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The “World’s Most Durable Trail Shoe” Just Leveled Up in the Best Way

Norda revisits the trail shoe that started it all, equipping the ultratough model with modern technology.

Close-up of the sole of a white sneaker showing a textured orange rubber outsole with the words "LITEBASE" and "Vibram" embossed on it. The side of the shoe has the brand name "norda" visible.Norda

By Jack Seemer

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Norda calls the 001 the “world’s most durable trail running shoe.” And why not?

The shoe that launched the Canadian brand was more than a company-first; it introduced the industry to Dyneema, a fiber that’s 15 times stronger than steel but light enough to float in water.

Pair of beige and gray athletic shoes with black laces, featuring textured soles with a Vibram logo. The shoes have a modern design with a speckled midsole and the brand name "norda" visible on the side and tongue.
The 001 wasn’t just Norda’s first shoe. It introduced the industry to Dyneema uppers.
Norda

In an exclusive interview with Gear Patrol, founder Nick Martire called the miracle fabric Norda’s “reason for being.”

Naturally, Dyneema has featured in every performance shoe the brand’s released since the OG came out in 2020 — primarily in the upper but also as part of the laces.

The brand-new 001A, update to Norda’s flagship trail runner, is no exception. However, it’s not the shoe’s only trick. It might not even be the main one.

Black athletic shoe with a textured fabric upper, black laces, and a thick white sole featuring a rugged tread pattern. The brand name "norda" is visible on the side and sole of the shoe.
The 001A still has a Dyneema upper, but it also features an upgraded Arnitel TPEE foam midsole.
Norda

Meet in the middle

The 001A adopts an Arnitel TPEE midsole also featured in the 005 released earlier this year, replacing the brand’s proprietary EVA-based foam codeveloped with Vibram.

That means the new version is just as durable as the original but up to 30 percent more responsive, while also cutting up to 10 percent of the weight, the brand claims.

White athletic shoe with a thick, textured white sole and orange rubber tread. The shoe features white laces, a gray inner lining, and the brand name "norda" printed in black on the side and tongue. The sole has the "vibram" logo embossed in orange. The shoe design includes reflective gray accents near the toe and heel.
Arnitel offers 30 percent more rebound than Norda’s EVA-based foam, with a 10 percent weight reduction.
Norda

Stay grounded

Similar to the 005, the 001A sits closer to the ground than many of today’s fat-stack shoes. The stack height measures just 26mm in the heel, with a reasonable 5mm drop for everyday running.

Responding to a comment on Instagram, the brand called the 001A its new “daily workhorse trainer … This shoe has a neutral drop vs the 005 which has a bit more of a race day offset. Both have a purpose in the rotation — just a matter of what you’re going for.”

Light gray and black athletic shoes with thick, rugged black soles designed for traction. The shoes have light gray laces and a mesh-like texture on the sides with the brand name "norda" visible. The soles feature a yellow Vibram logo, indicating durable, high-performance outsoles.
The 001A has a stack height that measures just 26mm.
Norda

Of course, when it comes to durability, a variety of factors come into play — many of them outside a manufacturer’s control. The type of terrain, frequency of use and mechanics of an individual runner will all influence how long a shoe lasts.

According to Norda, the 001A is designed to go over 600 miles, regardless of the conditions. And its counting on more than a Dyneema upper and some fancy foam to get there.

Close-up of the black rubber sole of a shoe, featuring a textured tread pattern with multiple rectangular and cross-shaped lugs for grip. The sole has the word "LITEBASE" embossed on it. Part of a black and white shoelace is visible on the right side.
Norda rates the 001A to last more than 600 miles, thanks to not only Dyneema but the Vibram outsole and custom pattern. The lugs measure 5mm.
Norda

That starts with the outsole, which features two Vibram technologies — Litebase and Megagrip — constructed with an exclusive tread pattern for optimal grip and longevity.

The 001A will be available starting August 27. It costs $295 — a $10 bump from the original 001 — and comes in seven colorways.

About the Author:

Jack Seemer is the executive editor at Gear Patrol, with over a decade of experience in product journalism. He currently reports on a wide range of topics, including footwear, watches, EDC, cookware and more.

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