Article by Courtney Kelly
Norda 008 Slide ($145)
Introduction
The 008 is my first experience in a Norda shoe and I was excited to try out the brand’s technologies. Based in Quebec, Norda is known for its state of the art, and high style and high performance trail running shoes.
I try to take care of my feet outside of running. They are, after all, where all of our weight falls and they can take a beating.
The Norda 008 promises ultimate comfort and recovery after our runs. The idea of a recovery slide being a cure all to a runner’s aches and pains might be a bit farfetched, but having a comfortable and supportive shoe post run and in general is certainly not a bad thing.
Fit and Style
The women’s size 9 fit me well, and although I usually wear an 8.5 in everyday shoes the RTR test team (and Norda) suggests a half size up. For some, they may even run a tad small. Sam who also has a pair half size up from his normal agrees they are touch small in length at the heel.
The band fits well over the top of my foot with or without socks and is flexible enough to allow for some stretch. I look forward to wearing into the fall months with socks.
The style of the Norda 008 is modern and something I feel confident wearing out and about. The Neve color is a light beige that resists stains, easily cleans and goes with most everything.
Performance and Conclusions
The Norda 008’s offer top-tier comfort and cushioning. Although Norda targets these slides to trail runners, they can work for a variety of athletes or anyone seeking ultimate comfort.
The design of the strap extends backwards enough to keep the heel from popping up and I did not have any trouble walking.
The arch support guides the foot nicely preventing any collapsing in. The foot bed, softer foam than the outer carrier foam is ridged to help grip the foot.
I did however notice my foot got pretty sweaty while barefoot walking about a mile which created a bit of instability because the strap has no perforations and is quite wide. The only way to prevent this would be to wear socks.
The sustainably crafted Vibram ECOSTEP soleplate provides a high traction, grippy and durable outsole while also adding to the slide’s at the ground stability. The outsole pattern, which is the same as the footbed’s and which is also reproduced in Norda trail running shoes’ outsoles, is inspired by the Canadian Shield rock formation which underlies much of Canada.
The thick rubber outsole does contribute to the higher weight of the slides at 262 grams or 9.2 ounces for my women’s size 9, but perhaps this is worth it to have a shoe that will last for a long time, with not the usual foam at the ground outsole here.
All in all, $145 is a high cost upfront, but the exceptional durability ensures the Norda 008 will go the distance—long after others wear out.
The Norda 008 Slide is available now
Norda
Courtney Kelly, age 37 is a college lacrosse player turned avid runner. She lives in Manchester, MA with her husband and two daughters ages 4 and 8. Courtney signed up for her first 1/2 marathon the morning of the race in 2022, winning second place in a time of 1:26. She decided to take running a bit more seriously, joining Wicked Running Club and trying some training plans. She ran her first marathon this fall in 3:04:27. In addition, she holds a half marathon PR of 1:25, a 5 mile PR 30:17, and a 5k PR of 18:20. She looks forward to getting some more strength and speed under her belt this next season, before taking a crack at the marathon again. She is 5’4”, 110 lbs.Off the roads, Courtney is a painter and loving mother to her girls.
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