Norda 001A Review: A Tasteful Update to a Trail Classic

Introduction

The Norda 001A looks almost exactly like the Norda 001, and that is largely the point. Same geometry, same overall design language, same premium material story. What has changed is significant where it counts: a midsole swap and some slight softening in the sock liner materials that give a subtly different experience without reinventing the shoe. It is a tasteful update, one that keeps the classic strengths of the 001 while adding a little more comfort.

Who This Shoe Is For

Fit is the first thing many runners evaluate, and the 001A scores well here. Despite sitting in the moderate-to-high stack category, it locks the foot down and delivers a secure fit across a lot of different terrain. If you liked the original 001’s fit, you will feel at home immediately.

The Dyneema-style upper is supposed to be the same, but by feel it is a little softer all around. That softening seems to come without giving up much durability, which matters for a shoe built to handle rough trails over long distances.

Main Strengths

The headline change is the midsole. The original’s Vibram midsole was known for pleasing a wide range of runners, especially those who wanted comfort over the long haul, but it ran firm as competing shoes in the category added more cushion and protection over the years. The 001A adopts the Arnitel-style midsole used in the Norda 005: super light, responsive, and with that characteristic squish of a TPE material.

Out on the trail, the ride stays stable. The TPE midsole is a little more dense than the 005’s, which keeps some of the protective, non-wandering character of the old setup while delivering a lighter and more responsive feel underfoot.

Things to Consider Before Buying

Not everything is perfect. Even with a softer material on the tongue, it still folded and pinched against the overlay on top, causing some irritation at the front of the ankle in early runs. This mirrored a common complaint on the first version, so runners sensitive in that area should pay attention.

The good news on fit: the heel did not irritate as much as on the first version, despite the construction feeling largely the same aside from the swapped liner. That is a meaningful improvement to note.

Midsole and Ride Feel

The outsole carries over the same Vibram rubber as before, and it was very durable in the original despite being a softer, tackier compound. Expect the same confident grip and long wear.

The stack and geometry are unchanged, so the 001A does not ride exactly like the 005 despite sharing midsole material. It is denser, more protective, and more stable, which suits runners who found some newer maximalist options too soft.

Buying Advice

If you loved the 001 but wanted a touch more cushion and a livelier feel, the 001A is an easy recommendation. If your main gripe with the original was the firm midsole, this update directly addresses that. Long-term durability is the big question mark, since the line is known for going forever, and more miles will tell whether the new midsole keeps pace.

Conclusion

The Norda 001A is a smart, conservative update: same look, same fit, same rugged outsole, with a lighter and more responsive midsole and slightly softer touches where it counts. It keeps what made the original special and adds just enough comfort to feel current.