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THE NORTH FACE RESILIENCE HIKING SHOES
BY MIKE DAURIO JR.
OWNER REVIEW
April 26, 2007
TESTER INFORMATION
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NAME:
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Mike Daurio Jr.
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EMAIL:
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mikejr232323@aol.com
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AGE:
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30
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LOCATION:
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Wonder Lake, Illinois USA
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GENDER:
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m
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HEIGHT:
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6' 0" (1.83 m)
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WEIGHT:
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183 lb (83.00 kg)
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I am quite new to backpacking. My experience lies mostly as a canoe guide. My inspiration to get more into this sport/hobby was a backpack trip to Thailand in 2005. Due to my experience I am fond of lightweight, waterproof quality gear. I backpack in mainly hilly forested areas and of course near rivers and streams. I also do a lot of backpack traveling to other countries. I am a 3-season backpacker. Every year I spend time in the Ozarks in Missouri and in Voyageurs National Park in Minnesota. I'd love to explore Canyonlands National Park in Utah.
PRODUCT INFORMATION
Manufacturer: The North Face
Year of Manufacture: 2006
Manufacturer's Website: WWW.THENORTHFACE.COM
MSRP: US $79.99
Listed Weight: 1 lb 15 oz (0.88 kg)
Measured Weight: 1 lb 12 oz (0.79 kg)
Other details: As reviewed: color: black US men's 10. Please note other sizes and colors may be available, weights may differ from the above.
 | | AFTER 9 LONG MONTHS OF USE. |
The RESILIENCE is a well vented lightweight runner. The round laces are held in with eight riveted plastic molded loops. The bottom is made of rubber using The North Face's TNF Trail Grip™ tread design. It extends just slightly over half way up the front of the shoe. The manufacturer has sewn a plastic coated synthetic leather toe rand for protection. When on, it covers the tips of the toe nail, but not much more. The upper is deigned of synthetic NUBUCK leather and open cell mesh on the side. The heel cup has a solid internal support system that is cut like a "V" to navigate around the ankle bone. This allows for a supported tight grip without any rubbing. The rear has a sewn in paracord type loop. TNF also boasts an agION anti-microbial footbed. The North Face displays its brand four times on the shoe. A molded plastic badge is sewn into the toe protection and again molded to the bottom of the shoe. On the tongue, a woven flag is stitched to it. On the back of the shoe, a simple "TNF" is stitched right below the loop.
FIELD USE
I purchased these shoes a few days before a canoe trip to Voyageurs National Park in Northern Minnesota. I usually wear a 10.5 but opted for the 10 in the store because of the loose fit of the 10.5 in the toe area. I'd strongly recommend trying the shoes on before a purchase. I have an ample supply of watershoes so these are to be my hikers and around camp shoe. The four day trip consisted of a base camp and day excursions to the many rocky and wooded islands. After traveling by boat for a few hours I slipped the subject shoe on to start my camp set up. After being in a water shoe all day the RESILIENCE was a welcomed cool vented comfort on my feet. I noticed the heel support right away. It was a solid tight fit and left my ankle exposed. the lace allow for a tight fit in the ankle area but still a comfortable one. I did not use any insert and wore a slightly padded no show acrylic sock. Day one was dry and warm.
Day two was a hot day with some exploring to do. I strapped the shoes on my backpack easily, through the two looped paracord-type rear loops with a carabiner, and ventured out in the canoe. Once on shore I slipped them on for some trekking. I was on dirt trail, on rock, and some thorny bristle weeds needed to be trampled through. The shoes performed well and support and cushioning were ample for the tasks. The laces and mesh outers were very resistant to picking up bristles and such.
Day three started with a drizzle so we stayed around camp for the morning. I slipped into the shoe and decide to climb down the 13 ft. (3.96 m) rock shore to the lake. Although wet, the rocks weren't as slippery as expected due to the high quality traction under my feet. When reaching the bottom of the climb I jumped onto the sandy shore. The puddled water under my feet seeped into the shoe instantly soaking my sock. Upon returning to camp from my little adventure I noticed dampness on the tops of my socks from tramping through grass and weeds. The socks I wore were an acrylic blend and dried to unnoticeable levels of moisture within an hour, probably sped along by the venting of the shoe. It seems strange that the feature that caused the discomfort is also the one that rectified it. The next day the shoe saw very similar terrain and weather. It performed consistently. I was impressed by the lack of "break In" time and relived to find no blisters or raw marks on the feet.
I have also used this shoe on dozens of day hikes in my home area. Terrain consists mainly on gravel trails, wooded forest floors, mud, and blacktop. The shoe performed similarly even after months of use. Impressive is the way the shoe's shape has held up. The shoe has maintained its structure on the sides and there are no sole separations, nor ripped or damaged seams.
Over the course of 9 months of using this in rugged terrain and as a street shoe, the only wear I have found is in the laces and bottom tread. The right shoe is in need of a new lace. About a month ago the lace's woven shell split from its braided inner layer. The inner layer works as new and holds well but the outer layer bunched and makes the laces come untied easier. If this had happened on the trail it definitely would have held fine until I could get back and replace them.
The sole's tread has worn away in about a 3 in by 3 in area (7.5 cm x 7.5 cm) on the ball of the foot area of the shoe bottom. There are no breaches to the inside of the shoe just a "balding" effect. This is consistent of both shoes and has little effect on performance.
After nine months of foot activity, soakings, and sweat, the Resilience has a minimal odor to it. I definitely have stinkier shoes in the closet. A faint smell of use is the only odor coming from the inside. I am pleased at the resistance of the footbed to bacteria even after dozens of soakings.
SUMMARY
Overall TNF Resilience is a well vented rugged shoe. I am glad to have it in my collection as an everyday shoe. The support and comfort are fabulous. As a hiker the seepage issue on the sides is a huge issue. Small shallow puddles and spongy ground can cause sock soakings.
THINGS I LIKE
The cool venting of the shoe, the superior durability of the shape and seams, the resistance to odor, and the overall traction of the shoe are the best things about it
THINGS I DON'T LIKE
The venting of the shoe, as nice as it is in dry conditions, lets water in as easily as it does air. Shallow puddles and even seepage from soaked turf finds its way to my socks if I am not careful. Correcting this feature through reengineering, I believe, would void a valuable feature. It is best to avoid moisture altogether. The Resilience is perfect for long distance hiking or running, in dry conditions.
SIGNATURE
Mike Daurio
This report was created with the BackpackGearTest.org Report Writer Version 1.
Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.
Read more reviews of The North Face gear
Read more gear reviews by Mike Daurio Jr.
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