Norda 000 Trail Running Shoes Review
An in-depth review of the long-lasting norda 000 shoes for trail running, hiking, and backpacking
August 26, 2026
Home > Gear Reviews > Footwear
Our verdict
The norda 000 is a brand-new trail running shoe designed for mountain running, technical trails, scrambling, and long-distance running on dirt and gravel. It launched on August 26 at Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB) as part of an ongoing collaboration with Black Diamond for mountain running equipment.
The 000 features a Vibram Stream Flow midsole, and it's the first shoe on the market to use it. These shoes are extremely durable, super versatile, and further improve on the already great features of previous norda models. They’re light and fast on smooth trails, but are also stable enough for rugged conditions and astoundingly grippy for off-trail scrambling, too.
I tested the norda 000 while mountain and trail running in Colorado. I got my hands on a pair about a month before launch, and I’ve put close to 100 miles on them so far. I’ve run dirt roads, rocky trails, scrambled granite ridges, and traversed scree fields in these shoes. I’ve summited multiple 14,000-foot mountains and run trails in Colorado state parks, national forests, and along the Colorado Trail.
If you liked the norda 001A trail running shoes, but want more cushion around the ankle collar than the 001A provides, then these are the shoes for you. The Vibram Stream Flow midsole is springy, yet firm, and stays stable over 250 miles, according to Vibram and norda. I have over 400 miles on a pair of norda 001A, which uses a different midsole material. But I expect the Vibram Stream Flow midsole will remain lively for at least 500 miles.
Norda 000 Trail Running Shoes
The biggest drawback of the 000, as with all norda shoes, is the price. I can’t deny that nearly $300 for a pair of shoes is a lot. But I’m also starting to believe this brand’s shoes are worth the price, considering how well they perform and how long they last. Another consideration is that norda shoes run small, and they don’t have consistent sizing. I typically wear a men’s size 9.5, and have been wearing a size 10.5 in the 000.
If you’re looking for a durable and long-lasting pair of high-performing running shoes, the 000 might be the best norda shoes yet for technical terrain.
This story may contain affiliate links, which help fund our website. When you click on the links to purchase gear, we may get a commission without costing you an extra cent. This allows us to create reader-supported objective gear reviews. Thank you for supporting our work and mission of outdoor coverage for every body! Learn more why you can trust Treeline Review.
Norda 000 trail running shoes specifications
MSRP: $295
Cushion: Maximum
Stability: Neutral
Heel-to-Toe Drop (mm): 5 mm
Stack Height: 26-21 mm
Lugs: 5 mm
Upper: Bio-circular Dyneema
Midsole: Vibram Stream Flow
Outsole: Vibram Megagrip rubber
Weight (pair): 1 lb 4.8 oz (US men's 8.5), 1 lb 1.8 oz (US women's W 8)
Comparison table
| TRAIL RUNNING SHOE | M's Weight | W's Weight | Cushion | Heel Drop | Stack Height | Rock Plate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| norda 000 Men's Women's |
10.4 oz | 8.9 oz | Maximum | 5 mm | 26 - 21 mm | No |
| norda 001A Men's Women's |
9.5 oz | 8.2 oz | Moderate | 5 mm | 26 - 21 mm | No |
| La Sportiva Prodigio Pro Men's Women's |
8.9 oz | 7.9 oz | Maximum | 6 mm | 34 - 28 mm | No |
| Brooks Cascadia Elite Unisex |
9.4 oz | 9.4 oz | Maximum | 6 mm | 40 - 34 mm | Yes |
| Merrell MTR SpeedArc Peak Unisex |
10.5 oz | 10.5 oz | Moderate | 6 mm | 32 - 26 mm | Yes |
Best for
Technical trail running
Long-distance running
Thru-hiking
Summer peakbagging and mountaineering
Scrambling
What we liked
Vibram Megagrip outsole has excellent grip on rock, dirt, and varied terrain in wet or dry conditions
Uses Dyneema fiber made from wood and pulp industry waste
Maxmimum cushion that somehow still offers a balance of ground feel and long-run comfort
Vibram Stream Flow midsole feels light, responsive, and springy
Roomy toe box
Comfortable out of the box
What could be better
Norda shoes are undeniably expensive, but they can last twice as long as shoes that cost more than half as much
Sizing inconsistency among norda models, but they run small
How we tested
I tested the norda 000 while trail running, backpacking, hiking, and scrambling in Colorado, during July and August. I ran on high-elevation trails in Leadville, Buena Vista, Salida, and outside Aspen, Colorado. I summited several 14,000-foot mountains, and backpacked in to create a base camp for some of them as well.
Trail conditions I tested them in ranged from smooth dirt paths to rugged rocky ridgelines with no trail at all. I ran uphill to mountain ridgelines on steep, rocky trails, then followed those ridgelines to mountain summits—where many people use approach shoes. Most of my testing happened in hot, clear summer conditions, but I did experience a few short bursts of rain in mountain storms as well.
I also tested the 000 alongside several other trail running shoes, including the norda 001a, which I am longevity-testing up to 700 miles.
Performance in the field
Fit and Comfort
The norda 000 trail running shoes are very comfortable to wear all day and comfortable right out of the box. I've put in several 8- to 10- hour days in these shoes, running, scrambling, and hiking when the terrain is too steep to run. They’ve remained comfortable the entire time.
If you're trying norda shoes for the first time, you might have to play around with sizing. The 000 fits similarly to other norda shoes, but maybe a tad smaller. I normally wear a men’s 9.5, and have a size 10.5 in the 000. However, I have a size 10 in the norda 001A. I think I could have gotten away with wearing a size 10 in the 000, but the 10.5 gives me a roomier toe box and doesn’t feel sloppy, so I think 10.5 is the ideal size for my feet.
Fit in Toe Box
The toe box is roomier than most trail running shoes. They don’t have quite as wide a toe box as the Altra Lone Peak or Olympus, but they feel about as wide as the Altra Timp, for reference.
Fit in Midfoot
The laces attach to an interior foot binding system to hold your foot in place. I find I don’t have to tighten these shoes as much as I’d expect, and they still hold my foot in place.
Fit in Heel Cup
They have a padded ankle collar and heel cup that keeps your heel locked in place. This is a notable change from the norda 001A, which is otherwise pretty similar to the 000.
Midsole and Cushioning
The 000 has 26 mm of stack in the heel and 21 mm in the forefoot. It has a springy yet firm Vibram Stream Flow midsole which feels like a supercritical foam (in the sense that it’s light and responsive) but with the resiliency of a much longer-lasting midsole.
Level of cushioning compared to other trail shoes/road shoes
Compared to other trail and road running shoes, the 000 has less-than-average cushioning, especially for a Maximum cushion shoe (note that we call it that relative to the 001A, which is called a Moderate cushion shoe). The norda 000 have about as much cushion as low-stack models, such as the Altra Lone Peak (25 mm) and La Sportiva Bushido (25-19 mm) trail running shoes.
They're much less cushioned than shoes with 30+ mm of stack, such as the HOKA Speedgoat (40-35 mm stack) or Altra Olympus (33 mm).
Impact absorption and energy return
The 000 midsole absorbs impact while providing a very snappy return. These shoes don’t feel mushy or like you’re running on a cloud, either. The midsole feels firm and light as you stride, but it provides a subtle, predictable bounce that keeps your feet moving forward.
Stability
These shoes are very stable. We’ve run and scrambled several class 3 and 4 mountain ridges in these shoes. They feel firm and planted on the ground beneath you, even when that ground is steep, loose, and exposed.
As an aside, in the running shoe world, a “stability shoe” is designed to support the foot and reduce excessive inward rolling, known as overpronation. The 000 is not a stability shoe in this sense.
Support
The 000 is a neutral support shoe. It isn’t designed to prevent overpronation, but it provides more support than a minimalist shoe.
Arch Support
It has an eTPU insole that provides subtle arch support, and the midsole is slightly contoured to support your arch. Overall, the midsole and insole provide subtle support while allowing some natural foot flexion.
Lateral Support
The 000 has excellent lateral support. The Dyneema upper with norda’s fit lock system keeps your foot firmly in position as you push off to either side. The fit lock system essentially extends the laces all the way down to the midsole, so you don’t have to lace these shoes as tight, and they’ll still hold your foot in place.
Some shoes feel ready to tip over during sharp lateral movements, but the 000 is lower to the ground, with an upper that secures your foot in place.
Ride
The 000 shoes have a light, snappy, and fast ride while feeling more stable and predictable than many high-cushion shoes.
They’re not super cushiony or bouncy like some shoes, such as the HOKA Speedgoat. They also feel firmer underfoot compared to a shoe like the Altra Lone Peak, but they don’t feel too firm, either. The 000s feel barely noticeable in the best way as you run. They compress subtly with every footfall, and rebound predictably as you push off.
After about 50 miles, the midsole seems to break in, too. During my third run of more than 20 miles, I felt like it conformed to my foot. This midsole felt good off the bat, but felt better after I put some miles on it.
Outsole, Grip, and Traction
The 000 has a Vibram Megagrip rubber outsole. Norda calls this outsole a sole plate because it covers the entire sole, with no exposed midsole foam. It has 5mm lugs and grips loose terrain, mud, and bare rock in wet or dry conditions.
Performance on various terrains
The 000 has 5mm lugs, which are deep enough to bite into loose terrain. The Vibram Megagrip outsole also grips well on slick rock, granite, and other bare rock surfaces. The lower stack height also makes them better for unpredictable terrain and technical scrambling. With your foot low to the ground, they provide great ground feel and confidence when smearing or boulder hopping.
They also have small rubber spikes that extend further out from the outsole. These are mold dots: residual placeholders from the manufacturing process used to house metal studs on winter variants of the same Megagrip outsole. These mold dots probably provide even more traction on loose terrain, but they also wear off in 50-100 miles.
Norda is well-known for broadly having quality outsoles, even to the point of including Vibram in the norda 008 recovery shoes, which is rare for that type of footwear.
Wet and dry conditions
The 000 performs well in wet and dry conditions. The Megagrip outsole, paired with 5mm lugs, bites into dry, hard-packed dirt and works almost as well in muddy conditions. I’ve mostly used them in dry, summertime conditions in Colorado, but I’ve never slipped during countless stream crossings.
Versatility
The 000 is a relatively versatile trail shoe. They're best for steep, mountainous terrain, but they also work well for backpacking, hiking, thru-hiking and running on smoother dirt trails and even gravel surfaces.
I have run on flowy singletrack trails, dirt and gravel roads, and steep, mountainous terrain. I’ve run, hiked, and scrambled off trails completely, going cross-country up the side of a mountain. And I’ve run back from trailheads to where I’m camped on long, rolling forest roads.
Responsiveness
The Vibram Stream Flow midsole feels responsive without feeling mushy or too springy. It provides enough cushion while giving excellent energy return as you push off.
Warmth
The 000 features a breathable Dyneema mesh upper. If you’re looking to use these in cold weather, you should consider thicker socks or a winterized waterproof shoe.
Break-In Time
We pulled these shoes out of the box, put them on to check the fit, and then immediately went on a 5-mile trail run. They’re very comfortable right out of the box, and we had no issues on that first run or on any subsequent runs, hikes, or scrambles.
Upper and Breathability
These shoes are also very breathable. We’ve run in temperatures up to 90 degrees in these shoes, and they’ve never caused our feet to overheat.
Durability and Longevity
So far, I've run nearly 100 miles on technical, rocky terrain in my pair of 000s. The upper is made with bio-circular Dyneema fiber that is extremely abrasion-resistant. We’ve crossed miles of talus fields, full of large, sharp-edged pieces of granite, and the upper shows no signs of tearing or abrasion.
Midsole Durability
The Vibram Stream Flow midsole still feels as good as it did when the shoes were new. We have another pair of norda shoes, the 001A, and the midsole still feels good after 400 miles, and we’re hoping it’ll last for 700 miles. We expect the 000’s midsole to last at least that long, but the Vibram Stream Flow midsole is slightly more performance-oriented, so it might not last all the way to 700 miles. I’ll keep you posted.
The midsole feels just as cushioned and springy as it did when new. Vibram claims their Stream Flow midsole is their most resilient compound. Based on how long other norda midsoles last, I expect the 000 midsole will also last at least 500 miles. For reference, most non-norda trail running shoes last about 300 miles, depending on the terrain and other factors.
Also, as noted above, the shoes have no exposed midsole foam on the tread, which prevents rocks or other sharp objects underfoot from tearing the midsole and shortening the shoes' longevity.
Wear and tear in upper materials
The Dyneema upper is extremely abrasion resistant. After running on trails and off-trail terrain littered with sharp rocks, the upper shows no signs of wear. Overall, these shoes feel overbuilt in the upper compared to typical trail running shoes, but they don’t weigh more than an average trail running shoe. This is a huge plus.
They have rubber-reinforced toe and heel caps. The rubber from the soleplate wraps onto the heel and toe, adding durability by covering the midsole foam and connecting the outsole to the upper at the front and back of the shoe, where you rock over as you stride. A rubberized overlay also wraps around the entire shoe, above the midsole on the sides of the Dyneema upper.
Outsole longevity
The Vibram Megagrip outsole is a relatively soft rubber, so it will wear out faster than some outsole materials. However, this is a common trade-off with trail shoes: the longer the outsole lasts, the less grippy it will be. That said, the Megagrip outsole on my norda 001A, which uses the same rubber compound as the 000, still has plenty of tread left after 400 miles on rough terrain.
Price and Value
At $295 per pair, the 000 is expensive. But for long-lasting shoes that perform this well, you might wear through two pairs of shoes that don’t feel as good in the time you’d wear out one pair of these shoes.
Features
Volume
The 000 runs small, so it has lower-than-average volume. I wear a full size larger in these shoes than I typically wear. Once I’ve sized up a full size, they feel roomy through the toe box and midfoot without feeling sloppy.
Weight
The 000 weighs 8.92 oz in women’s size 8 and 10.37 oz in men's size 8.5.
Stack Height
The 000 has a 26mm stack height in the heel and 21mm in the forefoot.
eTPU Insole
The insoles are made with eTPU (Expanded Thermoplastic Polyurethane). It is a high-performance particle foam made by expanding closed-cell TPU beads using heat and pressure (a process similar to popping popcorn). This process creates a lightweight, highly elastic material that blends the toughness of plastic with the flexibility of rubber.
Vibram Stream Flow Midsole Technology
The 000 features a Vibram Stream Flow Midsole, the first of its kind used in any shoe. This responsive, light, and resilient midsole performs like a supercritical foam but doesn’t compress as quickly.
Vibram Megagrip Soleplate with Litebase
The outsole features a full-coverage Vibram Megagrip outsole with Litebase technology. Litebase technology makes the outsole rubber lighter without sacrificing durability.
Padded Heel Collar
The 000 has a structured and padded heel collar to lock your heel in place.
Norda Fit Lock System
The laces attach to loops at the top of an inner foot sleeve, which wraps around your midfoot and holds it in place.
Dyneema Laces
The laces are made with 100% recycled Dyneema, which is incredibly strong and has a higher abrasion resistance than standard shoelace materials.
Bio-circular Dyneema Upper
The Dyneema used in the 000 upper is made with waste by-products from the timber and pulp industries. These wood by-products are mixed with conventional feedstock to create ethylene, the primary ingredient in ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber. The result is the world’s first Dyneema made without fossil fuels.
Reflective Material
There are two reflective strips on the toe and a reflective logo on the outside near the heel. If you’ll be running in the dark, check out additional safety gear in our Best Reflective Gear for Running in the Dark guide.
Sustainability/ethical company
The 000 uses an upper made of wood-based Dyneema fabric. No fossil fuels went into the upper. Norda prides itself on making the most durable shoes possible, and a shoe that lasts longer is more sustainable.
Collaboration with Black Diamond
The norda 000 is made as part of an ongoing mountain running collaboration with Black Diamond. This norda x Black Diamond collection also includes:
a new version of the Distance 15 Pack made with ultralight, waterproof Challenge Sailcloth UltraWeave 100D
a Mini Mission Duffle 30L made with Challenge Sailcloth UltraWeave 400D fabric
a t-shirt
a running cap.
Should you buy the norda 000?
Buy if you're looking for a very durable trail shoe for trail running, thru-hiking, and mountain scrambling that performs like a long-distance racing shoe but lasts much longer.
Skip if you want a more cushioned, higher-stack shoe, or don't want to pay nearly $300 for a pair of shoes (even if it will last longer than average trail runners).
Where to buy the norda 000
Similar trail running shoes
norda 000 vs. norda 001A
Cushion: Moderate
Stability: Neutral
Heel-to-Toe Drop (mm): 5 mm
Stack Height: 26 - 21 mm
Lugs: 5 mm
Weight (pair): 19 oz (men’s), 16.4 oz (women’s)
The norda 000 and 001A have the same stack height and outsole. The 000 uses a Vibram Stream Flow midsole, while the 001A uses an Arnitel TPEE midsole. The 000 also has a lot more padding around the heel and ankle collar than the 001A. It’s hard to compare the two midsoles because my pair of 001A has over 400 miles and my pair of 000 has only 100 miles, but I think the 000 feels a little quicker than the 001A. The 000 also fits slightly smaller than the 001A.
norda 001A
Men's
Women's
norda 000 vs. La Sportiva Prodigio Pro
Cushion: Maximum
Stability: Neutral
Heel-to-Toe Drop (mm): 6 mm
Stack Height: 34 - 28 mm
Lugs: 5 mm
Weight (pair): 17.8 oz (men’s), 15.8 oz (women’s)
The 000 feels similar to the Prodigio Pro in fit and feel at first. However, the 000 feels firmer through the midsole, while the Prodigio Pro feels slightly bouncier. The Prodigio Pro won’t last as long as the 000, either. Though both shoes have very durable uppers, the Prodigio Pro's midsole will compress faster than the 000's. The Prodigio Pro costs $70 less than the norda 000.
The Prodigio Pro won our Editor’s Choice Gear of the Year Award in 2025.
La Sportiva Prodigio Pro
Men's
Women's
norda 000 vs. Brooks Cascadia Elite
Cushion: Maximum
Stability: Neutral
Heel-to-Toe Drop (mm): 6 mm
Stack Height: 40 - 34 mm
Lugs: 5 mm
Weight (pair): 18.8 oz (unisex)
The Brooks Cascadia Elite is the souped-up version of the well-loved Brooks Cascadia trail running shoes. They have an upgraded midsole made with 100% PEBA (polyether block amide) DNA GOLD midsole foam, a nitrogen-infused superfoam that is extremely light, cushioned, and springy. The Cascadia Elite also has a Vibram Megagrip Elite outsole for grip, and a Matryx engineered woven upper with Kevlar fibers for added durability.
The Cascadia Elite feels more like what you’d expect a supershoe to feel like—that is, light, springy, and quick. But that midsole will lose its luster after about 150 miles. It will still last 200-300 more miles, but it will have lost its initial pop. The Cascadia Elite costs $20 less than the norda 000.
Brooks Cascadia Elite
norda 000 vs. Merrell MTL SpeedARC Peak
Cushion: Moderate
Stability: Neutral
Heel-to-Toe Drop (mm): 6 mm
Stack Height: 32 - 26 mm
Lugs: 4 mm
Weight (pair): 10.5 oz (men’s), 10.5 oz (women’s)
The Merrell MTL SpeedARC Peak is a carbon-plated trail supershoe for race days. If you’re a sub-elite athlete looking to take the next step to get sponsored by seriously performing well at a race like the Leadville 100 or Western States 100, these are a shoe worth considering. However, the carbon plate isn’t ideal for daily training.
The SpeedARC Peak has a PEBA Foam midsole, which combined with the carbon flexplate, propels you forward while providing excellent cushion on uneven terrain. It has a Vibram Megagrip outsole, like the 000, but the SpeedARC has exposed midsole foam on the tread, unlike the 000. It has a two-part midsole with dual-density FloatPro/PEBA. The SpeedARC also has a Matryx Upper for durability and abrasion resistance. The 000 feels more like a fast shoe, while the SpeedARC feels like a super light and fast shoe. The SpeedARC Peak cannot handle terrain as technical as the norda 000 can.
Merrell MTL SpeedARC Peak
Why You Should Trust Us / About The Author
Sam Schild is a thru-hiker, trail runner, cyclist, and mountain athlete based in Colorado. He's been a runner since childhood, when he ran five days a week as cardiovascular training for soccer. As he grew older, he stopped playing team sports and focused on running and cycling. Sam tests men’s running shoes for Treeline Review and wrote the men’s Trail Running Shoes, Road Running Shoes, and Gravel Running Shoes guides.
After moving to Colorado a decade ago, he started trail running on the local trails. Since then, he has completed countless ultra-distance self-supported trail runs across Colorado and the American Southwest. He has thru-hiked the Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail, Appalachian Trail, Pacific Northwest Trail, Grand Enchantment Trail, Arizona Trail, the Hayduke Trail, and the Colorado Trail twice, always in trail running shoes.
You can read more about Sam on his author page, website, or Instagram.
