 6

37.0mm

HOKA Tecton X 3

40.0mm

Drop · higher = more heel-leaning mm

The North Face Offtrail Ultra

6.0mm

HOKA Speedgoat 7

5.0mm

Hoka Speedgoat 6

5.0mm

HOKA Tecton X 3

5.0mm

Continue reading

Foam guide

How Supercritical foams foam works

Read the explainer

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Methodology. Specs come from manufacturer data and authoritative third-party catalogs. Reviewer verdicts are summarized from named, linked sources — never copied verbatim. We weight clinical and lab-tested sources more heavily than community commentary, but the specific weights stay internal. Never sponsored, never paid placement.

Last updated 2026-09-29