Norvan LD Series

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.

As a counterargument, I've been scrambling in all conditions, in Poland and various European alps, across summer and winter, in Arc'Teryx Norvan for 5 years and if i wasn't for the outer sole being worn out and me being too lazy to replace only that, they'd still be my main hiking shoe. I'm also lousy when it comes to pulling my feet high and hit rocks, roots and branches all the time. The reinforcements are placed exactly where they should be. Even the mesh part, of which I recall being worried about when buying those, survives thousands of thorns and branches trying to pull it apart. With all honesty I could not be happier with a hiking shoe. I might purchase another pair this winter. In spring I've gotten Dachstein X-Trail as they have similar attributes to Arcteryx ones and I loved the design and fit. I can't vouch for their quality yet though, other than the fact that they look and feel very well made.

Finally some love for the Norvan LDs on this sub.. I’ve had every model and they’re excellent. Especially for rugged hiking

I’ve never had any issues with running in them

Consider Arcteryx Norvan LD4 as well? they carry small sizes (I just retired some LD3s in size 5.5)

Jumping in. I’ve had the Norvan LD 2’s, LD 3’s, & now the LD 4’s. They are great shoes. Honestly some of the most comfortable running shoes I’ve owned. I was rather surprised given arcteryx isn’t the first company I would think of when it came to footwear. They’ve changed the most recent model (LD4’s) in such a way that your foot kind of slides into an elasticized sock. Rather than a classic tongue situation. If that makes sense. It takes longer to put them on now. I found the LD3s the most comfortable but I’m still breaking on my LD4s so we will see. Quality is meh decent. The LD2s split at the edges where the upper toe fabric bends. The sole eventually wore right through as well. I felt I got a decent life span considering what they went through. But I’ve also got merril approach shoes that are 20 years old, saw much worse, and are still going strong.

This is my first time getting arcteryx shoes, I’ve never had my feet be in such pristine shape after an ultra !

My other ultras I had to change shoes half way through because I was getting horrible blisters and even in the shoes I changed into by the end my nails were black and I was full of blisters. A lot is from my toes hitting the front of my toes on down hill on high elevation races. Unfortunately due to my foot shape it’s harder for me as I have very narrow feet but a few very long toes lol so it’s hard to find a shoe where im not sliding around in but where my toes also arent slamming into the front. I had zero blisters this time and it was a very very wet race where my feet were soaked the entire time. I also have had very bad Achilles tendonitis for years and it would be flared after long runs and these have a great heel drop and cushion that I find my persistent injuries don’t flare up. You’re very lucky you don’t have shoe or foot issues because I think that’s not very common!

I was between these and norda when I tried them in the store but norda just felt not right on my feet sadly

Really roomy but not in a way where they feel big, historically I’ve gotten extra narrow shoes so I usually avoid a wide toe box but these are perfect there’s absolutely no hitting the front or sides with my toes yet they feel secure

I have persistent tendonitis issue and find the foam super helpful for me but it does add to some instability on technical trails. But thank you!!

This! I couldn’t believe how unscathed my feet were. The ultra I did in Canmore over the weekend got a huge unexpected dump of snow and it unexpectedly became a very snowy, muddy, wet race where my feet were technically soaked the entire time but my feet weren’t cold and I had not a single blister. Even my hands had blisters from my poles but none on my feet. Last time I did that race in my Solomon’s in non-snow dry ground my feet were destroyed

Interesting! I have very long narrow feet and had to size down for these . I have been using them on technical trails with high elevation and been okay, really have had issues with any other shoe I’ve tried.

I've figured the solution a while ago and the answer isn't really on the list lol. I'v chosen a pair of trail shoes for the versatility, but those are not my usual trail trainning/race shoes. When I travel in another country these are my main shoes for : traveling, visiting, running and hiking if i have to. The brief is simple : \- they must look "nice" at least like a sneaker to be worn in any occasaion (unelss it's very formal) --> that's why Im not taking my usual trail running shoes because they're (or used to be) bright ORANGE \- be confortable for visiting the place where I'm traveling \- Able to be ran in \- Have a vibram outsole because it's the best in the market. So I've bought a pair of norvan LD3, but a light shaded kjierag 01 could have fit the bill too. Anyway, if you're bringin a pair of "regular shoes" alongside a pair of sport shoes, i'd still advice to go for the trail ones.