Sustainable materials reduce the cost of running to the planet but they can sometimes increase it to consumers. This is the case with norda's recent releases. Do they justify their mighty price tags?
norda 001 and 002 Introduction:
Meeting the new kids on the block
If you’ve spent any time sipping coffee in Boulder or Chamonix, chances are you’ve overheard murmurs about the small but mighty Canadian brand norda, known for boasting the world’s best materials with the lightest possible footprint. Whether it’s a raised eyebrow over a friend clocking 1600 km in one pair, or a shudder at the steep price tag, norda seems to get people talking. But does the use of ultra-premium materials really justify that eye watering €270 price tag?
This month, our Meta Endurance team hit the trails to put norda’s versatile “do-it-all” 001 and the lower-stack, rugged 002 models to the test. Wondering which model is worth your money — or if the brand lives up to the hype? Keep reading. You’re in the right place.
Specs:
norda 001
Price: €270
Weight (Women’s size US 8): 232g / 8.18 ounces approx. with eTPU insole.
Weight (Men’s size US 8.5): 268g / 9.45 ounces approx. with eTPU insole.
Drop / Stack: 5.0mm approx. foot position / Heel: 26mm, Forefoot: 21mm.
norda 002
Price: €275
Weight (Women’s size US 8): 219g / 7.72 ounces approx. with eTPU insole.
Weight (Men’s size US 8.5): 249g / 8.78 ounces approx. with eTPU insole.
Drop / Stack: Drop is 4mm / Heel 19mm and Forefoot 15mm.
norda 001 and 002 Uppers:
Show Stopping Stunners
Esther: norda shoes are show stoppers in terms of look and design. There’s no doubt about it. Whether wearing them casually in the street or running on trails, people commented on my shoes. Maybe it’s because the colours are so understated and the design so sleek that they stand out from the Hokas and other bright shoes on the market? Maybe it’s because people wondered how insane it was to opt for white (white gum model) and grey (cinder model) trainers in the wet Autumn season. It’s a bold choice from this small Canadian company for sure.
norda shoes feature Bio-Dyneema®, a material 15 times stronger than steel. While that’s great for abrasion resistance, the lack of elasticity can cause minor bunching in high-pronation areas—something I felt with the 002 model when the foot strikes the ground.
Otherwise, adding to its look, the norda 001 features a 360 degree reflective pattern to be seen on those darker days. Smaller reflective contours grace the norda 002, tracing Montreal’s mountain ranges. Surprised our Canadian friends would swap out the iconic maple leaf for these peaks, but we trail runners are a different breed.
The sock-like gusset on the 001 wraps the foot in buttery comfort. Toes splay freely, and there’s no pressure cutting off circulation. My only complaint was finding myself retying the laces to maintain a proper lockdown after a few kilometers.
My low point on the 001 won’t come as a surprise to norda afficionados. It’s got to be the paper-thin heal counter lacking any structure at all. I can only say that you don’t know how much you need a heal counter until you don’t have one. After about 70km of running and walking with blister plasters, I can finally run in them again without my achilles being rubbed raw. The first 30km were bloody rough. That design still has me reaching for another shoe if I am anticipating any true trail descents. Let’s call it blister PTSD!
The norda 002 didn’t offer as much of a secure lockdown as the 001 through the midfoot. The fit is more casual, more plush and I noticed a slight bunching as mentioned above. The upside on this model is that the classic heel counter is going to work with you no matter the terrain. The downside on the 002 model has got to be its poor breathability and thus drainage. After a river crossing, I’m pretty sure my neighbours heard the squelching sound of my soaked shoes from 4 km away
Midsole:
Missing the Fun Factor
Esther: While the stack on the two nordas tested was quite different, both models featured Vibram® proprietary midsoles. Both had a similar feel, both on the firmer side. This midsole isn’t really what I would call a fun ride out there on the trails but the insole was one of the best I have seen, helping the midsole with some energy return.
These shoes are on the heavier side and there was no “pop” to look forward to on my first runs out of the box. Even after some breaking in, I think they could benefit from a bit more responsiveness through the gait cycle. On uphills, I didn’t get the flex I wanted in the forefoot of the 001, making climbs more of a slog.
Despite having the same midsole materials, the 002 offered a much better ride, thanks to its pyramidal design that stabilises the foot and offers better ground feel. That said, the lower profile means your feet take a beating as the miles add up.
norda 001 and 002 Outsoles:
What Makes a Trail?
Esther: The outsole on both nordas features an identical 5mm lug pattern with little rubber studs. I am not sure how long the studs will last, but mine are still intact on both models, even despite running on roads to get to trails. For the proper winter steel stud option, you’ll need to spring for the G+ Spike (what’s another 50 EUR at this point!).
5mm is my preferred lug depth for everyday normal weather trail running. That said, I didn’t feel 5mm worth of bite on my trails. I am not sure if this was due to slicker than average trail conditions, but the outsole is marketed by norda as more aggressive than it was in my experience running. I had to rewatch the videos of that runner leaving his campsite and slamming down the rock pile. Meanwhile, I slipped several repeatedly on downhill rocks and in any wet muddy patches. To be fair, taking these models to a region with more moderate trails, forest single and double tracks, and they held up perfectly fine. This begs the timeless question on how you define trails.
norda 001 and 002 Conclusion:
Lovely But Limited
Esther: After testing norda shoes for a while, I recognise that this company has a very passionate fan base that will pay any price either for a unique looking shoe or a fan base looking for shoes responsibly or locally produced. No matter how much testing, that fan base will continue to support norda through conviction.
I tried hard to look beyond the lovemark effect, to favour actual experience on the ground. Sure, both norda 001 and 002 shoes are gorgeous to look at. They were also more and more enjoyable the more I ran in them.
Both models are stable, comfortable (apart from that pesky heel collar in the 001) and durable. They won’t become gardening shoes for many months (years?) to come. The runner wanting endless mileage on trails will be delighted with the 001. The runner looking for ground feel will surely enjoy the 002. That said, both norda runners will reach limitations meeting alpine technical terrain where they will wish for more grip, and on hot summer days for a more breathable option.
If you’re looking for a solid, stylish shoe that will last for miles, norda has you covered. If you’re after peak performance in tricky terrain, well, you may need to wait for the 004?
Esther
43 years old
Mid foot striker
Trail Runner