Norda 005 Trail Running Shoe Review
Norda has applied plenty of superlatives to the 005, calling it the “lightest, fastest, and most stable super shoe ever crafted for trail runners.” Fast is always relative—dependent on the fitness and talent of the runner—but we will say that the 005 might indeed be the lightest trail shoe we’ve ever worn, and it does deliver superlative stability despite its featherlight frame. Tack on a good does of pop from the TPEE midsole, and it is pure joy to run in these shoes. Whether it offers enough cushioning for longer races—and whether it justifies the steep price tag—is a question each runner will have to answer for themselves.
Cushioning
Responsiveness
Stability
Traction
Durability
Sustainability
Best for
All-around, high-performance
Weight
12.4 oz.
Stack height
32.5/25.5mm
Upper
Dyneema
Midsole
TPEE
Outsole
Vibram Megagrip Elite (4mm)
Pros
Cons
Norda 005
For this season's top models, see our guide to the Best Trail Running Shoes.
The Norda 005’s cushioning rides the line between minimalism and maximalism, with 28.5 millimeters of TPEE foam at the heel and 21.5 millimeters at the toe (for a total stack height of 32.5/25.5mm when you factor in the outsole). It’s not near the lowest-stack shoe in Norda’s lineup—that award goes to the 002—but it still feels relatively low to the ground compared to most modern trail shoes. Set it next to my Brooks Cascadia Elite (40/34mm), and the difference is pretty stark—the Cascadia practically towers over it.
For me, this lands in a sweet spot for daily training and longer runs, though I wouldn’t push it much past the 30-mile mark. But that’s just my personal preference—I know plenty of folks who would happily take the Norda 005 through a 100-miler, likely with stronger feet or a higher tolerance for suffering than I have. Personally, I prefer a higher-stack shoe for long races, mainly for the added comfort as the miles start to pile up.
But if I keep the 005 below the 30-mile threshold, it’s impressively versatile: quick and responsive rather than sluggish, enough ground feel to stay confident on technical terrain, all wrapped in an incredibly lightweight package. I’m curious to see how Norda’s upcoming 055 handles true ultra-distance use, but the 005 still feels like it will hold its place as the fun, fast option I’d reach for most often.
The Norda 005 is billed as a fast shoe, and a lot of that comes from its poppy TPEE midsole. Underfoot, it feels lively and energetic—like it’s not going to hold you back when you want to pick up the pace. Pair that with the featherlight build, and the whole thing just feels quick and fun to run in. I’ve even worn it for a handful of workouts this spring—granted, I’m not the quickest runner in all the land, but it’s a fun shoe to bring to speed, and the low weight makes me feel like I can keep there for awhile.
But while it can go fast, it doesn’t have that “must run” personality you get from some plated trail running shoes. A model like the Hoka Rocket X Trail, for example, has a distinctive rocker shape and a carbon-fiber plate that make it only happy when running. The same goes for The North Face’s Vectiv Pro 3. But that’s not the case with the Norda 005: It’s happy at a walk, a trot, or a gallop, and doesn’t sacrifice any amount of stability for its responsiveness.
It’s hard to quantify, but I also get the sense that the Arnitel TPEE midsole resists packing out better than most foams. On paper, it’s supposed to rebound more and last longer than TPU, but that kind of thing only really matters if it shows up on the trail. So far, it has. Even on longer runs, the shoe still feels lively, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it holds onto that pop longer than most.
Despite its light weight and fast feel, the Norda 005 is impressively stable. That comes down to both what’s happening underfoot and how well the shoe locks your foot in place. The platform itself is refreshingly straightforward—no aggressive rocker or plate—so it feels planted and predictable on a variety of terrain.
Up top, there’s more going on than you might expect. Padded “pods” at the heel collar help lock the heel in place while also keeping debris out, the microsuede tongue conforms nicely to the foot, and the lacing system extends down toward the instep to create a snug, dialed-in fit. The result is a shoe that stays put without feeling overbuilt. That said, I’ll touch on this more in the Fit & Sizing section, but it’s worth noting that the foothold won’t work perfectly for everyone.
I spend a lot of time on rocky, rooty trails around my home in Leavenworth, Washington, and the Norda 005 has quickly become my favorite tool for that terrain. It feels more like an extension of my foot than most shoes I’ve worn. And while I’ll start to sound like a broken record, I think a lot of that—in addition to the stable base and tight foothold—comes down to how light it is. There’s almost no effort required to move it where I want, which makes it feel precise and nimble in a way most of my other shoes don’t replicate.
The Norda 005 uses Vibram Megagrip Elite rubber, which Vibram claims is its grippiest and lightest formulation to date. It’s a race-focused compound typically reserved for high-performance shoes, and the 005 was the first to bring it to market. Vibram Megagrip (and Megagrip Lightbase) has long been the gold standard in trail running, and the Elite blend builds on that reputation—it’s impressively sticky on rock and noticeably lightweight underfoot.
The 005’s lug depth falls in the 3.5 to 4 millimeter range, giving it more of a gravel-shoe vibe than a full-on mountain crusher (for comparison, the Norda 001A uses 5mm lugs). Like the Brooks Cascadia Elite, which uses the same rubber with similar 3.5-milimeter lugs, the 005 has felt a bit undergunned on looser terrain—I’ve slipped around more than I’d like on snow and pine needles. But the shoe feels particularly confident on rock and transitions smoothly onto fire roads and mellow singletrack, which is a common shortcoming of many trail running shoes. All told, the 005 doesn’t lead the pack in traction, but its minimalist outsole is one of the things that make it such a fun, energetic, and lightweight shoe.
Norda builds its shoes with durability front-of-mind, and the 005 is no exception. The Dyneema-woven upper offers impressive abrasion resistance without adding bulk, and even the laces are made from Dyneema for extra strength. Underfoot, the TPEE midsole does a nice job resisting compression both during a run and over time, helping the shoe maintain its lively feel longer than most.
My one question mark is the outsole. The Vibram Megagrip Elite rubber is incredibly sticky, but that added grip often comes at the expense of long-term durability, and I suspect it won’t last quite as long as standard Megagrip. On top of that, the 005 starts with relatively modest lugs (about 3.5-4mm), so there’s simply less material to wear through compared to shoes with deeper tread. Usually, I retire shoes because of holes in the upper or a beat-out midsole, but my best guess is that the 005’s sole will be the first thing to make me hang it up on the rack.
I’ve only logged about 60 miles in the 005 so far, so it’s too early to draw firm conclusions, but based on the materials and construction, it feels like a shoe that will hold up well—and one that’ll stay in my rotation for a long time.
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There’s so much going on from a weight-saving perspective with the Norda 005 that it feels worth calling out separately. The women’s version comes in at an impressive 6.2 ounces per shoe (6.8 oz. on my scale for a women’s 9). That’s over an ounce lighter than the minimalist Hoka Zinal 3, 2.2 ounces lighter than the Brooks Cascadia Elite, and a full 2.6 ounces lighter than the Salomon Ultra Glide 4 (all also weighed on my scale). Those numbers might sound small, but they add up quickly—especially when you consider the old adage: A pound on your feet is like five on your back. In my opinion, the 005’s biggest selling point is how much comfort and performance it packs in at a low weight.
True to form for Norda, the 005 uses a woven Dyneema. We’ve all heard about Dyneema by now, but its main highlight is outstanding abrasion resistance at an impressively low weight. In short, the 005’s upper is nearly indestructible.
That said, I did run into some issues in wet conditions. On a particularly rainy run, the shoes got noticeably soggy—so much so that my running partner could hear the squishing as my feet navigated puddles inside the shoes. Dyneema itself is hydrophobic, so my best guess is that water was getting in but didn’t have an easy way to escape. Because of that, I’d hesitate to bring these on missions where I know I’ll be dealing with river crossings or snowfields. The tightly woven upper also isn’t especially breathable, which makes me think the 005 could run warm on hot days—a common complaint I’ve heard with the 001A as well.
One of the tradeoffs with Dyneema is that it has almost no stretch, so the upper doesn’t really adapt to your foot over time. You more or less get what you get. For me, the fit felt secure and dialed—not exactly a hug, but still no real complaints. Padded “pods” around the heel help lock things in, and the lacing system extends down toward the arch for a snug, stable feel. That said, the more rigid Dyneema upper won’t work for everyone. My partner Alex, who’s also testing the shoe, found the forefoot hold lacking. To Norda’s credit, the microsuede tongue does help by conforming nicely to the foot, but it can only do so much given the structure of the upper.
Norda recommends sizing up a half size from your normal shoe size. I typically fall between a women’s 8.5 and 9, so I took a bit of a gamble and went with the 9 instead of the 9.5. The fit works well for me, but if I were lining up for a longer race, I’d likely wish I had gone up to a 9.5 to account for foot swelling. All that to say, most people will want to follow Norda’s recommendation and size up.
As mentioned above, my partner Alex has also been testing the 005 and hasn’t been as sold on the fit. His main complaint is that the Dyneema upper doesn’t hug the foot the way he prefers—especially through the forefoot. His feet are narrower than mine, which likely plays a role. What's more, he's experienced a pressure point from the stiff heel tab at the collar, which comes up higher over the Achilles than some might want. If possible, we’d recommend trying the shoe on before buying.
Norda 001A ($295): More Capable All-Rounder
While the 005 is clearly Norda’s race-day shoe, the 001A fills the role of a more versatile, everyday option. For $30 less, it uses a firmer, denser foam that doesn’t deliver the same energy return but offers better underfoot protection and long-term durability. It also features a more durable Vibram Megagrip Lightbase outsole (rather than the Elite compound) with deeper 5-millimeter lugs, making it better suited for rugged, technical terrain. And the proof is in the weight: The 001A comes in at a hefty 1 pound 2.9 ounces for the men’s version, while the 005 is just 15 ounces. In the end, the 001A is the more durable, capable workhorse, while the 005 is the lighter, faster option built for moving efficiently and pushing the pace. For more, read our review of the Norda 001A.
Mount to Coast H1 ($160): More Bang for Your Buck
If you spend most of your time on gravel roads and smooth singletrack, both the Norda 005 and Mount to Coast H1 are worth a look. At less than half the price, the H1 comes surprisingly close to matching many of the 005’s strengths—it prioritizes a smooth, energetic ride over max cushion, heavy-duty protection, or trail-eating traction. Both shoes land in that middle ground between road and trail. That said, the H1 doesn’t quite match the 005’s featherweight build, and its aramid-woven upper and supercritical foam aren’t quite as durable as the 005’s Dyneema-and-TPEE construction. It’s also a bit less precise on more technical trails. In the end, the 005 remains the lighter, sharper tool for those prioritizing speed, but the H1 nails many of the highlights at a more approachable price. For more, check out our review of the Mount to Coast H1.
The 005 is Norda’s take on a trail supershoe—ultralight, poppy, and surprisingly stable across a range of terrain. And, of course, it showcases the brand’s signature Dyneema upper. It’s a niche pick that'll give you hundreds of fun trail miles and some nods at the start line, but your wallet will definitely notice.
Cushioning
Responsiveness
Stability
Traction
Durability
Sustainability
A premium all-terrain trail runner, the Norda 001A blends a locked-in fit and impressive stability with unusually high durability, which helps justify its extraordinarily high price tag. It’s a stable yet energetic daily driver, but it doesn’t deliver the bouncy, race-day pop of more speed-focused trail shoes.
Cushioning
Responsiveness
Stability
Traction
Durability
Sustainability
A lively road-to-trail crossover, the Mount to Coast H1 pairs a high-stack, responsive midsole with a lightweight upper and a dialed fit system. It excels on gravel roads, bike paths, and hard-packed dirt, but its unstable personality and slippery outsole compound struggle on technical trails.
Cushioning
Responsiveness
Stability
Traction
Durability
Sustainability
Is the 005 for You?
The Norda 005 is for runners who value a lightweight yet durable shoe and are willing to pay top dollar for it. Its ultralight, energetic personality shines brightest on smoother singletrack, gravel roads, and mixed terrain, and it’s especially fun for faster days and race efforts. There’s also a bit of brand cachet at play—wearing a dusty white pair of Nordas has a way of signaling you’re in trail running’s inner circle.
That said, it’s not for everyone. The relatively low stack won’t appeal to runners seeking maximum cushioning for ultra-distance efforts, and the Dyneema upper’s lack of stretch can make the fit feel a bit unforgiving. Traction falls short on loose terrain, and it’s also not the best choice for consistently wet conditions. And while Norda leans heavily into durability, the 005 is still a running shoe—most pairs (including this one) will top out around 500 miles unless you’re especially stubborn.
Go for it if you want the lightest of the light, stick to smooth terrain, appreciate top-tier materials and high-end craftsmanship, and don’t mind paying for the experience.
Pass on it if you’re after more cushion, more aggressive traction, or better value—or if the fit simply doesn’t work for your foot.
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