- Text By Madeleine Mak|
- 7 July 2026
From pioneering material innovations to a record-breaking performance at the Cocodona 250, the norda 055 may be the brand’s boldest leap forward in trail running footwear yet. Co-founder and CEO Nick Martire weighs in.
56 hours, 9 minutes, and 48 seconds — the record-breaking time that cemented Rachel Entrekin as the first woman to win the Cocodona 250 in May 2026.
Widely regarded as one of the most demanding ultramarathons in the world, the Cocodona 250 challenged the professional trail runner to navigate soaring temperatures and Arizona’s rugged desert terrain. Covering nearly 408 kilometres and more than 11,000 metres of elevation gain, Entrekin crossed the finish line an astonishing two hours and 37 minutes ahead of the previous overall course record. Accompanying her every step of the way was norda’s unreleased trail super shoe: the 055.
Founded by Nick Martire and Willa Martire in 2020, norda set out to disrupt the trail running space through a relentless focus on durability, cutting-edge design, and material innovation. The Montreal-based performance brand has since earned a reputation for pushing the boundaries of footwear engineering, collaborating with the likes of Ermenegildo Zegna, Satisfy, and Ciele along the way.
Loyalists will already know that norda made history as the first brand to successfully incorporate Dyneema® — the world’s lightest and strongest fibre, more commonly used in sailing yachts and bulletproof vests — into a shoe. Woven from bio-circular Dyneema®, its uppers are said to be 15 times stronger than steel by weight, while remaining highly breathable and quick-draining. The brand’s footwear is further distinguished by a bespoke norda x Vibram® soleplate, engineered to maximise grip while reducing overall sole weight by 30 per cent.
Two years in the making, the 055 is norda’s vision of the ultimate ultra-distance, all-terrain shoe. Set for global release on July 9 and available in Hong Kong through Above The Clouds in the inaugural Strato colourway, the record-shattering model combines norda’s signature bio-circular Dyneema® upper and custom norda x Vibram® soleplate with a highly resilient midsole crafted from 100 per cent Arnitel® TPEE foam. Returning up to three-quarters of the energy generated with each footfall, the foam is designed to help runners maintain speed and efficiency while minimising fatigue over extended distances. The 055 also introduces a first for norda’s growing footwear line-up: a knit tongue and collar that delivers a secure, second-skin fit while helping to keep dirt and debris out on even the most demanding terrain.
Ahead of the global release of the norda 055, co-founder and CEO Nick Martire shares the story behind the shoe’s development and testing, and reflects on Entrekin’s history-making achievement.
The 055 is described as a “trail super shoe.” What makes the 055 stand out from anything else currently on the market?
What were some non-negotiables when developing the 055?
We envisioned the 055 as the ideal shoe for races such as the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc, Hardrock 100, and Cocodona 250 — events that demand stability, support, and maximum energy return. Durability was a core benchmark for the 055, just as it is for all norda footwear. Beyond that, resilience and a secure, locked-in fit were essential requirements throughout the development process.
The 055 is the first norda shoe to feature a knit tongue and collar. Beyond improving fit, what other benefits do they bring to the overall user experience?
Our pursuit of a true “second-skin” fit led us to incorporate these elements. While we’re typically known for our unstructured heel designs, the 055’s intended use case called for a different approach. The knit tongue and collar help keep out dirt and debris while enhancing lockdown and comfort in conjunction with the structured, padded heel. The result is a shoe that feels supportive without being rigid, and secure without feeling restrictive.
What other new innovations were integrated into the 055 to make it a truly versatile shoe across all types of terrain?
The finest materials were used from top to bottom. The upper is constructed from woven bio-circular Dyneema®, the world’s lightest and strongest fiber, and features a quick-draining weave pattern designed to handle water crossings with ease.
The midsole is made from 100 per cent pure Arnitel® TPEE foam, which delivers best-in-class energy return. For the 055, the foam was specifically tuned to accommodate a higher stack height. Unlike many foams that become rigid and lose performance in inclement temperatures, Arnitel® TPEE maintains consistent performance across a wide range of climates and conditions.
What influenced the colour choice for the first 055 release?
The inspiration for Strato, our launch colourway, came from the cosmos — specifically, the hues found on the surface of Saturn.
The 055 is two years in the making. What testing conditions and performance benchmarks did it need to meet before the team felt it was ready for release?
The norda Trail Team plays an integral role in the testing and development of our products, and for the 055, Trail Team Manager Jason Schlarb led the charge. Based in the mountains of southern Colorado, Jason has extensive experience racing in the exact environments the 055 was designed for. He tested every iteration of the 055, from the earliest prototypes through to the final model. Throughout the process, he provided detailed performance feedback on everything from the lug geometry to the midsole stack height.
Our advisor and close friend Ray Zahab was also instrumental to the development process. As a world-class adventurer and explorer, he tested the 055 in some of the harshest environments imaginable, including a trek through Death Valley.
While wearing the 055, Rachel Entrekin made history at the 2026 Cocodona 250. What were the team’s initial reactions when the news broke?
Everyone was floored. We were — and continue to be — thrilled for Rachel, and incredibly proud to support her. We believe incredible things can happen when a one-of-a-kind athlete is paired with the finest products.
What was the greatest challenge in bringing the 055 to life?
As lifelong shoemakers, we don’t view any part of the process as a singular challenge. Rather, developing a shoe is a continuous exercise in problem-solving, tweaking, and fine-tuning. We gathered extensive feedback from our athletes and became obsessed with every detail. We constantly asked ourselves questions such as: What could an additional two millimetres of midsole foam achieve? How might a different rubber compound in the soleplate affect performance?
norda is now in its sixth year. What are some of the goals and priorities for the years ahead?
We remain devoted to working with the finest materials on Earth and continuing to unlock their full potential. Innovation has always been at the core of what we do, and our goal is to keep pushing the boundaries of what trail running footwear can achieve.
What does norda have its sights set on next?
We have a first-of-its-kind collaboration launching later this year. At the same time, we’re continuing to expand the norda ecosystem — both through the evolution of our footwear and a growing range of apparel and equipment. Stay tuned.
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