The 11.2-ounce, 8-mm drop shoe provides support and confidence to trail runners by easily handling dirt, mud and even slick terrain.

In my 50+ miles of testing, I ran on trails that were at times dry, slick, muddy, snowy and even covered with a thin layer of ice. I never once felt like the Endurus could not handle the conditions.

The North Face Endurus TR General Info

I was struck by the comfort of the shoe and the unique shoelaces. My feet slid in comfortably and off I went. Among my first runs was on the nearby high school cross-country course that spills out near a collection of little league baseball fields.

The North Face Endurus TR – Toe

Thanks to some freshly frozen snow, a thin layer of ice greeted me on the pathways between the baseball fields.

To my surprise, the North Face Endurus lugs gripped the ice well, allowing me to continue my running. Even though I had slowed down on my first pass, on subsequent loops, I kept up my pace and the Endurus provided solid footing.

The shoes don’t look fast — and they aren’t — but I knew early on that I wanted to wear these during my first trail marathon of the year, where conditions could be challenging.

That turned out to be true as I completed my winter night trail marathon on a course littered with puddles, tree roots and mud — lots of mud.

In fact, mile 5-6 (it was a four-loop course) had turned into a sloppy pit of sunken shoe divots. Even on my final loop, the Endurus performed as well as could possibly be expected, given the mud’s depth and obtrusiveness.

I would not hesitate to wear the North Face Endurus TR in any condition that Mother Nature throws out as a challenge to runners.

The North Face Endurus TR Sole Unit

The North Face’s new Xtra Foam midsole material and breathable upper sole envelope the foot in a sort, comfortable cushion. (Champion ultra runner Dylan Bowman Is said to be the inspiration behind the cushioning.)

The North Face Endurus TR – Sole

The Xtra Foam midsole is among the softest trail shoes I have tried, serving as a direct contrast to the firmer EVA compound that protects feet from the hazards of the trail.

A Vibram Megagrip rubber outsole and 3-mm lugs provide stability on the trails, no matter what type of trail you are running or hiking on. A snake plate serves as ample protection against trail debris like loose rocks.

The North Face Endurus TR Upper Info

The Endurus is a bit bulkier than other North Face trail shoes. But that hardly matters when it’s gripping the trail and keeping the runner upright.

The upper sole of the Endurus is a seamless welded-suede that allows for the feet to breathe. The TPU film toe cap is laid over a synthetic backer ensuring toe protection.

During my muddy and wet trail marathon, I galloped through a series of puddles. While the FlashDry collar didn’t completely repel the water, it kept the wetness to a minimum.

The North Face Endurus TR Conclusions

The North Face Endurus TR packs delivers on its promise of comfort, stability, protection and durability. It gives trail runners confidence to navigate through the toughest challenges, including dirt, mud, snow and ice.

I would not hesitate to wear these shoes on any challenging trail run or race. At the same time, they are comfortable enough to wear on a day-long hike on your favorite trail.

We thank the nice people at The North Face for sending us a pair of Endurus TR to test. This did not influence the outcome of the review, written after running more than 50 miles in them.