Norda has designed a trail shoe that will finally meet the demand of trail runners looking for a local, durable and high-performance product. Welcome to the new era of boutique running shoes .
To be perfectly frank, we didn't plan to sell shoes in the near future when we opened the café. Until we discovered Norda: a superbly innovative Quebec shoe manufacturer, offering a product with many virtues, starting with its durability.
We take a look around by answering all the questions we asked ourselves when we discovered the company.
Where do these shoes come from?
From a brand new company called Norda (for north , in Latin), founded by a gang of Montrealers who pooled their forces to create a revolutionary product. Decades of experience in shoe manufacturing, design and marketing.
Other than the company being based here, what's so special about them?
They are designed for high performance and to be very durable. “Most trail shoes literally break down after 300 or 400 km. Ours can last well beyond that,” assures Nick Martire, one of the co-founders of the brand.
What is their secret?
It starts with the use of an incredibly durable material: Dyneema. It is the lightest and strongest fiber. It is 14 times stronger than steel! So it resists abrasions, which are quite common on trails. It lets air pass through, and it is also resistant to UV rays, which contributes to its durability.
Performance-wise, what sets them apart?
Many things! It starts with the overall comfort of the shoe. Then there is its stability. Despite what its appearance may suggest, the foot is closer to the ground than it appears. The distinctive element: the combination of a very high quality midsole (inside, where the foot supports) and an extremely flexible and grippy outsole, both produced by the legendary Italian company Vibram . “The midsole is often a neglected element,” explains Nick Martire. This costs us three times more than those used by other companies.” Otherwise, the sole design is completely exclusive to them. “The mussels belong to us,” Nick insists.
And is it really worth the price?
We think so. From the first strides, you can tell that you have just put on a product that stands out in every way from its competitors. And if only because of its durability, its cost is amply justified.
“Try them, you’ll be convinced,” suggests Willa Martire, Nick’s wife and one of the founding quartet. This is also what we believe.
In addition, we like the idea of local creators who, as in most business circles, challenge the order established by big brands by offering “boutique” type products. This means that they are more artisanal in their approach, therefore closer to the needs of users, and that these entrepreneurs are ready to put money on the quality of the product rather than in their pockets. 
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