Arc'teryx - Norvan SL 3

VJ MaxX2 and Arcteryx Norvan SL3 are my current go-to for northeast trails. Nnormal kjerag is a good option that sort of splits the difference between those other two, but isn’t as good as either one.

For dirt roads I picked up some Nike Ultrafly. Retired a pair at 615 miles and am about 400 miles into a second pair. Tried a pair of Nike peg trail 4’s in between, but they were a let down after the ultraflys. Most of my real running is on steep, rocky trails in the mountains, though, where I switch between Arcteryx Norvan SL3 for really fast efforts and VJ Maxx2 as my all arounder. Love both of these shoes. Edit: rocky trails in the mountains, not “Rocky Mountain” trails.

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

VJ Maxx2 for all around trail running Arcteryx Norvan SL3 for short fast steep rocky climbs Nike Pegasus Trail 4 (just replaced Ultrafly) for fire roads, gravel roads and any paved road running I might do. VJ Bold Race (carbide studs) for snow & icy trails. I run primarily on hills and mountains in New England. Usually getting over 1000’ of elevation gain every day on rocky technical trails. I do my recovery runs on fire roads where I still rack up similar elevation, just with less intensity

I use Nike Ultrafly for the exact scenarios you describe. It’s not a lightweight shoe, though. But that hasn’t bothered me. And I’m someone who seeks out light shoes because I run a lot of steep technical ascents where weight really is noticeable. For example, I wear Arcteryx Norvan SL3 a lot, and I don’t think you can find a lighter trail runner on the market right now.

My two current favorites for technical rocky trails are Arcteryx Norvan SL3 and VJ Maxx2. For the 50k distance I’d give the nod to the VJs. Norvans are super light and nimble. VJs offer more protection and better grip but are a little heavier and slightly less precise. I might also consider the VJ Ultra 3 for a 50k. I find the extra squishiness and taller stack to be a liability over the other two when trying to run fast (particularly downhill) on super technical terrain. But at 50k pace that liability is likely to diminish and the extra padding will be nice. These feel way faster on flat non-technical terrain than the other two too. Maybe it’s the rocker design or some propulsion from the extra foam.

I had the SL 3s. Unfortunately it doesn't look like they make them anymore, I thought they were awesome.

S-lab ultra 3 and arcteryx norvan sl 3. Grippy. Light. Comfortable.

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.