The North Face Ultra Guide

This shoe is a good trail running and longer distance day hike shoe with light daypacks. They are recommended, but may have durability issues, as they don't have Vibram soles like some other TNF trail shoes.

These Ultra Guides are good for trail running and longer distance day hikes with light day packs. They offer good, aggressive tread for loose gravel, sand, and mud, yet still offer good wet/dry rock stability for a hiking shoe.

My first hike in these was 11 miles through five peaks in western North Carolina. The shoes handled varied terrain including a respectable 3500' peak without a problem. I haven't experienced any blisters, stone bruising etc.

I did notice the sizing seems to be a bit loose in the forefoot. Unlike a traditional road running shoe, it's a bit looser than I would like, though it fits pretty true to size in the length.

I marked the Ultra Guide down for perceived durability. They have shown fair wear through the first few hikes, but they were very reasonably priced.