It’s always refreshing to see brands that came about because their founders weren’t able to find what they were looking for in the existing market. The Canada-bred norda fits that description, as they are a brand constructed of endurance athletes who craft clothing and footwear fit to their own high standards. And they aren’t messing around, as the brand’s latest version of their flagship 001 trail running shoe, the 001 G+ Spike, boasts some of the most incredible materials we’ve ever seen in a piece of performance footwear.
One of the kicks’ most noticeable upgrades from its prior rendition is the 20 carbide-tipped spikes that appear on the 001’s Vibram-constructed sole, providing a lightweight sturdiness with a grip that is practically unmatched. To maximize performance, the shoe features a seamless upper crafted from Dyneema, one of the strongest and lightest materials used in garments today. The shoe’s abrasion-resistant laces also feature Dyneema, and they’re 4X stronger than traditional laces. What’s even more impressive about this trail-running shoe is it is the first shoe in the world to be lined with a G+ Graphene membrane, the result of two years of development. The carbon-based material is the lightest, strongest, and most conductive natural material on Earth and is incredibly breathable while remaining waterproof down to 10,000 meters. Finally, the running shoe’s cushioning is provided by a norda x Vibram SLE midsole for lightweight performance and a custom TPU insole for energy absorption and return.
Available in a two-tone gray and black colorway, as well as a tamer eggshell and gray offering, the norda 001 G+ Spike is currently available on the brand’s website for $335 CAD (~$270 USD).
