Norda 005 Review: A Race Day Trail Super Shoe Built to Go Fast and Last

Introduction

Norda has built something close to a cult following in the trail running world with the 001 and 002, and the 005 is the brand’s answer to a different question: how fast can a trail shoe go without giving up the durability the brand is known for? This is Norda’s dedicated race day option, and it arrives with a set of specs that read like a wishlist for mountain racing.

What the Norda 005 Is

Norda is a Canadian trail running company that launched in 2021. The 001 was the brand’s ultra distance, high stack shoe, the 002 in 2023 dropped lower for a more technical, closer-to-the-ground feel, and the 003 introduced a laceless approach shoe. The 005 is the race day shoe, and Norda skipped the 004 entirely, a nod to how far ahead of the lineup this model supposedly was.

Outsole: Vibram Megagrip Elite

The outsole uses Megagrip Elite, a brand new compound from Vibram described as the tackiest rubber the company has ever created, lighter than standard Megagrip and compared to a Formula 1 race day compound. Because it is a softer rubber, there is a possibility it could be less durable, but Norda says a year of athlete testing has not shown any reduction. It can be used on road and asphalt, though rough pavement may wear it a little faster.

Midsole: 100% Pure TPE

The midsole is made of Arnitel in a 100% pure TPE formulation. Most brands use blends to tune ride and durability, but Norda asked its factory to produce a pure formulation, something the factory had never done before. The result is a foam that feels soft underfoot while still delivering bounce and energy return, comfortable enough to wear all day on concrete.

The foam’s real trick, according to Norda, is delivering high energy return while keeping the foot closer to the ground than older super foams allowed, preserving ground feel and the sensory feedback that comes from your feet.

Upper: Biobased Dyneema

Norda builds all of its shoes with biobased Dyneema, described as the lightest and strongest fiber on earth, and it took the company two years to figure out how to work with it. The 005 upper is almost 100% woven biobased Dyneema with a wider weave than previous models, giving excellent breathability and water drainage. The back of the shoe has no seams and no cuts, removing points of friction and weakness.

Durability and Sustainability

Norda’s philosophy is “show me, don’t tell me”: rather than promising a mileage figure, the brand points to community feedback and long-term wear reports. In testing, the first part of the shoe to break down has been the outsole, and that took roughly 1,000 miles or more. Making shoes that last longer is the brand’s stated contribution to sustainability, since fewer replacements mean less waste.

Weight, Stack and Fit Feel

The 005 weighs 214 g in a men’s US 9.5, about 70 g less than current super shoes from other brands, putting it at a claimed sub-7 oz, roughly 6.8 oz. Stack height is 28.5 mm at the heel and 21.5 mm at the forefoot with a 7 mm drop, measured including the outsole.

That moderate stack is deliberate: the shoe is comfortable enough for ultra distances while staying light and low profile enough for fast, technical races. The MSRP is $325 USD, with a release set for March 2025.

Things to Consider Before Buying

The soft Megagrip Elite rubber is tacky and light but theoretically less durable than the standard compound, even if real-world testing has not shown a difference yet. The $325 price puts it firmly in premium race day territory, and rough asphalt use may accelerate outsole wear. If you want a plush, high-stack ultra cruiser, the 001 remains the better fit in the lineup.

Conclusion

The Norda 005 is a serious race day trail shoe: Vibram’s tackiest elite rubber, a pure 100% TPE midsole that combines softness with high energy return, and a nearly seamless woven Dyneema upper, all at 214 g. If you race on technical mountain terrain and want a shoe that is both fast and built to last, it deserves a spot on your shortlist.