( Photo: Courtesy The North Face) The Flight Vectiv brings high-tech speed to the dirt. Like record-setting carbon-equipped road shoes (think: Nike Vaporfly), it has a full-length carbon-fiber plate that enhances forward propulsion and makes for a more efficient stride. Uniquely, the plate sits directly under the foot, between the footbed and midsole (instead of deep within the cushioning) and also extends up around the heel. This improves lateral stability off-road (though it’s a bit tippy on very rocky trails) and generates an energetic, smooth ride that begs to go fast all day. “The rocker makes transitions at high speed on mellow terrain an effortless joy,” raved one tester. Meanwhile, the 3.5-millimeter lugs grip well on everything from rock slabs to mud while still rolling smoothly over buffed dirt. The stretchy, single-layer, TPU-infused mesh upper is sleek, yet boasts Kevlar midfoot reinforcements, which minimize weight and bulk. Testers of all foot shapes and speeds felt locked in—and fast. Trail-shoe companies, take note: the carbon-fiber bar has been set. 10 oz (men’s) / 8.6 oz (women’s); 6 mm drop