I can’t speak too much for speedgoats but I can for Norda and LS. Both the 001 and 001A as well as the prodigio feel firmer, but still well cushioned. On all three pairs if you step on a sharp rock you will feel it, but they’re all super precise and feel great on technical terrain. I ran 2 50k’s in my Prodigios and that’s just about the limit for them, they did super well though especially since I’m 180lbs and tall. Norda is supremely comfy though, never once been blistered by them anywhere at all, they’re nice and roomy but not clunky. Even if you get them wet the insole doesn’t absorb water like the open celled foam in the Prodigios. Prodigios are comfy if you have light socks and avoid water, if they get wet they quickly start sucking and gave me blisters and gnarly nasty toes after 50k. Speedgoat was very comfy during my training runs, but felt a little too high up and often time clunky. Overall I’d give it to Norda, my 001 have 550 miles and the uppers are still mint while the outsole is getting pretty worn with at least another 100 miles of running left. 001A is also solid, definitely more responsive under foot
I tried these and they felt so awkward and just didn’t work for the kind of trails I run on. Norda has since been the replacement and nothing but gold from the 001
My SG5 was cooked at only 250 miles, midsoles were dead and uppers started to tear.
La Sportiva prodigio lasted around 260 before both uppers torn on both sides of both shoes and midsoles were dead
Norda 001 is at 300+ miles of the same and even worse trails and have zero signs of wear except the sole
I can’t speak too much for speedgoats but I can for Norda and LS. Both the 001 and 001A as well as the prodigio feel firmer, but still well cushioned. On all three pairs if you step on a sharp rock you will feel it, but they’re all super precise and feel great on technical terrain. I ran 2 50k’s in my Prodigios and that’s just about the limit for them, they did super well though especially since I’m 180lbs and tall. Norda is supremely comfy though, never once been blistered by them anywhere at all, they’re nice and roomy but not clunky. Even if you get them wet the insole doesn’t absorb water like the open celled foam in the Prodigios. Prodigios are comfy if you have light socks and avoid water, if they get wet they quickly start sucking and gave me blisters and gnarly nasty toes after 50k. Speedgoat was very comfy during my training runs, but felt a little too high up and often time clunky. Overall I’d give it to Norda, my 001 have 550 miles and the uppers are still mint while the outsole is getting pretty worn with at least another 100 miles of running left. 001A is also solid, definitely more responsive under foot
I absolutely love my Nordas for snowy conditions. I have the 001A and, especially in fresh snow, it’s like un-velcroing myself from the ground. Norda does have a 001G (gortex) version, but I find the base model more than fine for everything but the heaviest snow and mud.
That said, they’re expensive so I save them for when I’m further north at my parents and running on rail trail/less reliably ploughed streets.
I absolutely love my Nordas for snowy conditions. I have the 001A and, especially in fresh snow, it’s like un-velcroing myself from the ground. Norda does have a 001G (gortex) version, but I find the base model more than fine for everything but the heaviest snow and mud.
That said, they’re expensive so I save them for when I’m further north at my parents and running on rail trail/less reliably ploughed streets.
i almost sprang for the 005s but got a deal on some 001As with the intent to use them in a big mountain ultra next summer. i am very comfortable in the 001s but have not done more than a 50 mile day in them at this point.
good to hear the arnitel bounced back nicely for you. looking forward to that :)
thank you for sharing! im going to start my race with the 001A, which has a more resilient midsole formation. i’m leaving backup pairs at aid stations, maybe cascadias or something. it’s gonna be a muddy course so hard to predict what i’ll need.
we have very similar experience with these. my take is there same, though i still punish my first pair now and again. they almost have 1000 miles on them. foam is done. the only thing i wished lasted longer was the lugs. the white mountains are mostly exposed granite so it shaves them down quickly.
either those running 100s in these have a code of silence or they don’t use the internet.
i have put my norda 001s aside for a lot of longer races, mainly due to the non breathable upper, but i’ve learned my feet can handle a good deal of moisture over many hours with injinji liners.
Try the Norda 001A. I’ve put 500 miles on my first pair, and while they show some wear, they still look good and likely have another 500 miles in them. They’re so comfortable that I bought an identical pair during REI's recent 20% off sale, and I alternate between the two to give the midsoles more time to recover their shape and to extend the shoes' lifespan.
However, be aware that it took nearly 50 miles for my foot to adjust to the heel counter, but the fit improves with more wear. The shoes have a wide toe box, and I can comfortably wear toe spreaders with them, although it’s not as roomy as in Topo or Altra. They are designed on a male last, so if you're female and have narrow feet, you might need to pull the laces tight. Their sizing can be a bit tricky. I wear a size 7 in regular street shoes, but I need a size 8 in Norda. For comparison, I wear size 7 in Arc'teryx, size 7.5 in Hoka, and size 7.5 in Nike. Happy shoe hunting!
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Versatile road-to-trail, but struggles on wet, technical downhills.
Adventurous-Salad-49
