Wednesday Shoe Sneak Peek and Giveaway

The third day in our week of shoe review previews and giveaways—The North Face Ultra Equity

This week, we’re offering a sneak peek at several shoes we’ll be reviewing in full in our fall spring shoe review (October issue, available on newsstands Sept. 11.) Each day, we’ll feature one shoe and offer a free pair to one randomly selected winner.

To be entered in today’s giveaway for a pair of The North Face Ultra Equity shoes, just leave a comment on this page by midnight tonight (Wednesday). Winner will be selected, notified and announced on trailrunnermag.com tomorrow.

Note: As per manufacturers’ limitations, shoes can only be shipped to U.S. addresses.

Congrats to reader Lance Orndorf whose name was selected from those who commented on yesterday’s shoe sneak to receive a pair of HOKA ONE ONE Huakas. Stay tuned for tomorrow’s shoe sneak peek and giveaway!

The North Face Ultra Equity (GTX version available)

• $115 ($130 for Gore-Tex version)
• 8.9 oz (9.3 oz for GTX)
• 10mm drop

Not many trail-running shoes offer stability posting in the midsole to help combat overpronation, but the forthcoming (fall 2014) Ultra Equity from The North Face does just that, with a stiff medial post that provides significant arch support—similar to what you’d get from an after-market insole. The shoe has a bit of a road-running-shoe feel to it. The super-breathable mesh upper of the non-GTX version dries quickly after creek crossings and is ideal for hot weather (though the shoe’s dark color schemes counteract this coolness to some extent.) Low-profile tread and minimal lateral support in the upper keeps the Ultra Equity light, nimble and best suited for dry, smooth trails, grass or roads.

Best For:

• Overpronators or flat-footed runners
• Beginner trail runners
• Door-to-trailhead runs
• Dry, non-technical terrain

How It Fits:

• True to size; if anything, a tad small
• Medium width with a roomy toebox

Tester Rave:

• “The Ultra Equity provided good traction on the loose dirt, rock and tree-root singletrack and high-desert terrain I ran on. It’s very lightweight, which makes the shoe nimble and was beneficial on steep climbs and the cushiony sole was beneficial for the steep descents. Overall, a super light, nimble shoe.”
  –Mark Feinsinger, Carbondale, CO