Are you looking for a light, fast shoe for trail racing? Look no further, the Norda 005 could be the perfect shoe for you and it will also go the distance on less technical ultra races you encounter and this shoe is built to last.
Who is Norda? They’re a small shoe company out of Montreal Canada, founded in 2020 that creates trail shoes that are built to last but also environmentally friendly.
Their mission is “To get the best performance out of the world’s best materials while leaving the lightest footprint possible.” Ok, you have our attention!!
The models range from cushioned ultra distance shoes to shoes with an increased ground feel, to cold weather shoes with spikes. So yes, this trails are absolutely what they do and where they spend R&D time.
You might go into shock when you see the higher price point but that’s because they are built to last longer than other trail shoes on the market.
I wanted to really put them to work and tested the Norda 005 on all kinds of terrain ranging from smooth and flat to extreme trails covered with rocks and lots of hills!
Did they pass the test? Is this trail running super shoe worth the $325 price tag? Keep reading to find out.
Who Is It Good For?
Who is Norda 005 a good fit for, let’s break it down for you:
- Wide feet: Make sure to size up, it is not TTS. Norda has a great sizing guide on their website!
- Technical trails: Versatile trail shoe to handle ALL terrain.
- Long runs: It’s built with the highest tech to help you go distances from 13 miles to 50k+ beyond.
- Front of the Pack: This shoe is light and fast and even comes with a race day insert. Perfect for shorter distance trail races.
This is going to be a great lightweight trail running shoe to push the pace during a race or to take you on a mix of road and trail adventures. It’s designed to keep your feet happy while tackling almost every type of terrain
Norda 005 Overview
The Norda 005 is the 4th offering from Norda. The goal of this model is to be the lightest, fastest, and most stable shoe for trail runners, especially on race day.
My first impression is that this shoe is well built and seems hand crafted. It was comfortable right out of the box and still felt that way even after many miles.
We see so many super shoes on the market today that are designed with a plate. But Norda wanted to keep the 005 as light as possible so that meant a fast shoe with no plate.
Yep, you read that correctly. This is a trail super shoe that has no plate, similar to the Salomon S/LAB Ultra Glide, the Norda 005 is just super duper lightweight. When was the last time you read lightweight and trail shoe in the same sentence?
To keep that springy feel without compromising any stability, the Norda 005 features an entirely pure Arnitel® (TPEE) midsole. Combining everything that you would want in a trail shoe gives the added perk of less than 7.5 ounces.
The brand has the goal of making the best trail running shoe that is out there, so they’re going to do whatever it takes to get there.
The Norda 005 is the only shoe in the world that currently features the Vibram® Megagrip elite rubber outsole. Meaning, it should protect you from running on the slickest roads and trails.
It kept me upright on the most technical trails but I have to say it did feel less stable when running in snow and mud while on the trail.
Other reviewers have shared that the Norda 005 has helped up in the stickiest of situations. As always, it’s going to come down to personal feel and preferences! 
You’ll see that the pattern of the 4mm lugs is spread out more than you would typically see on a trail shoe. This is to help with gripping in trickier spots of the trail but it felt like this provided less traction.
I used this shoe for short runs and long runs and it performed at its best on shorter, faster runs. I do feel that the shoe got quite warm on my longer runs, so I’m not sure it’ll be a pair I grabbed in the warmer months.
A unique feature of the Norda 005 is the TPEE insoles. Swap out the molded insole that comes with the shoe, with the lighter weight die-cut insole to make the shoe EVEN lighter. If you’re looking to hit a PR during a race, the die-cut insole with help your feet feel like feathers.
Norda 005 Specs
- Weight: 7.5 oz Men’s, 6.2 Women’s
- Heel drop: 7 mm
- Stack Height: 28.5 mm
- 1 color available
- Not available in wide
- Available from Running Warehouse for $325.00
This shoe is a plain white shoe so if this is your style you will love it. I would wear this casually as it would go with most outfits. I personally love color so I would love to see this shoe with some pops of color.
Norda 005 Fit
The Norda 005 features an open mesh Bio-dyneema upper weave pattern allowing for maximum breathability. The material has super small perforations vs. smooth fabric designed to help reduce heat. I’m not sure how much this is meant to keep you cool because my feet felt super hot even with cooler winter temps.
This durable upper just adds to the list of reasons why there’s such a high price tag. The shoe is truly made with top of the line materials and technology helping it to last up to 1,000 miles of running.
Usually, a shoe will get you through training and one race. But Norda wants their shoes to get you through multiple races, in all kinds of terrain and conditions.
Unlike the 002 which has a padded heel collar, the 005 has a minimal heel with interior pods to help lockdown the fit and keep debris out. The heel felt loose but did not slip on my runs with thicker socks but with thin socks it did slip.
The microsuede tongue is thin and even though it’s meant to mold to your foot I didn’t notice any rubbing. It says to size up ½ a size and I found this to be the perfect fit.
It has a very roomy toe box, but for me, the heel was a little wider than normal even with the pods.
The 005 has a new interior foot binding technology to help with a more custom fit. Tighten or loosen the laces here to lockdown the shoe and not compromise on the stability!
Similar Shoes to Norda 005
All right so the price has you questioning if it’s the right option, here are some comparable trail running shoes:
- Salomon S/Lab Ultra Glide – (considered a max cushion option)
- Hoka Tecton X – (features 2 carbon plates)
- Altra Lone Peak – (zero drop and wider toe box)
Who tried it?
Hello, I am Charity, a mom of 2 boys and a PTA who loves to get lost on a trail and discover all the beauty CO has to offer. I have been trail running for 16 years and ran on roads for 12 years prior. I typically run 25-30 miles a week with a few friends and my faithful springer spaniel Maggie. In the summer I love to find a new trail and go on an adventure!
We hope that our review of the Norda 005 was helpful, especially when it comes to the higher price tag!
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