Norda 001A Review: A Premium Trail Shoe That Finally Gets the Heel Right

Introduction

Norda has built its reputation on uncompromising trail running shoes made with the finest fabrics and materials, and the 001A is a clear expression of that philosophy. It is a very good-looking shoe, and even runners who normally avoid bright white trail shoes may find themselves tempted. The interesting story here is how it differs from the original 001, which had a poorly structured heel counter that let down an otherwise enjoyable shoe, and from the 005, a shoe that looks very similar but weighs considerably less.

First Impressions

Straight out of the box, the 001A makes a strong visual impression. It retails on the Norda website for £260, though it can be found heavily reduced online, with prices around £171 depending on size. If you are not a fan of the white colorway, Norda offers the 001A in 11 different colorways, so there should be something to suit most tastes.

My pair in a UK 10 tipped the scales at 321g, which came as a surprise. I expected them to feel lighter, and they are also 67g heavier than the 005. Despite that, on the foot they feel light and nimble rather than heavy.

Construction Breakdown

The headline feature is the world’s first seamless Dyneema upper. Dyneema is one of the strongest and lightest fibers in the world, making the shoe very durable, and this version is bio-based, so it is also a more sustainable choice. The laces use the same Dyneema, which should give roughly four times the strength of a standard pair of running shoe laces.

The tongue is a thin gusseted design with added protection on top where the laces pull down tight. At the back of the shoe there is small zonal padding on either side of the ankle, but the important change is more structural overlay wrapping up the back of the upper, around the ankle collar and lace system. Compared to the original 001, the heel feels noticeably more structured.

The midsole uses Norda’s custom ArneTel TPEE foam for energy return, support, and durability, with a 26mm stack height at the heel and 21mm under the forefoot for a 5mm drop. Pushing into the foam, it feels soft and bouncy. Underfoot, the outsole is Vibram Megagrip in the Litebase form, which keeps the sticky properties of standard Megagrip while reducing rubber weight by up to 30%, paired with a 5mm multi-directional lug pattern reportedly inspired by the rock formations of the Canadian Shield.

Up front, a substantial toe bumper provides a good level of trail protection.

How It Performed on the Trails

On a wet, windy, and drizzly test run in Cornwall, the 001A sized a bit small in true Norda fashion. Going up half a size to a UK 10 delivered a perfect length fit, an excellent comfortable lockdown around the midfoot, and welcome wiggle room in the toe box. Most importantly, the heel hold was the best of any Norda shoe tested, with no heel slippage at all across the whole run. The Dyneema laces bit down and locked in place so well that there was no need to stop and re-tie them mid-run.

Across sandy trails and stony pathways, the ArneTel midsole offered a nicely cushioned ride that soaked up compacted sections without dulling ground feel on uneven terrain. The balance of comfort and trail connection feels well judged, helped by a quality pair of structured, plush insoles that add a premium layer close to the foot. The 5mm lug pattern and Megagrip Litebase rubber have performed well on Norda shoes in muddy, wet coastal conditions before, and on rocky or wet rocky trails this is genuinely sticky rubber. This is an outsole design that can handle pretty much any underfoot conditions.

Things to Consider Before Buying

The price is the obvious hurdle. At £260 full price, this is firmly a premium shoe, and the construction quality explains where the money goes, but a more affordable price point would be welcome. Sizing also runs small, so most runners will want to go up half a size. And while the 001A feels light and nimble on the run, it is objectively heavier than the 005, so weight-focused buyers should weigh that trade-off against the far more secure fit of the 001A.

Buying Advice: Is It Worth the Price?

If you can afford to spend £260 on trail running shoes, the 001A justifies it. The materials, fabrics, and construction quality are visible and tangible, and it was one of the strongest first-run impressions of any trail shoe tested. If you can find a pair heavily reduced online at around £170 to £180, that is a genuinely good deal for a shoe of this quality.

For anyone who struggled with the lockdown and heel lift of the 005, the 001A is the better option despite the extra weight, thanks to a great-fitting, super-comfortable upper.

Conclusion

The Norda 001A takes what made the original 001 enjoyable and fixes its biggest weakness with a more structured heel and a plusher, more secure upper. Add a well-balanced midsole, an outsole that handles almost any conditions, and striking looks, and you get a premium trail shoe that performs beautifully from the first mile. Just size up half a size, and grab a reduced pair if you can.