Norda 005 Performance Review

The Norda 005 was perhaps the most anticipated launch of a trail shoe we’ve ever witnessed. As Norda has built its brand around durability, performance, and aesthetic, a growing appreciation for the company has been fostered as well as a reverence for the products it produces. When it initially came out, the 001 (Norda’s first shoe) reimagined how we look at durability and tech within the trail shoe world. It definitely came with some issues, but the 001 set a tone for look, durability, weight, and performance. 

Around the same time the 001 was released, we saw the trail world take a leap into race-specific models, with the likes of the Hoka Tecton X and others sporting race-ready features like carbon plates and supercritical foam. Although speedy, many of these early models (and some still today) improved performance at the expense of stability, versatility, and durability. 

The trails, unlike the roads, pose such an element of unpredictability in terrain that it’s, simply put, very difficult to make super shoes that can perform on all the variances a typical trail run will throw at you. You may start on a smooth fire road only to transition to rockier singletrack a couple of miles later. It’s a tough formula for companies to design for, but we’ve seen continued innovation raise the level of the industry as a whole.

Fast forward to 2025, and the release of the Norda 005 hopes to get closer to solving that formula. With a shoe that, in the brand’s own words, was designed for races like Black Canyon 100K, Western States, and UTMB, the 005 was clearly made for runnable races with varied terrain.

Norda put all its intention into this shoe to create something that performs at the highest level on race day but doesn’t sacrifice on your run stability, running environment, and ability to get the most out of the shoe. With an upgraded Bio-Dyneema upper, a newly developed Arnitel TPEE midsole, and a first-of-its-kind Vibram Megagrip Elite outsole, Norda doubled down on its commitment to delivering shoes that perform with integrity. 

The Norda 005 is ultralight and fast but should also be comfortable to wear, stable enough to perform without compromise, and durable enough to race multiple times in the same pair. Apologies for the long-winded intro, but it’s important to note the proverbial trail (literally and figuratively) Norda intends to blaze. [Editor’s Note: If that didn’t just make my little word-nerd heart happy, I’m not sure what would…] Now let’s get into the review.

What is the Norda 005?

Norda says the 005 is “[t]he lightest, fastest, most stable super shoe ever crafted for trail runners. Engineered for race day(s)….Rather than simply take technological conventions from road running and apply them to trail, we have developed a highly responsive and stable shoe with super critical foam that caters to the specific demands of race day performance on trail.”

I like that description. Sure there are some boisterous marketing claims at the beginning, but the description settles in and delivers the company’s mindset when creating the 005. And if the execution matches that mindset, we’ll have a real winner on our hands.

Cushion/Support

Sam: The Norda 005 features an Arnitel TPEE midsole. Arnitel is a thermoplastic elastomer that’s known to be lightweight, durable and very elastic. The elasticity of this midsole provides the bounce, or response, that many seek in a race-day option. Notably, the 005 took a simpler approach to the midsole (like the La Sportiva Prodigio Pro) and opted for no plate of any kind. This aligns with a true trail philosophy as many have found that plates can get in the way when the terrain turns up a few levels. Norda wants you to maintain stability and ground control, which the midsole does a great job of accomplishing.

With a modest stack of 28.5mm (closer to 33 if you count the lugs), you aren’t propped up too high. The wide last of the outsole gives you a nice solid base as well, which I think adds to the stability. Compared to a shoe like the adidas Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra, the foam performs similarly; but the ride in the 005 is much more stable and natural.

No need to worry if this cushion will be too stiff. The Arnitel midsole is plenty plush yet stops giving at just the right moment to rebound and propel you forward. Obviously, the lack of plate is noticeable as there is no quick snap, but I find my stride more confident in a shoe like the 005.

I recently had a chance to race in it during a 50K, and my feet were fine by the finish. The midsole allowed me to enjoy slightly slower miles and to glide on the faster ones – not to mention the benefit of the extremely light weight underfoot that never feels like you’re dragging a clunky shoe beneath you. It’s no shock that the midsole is fast and peppy; when a company wants to create a speedy midsole these days, there’s plenty of tech to do so. 

What’s notable about the 005 (and maybe a little ironic) is that the midsole is versatile enough to be comfortable and effective when you aren’t racing. It doesn’t feel clunky or restless at slower paces; it just feels light and plush. Don’t get me wrong, this midsole is amply responsive and quick; but equally, it’s comfortable and soft. That combo makes this shoe a 50K to 100-mile beast.

The obvious comparison to the Norda 005 is the La Sportiva Prodigio Pro, another super shoe sans-plate that dropped this year. While the 005 has a wide base that can add stability, I think it does limit the precision of your steps and can make the shoe a little less nimble. When compared to the Prodigio, which has a slimmer build and is primed for more technicality, the 005 seems built for more runnable terrain. 

I think I enjoy the ride of the 005 more; but for a more technical race, it may have a bit too big of a footprint. However, this shoe wasn’t designed with technical footing in mind, so that all makes perfect sense. And on the flip side, if you need to transition to the road, this midsole works great. It’s light enough and springy enough that it’ll roll right onto roads without issue. With a 7mm drop, this midsole is just designed to propel your stride. It’s a fun shoe to run in.

Drew: Sam did a great job digging into the tech and why the Norda 005’s midsole works so well. As a less fanatical trail runner, I found the 005 delivered everything I needed. It was like taking a bouncy supercritical road shoe onto the trails but still getting all the stability and grip I needed. And it performed extremely well on the roads.

The Norda 005 is a protective, bouncy, and flexible shoe that can handle almost any terrain. The ride on roads was smooth, and, as the trails got trickier, the 005 didn’t have any problems. I didn’t do anything too technical like vertical ascents up rocky mountains, but quick up-and-downs over rock and root-strewn trails posed no problems.

If you run trails that are groomed sufficiently for fast running, the Norda 005 will deliver an absolutely top of the line experience. Groundfeel is paired with protection and a bounce that makes you feel fast. I can confidently say this is the best trail midsole I’ve ever used, and the Norda 005 will stay in my trail rotation for a long time.

Traction

Sam: ​​Norda returns again with a first-of-its-kind piece, developing a new outsole with Vibram called Megagrip Elite. To my knowledge, this is the only shoe available with this outsole right now. The outsole is Vibram’s lightest and feels like a pretty sticky compound. Super sticky rubbers can often be a double-edged sword, as, naturally, with less give, the rubber will build up more friction and therefore burn through quicker. Only time will tell if that’s the case here. I’ve put in around 100 miles on this shoe, and, with only a few signs of wear on it, the outsole is still holding up great – which is to be expected with Norda. 

The lugs themselves are about 4mm deep and the classic Norda T-shape, although the overall package is perhaps a slightly less robust, more streamlined version of the outsoles found on the other Norda models.

One thing of particular note is the spacing between the lugs. Comparatively, the lugs are farther apart than your average shoe, which allows for lighter weight and possibly more groundfeel. However, I could also see this leading to more wear on each individual lug since there are simply fewer to spread your footstrike across. Then again, I imagine this spacing will shed mud like a beast, so it can just as easily be a net positive. 

On dry ground, like your typical trails, technical environments, etc., this outsole is great, and I have 100% confidence in the grip and traction. It’s been a smooth ride for me so far. I do have a slight concern on softer ground, though, such as slippery/wet mud or snow. I only had one run in the snow, but it was indeed a bit slippery. My thinking is that the shape of the lugs (while it looks cool) just doesn’t lend itself to grab in those kinds of conditions. If I could change anything about the shoe, it would be that.

This shoe has a one-of-a-kind race compound, though, so this outsole is somewhat expected. If it’s muddy or snowy and you’re not in dire need of the faster midsole, pull out the 001.

Drew: As Sam mentioned, the Norda 005’s lugs have generous spacing. If not for the Vibram badge in the middle, I would have been more skeptical. But both Vibram and Norda have earned my trust.

Out on the trails, I didn’t experience any slippage. Even going downhill on dry, dusty, finely crushed gravel and sand never resulted in momentary issues. I didn’t get a chance to try it in quality mud or snow, but I don’t imagine the performance there will be anything less than solid.

I did get to try it on some rainy roads and dirt paths, and the outsole performed well in those circumstances. Norda saved some weight using fewer lugs in order to make the 005 race-ready, but I think they left enough for great grip in most conditions. That’s an impressive feat. It’s akin to walking a tightrope, and Norda ended up with a very useful outsole that’ll work for races, trail runs, and hiking.

Upper

Sam: If you’ve tried the 001 or read any reviews, you know that the upper and feel can be a point of contention. Some love it, and some have issues with the heel and stiffness, both of which are very valid points. Fortunately, this is not the case with the Norda 005.

Norda developed a new open-mesh Bio-Dyneema material that is very light, breathable, and (most importantly) really comfortable. A reflective TPU lining surrounds where the upper meets the midsole to add some stability. Even though I’ve only put the shoe through ~100 miles, I’ve done a fair job of thrashing it so far. The Dyneema upper has held true. I’m sure this upper will last the longest out of any element of the 005. Ample space in the forefoot is helpful for long races. Although you may trade a little bit of precision for it, more space up front is worth it for me as it only adds to comfort over those long miles.

Norda calls the lacing system the ‘Norda Fit-Lock System’ which features a unique pattern over the top of the foot. The tongue is a microsuede material with perforation to help control heat. This tongue is a game changer as it’s super soft, and, like the rest of the upper, fairly pliable. I found that this allowed me to tighten the laces and really lock the upper to the mold of my foot without any discomfort. 

It’s flat out a much more comfortable build than the 001 – and lighter. The heel collar is equipped with two lateral pods for some cushion so you avoid the rubbing that a minimal collar can cause. I found that this heel collar also closed better than the 001. There is still some space between your ankle and the heel collar, which can lead to a bit of movement and allow in a little debris. It’s an upgrade and a step in the right direction for Norda, but not perfect. Still, I am satisfied with the lockdown and very happy with the overall comfort and fit of this upper.

Drew: The upper of the Norda 005 reminds me more of an upscale shoe from a luxury brand than a trail-specific race shoe. I wouldn’t hesitate to wear the Norda 005 casually. It features clean lines and high-end materials that look really good.

But more than that, the upper is minimal but comfortable. Do I still wish Norda added some padding to the top of the heel collar? Yes, I do. It can still cause hotspots along the collar edge despite the new pods that offer some padding around the ankles. However, I don’t miss the heel counter. The lacing system is effective and can adapt to various foot shapes (including my super tall instep), and the fully gusseted, microsuede tongue is hardly there but comfy and good at dispersing lace pressure.

The open mesh Bio-Dyneema is the softest Dyneema I’ve ever touched and doesn’t have the usual loud crinkling inherent with this strong material. Dyneema is doing its best Cordura impression here while still maintaining the incredible durability that only Dyneema brings to the table. It’s amazing how much of a beating this material can take without showing any wear.

And that’s probably the number one most interesting thing about the build of the upper. I’ve run a bunch of miles through dirt and rain, worn the Norda 005 for two international flights, and used it for plenty of casual wear, and the upper doesn’t have a scratch on it. There are scuffs on the midsole, but the upper looks like all I’ve done is get it a little dusty. That’s the kind of thing that really makes you feel like you’re getting your money’s worth.

Is the Norda 005 wide foot friendly?

Sam: Yes, the Norda 005 has lots of space up front.

Drew: Yes, as with the Norda 002, the Norda 005 has a spacious toebox and plenty of space throughout the shoe. Wide-footers will enjoy the experience while every foot shape will be happy with how well the upper hugs the foot and keeps it on top of the footbed. This is how you do accommodating while retaining a high-performance fit.

Is the Norda 005 worth $325?

Sam: I won’t pretend that $325 isn’t a shocking price tag for a running shoe. The caveat here is, if the Norda 005 lasts double the miles of the other super trail shoes on the market, then it’s more than worth the price. 

Drew: I can’t really advocate that anyone who’s not a serious trail racer plop down $325 for a trail running shoe. You can get 75-90% of the performance of the Norda 005 at more reasonable price points (see our Best Trail Running Shoes list). But…the Norda 005 does a ton to justify that price point.

The durability is the best on the market, the midsole’s ride is super fun, the Vibram outsole grips well, the upper is comfortable but extremely lightweight, and materials are high-end. As I mentioned before, the Norda 005 is premium. It would look at home on a shelf of luxury brand shoes priced at $400 and above. 

The Norda 005 is something way different than the trail running world has ever seen before; so while the price is high, Norda delivers a lot of value for that price.

How to use the Norda 005

Use the Norda 005 on days when performance is important. Or not. Quite frankly, other than the $325 price tag, this is the most approachable super shoe (in terms of ride) that we’ve experienced. It’s got ample space, a fast but stable midsole, and a solid outsole. 

Take the Norda 005 with you whenever you want to experience a lighter and quicker ride. It will cruise with you on singletrack and smoother alpine terrain, and absolutely fly down fire or gravel roads. 

If you need to add some road onto your trail run, don’t fear – the 005 will transition over to asphalt strides perfectly. Just be wary of the grip on the outsole getting worn down on the road. And if you end up moving a little slower than intended, don’t worry – the 005 cushion will keep you comfortable until you get back home.

Norda 005 Summary

Sam: The Norda 005 is, in my opinion, worth the hype. It’s a cool step for trail shoes and lives up to the performance claims. This is an ultralight, stable, fast, and comfortable shoe. Those four adjectives don’t typically combine into one shoe, but the Norda 005 manages it incredibly well. 

I’ve really enjoyed the Arnitel midsole and the responsive yet plush ride it delivers. Despite a lower stack, squishy ride, and no carbon plate, I haven’t had any issues with too much groundfeel. Comfort really sells this shoe for me, and I feel like I’d be confident lacing it up for 100 miles. The midsole combines with a bombproof and softer upper to make it a great any-distance racer. I’ve got some questions about the outsole, but I’m still enjoying the traction on dry ground. 

It’s not a perfect shoe; it lacks some versatility in technical terrain due to the broader mid and forefoot and may fall a hair short in the outsole department. That being said, the Norda 005 is one of the best shoes I’ve worn in recent memory and certainly in the top tier for shoes on the market now. Kudos to Norda for creating something unique.

Drew: While the price tag ensures the Norda 005 won’t be for everyone, it’s an incredibly fun trail running tool for those that have the money. It’s got a fun ride, lightweight build, comfortable but extremely durable upper, and luxury-level aesthetics. It’s one of the best trail running shoes on the market; and if you pay the price, you’ll get appropriate value in return – alongside a shoe that will outlast everything else in your closet.

How does the Author Run?

Drew Whitcomb (age 43, 6’6″ 200lbs): Runs daily with a once a week rest day. Runs a lot of miles due to testing needs and a growing affinity for long-distance races. Regularly competes in marathons, half-marathons, 10k, and 5k races.

Sam Lohse (age 28, 6’0″, 170 lbs): Runs daily, sometimes morning/night doubles, with one rest day a week (typically). Hangs right around 40-50 miles a week in general unless in race-specific training. Races distances from 50K to 100 miles, almost always on the trails.

Disclosure

While Norda did provide a pair of the Norda 005 to facilitate this review, the company had no involvement in this review, didn’t receive an advance look at it, and has not attempted to influence it.