http://www.newsweek.com/north-face-flight-vectiv-review-carbon-fiber-hits-running-trails-1569696

The North Face debuted new trail running shoes that demand attention because they include a carbon fiber plate in the midsole. The addition of a carbon fiber plate has been a growing trend in road shoes because it allows for more energy return with minimal weight increase. On a firm surface, the benefits are consistent and pretty obvious. But adding a carbon fiber plate to trail shoes seems less certain to offer the same benefits because of the varied terrain. The question is, Does it work?

Tyler Hayes

Including a carbon fiber plate typically bumps up a shoe's price quite a bit. The Flight Vectiv starts at $199, so it lands outside an impulse buy, even if you tend to be flexible with your running-shoe budget.