The Definitive Anti-Hoka Shoe Is a Refreshing Return to Minimalism

The 005, Norda’s inaugural racer, proves that one size does not fit all.

pair of norda 005 shoes on a dirt surface

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By Jack Seemer

Published January 1, 2026

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If you need proof of Hoka’s influence in trail running, look no further than the sport’s most prestigious race.

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Not only is the Hoka UTMB Mont-Blanc now named after the king of cushion, the brand’s shoes consistently don the feet of its top finishers (including one full-time Hoka employee).

That’s what makes the 005 from Norda so unique.

norda 005 shoe laying flat on a dirt surface — The 005, Norda’s first race-day shoe, has been in the works for two years, says Norda founder Nick Martire.

While brands both big and small have spent the past few seasons chasing Hoka’s shadow, this Canadian upstart makes its own way with a highly technical racer that proves different can still mean capable.

The 005’s secret weapon is a midsole created entirely from Arnitel, the branded name for thermoplastic polyester elastomer (TPEE). What’s more, it measures just 28.5mm at its thickest point — a small sum compared to today’s trail runners that borrow both massive stack heights and carbon-fiber plates from the road.

“The big brands were bringing that technology from the road to the trail but it’s not as stable on uneven ground and can send a wicked spring in the wrong direction,” says Norda founder Nick Martire.

Elsewhere, the utilizes Bio-Dyneema, deployed in a weave pattern for breathability and rapid water drainage, and debuts Vibram’s new topline outsole rubber: Vibram Megagrip Elite, which the manufacturer claims to be its lightest and grippiest yet.