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The North Face’s Hoka Alternative Hiking Shoes Are Accidentally Ideal for Travel

The Fastpack Waterproof Shoes’ blend of all-terrain capability, weatherproofing and style makes for a potent combination.

Pair of tan hiking shoes with black pull tabs and yellow heel accents showing coordinates on the back.The North Face
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By Sean Tirman

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It’s no secret that Hoka has cornered a big chunk of the athletic sneaker market, combining bold styling with tech-forward comfort.

However, another challenger has just entered the fray, offering an alternative that tones down the flair in favor of a more minimalist approach while cranking the capabilities up to 11.

The North Face Fastpack Waterproof Shoes are positioned as hikers, but they may accidentally be the brand’s best everyday and travel shoe of the year.

Tan and brown trail running shoe with "The North Face" logo and black outsole.
The Fastpack comes in Cedar-Pear (above), Desert Stone, Frost Grey-Glacier Grey and Black.
The North Face

Take a hike

The Fastpack sneakers are very capable hikers. After all, that’s what they were specifically designed for. And that starts, of course, with everything that sits below the wearer’s feet.

The shoe gets a TNF Dream midsole, which is a thick foam that offers plenty of cushioning and energy return, atop a Surface CTRL rubber outsole, which is lugged for excellent grip on any terrain. That makes for a potent combination capable of handling just about anything you might walk over in your adventuring.

Pair of light gray athletic shoes with dark gray heel pull tabs and soles, viewed from the back.
The crux of these sneakers is the combination of the brand’s Dream midsole and Surface CTRL outsole.
The North Face

These sneakers are also relatively lightweight, as a result of their construction. Clocking in at 13.4 ounces apiece, they’re not what I would call ultralight, but you’re not going to feel bogged down when you clomp about, as can happen with bulkier hikers.

They also get a molded heel chassis and wider underfoot platform for additional stability, as well as mud guards and a durable and reinforced toe cap. Put plainly: these shoes can handle a good, long walk up some big, steep hills.

Beige rubber outsole with deep treads and "The North Face" and "Surface Ctrl" logos.
The outsole is deep-treaded and grippy, which is handy on the trails, but it isn’t so clunky that you couldn’t wear this sneaker daily.
The North Face

Up(per) for anything

It’s certainly a boon that these sneakers’ midsole and outsole are highly capable and comfortable, yet not so bulky and unwieldy that you couldn’t wear them on a daily basis. However, it’s equally beneficial that the upper is the perfect match.

The entire upper is crafted from ripstop fabric, making it both lightweight and incredibly tough. And that toughness is multiplied by its TPU reinforcements, which also offer additional support at the stress points, where you need it most.

They can go just about anywhere, survive most anything you might throw at them.

Those elements alone would probably still make for a great shoe, but they’re amplified by a Dryvent membrane. Yes, these sneakers are waterproof, making them perfect for handling inclement weather, whether you’re in the city or out on the trails (or moving from one to the other).

Put all those elements together, and you’ve got yourself the ideal durable, capable and stylish travel sneaker. They can go just about anywhere, survive most anything you might throw at them and they’ll look great while doing it.

Top view of black The North Face hiking shoes with black laces and padded collars.
The upper is completely waterproof, making these sneakers ideal for tackling inclement weather, even when it’s unexpected (as often happens during travel).
The North Face

Availability and pricing

The North Face Fastpack Waterproof Shoes come in four distinct colorways, all available now on the brand’s site for $180 each.

About the Author: Sean Tirman is an associate editor at Gear Patrol who specializes in EDC, cannabis and outdoor gear.

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