Four years ago, Canadian performance footwear brand norda introduced the world to the 001 - a lightweight, high-tech trail runner that redefined what was possible in mountain-ready shoes. With its seamless Bio-Dyneema upper and quite a reputation as the absolute longtime companion, the 001 quickly became a benchmark for durability and performance. Now, norda is raising the bar once again. The 001 has been re-engineered, re-tuned, and reborn as the norda 001A.
At first glance, the norda 001A may appear nearly identical to the original model. But beneath the familiar design lies a radical innovation. Co-founder and CEO Nick Martire calls it a “redefinition of what a trail shoe can deliver.” The key? A bespoke version of Arnitel, a bio-based high-performance thermoplastic elastomer typically used in automotive and electronics. Integrated into the midsole, this foam compound provides a 30% resiliency boost while cutting weight by up to 10% compared to the original 001.
The result is a shoe that doesn’t just perform on day one but is engineered to endure more than 1,000 kilometers of rugged use. After 18 months of real-world testing by norda’s elite trail team, the 001A is now ready for runners who demand both long-distance durability and race-day responsiveness. (first 3 pics by Claudia Knoepfel, rest by Runners Highest)
While the midsole is the headline upgrade, the norda 001A retains the brand’s most celebrated technologies:
Trail team manager Jason Schlarb summarizes it best: “The 001 has always been our do-anything workhorse. Now, the 001A midsole adds race-ready pop and rebound while keeping the durability we loved from the original.”
With the launch of the 001A, norda proves that even an icon can evolve — and in this case, evolve into something faster, lighter, and stronger.
Here’s my personal 2 cents: it is pretty impressive how norda manages, to keep a shoe “contemporary” for more than 4 years now. Completely against zeitgeist, they don’t just pump out silhouette after silhouette but keep it steady. Their 001 debut (!) has already become an icon and is still visible on trails around the world. I’d go for a trail run in my pair tomorrow, no problem. It’s one of the longest-lasting trail shoes i’ve ran in the past years. But with the update fpr the 001A, they’re not keeping contemporary, they’r building their future workhorse and i really appreciate this!
Release of the Norda 001A:
You’ll be able to buy the Norda 001A in 1+ colorways on August 27th via norda.com and if you happen to be in Chamonix during UTMB week, you can test run them and get a pair – 290€ - at their pop up at Sanglard Sports.
The Norda 001A is now available through norda.com in 7! different colorways!
Wanna know what else is hot? Check out our latest piece on the return of Nike ACG in trailrunning!