FIrst Look: TNF Altamesa 300
The @thenorthface_trail Altamesa 300 is the less talked about sibling to the 500. Even though it was just released, the 300 already has a storied past, as the shoe @zachmiller38 wore the last 20 miles of his epic performance at @utmbmontblanc last summer. One of the most exciting trail racing performances to date IMO.
Design and Construction
The overall construction feels solid and durable, though the color ways leave a lot to be desired. The SKYCORE rock guard provides light and flexible rock protection while SURFACE CTRL™ rubber is some of the best in the business.
Comfort and Fit
I would liken the feel on foot to the Nike Zegama or TNF Enduris (though a bit firmer). The lockdown is pretty nice around the midfoot and didn’t require me to stop and tighten things up constantly. The upper is quite voluminous, which makes me understand why ZM would have chose this later in the race. The wider base of the forefoot provides a lot of stability which really makes this feel like you can go all day in this shoe.
Performance
For my second run in the Altamesa I knocked out 22 miles on a rolling east coast trail and they remained steady the whole time. The wider forefoot really gives you confidence and allows the miles to just melt away. The outsole seemed to have a little less bite then other TNF Trail shoes I’ve run in. The midsole cushioning felt a little stiff on my initial run, but has broken in nicely over 50 miles. Finally, while I’m a fan of high volume shoes, the additional room did make me a little weary when making sudden pivots.
Highlights
- Wider Base
- Voluminous Upper
- SKYCORE Rock Guard
- Retails for $129
Awaiting Full Assessment
- Long-distance comfort over extended runs
- How will the outsole handle variable terrains, water, etc.
- Is this a race day shoe?
In closing, the TNF Altamesa 300 is one my most anticipated shoes of 2024. Will they live up the hype in my head. Stay tuned to find out!
