I’m not an old man yet, but let’s be real—I’m starting to lean into old-man tendencies. No, I’m not yelling at kids to get off my lawn or on Facebook all day, but I do find joy in things I never thought I would. Waking up early when I don’t need to? Love it. Planning my day in an actual paper planner? Been doing it for years and its weirdly satisfying. And now, appreciating laceless shoes? Wow.
Lucky for me, norda sent over a pair of the norda 003, a slip-on trail shoe—yes, a slip-on trail shoe—and I’ve been putting it to the test.
Looks:
The norda 003 keeps things low-key with three muted colorways: Ash (our review pair—a clean grey and white combo and new for Spring 2025), Cinder (similar but with a mustard outsole), and Pitch Black (you get the idea). Also, norda is dropping new colorways this spring across their entire line, which should be worth checking out.
One thing I wasn’t expecting? This shoe is seriously reflective—from all angles. If you’re out running in the dark, you’ll be lighting up like a runner’s version of a disco ball.
Construction & Fit:
Norda recommends going one full size up, and I’d co-sign that. I’m normally a size 12, and a 13 fit me perfectly.
Now, I was skeptical—a laceless trail shoe that actually locks in your foot? For $295, you better have your act together. And somehow, norda nailed it. The Bio-Dyneema upper and elasticized construction give it a snug, sock-like fit that doesn’t loosen up over time. It hugs your foot in a way that feels secure but not restrictive. I was honestly surprised by how locked-in I felt.
Specs:
- Weight (Men’s US 8.5): 9.7 ounces
- Drop: 5mm
- Stack Height: Heel: 26mm / Forefoot: 21mm
Upper:
That killer fit I just talked about? It’s all thanks to the one-piece Bio-Dyneema upper, which stretches just enough to be comfy but not enough to lose its shape. Dyneema is crazy durable (I have heard its stronger than steel?), and while I haven’t put in enough miles to see if it holds up long-term, it definitely feels built to last.
There’s no traditional tongue, but norda added some padding on the upper and heel for extra comfort.
Midsole:
When you hear “Vibram,” you probably think outsoles—I know I do. But here, norda teams up with Vibram and their Vibram SLE to bring cushioning to the midsole. It’s not maxed-out plush, but it balances ground feel with enough cushion to stay comfortable on longer outings. I feel the 003 is designed more for situations where performance is demanded—think technical trails – as opposed to well groomed flatter trails.
At 26mm in the heel, it’s not the highest stack out there, but that lower profile adds some welcomed stability. Plus, the wider midfoot base helps keep things steady when you’re maneuvering terrain.
Outsole:
The full-length Vibram Megagrip outsole means business, with 5mm lugs that dig in and keep traction whether you’re on dry dirt, wet rocks, or some sketchy, loose gravel.
But here’s what’s cool—the outsole isn’t just grippy, it’s also super light. Thanks to Vibram Litebase technology, norda shaved off about 30% of the weight while keeping all that rugged durability. You get a tough, grippy outsole without the usual extra bulk. I was surprised how light it is, and feels, while still having so much rubber and durable construction materials
The Verdict:
So, what’s the deal with the norda 003? Is it a trail running shoe? A hiking shoe? A scrambling shoe? The answer: yes.
norda calls it a “no wrong approach” shoe, and that tracks—it’s built to handle trail running, hiking, scrambling, or even just being an easy, slip-on adventure shoe. And I would echo this. It feels like a perfect option to take on overnight backpacking trips – where you can have a single pair that can get you there, as well as do some quality trail running and technical trail maneuvering from your basecamp.
At $295, these things ain’t cheap. I mean, are you even reading a norda (or Speedland or Nike Alphafly) review and being surprised by the price point? Probably not—you know it’s gonna be an investment. But you are getting a super quality pair with premium materials that we feel could be the last hybrid trail shoe you may ever need.
If you’re looking for a ridiculously well-made, do-it-all outdoor shoe that can handle tough terrain, the norda 003 is one of the most interesting (and functional) options out there.
