Norda

since 2020 : The Canadian Brand Reinventing Trail Running

Founded in 2020 by lifelong runners Nick and Willa Martire, Norda was born out of frustration with the shortcomings of existing trail shoes. Most pairs failed to strike a balance between durability, sustainability, and agility. The pandemic gave the couple the pause they needed to transform vision into reality.

 

Together with designer Louis-Martin Tremblay and brand developer Gerard Cleal, they set out to create footwear that is uncompromising in both performance and responsibility. Although manufactured abroad, Norda proudly calls Canada home, testing every prototype on the punishing trails that stretch from Montreal to the Eastern Townships, where temperatures swing from -35 °C to +35 °C.

 

 

 

Materials Innovation & Sustainability Drive

 

At the core of Norda’s innovation is its pioneering use of a bio-based Dyneema® upper, the world’s lightest and strongest fiber, 15 times tougher than steel. No other running shoe brand had successfully mastered Dyneema® until Norda.

 

The brand pairs this material with Vibram SLE foam midsoles for cushioning, Vibram Litebase + Megagrip outsoles for traction, and Dyneema®-blended laces for long-lasting durability. Even their packaging is made from FSC-certified recycled paper and printed with eco-friendly inks. Norda’s mission is simple yet radical: to deliver peak performance with the best materials available, while leaving the lightest possible footprint.

 

 

 

Products Overview

Norda’s ecosystem of trail models caters to every terrain and condition:

 

001A – Cushioned ultra-distance shoe built with Dyneema® and Arnitel® midsole.

 

001A G+ – Adds a graphene liner for water resistance and temperature regulation.

 

001 G+ Spike – A cold-weather edition with carbide spikes for ice grip.

 

002 – A lower-stack, form-fitting shoe designed for technical trails, praised by GQ for its precision and durability.

 

003 / 003 G+ – A laceless hybrid for running and approach; G+ variant is waterproof.

 

005 – A stripped-down racing model weighing just 214 g, featuring open-weave Dyneema.

 

008 – A recovery slide with dual-density foam and Vibram ECOSTEP outsole.

 

 

Reception & Community Credibility

 

Durability has become Norda’s signature. Ultramarathoners report 1,000+ miles of use with minimal wear, an almost unheard-of benchmark in trail footwear.

 

The brand’s reputation is reinforced by critical acclaim: GQ lauds the 002 for its blend of rugged functionality and modern style, Hypebeast dubbed Norda “the Porsche for your feet” for succeeding where others failed with Dyneema®, and Alpenglow Sports champions the brand as perfectly aligned with their ethos of durability and sustainability.

 

 

 

Mission & Market Impact

 

Norda insists it is not a sustainability-first brand, but a performance-first brand committed to better practices. Still, their reliance on renewable fibers, recyclable packaging, and long-lasting builds has placed them firmly among conscious innovators in the global trail running market. In just a few short years, Norda has evolved from a pandemic-era idea to an international disruptor—proof that technical excellence, minimalist design, and longevity can cut through even the most crowded field of sportswear.

 

 

Website https://nordarun.com/

Instagram @nordarun

Photo norda