Multi-tasking is the name of the game in today’s world, so I’m all for a good hybrid shoe that allows me to transition from road to trail with ease. Enter Craft, a Swedish company that makes high quality gear for biking, hiking, skiing, and (of course) running, both on the trail and off. The Nordlite Ultra 2 shoe is a great road-to-trail option, and Run Oregon was stoked to try it out.
See all our reviews of Craft here!
The Craft Nordlite Ultra 2 is back, and honestly, we’re happy about it. The first version had a lot going for it, and Craft didn’t feel the need to overhaul what worked. Instead, they made some smart refinements—most notably in the upper—while keeping the midsole and outsole basically the same. Let’s break it all down.
Looks
The Nordlite Ultra 2 keeps a similar aesthetic to the original, which makes total sense. The first one was a real head-turner, especially in that neon orange, but we never really hold colorways against a shoe unless they leave us with no choice but to wear something we don’t like.
Last time, there were plenty of options outside the bright tones, and this time around, the Nordlite Ultra 2 offers three: our reviewed blue pair, a fiery orange/yellow (which honestly looks like an improved version of the original’s neon), and a clean white/black combo that’s sleek and classy.
Specs:
- Stack Height Heel: 40 mm
- Stack Height Forefoot: 34 mm
- Drop: 6 mm
- Weight: 10.58 oz (Men’s size 8.5)
Construction
If there’s one place Craft focused its updates, it’s the upper. You’ll see below that the midsole and outsole remain unchanged, which is a good thing—we liked them in the original. The biggest gripe last time was with the upper, and it looks like Craft took that feedback seriously.
Upper:
The upper on the Nordlite Ultra 2 feels more streamlined and less roomy in the toe box. It’s not narrow by any means—there’s still space for toe splay—but it’s dialed in better, which means no more swimming around inside the shoe. Plus, they added a pull tab on the heel, which is always a nice touch for easy entry.
Craft also switched up the materials. The previous upper was a one-piece engineered mesh made from 92% polyester and 8% TPU. Now, it’s a mix of 42% polyester, 42% recycled polyester, and 16% TPU.
It’s still engineered mesh, but this change seems to have helped with that previous roominess issue. It’s a little less roomy while still allowing some natural movement, which was one of our biggest asks from the previous version. The material update is also a welcome change, and while we can’t quantify exactly how much of a difference the recycled content makes, we’re all for brands taking steps toward sustainability. A pull tab was also added as well – which is suprisingly welcome as well.
Midsole:
No changes here, which is fine by us. The Nordlite Ultra 2 still uses the same supercritical CrFoam midsole with that 40/34mm stack height. We wouldn’t call it the plushest ride out there, but it definitely provides some cushion—because, let’s be real, you can’t have that much stack without some softness. The energy return is solid, just like it was in the first version.
Outsole:
The outsole looks pretty much identical to the original, and that’s not a bad thing. It still has that hybrid design that works well on a variety of surfaces. The only notable change is the branding—now it’s called a “HyperGrip” traction outsole instead of just “hybrid,” but we’re not sure if that’s an actual construction update or just a new name.
Either way, grip and traction remain solid for both road and trail running. The coverage is good, which means durability is too, but that also adds a little weight. That tradeoff is worth it if you want a shoe that holds up over time.
Overall
Craft took a smart approach with the Nordlite Ultra 2 by refining instead of overhauling. The biggest update—tightening up the upper—was more in line with what we wanted (though I still think there’s room for a bit more tightening up. The midsole and outsole remain consistent, which makes sense because they worked well the first time around. If you liked the original but wanted a slightly more locked-in fit, this version will be right up your alley.
Thanks for the review! Been hard to come by. Question about sizing. My TTS is an 8.5 M, but my Craft Endurance 2s are a size 8 – b/c I was told they run long and the fit is perfect. Should I size down here as well or stick with my usual 8.5?