The North Face Altamesa 500

The The North Face Altamesa 500 is a cushioned trail running shoe with DREAM foam and SURFACE CTRL traction designed for trail and mountain running.

The North Face·Shoes

5 video reviews

€140

Cheaper than 67% of shoes · category average €152

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Key specs

Weight: 285 g
Drop: 6 mm
Heel Stack: 36 mm
Forefoot Stack: 30 mm

Best for: Trail running and mountain training

Spec profile

Each axis ranks against the 174 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

Strengths

Affordability

Cushioning
36 mmTop 35%
Lightness
285 gTop 46%
Grip
4 mmTop 50%
Drophigher isn't better or worse
6 mm
Affordability
$140Top 26%

Technical Specifications

Compare features between The North Face Altamesa 500

Essentials

€140

2024

285 g

Overview

Trail Running Shoe

Gravel paths and mountain trails

Trail running and mountain training

Cushioning

6 mm

36 mm

30 mm

DREAM foam for lightweight cushioning and rebound

Grip & protection

SURFACE CTRL™ rubber with 4 mm grippy lugs

Ready to buy?

On the terrain

How The North Face Altamesa 500 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
The North Face Altamesa 500							54

FlatPacked, runnable trail

Cushioning and low weight make the kilometres easier; very deep lugs squirm on hard ground.

The North Face Altamesa 50076

Cushioning33/40
Lightness18/35
Smooth roll25/25

A model built from the specs to compare shoes, not a lab measurement.

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Video Reviews

Watch real-world YouTube reviews from content creators and the Trail Running community.

See all 5 video reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers based on product data and key differences.

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Is the The North Face Altamesa 500 a good investment for trail running in 2026?

At $140, the The North Face Altamesa 500 represents solid value for 2026, especially for trail running enthusiasts.

When was the The North Face Altamesa 500 released?

The The North Face Altamesa 500 was released in 2024.

Looking for alternatives to The North Face Altamesa 500?

Closest in price, with what each one does better.

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Adidas Terrex Agravic 3

Adidas

$140Score 87+5

Better than The North Face Altamesa 500 at:

A higher overall score (87 vs 82)
A lighter option (10 g less)

Compare with The North Face Altamesa 500

Asics Fuji Lite 6

Asics

$140Score 85+3

Better than The North Face Altamesa 500 at:

A higher overall score (85 vs 82)
A lighter option (25 g less)
A lower drop (4 vs 6 mm)

Compare with The North Face Altamesa 500

Asics Fuji Lite 7

Asics

$140Score 83+1

Better than The North Face Altamesa 500 at:

A lighter option (44 g less)
A lower drop (4 vs 6 mm)

Compare with The North Face Altamesa 500

Popular Comparisons

Compare the The North Face Altamesa 500 with other top trail running shoes from leading brands, including The North Face for the ultimate trail running experience.

Shoes

Spec profile

Each axis ranks against the 174 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

Strengths

Affordability

Cushioning
36 mmTop 35%
Lightness
285 gTop 46%
Grip
4 mmTop 50%
Drophigher isn't better or worse
6 mm
Affordability
$140Top 26%

Pick a ground

Average

The North Face Altamesa 500

The North Face Altamesa 500

Spec profile