There are a few running shoe companies out there that have developed something of a cult following. Then there are the brands that have become so ubiquitous that you probably don’t even need to see the logo to know what you’re looking at — Brooks, HOKA, Saucony and the other familiar names that dominate the running shoe world.
And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. Those companies make shoes for a huge range of runners and have earned their place in the sport. But there is also a different corner of running where knowing the right brands is almost part of the fun.
These are the companies that runners who are really into their gear tend to seek out — brands that may not have the same mass-market presence but have developed fiercely loyal followings among runners in the know. norda is one of those brands.
See all our reviews on norda here!
The Canadian company has carved out a particularly strong niche in trail running, creating shoes that combine distinctive design, technical materials and a very intentional approach to how a trail shoe should perform. If you’ve spent enough time around serious trail runners, there’s a good chance they are talking about norda — and there’s an equally good chance you’ve seen someone wearing a pair and wondered what all the fuss was about.
We’ve reviewed a handful of norda shoes here at Run Oregon, but I certainly wouldn’t consider us norda experts. That makes the norda 055 another opportunity to spend some time with the brand and see what it brings to the trail.
Specs:
- Weight: 10.1 oz. (M8.5); 9.8 oz (W8)
- Stack: 36mm in heel, 30mm in forefoot
- Drop: 6mm
- Lugs: 5mm
Construction and Fit
The norda 055 is definitely a trail shoe, but it’s not one of those shoes that feels like you need to be running up the side of a mountain to justify wearing it (despite the price tag). norda calls it an all-terrain, all-distance shoe, and I think that’s probably correct. There are some norda shoes that me – a casual trail runner – feels guilty for even wearing. I feel a bit less guilty in the 055 – even with these being utilized by famed Rachael Entrekin to win the Cocodona 250 and breaking the record by about an hour.
Some shoes, like the norda 005 (don’t get them confused!) is all about being light and fast, whereas the 055 takes more of a “more is more” approach. There’s more cushioning, a taller collar and a more structured upper. Basically, norda beefed up the lightweight trail shoe without turning it into a tank.
That’s not to say it doesn’t have some heft to it. Over 10 ounces for a mens 8.5 is not light (though its not like norda is trying to fake that). They probably could have lightened the upper and/or reduced the lug size to bring the weight down a bit – but at some point then it becomes the 005 I suppose. Considering its hefty construction though, it actually feels lighter than it should be.
I did experience a little heel slipping in the 055. It wasn’t enough to really bother me or affect my running, but I found it noticeable until I corrected it. If you tend to have a narrower heel or have trouble getting good heel lockdown, it’s something I’d pay attention to when trying these on.
As with most norda shoes – go a half size up.
Upper
The upper is made from Dyneema, which is extremely light but also extremely strong. norda says it’s up to 15 times stronger than steel by weight.
For the average runner, though, the important part is that it doesn’t feel overly protective or restrictive. It’s unclear if it will provide the most breathability in the heat of the summer (just a hypothesis considering we started testing in October) but is really nice for the winter. It feels like it can take some abuse on the trail.
The integrated knit tongue and collar are probably the most noticeable part of the upper. It’s a different feel from a traditional trail shoe, but I liked the way it wrapped around the foot and will definitely help with keeping trail debris out. The sawtooth laces are also made with a Dyneema blend, because apparently regular laces weren’t enough for norda.
Midsole
The 055 uses a full Arnitel TPEE midsole, which is probably not a material most of us are going to recognize (I mean, I know TPEE but Arnitel was new to me). The simple explanation is that norda is looking for a combination of cushioning and energy return.
norda says the material has a resilience rating of more than 75 percent, meaning a lot of the energy from each footstrike is returned rather than simply absorbed. I wouldn’t get too hung up on the number, but the overall goal is pretty easy to understand: keep the shoe feeling lively while still giving you enough cushioning for longer trail runs.
And, for me, this meant that the ride felt super supportive and responsive. I can see why this is an all-distance shoe – it really feels like you could run in this forever.
Outsole
Underneath, you’ve got a norda/Vibram outsole using Megagrip Elite and Litebase. Megagrip is Vibram’s high-traction rubber, while Litebase helps keep the weight manageable.
The tread pattern is based on the outsole from the norda 001A, but they removed some of the extra patterning to save weight. You still get plenty of lug for trails, but the outsole doesn’t make the shoe feel like you’re wearing a pair of hiking boots.
And that’s really the theme of the 055. norda is trying to give you a shoe that can handle a pretty wide variety of trails and distances while keeping things relatively light and fast.
The Verdict:
For a shoe that maybe looks more like a clunky trail hiker than an all-day trail shoe, the norda 055 really does run and feel lighter than it should. Despite the substantial-looking build, it doesn’t feel like you’re dragging a couple of hiking boots around once you get moving.
And, as we’ve found with norda shoes, the 055 punches above its weight class. It feels like a shoe designed to handle a TON of miles and still feel good doing it. The durability, protection and overall construction give it the kind of confidence that makes you think more about where you’re going than what your shoes are going through.
Of course, there’s one pretty significant catch: $325.
That’s a lot of money for a trail shoe, no matter how much mileage you think you’re going to squeeze out of it. If you’re a trail junkie—or really want to become one—the norda 055 might make sense as an investment in a shoe you plan to beat up for a very long time. For the rest of us, there’s a pretty good chance you just read that price and thought, “Yeah… I’m good.”
But if you’re willing to plunk down the cash, the norda 055 gives you ride destined to eat up your PNW miles for months and years to come.
