Our reviews are 100% organic. We do not accept payment for reviews or bundle with advertising budgets. In most cases, the brand is providing the product to our reviewers free of charge. The Canadian brand Norda is headquartered in the mountains of Quebec and was founded with a passion for craftsmanship and sustainability while creating products that inspire high performance on technical terrain. This dual commitment of high performance and sustainability is only possible when using innovative materials and foregoing conventional mass-production techniques, which has the unfortunate side effect of driving up prices. However, this approach also results in some truly impressive footwear that delivers outstanding performance while being made responsibly.
Their newest model, the 005, is perhaps the most remarkable shoe the company has created, and is being billed as the lightest, fastest and most stable trail running super shoe on the market. It combines cutting-edge materials and advanced construction, with a high-energy platform that has been engineered with elite athletes in mind. Norda’s goal was to build a shoe that was ideal for running major ultra-distance events where mixed surfaces and flat terrain combine with long technical climbs and descents to place extreme demands on footwear. It also takes the super shoe trend in a new direction, with less emphasis on energy plates and plush midsole volumes in favor of an extremely high energy compound that is lower to the ground for improved stability.
Innovation is packed into the shoe from top to bottom. Beginning with the upper, which consists of open mesh Bio-Dyneema, a material that is sourced from timber industry waste, it’s well known as an incredibly strong, thin and lightweight fabric. Dyneema is often used in tents, backpacks and outdoor gear that requires high durability in extreme conditions. The Bio-Dyneema material maintains those same properties, and the weave pattern of the 005 uppers allow for maximum breathability and drainage. The entire upper is seamless and completely flexible in all directions, with minimal overlays at the forefoot connecting it to the midsole, and a thin recycled TPU layer at the base for reinforcement.
One note about the overall fit of these shoes is that the last is relatively wide in the midfoot, with a rounded toe box that allows room for foot swelling in the late stages of an ultra. However, runners with narrow feet may find the fit excessively roomy and have trouble getting the upper to feel secure in the midfoot. Norda recommends sizing up by one-half size, which worked perfectly for us from a length standpoint, but if you are in-between sizes and have a narrower foot profile, sticking with your regular size might be best. Whatever the case, this is a shoe that should be tried on before purchase, if possible.
Norda addresses the midfoot fit issue quite well from our standpoint with the use of its Fit Lock System through the heel collar, tongue and interior foot surface. The heel collar is designed with pods for improved lockdown and minimal debris entry. Unlike many super shoes, the heel collar is extremely minimal and flexible, which is especially advantageous for anyone with sensitive Achilles issues. A smooth, perforated microsuede tongue molds to the foot and allows heat to escape during high intensity running. This tongue is super thin, but even when the laces (also made of Dyneema) are fastened tightly, it protects the top of the foot. The tongue is incorporated into an interior sleeve that inserts directly to the midsole, and we found this system works extremely well in limiting excess motion on technical and irregular terrain. 
More innovation is seen in the midsole, made from an Arnitel TPEE compound which is very light weight, has broad temperature resistance, excellent elasticity and outstanding durability. Arnitel is increasingly being used across industries as a green alternative to conventional rubbers with lower environmental impact, and when functioning as a midsole compound, it provides much higher rebound and resilience compared to other super-shoe compounds. The resulting responsiveness is very energetic, and it’s easy to turn your legs over quickly. We found the overall ride quality to be noticeably softer, bouncier and more comfortable than the nitrogen-infused midsoles of most super-shoes, a feeling that is further enhanced by the absence of a rigid plate. And the moderate midsole volume results in manageable stack heights that improve the sense of stability when bombing down steep trails. This is probably the ideal high-performance shoe for runners who like to preserve some ground feel and natural foot motion without compromising speed.
Arnitel TPEE is also unmatched in its combination of lightness and durability, and durability is a key consideration for shoes with a steep price tag. We have about 100 miles on our 005 shoes, and there is almost no breakdown apparent in the midsole. Normally, with that amount of mileage, we start seeing deformation in high impact areas, but the 005 appears resistant to that so far. As previously mentioned, durability is also a hallmark of Dyneema, and there doesn’t appear to be impending strain or weak spots in the uppers after 100 miles.
Outsoles of the 005 further evidence Norda’s use of new materials. These shoes are the world’s first trail running use of Vibram Megagrip Elite, a compound that has 4mm lugs designed for maximum grip and traction on varied surfaces including smooth transitions between fire roads, technical trails and asphalt in long distance race scenarios. Vibram describes this compound as the grippiest and lightest formulation they have ever created, intended specifically to meet the demands of professional runners. In our testing, the compound has a very secure grip on wet and dry surfaces and because there is full length underside coverage, it excels in sketchy terrain where you sometimes catch only a portion of the outsole on a solid surface. Megagrip Elite is billed as a race-day compound but has plenty of durability for high-mileage training as well.
The capability of multiple high-performance outings is another factor that Norda promotes in relation to the cost of the 005. Because every aspect of the shoe is built with maximum durability in mind, it distinguishes itself from other lightweight super shoes whose usefulness may be done after one major race effort at 100k or 100 miles. The 005 is built to be a shoe that can be used for multiple race days, or one that can be used for your full training cycle without losing its pop when it’s time to line up on the start line. It’s too early in our testing to know if that functionality proves itself, but the shoe makes a great case as a top race day option.
The Norda 005 is available in men’s and women’s sizing at www.nordarun.com.
Features and Specs:
- Weight: 7.5oz men’s / 6.2oz women’s
- Stack Height (heel/toe, in mm): 28/21
- Heel-Toe Drop (mm): 7mm
- Upper: Dyneema Bio-based mesh
- Fit Lock upper and Dyneema laces
- Midsole: 100% Arnitel TPEE
- Outsole: Vibram Megagrip Elite with 4mm lugs
- Sizing: Recommended to go up by one-half size
- MSRP: $325