The North Face Single-Track Hayasa II (Fall 2013)
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9.1 oz | 8mm drop | $110 | thenorthface.com
The Dirt: With feedback from The North Face athlete Lizzy Hawker, this second rendition of the Hayasa sports a lighter, “no-sew” upper that thrilled testers with its out-of-the-box comfort.
The midsole features innovative Pebax foam—lighter weight than traditional EVA and not temperature sensitive.
Debut of The North Face FlashDry technology in the Hayasa II promises better moisture management with a microporous-particle additive that speeds evaporative drying.
Best For: Just about everything, from pavement to rugged trails, for short distance or ultras. The Hayasa II excels in wet weather.
Traction: Though at first glance, the tread appears modest, it performs exceptionally well on technical trails. Without knobby lugs to catch on rocks or trip over, one tester reported, “The less aggressive lugs made skiing down scree and loose slopes easier.”
Fit: The Hayasa II runs slightly long.
The Downsides: For some testers, the upper suffered tearing and holes after logging fewer than 100 miles.
Tester-Monial: “The fit is like a glove! The cradle technology around the heel kept my foot from sliding on flats, climbs and especially downhills.” –Tina Mowery, Ellerslie, MD