1
Craft Endurance Trail
Craft
$169.95Score 82+6
Better than Craft Xplor Pro at:
- A higher overall score (82 vs 76)
- A lighter option (40 g less)
Craft Xplor Pro
$169.95
The North Face Altamesa 500 v2
$170
Quick verdict
Craft Xplor Pro
$169.95
The better pick if you want:
No clear advantage on the specs we track.
The North Face Altamesa 500 v2
$170
The better pick if you want:
- A higher overall score (92 vs 76)
- A lighter option (47 g less)
- More cushioning (44 vs 38.5 mm heel stack)
Spec profile
Each axis ranks against the 173 products in Shoes on the site: the further out, the more it stands out in that spec (lighter, cheaper…).
Center: lowest in the category · Edge: highest
Craft Xplor Pro· leads in 1
Affordability
The North Face Altamesa 500 v2· leads in 2
CushioningLightness
Cushioning
39 mmTop 17%44 mmTop 1%Lightness
325 g278 gTop 36%Grip
No data4 mmTop 50%Drophigher isn't better or worse
6 mm6 mmAffordability
$170$170
A spec without data for a product is left out of its shape, so it doesn't count as a low score.
Technical Specifications
Compare features between Craft Xplor Pro vs The North Face Altamesa 500 v2
Best value in this comparison
Essentials
$169.95
$170
2025
2026
325 g
278 g
Overview
Road-to-Trail Running Shoe
Trail Running Shoe
roads, gravel and hilly trails
mixed and wet trails
Road-to-trail ultras, gravel runs and hilly races
Long trail runs and ultras
Cushioning
6 mm
6 mm
38.5 mm
44 mm
32.5 mm
38 mm
Softer Px Foam™ ETPU midsole
Nitrogen-infused TPU midsole
Soft, bouncy cushioning for long distances
Max cushioning for long runs
Grip & protection
Vittoria outsole inspired by the Terreno gravel tyre with Sidewall Grip Tech
SURFACE CTRL™ rubber outsole
TPU-reinforced woven upper
High-stack underfoot protection
Fish-scale lug edges and progressive siping for mixed surfaces
Improved lugs for wet trails
Upper & fit
Lightweight woven mesh reinforced with TPU yarns
Engineered mesh upper
Removable sockliner
Removable sockliner
Craft Endurance Fit® with narrow heel cup, midfoot lock-in and roomy forefoot
Traditional lacing
Ready to buy?
On the terrain
How Craft Xplor Pro vs The North Face Altamesa 500 v2 should behave on each kind of ground, estimated from lug depth, stack height, weight and outsole rubber. Pick a ground to see what decides it.
| Pick a ground | Average | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Craft Xplor Pro | 49 | ||||||
| The North Face Altamesa 500 v2 | 55 |
FlatPacked, runnable trail
Cushioning and low weight make the kilometres easier; very deep lugs squirm on hard ground.
Craft Xplor Pro69
- Cushioning37/40
- Lightness7/35
- Smooth roll25/25
Estimated: no data on lug depth, assumed average.
The North Face Altamesa 500 v284
- Cushioning40/40
- Lightness19/35
- Smooth roll25/25
A model built from the specs to compare shoes, not a lab measurement.
Have you used the Craft Xplor Pro before?
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Have you used the The North Face Altamesa 500 v2 before?
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Video Reviews
Watch real-world YouTube reviews from content creators and the Trail Running community.
Craft Xplor Pro
The North Face Altamesa 500 v2
Visual Comparison
See the differences between Craft Xplor Pro and The North Face Altamesa 500 v2 in a side-by-side slider comparison.
Comparison Questions
Answers based on product data and key differences.
Ask your own question
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which offers better value: Craft Xplor Pro vs The North Face Altamesa 500 v2?
For value comparison: The Craft Xplor Pro ($169.95) offers better affordability compared to the The North Face Altamesa 500 v2 ($170). Consider your budget and the specific features that matter most for your trail running setup.
Which is newer, the Craft Xplor Pro or the The North Face Altamesa 500 v2?
The The North Face Altamesa 500 v2 is newer: it came out in 2026, and the Craft Xplor Pro in 2025.
Looking for alternatives to Craft Xplor Pro?
Closest in price, with what each one does better.
2
NNormal Tomir 2
NNormal
$170+$0.05Score 90+14
Better than Craft Xplor Pro at:
- A higher overall score (90 vs 76)
- A lighter option (61 g less)
3
Merrell MTL Long Sky 2
Merrell
$170+$0.05Score 85+9
Better than Craft Xplor Pro at:
- A higher overall score (85 vs 76)
- A lighter option (90 g less)
- A lower drop (4 vs 6 mm)
Popular Comparisons
Compare Craft Xplor Pro or The North Face Altamesa 500 v2 with other top trail running shoes from brands such as Craft, The North Face and more.
