Product test
How the La Sportiva "Prodigio Pro" performs in varied terrain
by Siri Schubert
Putting the Norda 005 through its paces: luxury aesthetics and high-tech performance
16.10.2025
Translation: Katherine Martin
Pictures: Siri Schubert
The Norda 005 appears tame, but looks can be deceiving. From the high-tech upper to the midsole, it’s designed for performance. I put this trail running shoe to the test – and was impressed.
«Really?» – the Norda 005 left me speechless at first glance. It looks like a tame trainer to wear around town, and not like a racing shoe for the trails. But the weight alone proves me wrong: my pair (a women’s size 40.5) weighs just 192 grammes (based on my own measurement). According to the manufacturer, a men’s size 42 weighs 214 grammes. Despite its light weight, the shoe doesn’t seem fragile, but robust enough for long runs on the trails.
But not all runners are fans of carbon plates for trails. And this is where the new generation of trail shoes, like the Norda 005, comes into play. The midsole is made of Arnitel TPEE, a temperature-resistant, flexible plastic designed to absorb energy and return it consistently over long periods of time. With a heel height of 28.5 millimetres and a forefoot height of 21.5 millimetres, the shoe is moderately cushioned.
I like the fact I still have a good feel for the ground despite the foam, and the running sensation is never spongy. The drop of seven millimetres is a little high for my taste, but I don’t notice it too much because of the springy foam.
I first wore the shoe on a chilled recovery run, but even then I realised the Norda 005 can and wants to go faster. The sole is bouncy, making running fun. It’s not super stable, but it’s much firmer than I would’ve expected given its light weight and springy properties.
The upper with a feeling of luxury
Dyneema is a magic word in the outdoor world. It’s said to be 15 times stronger than steel, and yet so light it floats. Anyone who’s familiar with it from backpacks knows that it sometimes feels like parchment paper. Or like knitted dental floss.
Norda has managed to process Dyneema so that the upper looks like linen. It’s soft, stretchy and breathable enough that your foot doesn’t feel like it’s wrapped in several layers of cling film. But the upper still provides good support. After testing it for around 200 kilometres, there are still no signs of wear anywhere.
Fit and support
The shoe has a wide cut on the whole (which also makes it more stable thanks to the larger tread area) and is suitable for medium to wide feet. I find the wide toe box perfect for my foot shape. But if you have narrow feet, it might be a bit too much of a good thing.
Norda recommends taking the shoe half a size up, which I did. The fit is ideal for me, because the shoe is slightly tapered in the midfoot and is easy to lace up. The upper provides support, but isn’t restrictive. This is an advantage on easy to moderate trails. For more technical, steeper routes, I’d prefer more of a snug feel. More on that later.
Tongue and heel are minimalist
The tongue is made of synthetic imitation suede (microsuede), which adds to the luxury look of the shoe and is very unusual for trail shoes. It’s connected to the midsole to enclose the foot like a sock. I found it didn’t slip, even on long runs.
Although the tongue isn’t padded (to save weight), the laces don’t dig in. On the contrary: the minimalist tongue offers more room for my high instep, so that nothing squeezes or pinches even on runs around 30 kilometres long.
Speaking of laces: they’re also made of Dyneema. Norda has reduced their width from five to four millimetres especially for this racing shoe to save weight here too. There’s no shoelace garage with this minimalist design. I think it’s a shame, but it fits with the overall concept.
The Norda 005 doesn’t have a heel counter either. Instead, padded strips on the inside prevent slipping for the most part. Norda calls them pods.
I was initially sceptical as to whether they would be supportive enough for my feet, but they were. At least on easy to moderate trails. The shoes aren’t my first choice for technical trails – and there’s another reason for that.
Outsole made of innovative rubber
The outsole is made of brand-new Vibram Megagrip Elite, making the Norda 005 the first ever shoe to use it. This rubber compound is extremely lightweight and mega grippy – on the few metres of asphalt I run on to reach the trail, it feels almost sticky – as if the ground is wet with honeydew.
The grip is impressive on dry stones and trails. This gives me the confidence to run knowing I’m perfectly supported, even on steep sections.
I’m not quite as convinced by the lugs. At between 3.5 and 4 millimetres, they’re not exactly high. Their arrangement is – let’s say: airy. Even though the sole has a lot of grip, the lugs stop me reaching for this shoe for longer and more challenging trail runs. Because even if the majority of the run is on dry and firm ground, there are always sections with grass, damp, root-filled ground or mud. And that’s where there’s not enough tread for me.
What types of runs is the Norda 005 suitable for?
The shoe looks so tame and feels so comfortable that I like to wear it for easy runs or longer runs on straightforward terrain – almost like a gravel shoe.
Yet the price makes this a doubtful pleasure: it’s a lightweight racing shoe with high-tech materials, so it’s not designed for an unlimited number of kilometres. Although the manufacturer states it’s crafted to be durable, using it as a daily trainer is verging on a waste. Even if it’s survived around 200 kilometres with me so far without any loss of performance. But believe me, that’s not much.
In a nutshell
An unusual but high-performance race shoe for moderate terrain
The Norda 005 is a jaguar in sheep’s clothing. It only reveals what it’s really made of when you pick up the pace. The midsole made of Arnitel TPEE foam is featherlight, springy and firm at the same time. The Dyneema upper is also lightweight, breathable and – as far as I could tell during my test runs – durable. The outsole offers excellent grip. But the lugs are too small and too far apart for me. This limits its versatility as far as the surface is concerned.
The fit is good for medium to wider feet. If your feet are narrow, the cut might be a little too wide.
Overall, the shoe impresses with its light weight and high-tech materials, which make it fast yet also suitable for long distances. But they come at a price. I wouldn’t hesitate to choose the Norda 005 for a race on easy to moderate trails. And I always enjoy wearing the shoe during training because of its performance and appearance.
Pro
- Featherlight
- Midsole is cushioned and springy, yet not spongy
- Delivers a responsive feel
- Offers plenty of space in the toe box
- Innovative Vibram outsole with exceptional grip
- Soft and breathable Dyneema upper
- Stylish look
Contra
- Outsole offers little grip on mud and grass
- Heel and fit a little loose for technical trails
Header image: Siri Schubert
Siri Schubert
Senior Editor
Siri.Schubert@digitecgalaxus.chResearch diver, outdoor guide and SUP instructor – I love being in, on and around water. Lakes, rivers and the ocean are my playgrounds. For a change of perspective, I look at the world from above while trail running or flying drones.
