For runners looking for a road shoe that blends cushion and responsiveness, without feeling heavy, the Craft Nordlite Tempo is a great contender.
I was surprised when I first put the shoes on, noticing how light, spacious, and breathable the upper felt. I felt supported without feeling constrained through the heel and midfoot, with enough room in the toe box for a natural spreading of the toes and forefoot.
Once I started running, I immediately noticed how smooth and responsive they were. There’s a really nice balance between cushion and bounce, without the feeling of a heavy/high heel. It’s like the shoe was giving me the gentle nudge to pick up the pace, without forcing it (possibly due to the rocker!).
Who Is It Good For?
Who is the Craft Nordlite Tempo a good fit for, let’s break it down by some common categories:
- Wide Feet: Snug through the heel and midfoot it’s not for those with wide feet
- Heavier Runners: Might not be as durable or as cushioned as desired
- Long Runs: Built to withstand long run distance, but not the pillow, soft, plush feel
- Front of the Pack: Stable for higher speeds, durable with the featherweight feel, but without the carbon plate tech
Perfect for tempo work, steady-state runs, or building mileage while maintaining a light feel under your feet. This shoe receives extra bonus points with its focus on sustainability using eco-friendly materials throughout the entire shoe.
Craft Nordlite Tempo Overview
Craft is making some big changes in their shoes, utilizing a new last across the board. The last is what shoes are built on which means it’s going to change the shape and fit of the shoes.
I used the shoe for my short/mid-distance runs, exploring 4-6 miles per run. It surprised me in the best way. Right out of the box, it felt light but stable. Once I got moving, I noticed how smooth and effortless the transitions were.
The Craft Nordlite Tempo doesn’t have a direct earlier version with the same name, but it could have been built off Craft’s past models like the CTM Ultra series. T
he Nordlite Tempo feels more dialed-in for running, lighter, and more responsive.
In terms of comparison shoes, it lands between daily trainer and workout shoe.
You’ll get the speed you want from it, but without feeling like the shoe is too much for a long easy run.
Like so many brands now, you’ll find this shoe has a double layer of foam. This allows them to use PEBA to get that super lightweight feeling we want for speed, alongside something a bit more durable to give the shoe some durability.
Because it’s only 15% PEBA, this won’t be a top tier super bouncy carbon plated race day shoe.
Which is fine! It says in the name that it’s a tempo shoe. You need this shoe to give you a little extra boost for speed, but not overwork the calves or ankles and we think it finds that sweet spot. 
I have to take a moment to highlight the Nordlite Tempo’s eco-friendly elements.
The upper is designed from a lightweight woven mesh comprising 50% recycled polyester. The laces and insole foam also utilize recycled materials, emphasizing Craft’s commitment to sustainability, so it feels like a good-for-you, good-for-the-planet choice.
And finally we get to the outsole, which unlike a lot of super shoes is designed to be high-grip on roads thanks to the HyperGrip.
Craft Nordlite Tempo Specs
- Weight: 8.5 oz men’s, 7.8 oz women’s
- Stack Height: 40mm
- Heel Drop: 6mm
- Available in 3 colors
- NOT available in wide
- Available on craftsports.us for $159.99
If you feel like you don’t know much about Craft shoes, you aren’t alone…but you might soon be. They have been releasing a lot more running shoes in the last few years that are gaining attention.
We already rave about their high quality gear for our winter runs and anticipate finding more and more to love in their shoes. Note you do have to learn the sizing though!
This shoe looks high tech, and the color options allows you to choose “super flashy” or more subdued.
Craft Nordlite Tempo Fit
We always recommend going up a half size in Craft shoes. They notoriously run a bit short compared to other brands and tend to be a bit narrow. HOWEVER, as we mentioned this is a new last and we’re thinking now you might be able to stick to your standard size, just remember it’s narrow.
This is a bootie like construction meaning no padded tongue, everything is connect for a sock like feel. We didn’t have any issues around the top rubbing.
The fit on the Nordlite Tempo is secure through the heel and midfoot, with just enough room up front for your toes to move without feeling sloppy. It hugs the foot in a way that feels stable but not restrictive.
The upper is lightweight and breathable, and while initially it felt a bit firm under foot, I didn’t have any hotspots or pressure points, even on the first run.
While Jillian felt the toebox had good room, those of us who have been in wide toe box shoes fully disagreed. We’d say it felt like that tapered style. So definitely don’t expect anything about this shoe to be overly wide.
I felt secure and supported on the initial foot strike, with the perfect balance of lightness throughout my entire stride. The tongue is incredibly thin, almost unnoticeable which is exactly correct!
Overall, it feels dialed-in — like a performance trainer that still respects comfort.
Craft Nordlite Tempo Feel
What makes it stand out is the wide platform and grounded feel without trying to be a super shoe.
The midsole uses what Craft calls “Cr Foam Pro,” and it really hits a sweet spot — light, bouncy, and responsive without feeling unstable. You definitely get some spring out of the shoe, but it doesn’t go full-on carbon-plated rocket ship. That’s what makes it really versatile.
If you’re searching for a lightweight shoe that still feels stable underfoot, this one checks a lot of boxes.
Similar Shoes to the Craft Nordlite Tempo
Not sure yet about the brand, but interested in a similar shoe? Here’s what we’d recommend:
- Saucony Endorphin Speed: Lightweight, versatile trainer with a snappy ride.
- HOKA Mach X: Similar balance of cushion and responsiveness, though the Mach X is a bit softer and more plush underfoot.
- Nike Zoom Fly 5: Both are high-stack, daily-trainer-meets-tempo shoes
- New Balance FuelCell Rebel v3/v4: If you like the energetic feel of PEBA foam and a lighter, nimble shoe
Overall we were impressed with this shoe.
What it comes down to now is what you need from a shoe. Do you need something more durable for everyday training month after month, do you need a shoe to crank out those tempo runs and long workouts or do you need a go hard race day shoe?
The Craft Nordlite Tempo will absolutely race well for the mid-pack, but some runners might be seeking more of the bounce provided in other foams.
Who Tried It?
Hi, my name is Jillian and I am 40 years old, a runner, endurance coach, and gym-owner in Denver, CO. I run about 35-40 miles per week right now and just finished three years of 70.3 Ironman training – wowza! I have been a runner most of my adult life and am excited for the next chapter of my sports training – a full marathon in the fall of 2025, as well as my first Hyrox event!
Thirteen Vegetables for Runners to Recover Faster And Stay Healthy
Leave a Reply