Product Review: Norda 001 Trail Shoes

 

Photo Credit: Norda

Testing a new brand of shoe, due to issues with recent pairs of my previous standby Brooks Cascadias. The test started well, with the shoes requiring minimal breaking in. They are a good combination of sturdy and comfortable, just requiring some adjustments with the laces to find a correct fit.

Comfortable enough that I decided to stretch my limits and head out for a second lap. Unrelated to the shoes, I started hitting the wall, feeling the lactic acid building in my calves, and struggling to continue. First slowed to a shuffle, then dragging my spent legs in a crawl, wondering if I had finally reached my endpoint, pushed the limits as far as I could go. I passed out briefly, awaking to the gentle notes of the Grateful Dead's Touch of Grey. I was revived enough to pull myself up to the nearest table where a sample of smoked gouda and a glass of kombucha brought me back around. A 2nd lap around the farmer's market was a mistake, but I felt so inspired by my new shoes that I attempted to push myself past my limits. 

On a more extensive test, hiking up some mountains in Whistler, the shoes performed admirably. Great grip with a solid sole and a solid combination of also managing to be lightweight and breathable. At this point, have 5 months of heavy use and the shoes barely appear worn.  A hefty price tag on these, but so far are a good value. If I can get 12-18 months before needing a new pair, I would consider this as my new regular shoe. 

One issue is that while the shoes are ideal for hiking in a wide range of conditions (or strolling around a local farmer's market), the sole is quite stiff without much give. Running in these shoes is a challenge, and leads to sore feet for this user. The fit and laces is also a bit different from other shoes I have worn, takes some trial and error to get the most comfortable tightness with the laces. Neither issue is a major problem for the desert and mountain hiking I have mostly used the shoes for.  

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