Apologies for the subpar audio and video quality for this one. The original file got corrupted, but fortunately we had a cloud backup and were able to save this conversation! What do you all think of the 001 and/or 002? Is one of these more suited to your running style? Let us know if there's anything we missed!
This was a great review and a great discussion. I have both of these shoes, and I also have the 001 G+ Spike which I obviously use for winter running. I struggled mightily with the heel lockdown on the 001 on my smaller foot. I tried different lacing, different socks, different insoles, no insoles, padding on my heel - and various combinations of the aforementioned. What finally made the shoe click for me though, was as you discussed - it just needed to break in. Once you get to that point, everything you have heard about the Norda 001s becomes reality. Durable. Comfortable. Maybe a little warm. Drainage is only ok. But they fit and feel great. These shoes will last a long long time. I am very happy to see you make such an emphasis of the dollars/km aspect of the price of these shoes. That's a component that many reviewers don't really focus on. They just opine about the high price, but don't really discuss the value. So thank you for that. This is a little bit rambling, but I wanted to thank you for the wonderful and objective review. Great stuff.
Thanks for watching and for your feedback! I'm definitely going to keep running in the 001s because I do really want to get to that point of them feeling truly broken in
I feel so lucky that I put the 001s on and the only issue I had was lockdown. A runners loop solved that and 80 miles later I’m in love. Supporting the little dudes making cool shit for whatever you’re into is important because they’ve got all their chips in on it. I also love that a shoe that lasts twice as long is 1/2 the trash down the line. 1/2 the emissions of shipping and all the other bad shit from manufacturing. It’s less shoe boxes which my kids will be bummed about. Keep up the great work CP! I pulled the trigger on the topo pursuits based on your review and am very pleased with 250 miles in them and at least as many ahead of them!
Thanks for watching! I totally agree, I love seeing a company actually make their most durable product and wanting their customers to have them for a long time.
Feel free to make them even longer it’s all in the name of aerobic development - nothing better watching you two talk shoes and chilling on zwift 😄 Wishlist: La Sportiva Prodigio Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra Terrex Agravic Speed Terrex Agravic 3 (For a 90min 3 shoes video haha) Zegama 2 Tomir 2 Thanks guys!❤
Thanks for doing this long-awaited comparison! I have been running in both models since their inception and have a half dozen of the 001s, including the waterproof version and the ice spikes edition. The 001 is maybe the best overall ultramarathon trainer ever made, despite the heel counter (which requires a lot of break-in, 100 miles at least). Raced a 50 miler in the 001 on a technical mountain course here in Colorado and it was superb throughout. Ideally Norda will take the 002 heel counter and use that on a 003 using the excellent 001 platform. The 002 is for me a 15 mile or less racer on softer ground, or a speed work shoe. Both drain surprisingly well! Highly recommend especially the 001.
@@ConversationalPace @TrailrunnerTroy Peep the 005 prototypes on the feet of Jason Schlarb, Arden Young and other Norda athletes - it looks like it has a similar stack to the 001 but with a padded heel counter.
These shoes wash really well. I spray with any typical laundry spot remover and throw in the wash. I have a white pair. They come out shinny and new. The material is bullet proof so no worries about how often to wash even. Your review is spot on as far as performance. I have moved to these as my go to shoes now for any activity.
I just found your channel, new subscriber. I can’t believe how great your impeccably complete reviews are! As an avid road/trail runner with function first, but do like something fashionable and lover of all things detailed, you guys cover every angle! Super stoked, as I am considering the 001, thanks so much
That's so awesome! Glad you found the channel and thanks for subscribing! Our goal has always been to go deep and break down every element of the shoe and figure out why each piece has been selected. Great to hear that you are finding value in these deep dives!
@@ConversationalPace nothing specific. Im looking for options. I like how you try different brands and hope that continues. I like how you include thruhiking/backpacking use cases.
Great review guys! It’s funny how shoes fit so differently for everyone. I have a couple of pairs of 001’s and have had zero issues with the heel. They are my favourite trail shoe. And the midsole just gets better and better as you put in the miles. Something magic happens at around the 150-200km mark!! The only downside for me is that the shoe gets heavy running in wet conditions.
Thanks for the feedback! having over over 160km in the 001 now, I can totally feel the heel material starting to work in, and I agree, the midsole is only getting better!
I like the 001 better for running. It’s a lot of extra shoe for only +.5 oz. The way the 001 heel cup becomes ultra secure while going up hill is awesome. One thing you didn’t mention is the full gusset in the 001 which wraps all the way from the forefoot to the toe cap (Makes the upper significantly more protective off trail). The 002 on the other hand has a single layer upper over the toe box.
Fun and informative review, gents! Agree on the value of the TPE/TPU insoles that some companies are using. I find myself slipping my Saucony Pwwrun+ insoles into almost any shoe for trail/road when I want some extra comfort. TOPO is now also incorporating a TPU insole (you can also purchase separately) and that makes a difference too. But it's a cheap, underrated way to completely change the fit, feel, and comfort of a shoe. Great stuff. (also *cough* Xodus Ultra 2 - even a quick one - before the 3 comes out in May/June '24).
+1 for using Pwrrun+ insole in other shoes. Too bad Saucony doesn't sell these separately, but is there a cheap version of these with a thin fabric cover on top? The inov-8 etc ones are too thick for many shoes.
@@rmsrmsrmsrms Hmm... not that I know of. The TOPO one being sold separately is pretty thin, less cumbersome but is not textile covered. It's good, but it's a bit like the Boomerang one just thinner. Good luck!
Great comparison, and definitely didn't see the comparison of the 002 to the Catamount. That's really intriguing. For the next reviews I'd love to see more Scarpa and some Merrell
The Catamount actually checks a surprising amount of boxes across a pretty wide range of trail types and conditions. We're hoping to get the Catamount 3 review up this spring. Hopefully more Scarpa and Merrell review opportunities come our way this year!
Great reviews, very informative and great to see both points of view. Brands in the space are certainly going to be taking cues from Norma in their aesthetic, exciting to see what Norda comes up with next. I would be interested to know if you would even be willing to review the Vivobarefoot Primus Trail? My assumption is that you are not running in barefoot your feet might not be strong enough and would need to adapt your running style, maybe you don't want to take the risk. I could see alternatively that you bring in a guest who does run in them to review them.
Thanks for watching! Your assumption is correct, my feet wouldn't be able to handle a full review of the Vivobarefoot Trail. They're not strong enough for something that minimal and it would take too long to try and transition into a shoe like that. I've tried more minimal shoes in the past, but just ultimately don't have much reason to stick with them.
Definitely on thru hikers minds. It's what I thought of when I first heard of Norda and I'm sure others to because same material as my tent and pack, just a little different. The thru hiking community is all about "cottage brands". The only thing and like you mentioned is drainability. My tent, pack are completely waterproof and the PCT is super sloppy and wet when the hikers are hitting the mountains and you don't want to put on wet shoes in the morning after crossing rivers the day prior
Yeah that was a thought I had as well with the drainage. The material on the upper isn't fully waterproof, so hopefully that would help them dry quicker. Definitely would be durable enough though!
@@ConversationalPace yeah, since it's a blend it definitely has some drainage I'd assume. I guess that's the trade off though... Buy 2 pairs of Norda for the whole trail or have to buy 4 pairs of another brand. Haha
Great review 🇨🇦 The 002 is a comfy shoe out of the box. Loved them on my local soft trails but the lack of heel support gave me issues on steep technical downhills. The laces are also the same material and a bit slippery and had to use a runners knot to keep them from coming loose. Really like the Vibram foam 🇨🇦outsole but could use a rock plate to be honest as I found out a few times.
Yeah I agree, I thought that the 002 was mega comfy out of the box, but found it a bit thin underfoot. I'd love to see Norda experiment with a plate in a future shoe
That 001 midsole is absolutely addicting. Long long very break in period, but once you can get past that 50 mile mark….it just gets better and better. Owner was quoting saying the upper is like a leather jacket…break in time is part of the experience. Once it molds….just amazing going forward. I equate this to Reeb bikes.(CO bike brand) Saucony xodus 3
Yes indeed. What other thing to add is this is the Ray Zahab model. Super cool story behind this collab with Norda. He ran the Monarch route- 4500 KM to raise awareness about them. Like that they are doing this and release special colorways. This color is prob my fav or the new Ray colorway.
Thanks for the in-depth review! Recently spotted a good deal on Norda 001 (47% off), so I grabbed a pair. I'm sorta inbetween 2 sizes - US9 (Novablast 2 & 3, Hierro v7) and US9.5 (SpeedCross 4, Pulsar Trail GTX). Decided to order US10 anticipating there'd be some extra room for self-adhesive heel pads. It turns out to work quite well. Just did 10K yesterday. The material in the heel is indeed hard and abrasive and the stick-on heel pads definitely helped. The outsole performed pretty well. The midsole didn't feel as comfy as Hierro v7 or Pulsar Trail. I guess it still needs some breaking-in. The laces were a bit disappointing though. I had to retie them half way. The loosy heel collar was also a problem. After the run, the upper of the shoe was still clean, but the insole got dirty because of all the dirt let in by the loosy heel collar. I guess I'll have to wear gaiters next time...
Before I watch this - I tried hard to wait for your review on this shoe (001) after seeing the comments in your 2023 year in review.. I broke this weekend and see this today.. still happy 😂
Thanks for finally reviewing these. The 2 brand new VJ shoes look awesome… and the Merrel Long Sky 2 Matryx… and the Brooks Catamount 3. These would be my top pick since I don’t run ultras…
Thank for review. Feel great the more you wear them. It’s like an old Jean’s. Go up 1/2 size for 001 and 1 full size for 002. I lace my 001 with the second eyelet lockdown technic and it’s fantastic. These shoe are very stable and so confortable with complete gusset tongue on 001. I hope a model with the 001 midsole with 002 upper 🤞
Love my 001s as a general trail/road/travel shoe. They are super stylish and also can handle most surfaces for running so they are my go to whenever I need to get miles in while traveling. If y'all are wanting to review another "indie" trail shoe, I'd check out the 4T2 Get Lost. It's in a very similar vein as the Norda 001 and Nnormal Tomir
Babe wake up, a new Conversational Pace review just dropped. There’s a new S Lab Ultra FDH that Salomon came out with that I’ve only seen 1 English review on. Other shoes for when they come out would be the Tormir 2.0, Xodus Ultra 3s, and the S Lab Pulsar 3s.
150miles in - I’ll say that I tried tying the shoe 99 different ways before adding some padding to the thin tongue. Other than that the shoe is phenomenal. I love how stable and grippy it is, and I’ll say the midsole really does start to change for me around 120-130miles in. Love the heel style - reminds me of my climbing shoes in a way. Will be racing at least 50miles of my first 100 in the shoe in 5 weeks
@@joellaing228 going to sound silly but I had a pair of old Nike Juniper trail shoes that had a thin but padded tongue. I completely cut it out and slip it into the Norda on top of my foot. I think half the lace bite issue for me is a long, wider foot that is low volume. Just over 200 miles into them now. They’re amazing despite the small nuisance
@@hugomcguire9506 simply amazing. Rained the first half of the race and I clearly had more traction than most. Got a second pair this week actually even tho the first is just fine! Love them
I'm a sneaker tech lover, I would say that I currently have 4 shoes in my rotation for hiking and running my local trails (Alpes du Sud France), Hoka Speedgoat 3 (stiill the best version for me), Evadict MT Cushion 2 (incredible value for 100€), Nnormal Tomir WP and the 001 I absolutely love them all for different reason, I can wait to get the Tomir 2 with more plushness under feet btw. But the look of the 001 got me, they are beautiful on and off trails
haha agreed, the 001 is a fantastic looking shoe. I also love that you've still got the Speedgoat 3! That might also still be my favorite version of the speedgoat (assuming the EVO Speedgoat doesn't count 😅)
I saw ONE person hiking SOBO on the PCT who was wearing Norda's last summer during a section hike in WA. That crowd is pretty committed to the Altra Lone Peak/Olympus, Topo, and a few Hoka models. The 001 very well could be a "cheaper" option for the distance hiking community. No comparison between uppers.
Cool review guys. Not easy shoes to come by in New Zealand (I think one store in the whole country carries them, and they're $500), but they look cool. And I love the peba insole in my Saucony Xodus Ultras; such a great idea.
Agreed, I think Norda makes some of the best looking shoes out there. $500 is a little steep for a pair! Also agreed, shoe companies need to normalize higher quality insoles!
When I initially got the 001, I also couldn’t run in it, the heel counter was killing me. $300 sitting in the shelf, and I watched a video on lacing the back eyelet differently and bam, the heel was fixed and the 001 has become my workhorse trainer, I have 500km+ and barley shows any wear, I expect to get another 1-2 years of training, $300 is a big initial investment, but durability is unquestionable.
m.ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-EZdQK8i9jjA.html&pp=ygUQbm9yZGEgMDAxIHJldmlldw%3D%3D 1:15 in. Nothing crazy, but it changed the shoe for me.
So is the insole shape / toe box width comparable to the Superiors? I’ve been running in those/other Altras but looking for alternatives (that don’t make my feet feel squished after getting used to Altras)
@@z3115 I imagine you would have to trim the front of the stone guard just a bit, as the Norda toe box isn't as foot shaped as Altra. The width is still really great though
I tried the 001 a hundred different ways over 170km and still get blisters. Whoever decided a seam in the middle of the heel cup was a good idea obviously doesn't have bony heels. Impossible to lock down without squishing my arches into oblivion. Gaping around the ankles letting all sorts of debris in the shoe. Worst $300 I've ever spent!
I still haven't been able to comfortably lock down my heel without discomfort on that same seam. Only kind of solution I have that's not the most practical is wearing socks with an extra thick heel 😞
Sounds like the 002 is a worse kjerag, heavier, and you feel all the rocks, 001 with the 002 heel collar seems like itd be pretty great! Poke some holes in the dyneema and breathability issues would probably be solved, i doubt the uppers durability would be bothered by that lol Would love to see the inov-8 g270 reviewed, la sportiva prodigio, tomir 2, and the new xodus altras Would love to start seeing more tpu/peba insoles, i really like swapping my peregrine insoles over to some other shoes (even put them in my kjerags sometimes, helps me go longer in them but they do take away some stability) but they have to much arch support to put in all my shoes, itd be great to see them come stock more Also could you start doing a weigh in for the shoes when brand new and then another with dirt? I think it would be good to know how much weight the upper holds and it would standardize things more
I think I would be able to run longer in the 002, because the fit felt a little more relaxed and there was a bit more cushion. For any faster running, I'm going with the kjerag every time. I'd love to drill some holes in the dyneema, but I'm quite scared to try. haha
I have the 001s and really like the feel but get chafing under my ankle bone from heel collar that rubs off skin. Have also had blisters on heel. So disappointing given the price point and these have just been sitting on the shelf. Has anyone else had that issue with chafing? Any ways to solve?
I (Brett) definitely had some heel rubbing issues as well. It did start to improve after about 70 miles of running in them, but it still wasn't perfect. The best option for me was to just wear socks with thick padding around the heel/ankle area
I've got the 001's in all black and wasn't sure at first, but after breaking in the upper, they are now a fantastic shoe. Have you seen the slip on Norda?
I have seen that slip on and it's wild! Apparently really hard to put on, but once it's on, it's snug enough where you can hike and even do some jogging in it. Not really sure what the exact purpose of it is, but I like it!
The Kjerag and 002 were definitely close. I think the 002 has a little more cushion and is a little more relaxed fit, while the Kjerag feels firmer and faster. The Kjerag has better rock protection as well. If I had to pick one to do everything, I would be between the 001 and the Kjerag with the 001 being able to do the longer things better. I'd probably go Kjerag though simply because of how fun it is, even if it isn't the greatest long run shoe for me. Thanks for watching!
Thanks for that really informative review. Would you have any thoughts on the Norda 001 compared to the NNormal Tomir 1.0 or Tomir 2.0, and which may be better with a custom orthotic?
We haven't gotten the Tomir yet, but are hoping to get the 2.0 soon, and we'll definitely be able to compare them. The insole in the 001 is pretty thick, so replacing it with a custom orthotic would actually likely work better than many other shoes
Would be very interesting to see what you guys think of the evadict shoes from decathlon models race light and mt cushion 2.... both with matryx uppers... have the race light myself and they are great and have lasted quite long.... it would be good to see how budget shoes compared the more premium brands.
I currently have both in my rotation and I can say that the mt cushion 2 are very good, not as plush as the 001 but has a more snug fit for sure. Anyway those are my 2 favorite trail shoes. I sold my speedgoat 5, agility peak 5 and only keep 001 and mt2
I prefer a shoe, the less not longer, but less time and be cheaper because I like to just try out different shoes. You have to shoot services at purpose, like to look for something else but then again, every once, while I still run my fingers which lasts me forever so maybe I’m lying. But my book that’s a lot of money to have a shoot that’s not perfect would take the Nnormal over it. And $100 for race entry
I have the 001, I call it my zone 2 shoe, easy miles and I use them on my canal path commute about 10miles each way.I wouldn’t race in it for sure. I would love to hear you thoughts on the Merrell Agility Peak 5…..
Zone 2 definitely feels like the sweet for most running I'd do in the 001 as well. I'm not sure we'll be reviewing the Agility Peak 5 as it's been out for a while, but we'll definitely do a full review of the AP6 when that launches!
I didn't get an official date, but there was no update for 2024, and I doubt it is on a 3 year cycle, so I imagine we see an update of some sort in 2025
Salomon Slab genesis… curious if anyone can compare it to the norda 001 or have other recommendations for a mid stack shoe that can accommodate a narrow heel but wider toe box for moderate to technical terrain. It sounds like speedland has been developing a new shoe in this segment but I haven’t seen any recent launch updates
I too am waiting for a launch announcement on the new Speedland. It's been in development with Avery Collins and sounds like it would be somewhat of an update/upgrade to the original SL:PDX
I had a dog bite me on my foot in my Norda 001 it bruised my toe but didn't even pierce the fabric. I love both the 001 and 002 I feel the 002 is a lot quicker but the 001 always feels like a tank on my foot in a good way. I have been able to take on the wet muddy UK winter in both of them with no trouble. They are both great shoes can't choose one over the other though?
Wow that's an amazing story about the 001 upper surviving a dog bite! I also do really like the tank-like feel of the 001 now that the upper is breaking in
@@ConversationalPace They definitely take a little while to break in? Someone told me 100 miles? 🤣 great review anyway thanks for the video it's nice to hear other's opinions.
I've definitely seen a handful of casual use Nordas. Shoot, I even saw them in a luxury shop in Vegas! But if those kinds of sales help pay for their pro trail team, I'm all for it!
Norda 001 is the worst shoe I have ever purchased. They run awful. Poor response. Poor flexibility, even after break in. The toe box is too wide. I think they are a heel striker's shoe, from what I can tell -- not a midfoot strikers shoe -- as I feel beat up running in them on long runs. They are durable, no doubt, but if they aren't fun to run in they aren't worth $300. Consider this, for the cost of a Norda you can get the following: 2 pairs of Speedgoats, a Speedland shoe, the upcoming Tecton x 3 (that Walmsley wears), and (if you get a sale) almost two pairs of Nike Zegama 2s. They are $80 more than the Adidas Speed Ultra. These simply are not serious running shoes -- i.e. they aren't racing shoes. I'm not a thru hiker -- I want to run -- and thus I have no real use for the Nordas (and how sad that I spent money on something to "wear around town"!! Ha!).
Sounds like the 001 didn't work for you 😂😂😂. Seriously though, it is super frustrating when you spend that much on a shoe and it doesn't deliver in all the ways advertised. At least you have a sweet casual shoe that will last for years!
@@ConversationalPace i like your glass is half full view. Honestly, I think this sport requires finding what works for you, be it shoes, hydration vests, nutrition, etc. Still, in my trail running journey, these were super stinkers for sure.
I’m so tired of running shoe companies sacrificing the durability of the shoes to make them a tiny bit lighter!! I’m always looking for a trail to road shoe that o can get more than 800 kilometers of use out of, normally I try to get 1200 kilometers of use but what I’ve being finding is it’s getting harder and harder to find that shoe!! I’m a big Speedgoat fan and I was able to get that usage from the Speedgoat 4’s bit not the Speedgoat 5’s!! What’s happening now with the Hoka is the upper is going before the sole and midsole?? Same with Saucony trail shoe the XU2 and the Endorphin edge trail!! The upper is wearing out and busting open while there is still a good bit of like left in the sole and midsole !! I’ve been looking at the Norda now for over a year now but couldn’t take that kind of financial risk on the shoe, but finally today I found a pair of Nora 001 on sale for €180 and looking forward to finally trying 👍 if this shoe is as good as the reviews and works for my foot and the running I do which covers all terrain plus training for and completing ultras up to 200 kilometers then I’ll make this shoe my forever shoe 😄 if I can spend €280 on one pair that feels good and out lasts the 3 pairs of hoka or saucony well then it starts to make more sense financially 🤓👍 here in Ireland loving your RU-vid channel 🤟😎☘️
As long as the heel cup breaks in well for you, you're probably going to get a ton of mileage out of the 001. Fit-wise, if the Speedgoat has worked for you, the 001 probably will too. If uppers are what are wearing out for you first, Norda is definitely the right brand for you then. I'm not sure anyone has blown through one of their uppers yet! Thank you hugely for watching!
No rock plate in either of these shoes. The protection is from the denser midsole foam and full length outsole. Protection is definitely better in the 001 than 002
