1The reviewer measured the Altamesa 500 V2's full stack at approximately 5 mm above The North Face's listed spec, recording 41 mm heel and 35 mm forefoot in a US 10.0 versus the official 36 mm / 30 mm figures.
Buyers comparing stack height to other shoes should note the actual cushioning platform may run slightly higher than the manufacturer's numbers suggest.
1 creator2 opinions
Opinions (2)
- Humble Running
The North Face lists the Altamesa 500 V2 stack as 36 mm at the heel and 30 mm under the forefoot for a 6 mm drop, matching the rest of The North Face's model lineup.
The North Face Altamesa 500 V2 // First Run // Trainer or Racer ???Watch source Humble Running measured the Altamesa 500 V2 in size US 10.0 at 41 mm at the heel and 35 mm at the forefoot (full stack including insole and outsole), about 5 mm above The North Face's spec.
The North Face Altamesa 500 V2 // First Run // Trainer or Racer ???Watch source
2The reviewer finds the Altamesa 500 V2 positioned as a long-distance training shoe rather than a lightweight super-shoe racer, and considers its 10.3 oz (292 g) weight in a US 10.0 to be very good for that purpose.
This shoe is aimed at high-mileage training and ultra-distance efforts, not short-course racing; buyers seeking a featherweight racer should look elsewhere.
1 creator3 opinions
Opinions (3)
Humble Running weighed the North Face Altamesa 500 V2 in size US 10.0 at 10.3 oz (292 g), which he considers a very good weight for a long-distance training shoe.
The North Face Altamesa 500 V2 // First Run // Trainer or Racer ???Watch sourceHumble Running describes the Altamesa 500 V2 as positioned more as a long-distance training shoe, not a super lightweight super shoe style racer.
The North Face Altamesa 500 V2 // First Run // Trainer or Racer ???Watch sourceHumble Running speculates the Altamesa 500 V2 could be a training/long-distance ultra racing option for many runners.
The North Face Altamesa 500 V2 // First Run // Trainer or Racer ???17:12
3The reviewer finds the Dream Foam in the Altamesa 500 V2 feels firmer, more stable, and less bouncy than the foam in the Vectiv Pro 3 and Sky 2, and more similar to the Enduris 4's foam.
Runners who found TNF's premium foams too soft or bouncy may prefer this firmer, more grounded feel, but those wanting maximum energy return may be disappointed.
1 creator3 opinions
Opinions (3)
Humble Running finds the Altamesa 500 V2's Dream Foam feels firmer, more stable, and less bouncy than the Dream Foam in the Pro 3 and Sky 2, and more similar to the foam in the Enduris 4.
The North Face Altamesa 500 V2 // First Run // Trainer or Racer ???Watch sourceHumble Running observes the Altamesa 500 V2 is effectively as stiff as the Enduris 4 and Pro 3, but the foams are different — the Altamesa's foam is clearly less bouncy and closer to the Enduris.
The North Face Altamesa 500 V2 // First Run // Trainer or Racer ???17:12Humble Running says the Altamesa 500 V2 feels very cushioned and very comfortable without being soft or mushy, with excellent foothold.
The North Face Altamesa 500 V2 // First Run // Trainer or Racer ???21:10
4The reviewer observes the Altamesa 500 V2 has a notably wide fit with a broad, rounded toe box comparable to a Topo, and considers it the widest and most comfortable toe box among North Face models tested while still feeling secure.
Wide-foot runners who like North Face shoes may find the Altamesa 500 V2 especially accommodating without sacrificing lockdown.
1 creator4 opinions
Opinions (4)
Humble Running notes the Altamesa 500 V2 has a quite wide fit with a broad toe box and a very broad ground platform similar to the Enduris 4 but with extra width under the middle of the shoe.
The North Face Altamesa 500 V2 // First Run // Trainer or Racer ???Watch sourceHumble Running likes the forefoot width in the Altamesa 500 V2 and finds the toe box more rounded and squared off at the front, comparable almost to a Topo — spacious and dialed in fit.
The North Face Altamesa 500 V2 // First Run // Trainer or Racer ???Watch sourceHumble Running compares the toe boxes of the Altamesa 500 V2 and Enduris 4 side by side and finds the Altamesa appears wider with a more dialed forefoot and more volume; he says the Altamesa is clearly the widest and most comfortable toe box among North Face models he has tested, while still being secure.
The North Face Altamesa 500 V2 // First Run // Trainer or Racer ???
5The reviewer finds the Altamesa 500 V2 is quite stiff from mid-arch to rear — effectively like a plate and hard to flex — yet notes no plate is visible or confirmed, unlike the Vectiv models.
The shoe delivers a plate-like protective stiffness through its foam and geometry alone, which may appeal to runners who want that feel without an actual carbon plate.
1 creator3 opinions
Opinions (3)
Humble Running finds the Altamesa 500 V2 is still quite stiff from the mid under the arch all the way to the rear, and hard to flex — effectively like a plate, very protective.
The North Face Altamesa 500 V2 // First Run // Trainer or Racer ???Watch sourceHumble Running states he has not seen or received confirmation of any plate in the Altamesa 500 V2, and no plate is visible like on the Vectiv models.
The North Face Altamesa 500 V2 // First Run // Trainer or Racer ???Watch sourceHumble Running observes the Altamesa 500 V2 is effectively as stiff as the Enduris 4 and Pro 3, but the foams are different — the Altamesa's foam is clearly less bouncy and closer to the Enduris.
The North Face Altamesa 500 V2 // First Run // Trainer or Racer ???17:12
6The reviewer describes the Altamesa 500 V2's ride as a big-toe-rocker geometry that lands on a solid platform before transitioning into a forward toe rocker, distinct from the Vectiv midfoot rolling ride of the Pro 3 and Enduris 4.
The ride favors a stable, platform-first landing with a toe-driven forward roll rather than a smooth midfoot roll, which may suit heel-to-toe strikers more than midfoot rollers.
1 creator3 opinions
Opinions (3)
Humble Running characterizes the Altamesa 500 V2's ride as a big-toe-rocker geometry — it doesn't roll at the forefoot but rather at the toes, and feels well supported, well cushioned, and protected.
The North Face Altamesa 500 V2 // First Run // Trainer or Racer ???8:43Humble Running notes the Altamesa 500 V2 does not have the Vectiv rocker of the Pro and Enduris; it instead uses a forward-oriented toe rocker, and the heel feels more supported and does not sink down.
The North Face Altamesa 500 V2 // First Run // Trainer or Racer ???8:43Humble Running describes the Altamesa 500 V2's ride as having a longer base — you land solid on a more solid platform before getting into the front toe rocker, as opposed to the Enduris 4's rolling midfoot ride.
The North Face Altamesa 500 V2 // First Run // Trainer or Racer ???
7The reviewer speculates the Altamesa 500 V2 offers more stability than the Pro 3 and Enduris 4 due to its wider ground platform under the arch and rear, providing a solid square landing base.
Runners who prioritize a stable platform — especially on technical or uneven terrain — may find this model more confidence-inspiring than TNF's other cushioned trail shoes.
1 creator3 opinions
Opinions (3)
Humble Running speculates the Altamesa 500 V2 offers more stability than the Pro and Enduris due to the wider ground platform that is wider under the arch and rear, providing a solid square platform to land on versus a more curved rolling area.
The North Face Altamesa 500 V2 // First Run // Trainer or Racer ???12:45Humble Running shows the Altamesa 500 V2 platform is wider in the forefoot and rear compared to the Enduris 4.
The North Face Altamesa 500 V2 // First Run // Trainer or Racer ???21:10Humble Running observes an extension of the outsole wrapping around by the ball of the foot in the Altamesa 500 V2, similar to what is seen in the Prodigio Pro, which may give a little stability in the absence of a plate.
The North Face Altamesa 500 V2 // First Run // Trainer or Racer ???4:40
8The reviewer finds heel hold in the Altamesa 500 V2 excellent and completely dialed with no heel lift, and notes the wide lace throw still achieves a secure fit despite the shoe's broad width.
Despite the generous width, lockdown appears to be a strength, so runners with narrower heels need not assume a sloppy fit.
1 creator4 opinions
Opinions (4)
Humble Running finds the Altamesa 500 V2 has a wide lace throw and gets just as good and secure a fit as narrower North Face models despite the shoe being wider.
The North Face Altamesa 500 V2 // First Run // Trainer or Racer ???4:40Humble Running finds heel hold in the Altamesa 500 V2 really great, with the heel feeling completely dialed and no sense of the heel being pulled up.
The North Face Altamesa 500 V2 // First Run // Trainer or Racer ???8:43Humble Running finds the Altamesa 500 V2 feels agile because it feels securely strapped to the bottom of the foot.
The North Face Altamesa 500 V2 // First Run // Trainer or Racer ???12:45
9The reviewer finds the Altamesa 500 V2 feels smooth on uphills for a high-stack, stiff shoe thanks to the toe rocker, and observes excellent foothold on downhills with the shoe feeling strapped to the foot.
The shoe's geometry and lockdown seem to translate well to varied terrain, including climbs and descents, despite its high stack and stiffness.
1 creator2 opinions
Opinions (2)
Humble Running finds the Altamesa 500 V2 feels pretty smooth on uphills for a high-stack shoe on the stiffer side, with the toe rocker rolling well into the hill.
The North Face Altamesa 500 V2 // First Run // Trainer or Racer ???12:45Humble Running observes the Altamesa 500 V2's foothold is excellent and the shoe feels totally strapped to the bottom of the foot on downhills.
The North Face Altamesa 500 V2 // First Run // Trainer or Racer ???12:45
10The reviewer, a lightweight runner, finds the Altamesa 500 V2's combination of 10.3 oz and 40+ mm heel stack fantastic for himself and speculates it will also work well for heavier runners, as the foam feels soft but not squishy on a broad stable platform.
The shoe may have broad appeal across runner sizes, with the firm-yet-cushioned foam and wide platform offering stability for both lighter and heavier runners.
1 creator1 opinion
Opinions (1)
Humble Running , a lightweight runner, finds the Altamesa 500 V2's 10.3 oz and 40+ mm at the heel fantastic for himself and thinks it will also work well for heavier runners — the foam feels soft and not squishy, and the broad platform provides stability.
The North Face Altamesa 500 V2 // First Run // Trainer or Racer ???12:45
11The reviewer notes the Altamesa 500 V2 uses a thinner racing-style tongue similar to the Pro 3 and Sky 2 — unlike the cushioned tongue of the Enduris 4 and version 1 — which he believes helped reduce weight to 10.3 oz.
Buyers who prefer a plush, padded tongue may find the racing-style tongue less comfortable, though it contributes to the shoe's lighter weight.
1 creator1 opinion
Opinions (1)
Humble Running notes the Altamesa 500 V2 uses a thinner racing-style tongue similar to the Pro 3 and Sky 2, unlike the cushioned tongue of the Enduris 4 and version 1, which he believes is part of how they shaved weight to reach 10.3 oz.
The North Face Altamesa 500 V2 // First Run // Trainer or Racer ???21:10
