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Arc’teryx Norvan LD3 GTX – Test and Review

"They remained enjoyably stable when running on uneven ground with its under-foot protection."

11 May 2023

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I’ve been testing the Arc’teryx Norvan LD3 GTX shoe, mostly in Yorkshire and the Lake District, where I often go running on the trails with a fellow ultra runner and trail aficionado. Over a few months, we have experienced a lot of different terrain and weather conditions, to say the least. Both in the wet and dry, the Norvan LD3 shoe performed well; they were stable and had barely any side-to-side roll, even on the particularly rugged ground—a very good start.

From experience, a good running shoe needs to protect and support from twisting ankles as well as to protect the feet. I felt comfortable and secure in the Norvan LD3s all of the time, experiencing no adverse problems on fairly tough ground. One of the reasons must be down to its grippy Vibram® Megagrip outsole, which has an aggressive 4mm lug pattern.

The Norvan LD3 shoe has a lightweight, flexible mesh upper, allowing strong, supportive running movement. I found them very breathable whilst being hard-wearing on gravel paths and uphill climbs. The Megagrip outsole gives impressive traction on all surfaces. They felt dense too – down to its dual-layer internal construction – so they remained enjoyably stable when running on uneven ground with its under-foot protection. They perhaps weren’t as responsive as other trail shoes, but I personally would rather have the Norvan LD3’s traits of strength and resilience to aid my performance.

Arc’teryx is a Canadian outdoor brand ‘built on the principle of obsessive, precise design and production. Their goal is to create equipment that enables a person to be immersed in the moment of doing, regardless of external conditions.’

Last weekend I went to the GB Ultras Pennine Barrier 50 ultra-marathon race at Malham to volunteer my time helping to set up the start and finish line, plus watch the race and assist where needed. During my time there, I ran along the marked trails to Janet’s Foss waterfall. Conditions were slippery along the rocky sections, but the Norvan LD3 shoe bettered the environment with its upper support and hardwearing traction. The GORE-TEX material also kept my feet fully dry.

I have previously tried different types of trail running shoes from inov8, Salomon and Hoka, and these are up there as one of the most comfortable and durable from start to finish for long-distance running. In my opinion, they offer an excellent combination of high-level grip and comfort at a very competitive price.