North Face Offtrail TR BOA Performance Review

Akin to one of the La Sportiva BOA offerings (Cyklon series of the Jackal II BOA) and the late but great Salomon S/Lab Cross, the North Face Summit Series Offtrail TR BOA is a push into shoes designed for the days or trails that make you question whether you should actually be out there in this type of environment.

The North Face (TNF) continues to take leaps in the trail shoe world, with the Offtrail TR solidifying the TNF shoe tree in the harsh conditions space. It’s built like an overland vehicle, with lots of bells and whistles that help you brave all the variables that leave your legs dirty, wet, or both. Is it a case of a shoe doing too much? Will it translate for the average runner? Or is this a true trail luxury for anyone who wants respite from the elements? Let’s find out.

Midsole

The North Face Offtrail TR BOA features a “high-rebound” EVA midsole (termed as such by TNF), with a relatively low profile of 18mm of cushioning under the heel and 12mm in the forefoot. Of course, any shoe designed for technical terrain will likely sit at a lower stack height so that you get more ground feel – of which the Offtrail TR offers plenty. 

Although stiff out of the box, I was surprised to find that the midsole grew into its name somewhat, with a slight response (nothing crazy, but there’s a little rebound) when you transition out of the slop and onto some nicely groomed singletrack. However, if you’re buying the shoe for the intended use, tons of rebound is probably something you don’t care much about. Although not flashy, a traditional EVA midsole adds to the durability of the midsole, and it will hold up. 

You’re probably thinking, “only 12mm in the forefoot? Am I going to feel all the rocks and roots I’m supposed to be running over?” Valid question, but the answer is no, thanks to a Skycore Rock Guard sole unit that adds some additional protection for your feet. I wouldn’t recommend taking this shoe out all day for your feet’s sake, but it’ll keep you comfortable enough for your more technical runs.

Upper

The upper is full of different bells and whistles to provide a secure and precise fit for the runner. The BOA Fit System with Li2 dials allows you to dial in a snug fit that conforms to the shape of your feet. As a bonus, if you’re unfamiliar with BOA systems, it’s much easier to adjust the fit mid-activity.

Accompanying the Li2 dial is a PerformFit Wrap that encloses around your ankle for increased stability. When you slip into the shoe, you’ll notice the wrap close around your foot, almost as though you’re putting on a wetsuit bootie. The wrap builds up into an integrated gaiter which is perfect for keeping all the stuff you’re running through out of your shoe. Topping it all off is a Matryx upper with Kevlar reinforcements that encloses around the BOA system.

That’s a lot of techy word jargon, but what does it all mean? Essentially, not a lot of debris is going to make it into this shoe, and you’re going to be protected from any rougher elements that may normally damage your foot. It’s not GORE-TEX, but I imagine the maximum security-like construction of the upper will naturally inhibit water from getting past it. The BOA Fit System and wrap does allow for a precise and supportive cupping of your foot that will leave you feeling locked into a stable ride.

For those who have never experienced an upper like this, there’s a lot going on, and that can be a bit of a con in some cases. I’ll discuss that later.

Outsole

The North Face Offtrail TR uses SURFACE CTRL technology that’s been featured on some of North Face’s other shoes, accompanied by a rubber wrap in the forefoot and a 7mm lug pattern that looks like a mosaic of grip going every which way. 

To get grip out of the way, let me just say that you will have no problem here. 7mm lugs of varying shape and direction are going to snag onto dirt, mud, snow, animal poop [Editor’s Note: Excuse me?], or whatever you choose to run in [Editor’s Note: Wait, you’re saying it’s an active choice?]. The depth of the lugs also means you’ll naturally shed some of the tackier compounds like mud (and poop, if you’re unlucky) throughout your run. Think of the lug pattern as snow tires for a trail shoe.

The rubber compound itself is also quite sticky and burly. I’ve read some negative reviews of SURFACE CTRL on other North Face shoes, but I can’t say I experienced any durability issues with this outsole. I imagine it’s going to continue to grip well into the lifespan of the shoe. If you’re worried about slipping or not having enough traction, the North Face Offtrail TR could be your answer.

Is the North Face Offtrail TR wide foot friendly?

I would say the North Face Offtrail TR is not designed for wide feet. It’s fairly narrow from toe to heel.

Is the North Face Offtrail TR worth $199?

Always an interesting question to answer. It’s a tech-heavy shoe from a big brand. Based on the features and technology wrapped up in the North Face Offtrail TR, I’d say yes.

Cons

I touched on the upper having a lot going on, which is true about the North Face Offtrail TR in general. It’s a specific use-case model that’s designed as such, which can mean it isn’t for everyone. 

The securely snug upper can verge on constrictive and uncomfortable. I experienced some pain around the ankle bones and achilles where the BOA Fit System squeezes around your foot. It typically takes me a few minutes to actually get the shoes on my feet, because, like a ski boot or other sturdy footwear, the beefy construction means not much is designed to flex or stretch. The shoe will also naturally be prone to overheating with its multiple layers; so if you’re looking for a mud shoe for warm spring days, that’s definitely something to consider.

As an overall con, I imagine this shoe will simply be too much for some runners. I’d recommend trying them on if you can or purchasing the shoe as an additional arrow in the proverbial running shoe quiver for those extreme days. If you’re getting this shoe as a daily driver, your feet may start to get upset with you.

North Face Offtrail TR BOA Summary

The North Face Summit Series Offtrail TR is a tech-loaded shoe designed for harsh conditions and technical adaptations. The North Face team put tons of thought into each feature, serving purposes designed for ultimate output and performance in those harsh conditions. 

Judging the shoe on what it was built for, you find that North Face created a legitimate, technical performance shoe that’s not afraid to be the first foot in the mud, snow, or whatever other element you find yourself in [Editor’s Note: …such as…animal poop…and what not…]. It’s grippy, durable, and stable, with enough grit to battering-ram your way through the elements.

You can find our other running shoes reviews here and our list of the best trail shoes here.

How does the Author Run?

Sam Lohse (age 28, 6’0″, 170 lbs): Runs daily, sometimes morning/night doubles, with one rest day a week (typically). Hangs right around 40-50 miles a week in general unless in race-specific training. Races distances from 50K to 100 miles, almost always on the trails. 

Disclosure

While BOA Technologies did provide pairs of the North Face Offtrail TR BOA to facilitate this review, the company had no involvement in this review, didn’t receive an advance look at it, and has not attempted to influence it.