I get asked a lot about running shoes because, well, it’s hard to find the perfect pair. If you’ve been following along on the running side of things, you know I fell in love with norda shoes a year ago when I wore the 001s for their first time out and raced to the win at Summit 700 on the muddiest day ever. That pair of sneakers is still shockingly in great shape a year later (ok, maybe getting close to retirement since they have literal thousands of miles on them, but still great walking/short run shoes!). When I found out that they were coming out with a race-specific trail shoe, I was all in. So, I laced up the norda 005s—dubbed their Race Days (note the S) shoe—and did a couple easy runs in them ahead of Sulphur Springs. I loved them.
Race day shoes are wild to me, and not something I’ve explored in the past for one major reason: One race day in ultras, I want to KNOW that I’m going to be as comfy as possible. I don’t want a sexy race day shoe, I want my most beat up pair of comfort shoes. I have to give the 005s credit: wearing them, even from run #1, felt like slipping on that comfort shoe, just a lot lighter.
Actually, the construction of the upper had me the most impressed. They still use the Biodyneema fabric so it’s bombproof, but they used a lighter and seemingly stretchier weave that definitely felt like I had more breathing room—a major positive for a 100 miler where feet swelling is inevitable! The other structural note I appreciated was that they added bigger pods at the collar area at your heel “for a more tight collar fit and to reduce debris from coming in.” If I had one issue with the 002 it’s that I do occasionally kick gravel up into them, which gets super annoying—and would require a stop in a race like that one!
The ultra light soles are courtesy of the pure Arnitel® (TPEE) foam they used, plus the world’s first release of Vibram Megagrip Elite rubber treads. I had interviewed norda founder’s Nick for Canadian Running in an article all about foam recently, and the use of pure Arnitel is A Big Deal. It’s lightweight, has great rebound, and I can attest that it felt fast.
I did about 25 miles worth of training in them pre-100 miler and felt pretty confident going into the race. I had a few backup pairs of shoes at the ready depending on what the issue was—a bigger size of worn out Hokas if I had blisters, the other Nordas if these got soaked and were uncomfortable as a result, even some road shoes if I needed something completely different.
But I didn’t change a thing.
If you listened to last week’s podcast, you know that I won the 100 in 17:22. A big part of my time-savings each lap was that I didn’t change a single thing. Not my shirt, not my shorts, not my shoes. I swapped packs and at night, swapped my hat for a buff, but otherwise, I was in the same basic outfit, including the norda 005s.
They were flawless. Super comfy, and the slightly more breathable uppers were key. My feet were wet but they didn’t get pruny. (Again, another issue with the 002s is that they aren’t super breathable, so I do end up with pruny feet if it’s wet out. Fine for a few hours but for 12+ hours, better drainage and breathability is a gamechanger.) They’re also a bit more stretchy, so even when my feet swelled, they were fine.
Yes, the white color didn’t make it past lap 1 before they were mud-covered. But I do have to say, it washed out really well afterwards. (Use a bit of Simple Green!)
The shoes retail at $320, just a bit pricier than their other models but only marginally. And the best part—unlike other race day shoes, these still are in great shape post-race, so I can use them for more events! They don’t have a carbon plate, and while the foam won’t last quite as long as their regular stuff (durable + lightweight isn’t really an option), they should be good for a couple more races. I won’t train in them so I don’t wear them out, but I’ll def race in them again. I’ll edit this post after a few more races to let everyone know how it’s going RE wear and tear.
TL;DR: If you’re looking for a pair of trail shoes to race in, I highly recommend. But I’d also suggest the norda 002s for everyday running and for racing if you’re not super into getting the absolute raciest option around. I have had zero problems racing in those, and they’re still my go-tos for training. (Full review of them here.)
Last note: Like all norda shoes, order a full size up!! These fit a titch loose than the same-sized 002s, but I wouldn’t size down.
