Norda Takes Trail Running to the Next Level with the 005: The Pagani of Super Shoes
When it comes to high-end trail running footwear, Norda is often compared to luxury automobiles, with Lamborghini being a constant descriptor. But for co-founder and CEO Nick Martire, the brand’s shoes are more like the Pagani of trail running shoes – with zero compromise in quality and craftsmanship.
After two years of development, Norda is ready to release their most advanced expression of this ethos yet: the 005. This “super shoe” is billed as the lightest, fastest, and most stable trail running shoe ever made, designed to conquer the toughest races like the Canyons 100K and Western States ultra-distance events.
The 005 is loaded with Superman-level technology that would make even Lex Luthor salivate. One of its standout features is the midsole, made of Arnitel foam – a thermoplastic polyester elastomer (TPEE) that is considered one of the most advanced foam compounds in the world. While other brands may use up to 30% Arnitel in their midsoles, the 005’s midsole is made of 100% Arnitel foam.
Most “super shoe” midsoles are produced in a single factory due to the cost of the foam compounds and equipment needed. But when the Norda team visited the factory, they didn’t come with demands – they came with questions. Martire explains, “I just told him, ‘You’re the best midsole manufacturer in the world. Give me the best.’ His face lit up when he realized he could create a midsole of 100% Arnitel, which had never been done before.”
The result of this collaboration and a year of R&D is a midsole with an impressive 80%+ resiliency rate, providing double the cushioning, support, and responsiveness of most “super shoe” midsoles. But the technical innovation doesn’t stop there. The 005 also features a bio-based Dyneema upper, known for its incredible strength and light weight. Martire jokes that it’s strong enough to hang a car from, as Dyneema is up to 15 times stronger than steel by weight.
The Dyneema weave used in the 005 is slightly looser than previous Norda models, allowing for better breathability and comfort. And with a weight of just 214 grams for a men’s size 8.5, the 005 is truly a lightweight powerhouse.
So get ready to take your trail running game to the next level with the Norda 005 – the Pagani of super shoes. Are you ready to conquer the toughest races and leave your competition in the dust? Then lace up and get ready to fly with Norda.
