The North Face Summit Offtrail TR BOA Review

There are rugged trail runners and then the’s The North Face Summit Offtrail TR BOA trail runners. With a bootie-style upper, deeply-lugged outsole and BOA Fit System, the Offtrail TR’s are made to tackle the gnarliest terrain. I’ve hiked and run in these for several months and they are the monster trucks of trail runners.

The North Face Summit Offtrail TR BOA Features:

• BOA® Fit System with Li2 dials for micro-adjustable fit
• The PerformFit™ Wrap provides ankle stability and protection
• EVA midsole with 18mm heel and 12mm forefoot (6mm drop)
• Integrated gaiter keeps trail scree at bay
• Pull tabs for easy on/off
• Extra durable uppers for extreme abrasion-resistance
• Reinforced and protective toe cap
• Skycore rock guard for added protection
• SURFACE CTRL™ outsole with 7mm lugs and forefoot rubber wrap
• Overlasted Matryx® forefoot with Kevlar® reinforcements
• Weight: 14.7 oz (each, size 11.5)
• MSRP: $199

Bushwhacking champions

Upon arrival, I had a hunch the Summit Offtrail TR BOA shoes would become a great option for winter training — with those gnarly lugs and bootie design — however, they have turned out to be more nuanced than that. I’ll do my best to unpack them from my experience using them for fast-paced hiking and trail running.

It’s no surprise that I’m a huge fan of the BOA Fit System. I actually insist on it for my cycling shoes (Trek Velocis, Trek RSL Road and RSL MTB are three recent examples). But, when it comes to running shoes, it hasn’t yet hit the mark. The Adidas Terrex Agravic Pro BOA is the most recent example that honestly flopped big time. But, the Saucony Switchback and Switchback 2 are much better examples. With that, I’m a fan, but the jury is still out for running shoes. Would The North Face Summit Offtrail TR BOA change that? Well… sorta. 

Slipping these on is a breeze. Thankfully, both the front and rear of the uppers has pull tabs (something all trail shoes should offer). I just pulled those apart and the neoprene bootie opens wide for my feet to slip right in. The BOA Fit System utilizes the PerformFit Wrap to cinch my feet down and lock them into place. By a long shot, this is the most cohesive BOA fit I’ve experienced in a running shoe. It compresses my feet while providing an evenly-distributed fit. The Li2 dial allows easy fine-tuning before, during or after use. And, when you’re done, they are a cinch to remove.

Something that metal lacing systems struggle with is mimicking the minor natural flex of shoelaces. Not only do laces move in/out of eyelets, they also flex just a little. So, with each step, the natural movement of the foot is still in play. The BOA laces do offer some minor movement through the PerformFit system, but it’s limited and a little better-suited to slower-paced activity. But, with the intended purpose of tackling the most technical terrain, that’s not such a bad thing.

Without digging into the details, I falsely assumed these would have better weather resistance, but they don’t. My hopes of a competitor for the Scarpa Ribelle Run Kalibra G were shattered on one of my first winter trail runs when the Offtrail TR’s showcased their durability but lack of waterproofing. While the uppers do offer a ton of trail protection from debris, rocks and branches, they aren’t even water-resistant. If you’re looking for a similar shoe that is waterproof, The North Face Offtrail TR Gore-Tex Shoes is the one to look at. You lose BOA, but gain Gore-Tex.

Back to running. With such aggressive 7mm lugs, there’s no way anyone will claim these are acceptable for anything but trails or above treeline assaults. Anytime you have that thick of rubber, the trail becomes muted and pavement becomes clunky. Luckily, the shoes smooth, natural stride takes the edge off the aggressive treads — making them acceptable for short pavement approaches. But, don’t kid yourself, the SURFACE CTRL outsole means business.

On the trails, the shoes do counter from mid foot to toe-off really well. Each step feels natural and rolls into the next. I’m running at a pretty slow pace (9-10 minutes/mile) and I think they are just fine for that speed. They aren’t the kind of shoes that beg you to go faster, but are content with moving along like a monster truck. With 18mm at the heel and only 12mm in the forefoot, they do lack the comfort I’ve come to love with The North Face Altamesa 500, so keep that in mind. The combination of the thick rubber, Skycore Rock Guard and less midsole does make for a jarring ride that my body can’t take for extended periods. Anything beyond 5-6 miles would definitely have me looking for an alternative to better keep my knees and hips happy.

The SURFACE CTRL 7mm outsole is very aggressive and sticks to any type of terrain I’ve thrown their way. With widely-spaced knobs, the mud does gather, but expels on its own for the most part. Those knobs can also attract rocks of just the right size that can get stuck in there.

I’m used to more wiggle room in the forefoot and these are notably pointed and don’t offer the type of wiggle room I can get with other shoes in their lineup. If you have particularly wide feet they may not be a good choice.

I really have appreciated the added ankle support and warmth for frigid days on the trails. As aggressive trail runners, these can hold their own and feel on par with the Hoka Mafate Speed 4, but with a firmer ride.. They also make for excellent hiking shoes. Without question, the Matyx forefoot with Kevlar-reinforced fabric can take a beating without yielding so much as a scratch. And, surprisingly, they do breathe much better than anticipated.

Fit: I have found the Summit Offtrail TR BOA to fit true to size. I’m wearing my usual size 11.5.

Buy Now: Available from REI