Men's Norda 001A - High Mile Trail Running Shoe

Design & Build

• Stack height & Drop – 26 mm heel / 21 mm forefoot with a 5 mm drop, striking a balance between ground feel and protection that suits long mountain traverses like the Colorado Trail.

• Midsole foam – Norda’s proprietary Arnitel® TPEE midsole offers enhanced resiliency and rebound, giving enough spring for ultra runners logging 50–100+ mile efforts across rugged terrain.

• Insole – A custom eTPU footbed adds energy return and durability for multi-day outings, making it ideal for thru-hikers tackling sections of the Continental Divide Trail.

• Outsole & Traction – Norda x Vibram® Megagrip soleplate with Litebase® keeps weight down without sacrificing durability. The 5 mm lugs deliver confidence on everything from alpine scree fields to wet forested singletrack.

Upper & Fit

• Dyneema® upper – A seamless, bio-circular Dyneema® construction makes the 001A exceptionally durable and abrasion-resistant, perfect for days when sharp granite or high-alpine talus would shred ordinary mesh.

• Lockdown system – A gusseted tongue and Norda’s Lock System stabilize the foot over long climbs and technical descents.

• Laces & safety – Dyneema®/recycled polyester laces resist fraying on extended efforts, while 360° reflective details offer visibility for dawn starts and late finishes common in ultra running.

• Fit notes – Runs small; most recommend sizing up a half size for optimal comfort on high-mileage days.

Outsole & Traction

• 5 mm lugs – Bite into loose gravel, mud, and alpine dirt while shedding debris quickly.

• Vibram Megagrip + Litebase – Durable compound trusted by ultra runners for wet rocks, steep ridgelines, and long backcountry miles without weighing you down.

Performance & Feel

• Cushion & responsiveness – Not max-cushioned, but the resilient Arnitel® midsole keeps legs feeling fresher over multiple back-to-back long days, whether you’re linking passes on the Colorado Trail or stacking training blocks for a 100-miler.

• Weight – ~9.45 oz (men’s US 8.5), making it light enough for racing yet sturdy enough for thru-hikes on the Continental Divide Trail.

• Protection – Dyneema® upper resists abrasion, while the midsole smooths out rocky impact so you can stay focused on pace and footing.

• Ride – The 5 mm drop encourages a natural stride, and the stable soleplate makes traversing rooty or off-camber terrain more controlled.

Who It’s For

The Men's Norda 001A is perfect for trail athletes, mountain ultra runners, and thru-hikers who need a shoe that blends durability, efficiency, and protection. Whether you’re covering a few days on the Colorado Trail, chasing an FKT on the Continental Divide Trail, or racing a 100-mile ultra across technical terrain, the 001A is designed to hold up mile after mile.

Summary

The Men's Norda 001A takes the toughness of Dyneema, the precision of Vibram Megagrip, and a responsive midsole to create a trail shoe capable of withstanding the rigors of alpine ultra running and long-distance thru-hikes. It’s not the softest or cheapest option, but for those demanding durability, traction, and stability on trails that stretch across states and mountain ranges, it’s one of the most reliable choices available.