For a solid day on the trail, you need a solid shoe that will keep you safe, secure, and stable.
If you’re looking for a shoe to conquer intense terrain while providing protection and decent traction, The North Face Ultra 109 Gtx might be just perfect for you. You can’t afford to slip or twist an ankle when you’re out in the woods. It is painful, difficult, and potentially quite dangerous to do so. So, the first step to alleviating this potential risk is to choose a great hiking shoe or boot and solid hiking socks. But, in this article, we’ll sort through what makes the North Face Ultra 109 Gtx a solid choice for any vigorous hiking adventure. So, without further delay, let’s dive into this great hiking shoe.
Men's The North Face Ultra 109 Gtx Features & Benefits
Truly Designed for Vigorous Movements
The Men's The North Face Ultra 109 Gtx is actually advertised and designed as a trail running shoe. But, before you get turned off because running is not your thing, hear us out. Trail runners need ample grip and protection while still be versatile and supportive. Isn’t this what you want in a hiking shoe as well? Yes. With this, the Men's The North Face Ultra 109 Gtx provides subtle pronation correction, keeping you from tripping less over yourself. All of the following features are designed with trail running in mind. So, if you tend to jump around on rocks or occasionally sprint up the last climb to the summit of the hike, this could be an excellent choice of hiking shoe for you.
GORE-TEX® Upper for Waterproofing
For many of us, waterproof is a necessity for hiking shoes. Hiking with wet socks and shoes not only is incredibly uncomfortable but adds quite a bit of weight each time you pick up your feet. So, while Gore-Tex does add more weight and cut back on breathability, it can still be worth it. For those of us prone to walking through puddles or hiking in the rain, you will definitely want a hiking boot with Gore-Tex. This waterproof fabric is more durable than other waterproof synthetics, though not quite as much as leather. However, it is more breathable than leather! The Men's The North Face Ultra 109 Gtx shoe will keep you dry no matter what the conditions, which is a pretty spectacular claim that does hold up according to reviews.
PU-coated Leather Upper Midfoot Support
Ankle support and protection is something to think critically about whenever looking into a hiking shoe. With durable leather as the upper midfoot base, you’re given solid and lasting support. Having a PU coating on top will keep it from cracking or fraying after it gets wet and dries many times. This combination provides you with a supportive middle section without being a tall hiking boot. So, this allows the flexibility if you are trail running to hop on rocks and have more freedom of movement. This will, in turn, add a little more fun and pep to your run or hike. So, The Men's The North Face Ultra 109 Gtx is prepared to help you conquer whatever the trail throws at you.
Protective TPU Toe Cap
Thermoplastic polyurethane sounds like quite the material, and it is. It is a harder form of rubber that still adapts to its surroundings. The toe cap on the North Face Ultra 109 Gtx is made from this, providing ample protection against the rocks and roots of the trail. Most of us have probably stubbed a toe or had the toe seam be the first to go on a pair of shoes. Don’t fret about that happening with the protective TPU toe cap on this shoe. Because the North Face has thought through this design, you’ll be running and hiking with confidence, and hopefully free of injury.
UltrATAC™ Rubber Outsole with TPU Snake Plate™ Forefoot Protection
The rugged and patented UltrATAC rubber outsoles provide intense grip on both wet and dry surfaces. This allows you to run through a stream or a dry, dusty road with ease. Having a versatile shoe that can conquer all types of terrain will help you save money in the long run and also make packing easy when it comes to diverse trips. In addition, the North Face Ultra 109 Gtx is equipped with a TPU Snake Plate™ which provides extra protection under the ball of your foot. So, when you need to bound off an extra sharp rock or just need to kick something out of the way, this shoe will have you back.
What Travelers Are Saying About the Men's The North Face Ultra 109 Gtx
The Men's The North Face Ultra 109 Gtx is rated highly for comfort, style, traction, and cushioning. While a little stiff at first, that’s to be expected with any hiking or running shoe. Additionally, a few people comment that for being advertised as a running shoe, it is a bit heavy. It weighs in at 1 pound, 15 ounces for a pair of Men’s size nine. Close to two pounds is a bit heavy for a hiking shoe, but it does provide a bit more protection than your average running shoe. All reviewers to agree that it runs true to size, so you can have confidence in ordering.
The majority of reviewers say that the Men's The North Face Ultra 109 Gtx is incredibly durable. There are a few travelers here and there who are surprised at how quickly the shoe wears out, however. Many people rebuttal that they probably bought a size too small and therefore rub the shoe material more. Either way, you can always fall back on the fact that The North Face stands behind their product. With a one-year warranty, you can replace this shoe with a brand new pair for free if they do fall apart. So, with an overall score of 4.5 out of 5 stars and a great warranty, this is an excellent choice for hiking or trail running shoe.
Alternative Men’s Hiking Shoes You May Like
Salomon Men's X Ultra 3 GTX Hiking Shoes
The Salomon Men's X Ultra 3 GTX Hiking Shoes is another solid hiking shoe that provides unrivaled traction. With the Descent Control Technology, you will have even more control while going down steep grades than the Men's The North Face Ultra 109 Gtx. If you plan on doing a lot of ups and downs, this might be a good alternative. Weighing in at 13.5 ounces, this shoe is also almost half the weight of the Ultra 109s. When putting many miles on in one day, that can quickly add up.
Lastly, the quick lace with Sensifit allows for you to take these shoes on and off with one hand. If you have kiddos tagging along or like to rest your feet in a stream when you see one, this can be a huge perk. Additionally, the Sensifit technology cradles your foot so well it feels like a custom fit. So, for a high traction, lightweight hiking shoe at a lower price point, check out the Salomon Men's X Ultra 3 GoreTex Hiking Shoes.
Merrell Men's Moab 2 Vent Hiking Shoe
The Merrell Men's Moab 2 Vent Hiking Shoe gets just as good reviews as our The North Face Ultra 109 Gtx hiking shoe. Made of leather and mesh, this is going to be a more breathable but not waterproof alternative. The suede leather and earth tone synthetics do provide a great look to this shoe, though. This allows you to easily go straight from the trail out for drinks without worrying about style. This shoe also has a protective toe cap to keep your little piggies safe from harm. One thing that sets this shoe apart is it does have the well-loved Vibram TC5+ soles. These provide a 5mm lug depth that has withstood the test of time and practically taken over the outdoor sole market. These shoes weight the same as the North Face Ultra 109 Gtx but do provide some different features.
Oboz Men's Sawtooth Low Light Hiking Shoe
If you want a brand you can stand behind just as much as the shoe, check out the Oboz Men's Sawtooth Low Light Hiking Shoe. Made mostly of leather and a rubber sole, these are incredibly natural and durable shoes. The Deluxe footbed cradles your foot providing optimum comfort and support without crowding you in. Oboz stands behind their products, but there’s almost no need for the warranty becomes of their well designed and lasting construction. The Sawtooth outsole provides ample traction in both wet and dry spots. Know that this is not a waterproof hiking shoe like the North Face Ultra 109 Gtx though. However, Oboz does have other waterproof options if you’re needing that. So, for a great, smaller company who understands feet, look to the Oboz Men's Sawtooth Low Light Hiking Shoe.
The North Face Ultra 109 Gtx hiking and trail running shoe is made for the most intense adventure.
While being a little on the heavy side, the North Face Ultra 109 Gtx hiking shoe makes up for that in its durability and features. From the waterproof yet breathable Gore-Tex fabric to the added toe and foot protection, this shoe is hard to beat. On top of that, we love the style of this shoe. You can easily wear it out on the town after your hike as long as you don’t smell too bad yourself. So, don't forget to add these to your ultimate hiking checklist. The North Face Ultra 109 Gtx hiking shoes are ready for your next adventure shoe, and they won't disappoint.
Related Article: The Best Hiking Shoes for Men: Durable, Lightweight Picks
