by: TRR Coach Dandelion Dilluvio-Scott
Team RunRun Coach Dandelion tested and now shares her Norda shoe comparison. Dandelion is a coach, an adventurer, a gear expert, and an all around outdoor enthusiast – Enjoy!
Name of Gear:
Norda 001, 002 & 005
Where to Buy:
Nordarun.com, runningwarehouse.com & REI.com
Best Use: What did you use this piece of gear of most? Roads, track, trails, long runs, post-run, workouts only, racing only?
| Norda | 001 | 002 | 005 |
| Lugs | 5mm | 5mm | 4mm |
| Stack | Heel 26mm Forefoot 21mm | Heel 19mm Forefoot 15mm | Heel 28.5mm Forefoot 21.5mm |
| Drop | 5mm | 4mm | 7.0mm |
| Upper | Seamless Dyneema | Seamless Dyneema | Open weave Bio-Dyneema |
| Outsole | Vibram Litebase Megagrip Soleplate | Vibram Litebase Megagrip Soleplate | Vibram Megagrip Elite Soleplate |
| Weight (US 8W) | 232g | 219g | 177g |
| Price | $285 USD | $295 USD | $325 USD |
| Intended Use | All-round ultra/trail running workhorse shoe | Ultra/trail Running shoe designed for especially technical, scrambly terrain | Ultra lite, race day, trail super shoe for ultra and sub-ultra distances |
The Norda Shoe Comparison: 001, 002, 005
Norda 001: The 001 (recently replaced by the 001A) is the shoe I reach for when I will be traveling long distance on varied terrain. I have used this shoe in the desert many times and it performs well, but it really shines in alpine settings. The high cushion prevents fatigue over long distances in the mountains on both smooth and technical trails. If the adventure happens to take me off the beaten path and into the high country, I trust the soles to adhere to rocks of all kinds, edge on technical scrambles and secure me to low angle snow slopes if needed. Beyond being an all-round adventure shoe, the 001 is also an excellent race option. I wore two pairs of 001’s during Hardrock 100 in July 2025. Having a highly durable shoe that would hold up through the rugged terrain of the San Juans while remaining comfortable over the extended distance was my highest priority and the 001 checked every box.
Norda 002: The 001 performs well on scramble missions, but the 002 truly excels on rocky, technical terrain. With a lower stack height, the 002 provides better ground “feel” which allows the athlete to mauver with confidence through granite, limestone and sandstone even in slick conditions. I reach for the 002 when I am going on a short scramble adventure (less than 50K) or longer trips that are mostly off trail in rocky, alpine environments. It is important to note that the 002 is compatible with micro-spikes, but they will not work with traditional strap on crampons. A bit surprising for a shoe meant to tackle more remote environments.
Norda 005:
This shoe is incredibly light! When I first tried them on, I was blown away by the hardly-there feather weight. The lugs are not particularly aggressive, but the shoe somehow still performs well on techy, rock covered trails and butter-smooth single track alike. I have experienced no issues with construction or durability. However, the midsole foam has been noted to become compressed and a bit hard underfoot on outings exceeding 50 miles depending on the weight of the user. To stay on the safe side, I have not utilized the 005 for runs beyond the 50-mile distance because of this reported tendency. It is an outstanding trail “super shoe” option for races. I love using it during the back half of a 100 miler when I really appreciate something light on my tired feet.
Additional Sizing Comments:
The website suggests going a half size up from your typical running shoe and I agree with this recommendation. I typically wear size 8.5W and ordered size 9W. This was absolutely the right decision. The 9W fits like an 8.5W. Nordas are made accommodate a wide foot.
Comparison to Past Models:
The 002 and 005 Norda have not upgraded any of their models aside from the available colorways. Recently the 001 was promoted to the 001A which has an upgraded midsole.
Comparison to Other Brands:
Nordas fall into the high-end material & craftmanship running shoe category. In doing a Norda shoe comparison, the most comparable brand would be Speedland. Both shoes are highly durable and created with true artistry and attention to detail. Speedland’s main differences include a Michelin outsole, ripstop mesh upper, BOA fit system, cuttable lugs, water drain and a removeable outsole. I have put many miles on my Speedland GS shoes and love the ride especially on slickrock and desert terrain. However, I believe the Nordas are superior in highly technical and rocky mountain environments especially where edging is required. I also prefer simple laces while scrambling over rocks and alpine landscapes over the BOA system. Though the BOA is excellent in a race scenario I worry that off-trail I could bang the mechanism against a rock and damage it leaving me with a shoe that cannot be tightened. Finally, Dyneema seems to better shed mud than the ripstop mesh of the Speedlands.
Durability:
Overall, all the shoe models are extremely durable. I have put over 300 miles on each model and they are still in working order with plenty of life left. My two sets of my 001s showed minimal lug wear even after traveling over highly technical terrain featuring lots of scree, talus and boulders in Hardrock 100 and the Wind River Range. However, my 002 upper collar experienced wear and holes after about 150 miles (see picture) which I found disappointing as they are the scramble specific model. So far, my 002s have not been compromised by this blemish though.
Changes for the next model:
I’d like to see some more durability added to the shoe collar of the 002. This shoe is meant to be used in highly technical/rocky terrain and I expected a bit more abrasion resistance.
The True Test If your friend were looking for a piece of gear in this category, would you recommend they buy it and/or would you give this as a gift to that friend because you like it so much? Would there be something else you recommend they get instead because this gear doesn’t fit their needs?
After doing this Norda shoe comparison, I think these are near perfect mountain running shoes and I highly recommend them for trail runners; especially folks who regularly take on gnarly alpine routes.
Dandelion Dilluvio-Scott is a coach with Team RunRun. To learn more about her or to work with her, check out her coach profile.