The North Face · Running & Athletic Shoes
The North Face Men's VECTIV Enduris 4 Shoes
No coating described, and no PFAS statement from the brand.
The product information we reviewed describes mesh textile upper, foam midsole, rubber outsole, with no water-repellent coating named. Water resistance on products like this usually comes from the material and its seals rather than a surface treatment. The brand has published no PFAS statement for it.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Mesh textile upper, foam midsole, rubber outsole
Lab data
No public lab test
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What The North Face Men's VECTIV Enduris Shoes is made of, ingredients and materials
The VECTIV Enduris 4 uses a mesh textile upper, which typically consists of polyester or nylon blends designed for breathability and durability. The foam midsole is likely polyurethane or EVA, materials engineered for cushioning and shock absorption. The rubber outsole provides traction and wear resistance. None of these materials inherently require protective coatings that would introduce PFAS or other persistent chemicals, though the manufacturing process for textiles can involve residual finishes.
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Athletic mesh uppers may retain trace residual formaldehyde from fabric treatments applied during manufacturing. Levels are typically well below skin-contact thresholds in finished shoes, but no specific testing data is available for this model.
Source, ATSDR ↗Azo dyes in synthetic textiles
Polyester and nylon mesh uppers may use azo-based synthetic dyes; these are restricted under Bluesign but their use in The North Face footwear is not publicly documented. Off-gassing or skin leaching is rare in established athletic shoe manufacturing.
Adhesive and solvent residues in midsole and upper bonding
Polyurethane or EVA midsoles are bonded to uppers using polyurethane-based or contact adhesives; minimal off-gassing is expected in a finished shoe, but volatile organic compound (VOC) content during the first few days post-manufacture is not disclosed.
Microplastic shedding from synthetic upper and sole
Mesh textile and rubber outsole may release microplastics during use and washing, particularly as the shoe ages. This is a known issue across the athletic footwear category and is not specific to this brand or model.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Antimony in polyester fibers
Antimony is a catalyst used in some polyester production but is not known to be a concern in finished textiles or to migrate from athletic shoe uppers under normal wear conditions.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
The North Face has not published a specific PFAS reduction commitment or transparency statement regarding their footwear lines. The brand does hold certifications from the Bluesign system (used on some product lines), which restricts certain chemicals in textile production, but this is not confirmed as applied to the VECTIV Enduris 4. No major safety recalls or contamination incidents have been documented for this shoe model.
How it compares in its category
Most running shoes in this price and performance tier use similar mesh-foam-rubber constructions. The VECTIV Enduris 4 lacks a known waterproof or stain-resistant coating, which is typical for trail runners and reduces potential PFAS exposure compared to models marketed as water-repellent without disclosed coating details. Competitors in the outdoor running category vary widely in PFAS transparency.
If you buy it
Wash the shoes in cool water and let them air dry to extend midsole life and avoid heat degradation of foam adhesives. Check for separation of upper and sole every 200-300 miles of use; this is a normal wear point for foam-based shoes. Store in a dry place away from direct heat and sunlight to prevent premature material breakdown. No special maintenance chemicals are needed; mild soap and water are sufficient.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 45% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- The North Face has made a specific claim
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
More running & athletic shoes grades
How we score, every product runs through the same public 0-100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.