The North Face has quietly been building its road running credentials over the past few years, and the Altamesa 500 V2 represents the brand's most ambitious statement yet in the competitive daily trainer market. The headline innovation is DREAM foam — a nitrogen-infused midsole compound that The North Face developed in-house and which makes its road running debut in this shoe. The process involves injecting nitrogen gas into the foam during manufacturing, creating a cellular structure that is lighter, more responsive, and more durable than conventional EVA or TPU foams. It is the kind of material science innovation that has the potential to shift the conversation around what outdoor-heritage brands can bring to road running.
On foot, the DREAM foam delivers a ride that sits somewhere between the soft, sink-in feel of traditional max-cushion trainers and the snappier, more propulsive sensation of modern PEBA-based foams. The midsole stack height is generous at 34mm in the heel and 26mm in the forefoot, providing ample cushioning for long runs and daily training without the instability that can sometimes accompany high-stack designs. The nitrogen infusion seems to contribute to a more consistent ride feel across temperatures — where some foams firm up in cold weather or go dead in heat, the DREAM compound maintained its character across our testing in conditions ranging from chilly morning runs to warmer afternoon sessions.
The V2 updates over the original Altamesa 500 extend beyond the midsole. The upper has been redesigned with a more breathable engineered mesh that sheds roughly 15 grams compared to the first version, bringing the total shoe weight down to a competitive 265 grams in a men's size 9. The fit is true to size with a slightly wider forefoot than the V1, addressing one of the few criticisms of the original model. The heel counter has been reshaped for a more secure lockdown, and the internal padding has been reduced to eliminate any potential hot spots during longer efforts. Small refinements, certainly, but they add up to a shoe that feels more polished and purpose-built than its predecessor.
The outsole uses a full-coverage Continental rubber compound — the same material found on many Adidas running shoes — which provides exceptional grip on wet and dry road surfaces alike. The durability of the outsole has been excellent in testing, showing minimal wear after 150 kilometers of mixed-surface running. This is an area where The North Face's outdoor heritage arguably gives them an advantage, as the brand has decades of experience engineering outsoles for harsh conditions. The tread pattern is road-specific but handles light packed trails without issue, making the Altamesa 500 V2 a viable option for runners whose routes occasionally venture off pavement.
At $160, the Altamesa 500 V2 is priced competitively against established daily trainers from Nike, New Balance, and Asics, and the DREAM foam technology gives it a genuine point of differentiation in a crowded market. The North Face may not be the first brand that comes to mind when runners think about their daily training shoe, but the Altamesa 500 V2 makes a compelling case for expanding those horizons. The combination of innovative foam technology, a well-executed upper, and durable outsole construction creates a package that can stand alongside the best in the category. For runners looking for something different from the usual suspects, The North Face has delivered a shoe that deserves to be in the conversation.