The North Face Altamesa 500 Review: Plush Comfort for Long Trail Miles

If you’re chasing a trail shoe that prioritises comfort without completely sacrificing performance, the North Face Altamesa 500 is worth a look. Built for long days on the trail, it combines plush cushioning, a stable ride and reliable grip — making it a strong option for everyday trail runners across Australian terrain.

First Impressions: Comfort Straight Out of the Box

Some trail shoes take a while to get used to. But The North Face Altamesa 500 is not one of them. From the first run, it’s clear what this shoe is designed to do: deliver comfort, support, and a bit of speed for long days on the trail, and for the most part, it lands that brief cleanly.

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Upper and Fit: Relaxed, Secure and Breathable

The upper is soft and seamless, with a relaxed toe box that gives your toes room once your feet start to swell on long runs. The upper mesh is made from 62% recycled materials, and the padded tongue with internal wings helps lock the midfoot down without cranking the laces. Heel lockdown feels secure too, with no slipping or hotspots.

One note to add though, is that this colourway gets dirty quickly. If you like your shoes looking fresh, this one will keep you busy keeping it in the trough. The positive is that once it gets a bit of trail dust on it, the worn in look suits it pretty well.

Midsole: Dream Foam Delivers Plush Cushioning

The midsole is the standout. Dream foam feels soft, springy, and genuinely plush underfoot. With 30mm of cushioning under the heel, the shoe rolls smoothly and offers plenty of protection for longer days. It has that tricky balance of being soft without feeling mushy, which is surprisingly rare.

Ride and Performance: Built for Long Trail Days

It’s not pretending to be a lightweight racer. The Altamesa 500 carries a bit more weight than some other shoes, and you can feel it when running fast. But once you settle into a rhythm, the shoe comes alive. For long, rough trail running, the weight is a fair trade for the comfort it delivers.

Agility is better than expected for a highly cushioned shoe. The forefoot stability zone adds extra confidence on uneven trails, and the shoe stays composed when changing direction or weaving through tight sections of trail. It matches the idea of being agile but race oriented, which sums up this shoe well.

Outsole and Grip: Reliable on Aussie Terrain

The Surface CTRL outsole grips confidently on gravel, rock, and mixed terrain, and the 4mm lugs are not made for deep mud or very technical trails, but for the type of trail running most people do in Australia. So they work great.

Durability: Holds Up Over the Miles

After solid mileage, the overlays and toe cap have held up nicely. The upper feels premium but not overly heavy duty. It may not be ideal for very rocky terrain but for day-to-day trail running, it’s been dependable. The shoe keeps its shape, and the foam hasn’t packed out early, which is encouraging if you plan to use it for big training blocks.

The Verdict: Who Is the Altamesa 500 For?

The North Face Altamesa 500 is an easy shoe to like. It’s really comfortable with enough stability and grip to keep you confident on the trails. 

It’s not the lightest shoe on the market, and this colourway gets dirty fast, but for most runners, the comfort and quality of run easily outweigh those drawbacks. 

The Low Down

Great for: Long trail runs, runners wanting a cushioned shoe

Not so great for: Runners wanting a light shoe

Ideal foot type: Neutral

Test terrain: Fire trails, singletrack, grass, gravel

Vitals

RRP: $260.00 AUD / $290.00 NZD

Website: thenorthface.com.au / thenorthface.co.nz

Conditions: Shoes in Calacatta/High Rise Grey provided for testing by The North Face