Arc'teryx - Norvan SL

Here’s my contribution. I haven’t done controlled tests like you did, but I run a lot of rocky vertical terrain and have put lots of miles in all these shoes. Trying to focus here on wet rock grip from the outsole and ignore other shoe attributes (fit, lock down, flexibility/stiffness, weight, cushion, etc) that also come into play with their overall ability to do the job on wet rock 5: VJ Maxx 1&2 VJ Spark Arcteryx Norvan VT (limited mileage) 4. Arcteryx Norvan SL 1, 2, &3 Salomon s/Lab Sense 7&8 Nnormal Kjeraq 3. La Sportiva Helios SR La Sportiva Vertical K & VK INOV-8 F-Lite 195 2. Whole bunch of older inov-8 x-talon and RocLite models NB minimus Salomon s/lab ultra 3 Salomon s/lab sense 7SG 1. Old Nike Terra kiger Salomon s/lab sense 1, 2, 3 For spiked shoes, I actually think they suffer quite a bit on rock because they don’t stick instantly like pure rubber soles. 4. VJ Devil 4 3. VJ bold race, VJ ice hero, INOV-8 ORoc 280

Big fan of their Norvan SL shoes. And a couple staples for mountain running for me have been the Squamish hoody and Norvan SL rain jacket. The Norvan SL shoes and jacket really don’t have many competitors out there. I also run in Gamma LT pants and an Acto MX hoody all winter, but I’m sure people could find better options given they weren’t even designed for running in the first place.

Arcteryx Norvan SL was pretty much an evolution of the s/lab sense lineup. Megagrip and matryx materials are an upgrade over the old salomons too

Arcteryx Norvan SL might be a good option for you. These are what I use for light and fast.

Yeah looks like they no longer offer it on their site. Still available through other retailers. Looks like the vertex speed could be the successor. They say it’s for technical vertical running and it uses similar matryx upper and megagrip sole as the Norvan sl3. Looks like it’s a couple ounces heavier than the Norvan sl3 though. Still not heavy, but the norvan’s 6oz weight really is one of its best attributes. I’ve never seen a Norvan LD (nor have I seen the vertex) in real life, so I don’t know how it compares to the SL. I’ve put around 1000 miles combined across all 3 generations of the Norvan SL, so I’m pretty familiar with it. Very similar to the old Salomon s/lab sense line that I used to love too. I think the pulsar may have replaced that line. Might want to check those out. I may look at the pulsar too if the Norvan SL’s disappear off the market.

Arc's focus has been on outdoor lifestyle goods, and their core sports like skiing and climbing. I've also heard rumours that they're mad that 7mesh is doing so well, and they want a piece of the Mountain Bike clothing market now. Trail running gear has been a mixed bag for them, which is odd because Vancouver and Squamish are a Mecca for Trail and Ultrarunning in North America. Their only amazing trail running focused product was the Norvan SL, made from Gore Shakedry, which Gore discontinued as a fabric. I've been part of some focus groups they've conducted on the design of their trail running products, and it doesn't feel like they're taking that feedback into account.

Love my Norvan SL shoes as well. I hope they make some more. Love it way more then my S-Labs

Honestly such a good shoe for summer running and bike packing, being durable light and good amount of grip. I wish they had slightly more padding but I think they are my favourite trail runner out there currently.

I’ve always used trail runners for this Salomon speed goat 6s or Arcteryx Norvans line up are my go to depending on the grip I need.

My take, Arc shorts (Incendio) are awesome. Favourite shorts personally (7inch). I also have a superlight weight Arc merino t shirt for running which has been a comfortable alternate to all the synthetic I have. Can’t recall the model. I’ve had two pair of their shoes, the OG Norvan, and more recently the Sylan. OG Norvan was good, Sylan was a very different shoe, quite unique, a little stiff with a little of rocker and a bit unstable. Would not recommend. I’ve mostly run in Salomon, and would choose both their shoes and their Hydration vest over Arc, but greatly prefer Arc’s apparel (including Norvan jacket). Also, I just got my first Norda’s, and to me they’re the Arc or shoes. Premium material, great fit (for my feet) and look great. The durability on feel and upper so fair have been really strong.

Mine were squeaking and the sizing was odd. Length was okay, still narrow. The La Sportiva last isn't for slightly more than standard width, I am afraid. Given the spectacular reviews this shoe got, I can only say it was a grave disappointment. Will rather run again in my unspectacular but absolutely reliable Xodus Ultra 3, Salomon Ultra Glide 2 or Arc'teryx Norvan. For Hiking I would say the fit is just too firm and the foam squeaky, it got even louder after some 22km in both shoes.

Arcteryx trail shoes are pretty narrow and have wicked good grip. Vibram Soles.

For day to day running a shoe wearing out faster isn’t a big deal. When I’m on backpacking trips for weeks at a time, a shoe failing can cause big issues. I haven’t managed to justify the price of Nordas for casual running yet, but I love them for thru hikes where I don’t have to worry about the hundreds of kilometres between me and the next shoe store. Plus compared to some shoes my Nordas have lasted more than twice as long. Their uppers seem to be indestructible, so at 1000km when I retired them they were in better shape than my Arc’teryx shoes at 300km, On Clouds at 100km and Hokas at 10km (aka when they all got their first holes). The people I know who love Nordas are those who tend to shred shoes - if you’re not destroying your uppers long before you wear out the soles there’s not much point to them. 

The thing is, for a lot of us getting shoes to that 700mi is impressive, let alone the 300-400mi after that where the shoe works but is less awesome. My Hokas got a hole in the upper on day one (so within 5km). My On Clouds got multiple holes in the uppers week one (so within 100km). My Arc’teryx got holes in the uppers within 150km. My cousin’s partner has similar issues with regularly destroying uppers in the first few hundred kilometres, long before the soles show signs of wear.  Is it “gimmicky” for us to finally have an upper that is durable enough that we can actually use the shoe until the rubber is worn down? Or is it a shoe that is well designed for our needs?

Dayhike - arcteryx trail runners or day hikers. Backpacking trips - scarpa boots (saved me from ankle rolls many times)

Not supportive at all in the shoes but they are nice to dayhike in with lighter loads.