Article by Sam Winebaum
Run Cargo Tights ($250), Winter Anorak ($440), Run Shorts ($150)
Norda is a Montreal, Canada brand whose motto is: “Inspired by the World’s Toughest Conditions”. To date this has meant a series of outstanding run shoes beautifully crafted and styled with unique builds of high performance materials such as a sailcloth sourced Dynemma uppers and all Vibram midsoles and outsoles.
Now in collaboration with fellow high performance and “high style” run brand Soar from London, they launch their first apparel capsule. And needless to say given Far North roots it is based on winter. The tested products included the Winter Anorak, Cargo Tights, and Run Shorts.
“Winter” has not arrived as of yet in Utah and New England where I have tested so far with summer lingering until this week so my testing has been in temperatures from the mid to upper 60’s F down to about 40 F. In a surprise given the winter focus, all three items performed extremely well in comparatively balmy conditions.
Winter Anorak ($440)
The “showpiece” item in the capsule is the Anorak, and the most expensive for sure. Made of stretchy Italian STORM fabric, this thin woven jacket is highly water repellent as both the yarn and overall jacket are treated with DWR finishes then lightly heat shrunk.
I found that the jacket and its finishes make it very decently wind repellent and very breathable and quick drying. I am sure in deep winter cold this fabric will be excellent as in those conditions you want maximum breathability to prevent heat build up and sweat, the cause of cold and chills on the run more than anything
The Anorak has a stretch hood that fits snug and secure.The cuffs feature finger loops.
The neck zipper loosens the neck fit a bit but doesn’t open to the layer underneath. I wonder if the neck zipper is even needed or, ideally, if it should open and not be essentially a gusset for some ventilation. In the lower 60’s F i wished for more ventilation, kind of to be expected, below 50 FI didn’t even think about it.
The rear zip pocket is easy to reach on the go. I used it for my iPhone 16 Pro and there was for all intents and purposes no annoying bounce, tribute to the stretch fabric and snug fit of the Anorak
The detailing logos and styling is striking, very classy and reflective.
The fit in my usual medium is snug but there is plenty of stretch. I am 5’ 9”/ 176 cm and weigh 162 lbs / 73kg. I was comfortable with all the arm and body movement I could wish for up to a medium to heavier weight base layer. .
At $440 the Winter Anorak is the most expensive run jacket I have ever tested. It has passed my testing in more moderate conditions with flying colors: great comfort, superb breathability, almost no moisture absorbency, rapid drying and is very decently windproof. There was never an overwhelming sense of overheating even in temps way beyond its intended uses, This said. I do wish for a longer neck zipper to better ventilate. I suspect it will also be sensational for nordic skiing at speed and is an ideal piece for winter road and trail racing.
Is it worth its steep pricing? Deep winter testing will be the final judge but for sure Norda’s first jacket is one stylish, comfortable and effective step forward into winter
Run Cargo Tights ($250)
The Cargo Tights follow the Anorak in being made of a very thin woven material but here thinner yet, denser, somewhat slicker in texture and more compressive.
I usually stay away from run tights as I find they can interfere with my “weak” knee lift, preferring looser and often warmer nordic ski pants. I was skeptical but as soon as I saw how thin and stretchy yet at the same time llightly compressive the Cargo Tights were, I was optimistic and yes I had no issues moving my knees. I found the inner silicone gripping strips with 3 on each leg (ankle lower calf and above the knee and patches at the back) effective in keeping the tights in place.
The fit was true to size for my 32” waist and 5’ 9” height.
Cargo Tights. Right? So on the go storage is a key feature of the tights. We have a passthrough tunnel pocket on the outside of the back and behind that a very deep big mesh pocket which extends all the way down to the horizontal seam below.
Towards the right hip, there is a zipped pocket that is large enough for my iPhone 16 Pro although its opening is a bit narrow but is serviceable. This inner pocket is attached to the inner waistband so this is the place for your phone as the outer looser two pockets really don’t have enough structure for weight beyond gloves, hats, nutrition etc…I had no bounce to speak of with my phone in the inner pocket with the combination of waistband and inner gripper keeping it nice and secure.
While the leg grippers kept the tights in place and the rear inner zip one as well, as soon as I loaded the deep rear pocket or the outer slip through pocket with weight such as a phone or a soft flask, and both easily fit, they were less effective. The load sagged low and bounced. .
There is a reason for that as these pockets are all on the outside of the stout and comfortable waistband with drawstring and they are of the same stretchy material as the outer tight. While the rear look is clean, there is not enough structure with the inner pocket too deep and wide to hold weight beyond light articles such as gloves, hats, gels without sagging. I think a velcro strip or even snaps tying the outer pockets to the waistband would help as would a shallower mesh inner pocket.
What surprised me is how comfortable they were in warmer temperatures, temperatures in the 60’s, temperatures I would never even consider a tight for running in but testing called! The comfort continued in colder temperatures down into the lower 40’s F so far, never clammy or chilled despite the very thin materials. Deep cold, as with the Anorak, to come!
As with the Anorak plenty of reflectivity from the logos and beautiful detailing. Essential stuff for low light winter running.
Run Shorts ($150)
The Run Shorts surprised me. I usually stay away from long shorts and here they are 18cm or a 7” inseam. I find they either stick to the legs or to prevent that have wide goofy openings. Not so here.
The taupe mesh is quite stretchy, the laser cut for ventilation black mesh bands a bit less so and the leg openings decently wide but not crazy wide. The brief is super comfortable,
The drawstring is effective and the waistband comfortable. Pockets? One zip in the rear that is not big enough for a phone.
I wish there was a mesh pocketing up front or at the rear to increase the cargo versatility of this trail styled and focused short.
Other than the missing additional storage, the Run Short is a winner in style and comfort. Its style is subtle enough to do double duties outside or running, it is finely “tailored”, and is very breathable, moisture wicking, and quick drying and this despite its trail weight sturdy fabric.
The Norda x Soar Running Winter 2024 Capsule Collection is available at Norda
Europe only: use RTR code RTR5ALL for 5% off all products, even sale products
2 comments:
Does Norda use PFAS and other "forever chemicals"? I think we should start including that in every review.
A very important and valid question. Will ask Norda
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