I’m relatively new to running, having only “seriously” started in 2018. Sure, I ran around the block a few times in the past, but it wasn’t until Camp Ooch invited me to run the Sporting Life 10K that I even considered more formal cardio, with actual distance and race time goals.
It took me about four weeks to train, from not really doing any cardio to being able to run/walk 10km in an hour and two minutes — beating the average time of 1:04.
Since that first race, I’ve ran in other 10km and 5km races, including Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend, Canada Army Run, and the Hintonburg 5K. I’ve raised thousands of dollars for local charities through these races and I’ve logged thousands of practice kilometers.
While I generally run about 30-50km a week, I admittedly don’t really like running very much. It’s really tough for me to just run on a treadmill for an hour or cruise along city sidewalks — I need to run somewhere interesting, like a bog or forest, or at least be able to run to somewhere extraordinary, like a waterfall.
Unfortunately, my trusty 5-year-old Nike’s are starting to reach their end and can’t really hold up to rough off-road terrain. I was in the market for something that could handle the kind of trail runs that make my running experience more enjoyable. I wanted something lightweight, with a sock-like upper, low heel drop, and good treads. Bonus if it has any sort of waterproof properties!
That’s when I discovered Arc’teryx’s Norvan SL Running Shoe. It not only checked off everything on my wishlist, it’s also a visually good-looking trail running shoe.
SL is Arc’teryx’s code for Super Light. They aren’t kidding around: at only 160 grams, the Norvan SL is one of the lightest trail running shoes ever developed. They fit true to size, with an overall slim feel, but have a roomy toe box.
The upper is made with a highly breathable mesh. Even though it is thin enough to see my socks through it, the mesh feels very durable and is hydrophobic. It also easily folds down for compact packability, meaning that I can easily travel without these taking up much room (or weight) in my luggage.
The lining has a bit of grip to it, so it stays put, doesn’t rub against the skin, and helps prevent pebbles from getting into the shoe.
The toes are protected by a toe cap and there is minimal padding at the heels (seems to mainly be there to keep the shoe from sliding).
The tongue is thin and not too high, protecting the foot from lace pressure. The lacing seems standard and holds the foot in place, but the laces do seem sort of slippery — they definitely require a double or even triple knot to stay in place.
The midsole is made of lightweight EVA foam. The stack (thickness) is 21 mm: 14 mm; the heel drop is a comfortable 7mm. I find it does a decent job of absorbing shock and vibration. I’m generally more comfortable in barefoot-like shoes, so this is amble protection for me.
I am particularly excited about the Vibram® outsole with its Megagrip rubber compound. My two favourite pairs of hiking boots (Merrell’s Chameleon Thermo 8 Waterproof and Thermo Freeze Mid Waterproof) have Vibram outsoles and the grip on them is unreal!
The 3.5 mm lugs give great traction on a variety of terrains, which is exactly what I wanted. They work well on wet or dry trails (including grass and rocks) and the relatively low lugs don’t make it too uncomfortable to run short distances on roads too. From previous experience though, these soles are a little too sticky for roads, so I wouldn’t recommend them for long urban routes, unless you have the option of running on grass or gravel etc. I’d avoid muddy or snowy trails though, as these won’t have quite the same traction as a heavier, deeper-lug shoe.
The good grip of the outsoles paired with the overall lightness of the shoe make these ideal for running uphill, including steep climbs.
A neat feature is this clever notch at the heel. These shoes were originally designed for rock climbers as a compact and lightweight shoe to quickly traverse between climbing routes. Stick a carabiner through the notch and attach to your pack while climbing, or attach to your road running belt until you reach your favourite trail for an easy switcharoo between activities.
Overall, these shoes are exactly what I was looking for in a trail running shoe. They are incredibly lightweight, comfortable, and hydrophobic, with exceptional grip. While they might not offer as much protection as a heavier shoe, I appreciate its minimal structure and it compliments my running style.
I’d recommend these to any trail runner who:
– craves light, nimble footwear
– has to tackle uphill climbs
– enjoys a minimal/barefoot-style run in the woods
I purchased mine online from Sportium here. Not an ad, I just found that they had the best price at the time of purchase/writing this post.
Also featured in the first image is the MiiBelt II Running Belt by Miiego. It’s a lightweight non-slip belt with a phone and key pocket. The phone pocket expands to fit any phone, including my LG G7 with an oversized Otterbox case. The key pocket is also expandable and can fit my keychain + a Cliff bar. It also has reflective strips. Highly recommend it (plus, it is currently on sale at Sportium).
Christopher McDougall’s Born to Run is one of my favourite books of all time. Reading it before I even began running/racing, it is interesting for non-runners and is motivational to runners. I recommend reading about it through the link above and getting a copy!
Natural Born Heroes is another fantastic read by the same author. It is less about running and more about achieving heroic feats in nature, rather than at the gym. Check it out through the link.
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