Nord 005 First Impressions: A Light, Premium Trail Shoe With Real Fixes

Introduction

Nord has quietly become one of the more interesting names in trail running. The Montreal-based brand builds high-end, sustainably minded performance shoes, and its stated mission is to use the finest materials available while leaving the lightest footprint possible. After a promising but flawed debut and a much-improved second model, the new 005 arrives with real expectations attached.

This is a first-run impression rather than a long-term verdict, but the early signs are strong. The shoe feels light, well balanced, and noticeably more secure around the heel than the original. The big catch is the price, which puts it firmly in premium territory.

Price and Availability

Let’s deal with the uncomfortable number first. The Nord 005 retails for £285 in the UK, which makes it one of the most expensive trail running shoes on the market. It has been out for a while, and it can now be found online for closer to £225 to £250, which softens the blow slightly without changing the overall picture.

There is some logic behind the pricing. Nord is a small brand pushing new materials and construction techniques without the buying power of the industry giants, so costs stay high. Still, a price closer to £200 would open the shoe up to far more runners.

Specs and Construction

The headline figure is the weight: 253g in a UK 10, which is genuinely impressive for a deeply cushioned trail shoe. Recent releases from other brands have landed well above that, and you feel the difference the moment you pick the 005 up.

The midsole measures 28.5mm at the heel and 21.5mm under the forefoot, for a 7mm heel offset. The upper is an open mesh recycled material with a specific weave pattern aimed at breathability and rapid water drainage, an area where the previous model struggled on wet runs. The thin gusseted tongue uses a perforated micro suede designed to mould to the shape of the foot.

Nord has also added a new fit lock system, with small pods worked into the ankle collar for lockdown and comfort, plus an interior binding technology that engages through the laces to hold the foot securely at pace. Even the laces have been trimmed to 1mm thinner to save weight, and the shoe ships with two pairs of insoles: standard moulded TPE insoles for training and lighter die-cut versions for race day.

Outsole: Vibram Mega Grip Elite Debuts

This is where the 005 has a genuine exclusive. It is the first production trail shoe to feature Vibram’s new Mega Grip Elite rubber, described as Vibram’s lightest and grippiest compound to date. Nord pairs it with a 4mm multi-directional lug pattern designed for traction across a wide mix of terrain and conditions.

The lugs are not the deepest in the category, but on dry, loose trails they did a really decent job during the test run. Wet-weather grip went untested, though anyone who has run on Vibram Mega Grip rubber knows its reputation in the rain, and this newer compound carries the same family name.

Midsole: Lightweight and Balanced

The pure Arnitel TPE midsole is the reason the 005 can stay this light, and it was the highlight of the first run. Pressing into the foam, it promises both comfort and a bouncy, energetic ride.

On the trail, the shoe felt super well balanced, which translates directly into nimble and responsive handling when the terrain turns technical. On a couple of steep descents through the woods, with tricky roots waiting to catch a tired runner out, the 005 felt well connected and planted underfoot. It even handled longer stretches of road comfortably, with good cushioning and a noticeable sense of energy return.

Upper Fit and Comfort

Sizing runs as the brand suggests: going up half a size produced a perfect fit on length, with a roomy toe box up front and a solid lockdown through the midfoot and heel.

The fit lock system did its job. Even on very steep descents there was no foot movement inside the upper, and the heel hold is a clear improvement over the first model, which suffered from persistent heel lift. The ankle collar is still a touch loose, though, and by the end of the run a fair amount of trail debris had worked its way inside. For long training runs or races, a pair of ankle gaiters would be a sensible addition.

Buying Advice

The Nord 005 makes the most sense for runners who prioritise a lightweight, responsive trail shoe with premium materials and can justify the price tag. If your budget is tighter, it is worth watching for discounted stock, since it is already selling for meaningfully below its RRP. Runners who want a shoe for long, debris-strewn outings should plan on pairing it with gaiters, and anyone between sizes should follow the brand’s advice and size up half a size.

Conclusion

Nord has delivered a genuinely interesting shoe with the 005. The pure Arnitel TPE midsole keeps the weight impressively low while still offering comfort, bounce, and balanced handling on everything from road to technical descents, and the fit updates finally resolve the heel issues that held back the original. The Vibram Mega Grip Elite outsole adds a credible traction story on top. The £285 price is the honest barrier, but as a statement of what a small, materials-focused brand can build, the 005 is hard to argue with.