Norda 001A G+ Trail Running Shoe Review: As Expensive as an Apple Watch

Running is supposedto be an affordable hobby.

But we are in the era of ultra-premium running kit, where boutique brands and fashion-running collabs tout high-spec, high-tech gear with high prices to match.

From Satisfy’s$140 mothtech teestoSOAR x Altra’s $285 trail shorts, there are some eye-watering, pricey kit on the shelves.

That goes for shoes, too.

Road racing shoes like the Adidas Adizero Pro Evo 2 now tip the $500 mark.

On the trails, brands likeSpeedlandand Canadian shoemaker Norda are pushing the prices.

Norda’s shoes start at $295.

The new 001A G+ that we tested costs $325.

That’s not far off the price of anApple Watch Series 11.

It’s also a step up on the already-pricey top-tier trail super shoes from brands like Hoka, Asics, and Adidas.

Is it really worth it?

As a full-time shoe tester, I’ve run in dozens of trail shoes right across the price range.

But this is my first time lacing up a Norda.

I put 50 miles into the 001A G+ to see if you can really justify spending more than $300 on a trail shoe.

Footwear industry veterans Nick Martire and Willa Leus-Martire founded Norda in 2021.

The pair set out to create high-performance trail shoes that would last.

Like most boutique brands, Norda focuses on using top-quality materials with a heavy attention to detail, right down to the toughened recycled polyester laces.

The company also delivers a touch of stylish swagger.

The Norda 001 was the brand’s first release, a cushioned trailer designed for ultra miles with a distinct cult classic styling that really set it apart.

The follow-up 001A aims to build on that reputation.

It now comes in three models: the 001A, the 001A G+ with added weatherproofing, and the001A G+ Spike ($355), which adds spikes and waterproofing for harsher conditions like snow and ice.

I tested the 001A G+.

The shoe’s tech credentials are littered with trademark and patent symbols.

But symbolic techiness aside, Norda’s aim for the 001A was simple—“to find the most advanced midsole foam for trail that combined the highest resiliency possible yet performed and lasted 5-10x longer than other super foams.”
That new foam is now a proprietary Norda x Arnitel thermoplastic polyester elastomer blend that aims to deliver 30 percent more rebound than the original 001.

It weighs 10 percent less and still delivers that signature durability that lasts beyond 1,000 kilometers (621 miles).

In testing, that midsole setup made for a mildly energetic ride, helped by a softening eTPU insole.

It’s a good balance of softness and protection with a hit of responsiveness.

The 001A G+ feels grounded, rather than plush, underfoot.

The sole is smallish—26 mm in the heel, 21 mm in the forefoot—which keeps you nicely connected to the trail.

The feedback from that midsole was quite muted.

It certainly doesn’t match the springy energy you get from theAsics Metafuji Trail ($295)or aHoka Tecton X3 ($275).

However, it felt smooth over a wide range of terrain, from hard-packed trail to grass and forest floors.

If, like me, you likeyour trail shoesto tread a fine line between connection and cushion, you’ll like the 001A G+.

Up top, you’ve got robust, seamless uppers cut from sustainable, Bluesign- and ISCC-approved, bio-based Dyneema fibers.

According to Dyneema, that material is 15 times stronger than steel at the same weight.

It’s certainly showing no signs of weakness after 50 miles, and previous generations of the 001A were hailed for being incredibly tough.

The G+ model has a breathable, graphene waterproof membrane laminated to the upper to keep feet warm when it’s cold and to provide 10,000-mm water resistance.

Interestingly, this membrane hasn't added extra weight as compared to the 001A standard shoe.

I’m not 100 percent convincedwe need waterproof shoes.

I’d probably choose the cheaper 001A ahead of these.

But if you’re a fan of extra weatherproofing, these are some of the best I’ve tested at keeping water out.

I made a point of battering through as many puddles as possible, and not a drop got in, though they can run hot.

I was less sold on the comfort.

Norda suggests going half a size up in the 001A to get a more accommodating fit.

I followed that advice, which worked well for a roomy forefoot and excellent mid-foot lockdown.

But these aren't the most inviting-looking shoes, and for a long-haul trail shoe, it doesn’t indulge in many soft edges.

Maybe I’ve been too mollycoddled by plush modern road andgravel shoes, but for me the Norda 001A G+ feels a bit austere, with stiff uppers and a wildly minimal heel cup.

If you like instant comfort—what I call a disappearing fit, where you forget you’re wearing shoes—you won’t get that here.

Some of those bristling edges settle the more miles you log.

The stiff uppers soften a little, and there’s definitely a break-in period.

But the lack of padding made the heel cup rub the base of my heel.

For an already-heavy shoe, I’d happily sacrifice a few more grams for a touch more comfort in the heel cushion.

When it comes to grip, the 001A+ shines.

The outsole uses a combination of Vibram technologies, there’s Megagrip rubber with deep 5-mm lugs along with a Litebase construction to boost the stickiness while saving weight.

Boy, did it stick to everything I encountered, with confidence-boosting reliability.

I’m not the most gifted trail runner.

You’d call me a tentative descender.

I appreciated the welcome certainty underfoot on everything from wet rock to soggy single track.

You also stick to the trail when you need to but don’t feel bogged down when it’s runnable, though I wouldn’t fancy long stretches on the road.

There’s no doubt this is an excellent trail shoe.

It’s built tough, with fantastic grip and a nicely balanced ride.

In the right colorway (I wasn’t a fan of the all-black stealth I tested), it’s easily one of the most stylish off-road options you can buy.

But is it worth $300?

I’m not convinced.

If I knew the 001A G+ would still be running strong after 800 miles, maybe there’s a case.

With those bulletproof uppers and the resilient midsole, that’s a distinct possibility.

If I was going to invest, I’d definitely choose the regular 001A over the G+.

You lose a bit of waterproofing, but you’ll get the same performance for a good chunk less.

Based on the comfort, the types of trail it’ll eat, the paces it’s happy at, and the long-haul potential for ultra trailing, I don’t think it offers more than its much more affordable rivals.