Customer Reviews The North Face Thermoball Progressive Zip

I have a bad back, so zips vs laces work best for me. Laces irritate nerves across foot, anyway. These have what I consider another hard-to-find feature: a removable footbed. I wear custom orthotics, so that is necessary. Even so, my orthotics are pretty much guaranteed to be thicker and larger than the factory footbed. So I need to usually size up to accommodate, and even then - fitting something that wasn't made for the shoe is just tricky and doesn't often work. It's just mythology that it is likely you can swap footbeds. Then, well, my narrow heel usually slips and rubs blisters either due to extra height from orthotic or extra size needed. I mean, ever since I was a kid, parents had to special order shoes to fit my narrow heel. My forefoot is not narrow, and splays out easily. It can be compressed but not without pain/injury/degeneration, and it will expand to about as much room as you can give it. My shoes never appear worn at joint sites, etc, because it's my feet that conform, not the other way around. So decent fit is important. You can kinda see where I'm going - I have a particular list of needs that is hard to find in real life. I was a bit torn at first, as the footbed is kinda hard, and the volume is shallow (translation: it's made for flat feet. I have super- high arches, high-volume feet) Also, for anyone sensitive to these things, there is a bit of pitch in the heel. I've got to get the sock thickness just right, and if my feet are particularly swollen, that zipper won't get zipped regardless of sock. I do have to be sure my heel is in good and might still struggle with the zipper due to my arch height. But - my custom orthotics actually DO fit into these, and after going up a size, I can wear them! Also, the ankle area is what I'd consider sleek. Often, anything narrow in the ankle can rub me in an annoying way - I have no issues with these while wearing socks underneath. So I can wear these with jogger pants and keep a sleeker, unbroken leg line. I also like that the white bottom keeps them from looking clunky. I just feel the cream should have also had a white sole. (I have a connective tissue disorder, hence all my princess and the pea requirements) Also, my toes are pretty square, and often shoes don't accommodate that and my last couple toes will have no room. They are a bit puffy in the arch area. I'm sure my big orthotics push this area out a bit, anyway, but that part was not the best fit and could match my foot shape better. I measure just under a nine. Can wear certain sandals in 8.5 but never closed shoes. A nine is usually generous in length for me (unless it cuts in for the last toes) I got these in a ten. I am actually surprised a shoe this low-volume can work for me. It's all a crapshoot, go figure. They aren't the most flattering things in the world but also aren't exactly clunky-looking. Maybe a little ducky but you'd need more than a passing glance to notice. I wish they'd look cute with casual dresses as well as pants, but I can prob give up on finding that unicorn when an orthotic is involved. As far as warmth, I'd tend to believe it matters less what the shoe is made of and more how thick the sole is to create distance between a cold ground and the bottom of your foot. Just my experience. With these, I can tell if there's a stiff wind, but for as thin as they are, they are a perfectly acceptable "warmth" for me - it's just the mesh that seems most vulnerable to me in cold temps. Def no room to add lambs wool or whatever! I'm just street-walking in these - not putting them through any sort of "ringer". So I dunno how they'd hold up under actually athletic conditions. They don't seem poorly-made, but I also won't expect them to be the workhorse quality that I've had elsewhere. I also wouldn't Step into a puddle with these if possible, but a light rain for short time seems ok. Overall, beggars can't be choosers - if I can walk in them without excess pain, it's a win! Box checked.

Very light and kept my feet dry, but I had to add crampons to prevent slipping on ice and compacted snow. I like how they were cushy, and kept my feet far from the cold ground. Buy a size up, or half size, if offered for you. I wear a 10, but the tens were too snug and small. The 11s are perfect

Currently using these in cold Sweden on my trip - I wear regular socks and my feet are NOT cold. These are SO easy to put on and I love that they are light footwear like a sneaker. Only giving 4 stars because I am an 8.5 regularly and had to size up. The 8 JUST fit on my foot, no room for warmer socks should I choose to wear them. I chose the 9 - they are a tad big but if I double up on socks or use an insert they fit amazing. No real complaints. So happy I made this purchase.

I tried 3 shoes, Zipper side very tight on right foods, and might create problem later. However, the shoes is very comportable and light like sneaker, and has lovely design.

Look great, very warm, perfect -very comfortable

I love everything about these boots, especially the winter-sporty style. Sadly, I could not zip them up. My size is 7 - the fit is great - and usually wear a regular medium width, but these don't seem be wide enough. I am optimistic and I purchased another pair, one size up.

Really looks good! A little roomy in heel area and traction not too good.

I am a true 10 in Nike and Asics. I do not have wide feet or narrow feet- but these boots were WAY TOO snug.. because of how cute they really are, I'm going up a size for a better fit... I hope It works!

beautiful boots, stylish, well made, however it runs small! I am a solid size 6 and once in a while 5.5. Ordered size 6 it was way too small. Returned it and reorder a size up.

If it had regular width it would be better.

i Think, you should Buy 1 more size, it's comfortable, you can walk easily everywhere. Dekivery was awful, it han't arrived on time, it was 1 week late, after my trip. :(

I purchased at season's end, so I have not worn them yet, but looking forward to! The size was correct, and there were no surprises.

I really liked the look of these boots, however I have a bunion on my right foot and need something a little wider. I sized up to compensate, but then the boot was too long, and unfortunately, still too narrow. I had to return. Since I was not able to wear them outside, I cannot comment on warmth etc.

Good product

Shoes are warm, insulated with synthetic materials called thermoball so good for winter. But shoes are not fully waterproof, water resistant only and They are narrow, so size up.

These boots are really nice, very warm, comfortable and most of all, stylish. My only slight issue is that they are a little snug around the ankles, they could be a little wider at the top where the zipper ends.

Boots are very comfortable and warm but they do run tight so size up. Ankle is also snug.

This boot looks good with longer yoga pants. They are actually very comfortable for walking short distance and very water resistant.

I retured these because the inside top back of shoe was rubbing the leg and that making it very uncomfortable .