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NORDA: YEAR 001 [Interview]
norda™ launched their 001 model on August 19th 2021.
One year later, with multiple incredible collaborations with the likes of Satisfy and Ciele, a myriad of award winning athletes and adventurers praising their performance and durability, and with the growing cultural popularity of the shoe finding its way into everyday lives and fashion weeks around the globe – norda™ today is a force and a movement unlike any other.
One year later, with multiple incredible collaborations with the likes of Satisfy and Ciele, a myriad of award winning athletes and adventurers praising their performance and durability, and with the growing cultural popularity of the shoe finding its way into everyday lives and fashion weeks around the globe – norda™ today is a force and a movement unlike any other.
We started our work with the team at norda™ before the first release and are honoured to call them friends and family, having documented their highest highs and helping spread the word about the industry's leading product and craftsmans. After a year of non-stop success, we first met norda™ in person in Chamonix for the big French race, the recap of which you can check out here.
Whatever the product, however good looking or innovative it is, people are the ones to be commended for its creation and are the one thing that captivates us the most in this industry, their stories, struggles and achievements.
Whatever the product, however good looking or innovative it is, people are the ones to be commended for its creation and are the one thing that captivates us the most in this industry, their stories, struggles and achievements.
To create something so unique and innovative and yet to keep the human character shining through every post and every drop is a hard balancing act that the team at norda™ gracefully achieves.
Nick and Willa Martire are leading a 5 person team of world class creatives from their farm in Canada, constantly making waves on social media and growing their own presence exponentially, but they are rarely seen there, preferring their product and community speak for themselves. After a year of our collaborative work, they agreed to let us shine some light on their own journeys, running routines, clothing preferences and coming up in this industry.
Nick and Willa Martire are leading a 5 person team of world class creatives from their farm in Canada, constantly making waves on social media and growing their own presence exponentially, but they are rarely seen there, preferring their product and community speak for themselves. After a year of our collaborative work, they agreed to let us shine some light on their own journeys, running routines, clothing preferences and coming up in this industry.
[TH: What did you start running from?]
Willa: I don't think I've run from anything. Did I ever run to anything? Yes. Have I run for something? Yes… I run for freedom.
Nick: For me it's the rush, the feeling, emotions chasing this rush.
[Any genius ideas you got when running?]
W: I don't think my ideas are genius. *laughs* I wasn't so aware of it early in life, but recently I noticed that all of my ideas or new thoughts always come when I am moving. Sometimes when we are in the meeting Nick asks me to sit down and focus and I find that difficult. I like to walk in circles! Running helps me have those moments of clarity.
N: I can attest to that, because when we run together she just talks non stop and has constant ideas. Every morning, when I go running, my mind is clear. That's something to do with brain chemicals, when your brain is totally focused and there are no distractions, you are out there alone.
I have my best ideas when running.
Willa: I don't think I've run from anything. Did I ever run to anything? Yes. Have I run for something? Yes… I run for freedom.
Nick: For me it's the rush, the feeling, emotions chasing this rush.
[Any genius ideas you got when running?]
W: I don't think my ideas are genius. *laughs* I wasn't so aware of it early in life, but recently I noticed that all of my ideas or new thoughts always come when I am moving. Sometimes when we are in the meeting Nick asks me to sit down and focus and I find that difficult. I like to walk in circles! Running helps me have those moments of clarity.
N: I can attest to that, because when we run together she just talks non stop and has constant ideas. Every morning, when I go running, my mind is clear. That's something to do with brain chemicals, when your brain is totally focused and there are no distractions, you are out there alone.
I have my best ideas when running.
[What did you both wear/used before norda™?]
W: The only thing for trail that was suitable for our climate was the Salomon SnowCross boot, because it provided some warmth. At that point it was the only thing on the market to handle our Canadian conditions. I really enjoy running in winter.
I have always run on and off since my youth. Looking back at it, I didn't really get out on the trail so much, it was primarily the city and road running. I was that person in my early 20-s that went to the gym and got on a treadmill and ran for hours, and I can't believe that looking back at it. There was little awareness of trail running. So when I met Nick and we were living in Europe, we started running together in the city, but on the weekends we would go outside of Paris to run. This is when I had the "aha" moment.
N: We went out to Versailles to run or to Chamonix on the weekends, exploring the trails there. I think for me my entire life, since I was heavily into cross country skiing and competing in cross country racing I was always on trails from a young age. While I've run many road marathons and races I really didn't like it, it was more of a ticking a box to say you've done it.
W: The only thing for trail that was suitable for our climate was the Salomon SnowCross boot, because it provided some warmth. At that point it was the only thing on the market to handle our Canadian conditions. I really enjoy running in winter.
I have always run on and off since my youth. Looking back at it, I didn't really get out on the trail so much, it was primarily the city and road running. I was that person in my early 20-s that went to the gym and got on a treadmill and ran for hours, and I can't believe that looking back at it. There was little awareness of trail running. So when I met Nick and we were living in Europe, we started running together in the city, but on the weekends we would go outside of Paris to run. This is when I had the "aha" moment.
N: We went out to Versailles to run or to Chamonix on the weekends, exploring the trails there. I think for me my entire life, since I was heavily into cross country skiing and competing in cross country racing I was always on trails from a young age. While I've run many road marathons and races I really didn't like it, it was more of a ticking a box to say you've done it.
We have talked about Dyneema® for so long now it feels like a nursery rhyme to recap, but here we go:
Name of this "magic" material refers to a whole family of fabrics based on fibers obtained from ultra-high molecular weight and high-density polyethylene. There are twisted strands that are weaved and formed into a woven fabric. The first samples of fibers were received in 1963, but their commercial use began only 27 years later. Dyneema® is used in making sails for sea yachts, body armor and armor plates, jackets, chains and ropes for loading operations, rucksacks, slings for mountaineering, tents, ultra-lightweight tents, shelters and uppers for sneakers, to be precise for THE sneaker – norda™ 001.
Their debut "001" model is the world's first seamless shoes for trail running made of bio-based Dyneema®. The fibers used are the latest generation of the material and are created on a 100% biological basis. The material is integrated even into the laces.
Name of this "magic" material refers to a whole family of fabrics based on fibers obtained from ultra-high molecular weight and high-density polyethylene. There are twisted strands that are weaved and formed into a woven fabric. The first samples of fibers were received in 1963, but their commercial use began only 27 years later. Dyneema® is used in making sails for sea yachts, body armor and armor plates, jackets, chains and ropes for loading operations, rucksacks, slings for mountaineering, tents, ultra-lightweight tents, shelters and uppers for sneakers, to be precise for THE sneaker – norda™ 001.
Their debut "001" model is the world's first seamless shoes for trail running made of bio-based Dyneema®. The fibers used are the latest generation of the material and are created on a 100% biological basis. The material is integrated even into the laces.
Dyneema® was at the root of the project. Upper material had to have strength in order to produce a light shoe: 247g / 8.71 ounces for a Men's size 8.5 US. Dyneema® being the strongest fibre on earth allowed to reduce any overlays or extra pieces that are usually added to reduce abrasion. Simplifying the upper by reducing the amount of layers and parts needed to assemble it helps reduce a lot of weight in the final product and also helps create a unique, supercar inspired design identity.
The 3D nature of a shoe in general and its lasting process differs from making a backpack, a coat or a tent that is essentially flat. The material is laser cut and assembled at the heel, with all additional taping being glued on. According to head of product design at norda™ – Louis-Martin Tremblay, they made a few prototypes of the 001 using very different Dyneema® fabric that they said looked great, but either wouldn't pass the testing process or still needed work to become commercialized.
The 3D nature of a shoe in general and its lasting process differs from making a backpack, a coat or a tent that is essentially flat. The material is laser cut and assembled at the heel, with all additional taping being glued on. According to head of product design at norda™ – Louis-Martin Tremblay, they made a few prototypes of the 001 using very different Dyneema® fabric that they said looked great, but either wouldn't pass the testing process or still needed work to become commercialized.
[Tell us what led up to the moment of a lightbulb in your head of "why don't you make it"?]
N: Specifically it was because both of us spent our entire careers in shoe making for various different companies and brands and we knew that significantly better compounds and materials existed and could be used, but the big brands were not just using them for various reasons, be it price, margins, whatever.
For us the Aston Martin of running, specifically trail running, didn't exist. We knew there was a customer like us who wanted to have access to a better product nobody was offering.
N: Specifically it was because both of us spent our entire careers in shoe making for various different companies and brands and we knew that significantly better compounds and materials existed and could be used, but the big brands were not just using them for various reasons, be it price, margins, whatever.
For us the Aston Martin of running, specifically trail running, didn't exist. We knew there was a customer like us who wanted to have access to a better product nobody was offering.
W: When I used to go running with Nick, I preferred the feel of the road shoe, because most of the trail shoes on the market were really clunky and felt like a hiking boot. They were hard and heavy to run in.
Often I went trail running in a road shoe.
N: Trail was always an afterthought in every brand's line up. It was the last shoe, basically a different version of a road shoe with heavy lugged sole and horrible or plain boring colors.The shoes we were wearing here out on the trail gave me shin splints after two weeks of running in them. I could not run for a month afterwards. The compounds were so poor, the lasts were so narrow…
Often I went trail running in a road shoe.
N: Trail was always an afterthought in every brand's line up. It was the last shoe, basically a different version of a road shoe with heavy lugged sole and horrible or plain boring colors.The shoes we were wearing here out on the trail gave me shin splints after two weeks of running in them. I could not run for a month afterwards. The compounds were so poor, the lasts were so narrow…
W: Because at the time, everyone who was making trail shoes were making them specifically for the trail, forgetting that trailrunners take a road to get to their trail. And even in races, there is often a part of the course that has a paved road. It was always a part where you were tortured.
[If not running shoes – what would you make?]
N: We have spent our entire careers between sports and fashion. I think because of that it certainly influenced and influences our aesthetics, our color choices, and so on. For 15 years Willa or friends always told me to start our own brand, and I always thought about it and gravitated towards fashion. At the end of the day we never did it.
W: I think norda™ is a perfect marriage of all of our interests. We enjoy fashion, but we enjoy the outdoors and sports equally. When we used to work on the fashion side of things we were yearning for the outdoors and sports.
N: Fashion paid the bills. We spent all of our time practicing sports. When we hit our early 40s, we decided we had enough apprenticing and it was time to do it on our own, and we did it together, with Louis and Gerrard – the four of us.
W: Creating something that means something to us. Not saying fashion doesn't mean anything to me, but it is nice to create the type of shoe that resonates with the life we want to live.
[If not running shoes – what would you make?]
N: We have spent our entire careers between sports and fashion. I think because of that it certainly influenced and influences our aesthetics, our color choices, and so on. For 15 years Willa or friends always told me to start our own brand, and I always thought about it and gravitated towards fashion. At the end of the day we never did it.
W: I think norda™ is a perfect marriage of all of our interests. We enjoy fashion, but we enjoy the outdoors and sports equally. When we used to work on the fashion side of things we were yearning for the outdoors and sports.
N: Fashion paid the bills. We spent all of our time practicing sports. When we hit our early 40s, we decided we had enough apprenticing and it was time to do it on our own, and we did it together, with Louis and Gerrard – the four of us.
W: Creating something that means something to us. Not saying fashion doesn't mean anything to me, but it is nice to create the type of shoe that resonates with the life we want to live.
W: Because at the time, everyone who was making trail shoes were making them specifically for the trail, forgetting that trailrunners take a road to get to their trail. And even in races, there is often a part of the course that has a paved road. It was always a part where you were tortured.
[If not running shoes – what would you make?]
N: We have spent our entire careers between sports and fashion. I think because of that it certainly influenced and influences our aesthetics, our color choices, and so on. For 15 years Willa or friends always told me to start our own brand, and I always thought about it and gravitated towards fashion. At the end of the day we never did it.
W: I think norda™ is a perfect marriage of all of our interests. We enjoy fashion, but we enjoy the outdoors and sports equally. When we used to work on the fashion side of things we were yearning for the outdoors and sports.
N: Fashion paid the bills. We spent all of our time practicing sports. When we hit our early 40s, we decided we had enough apprenticing and it was time to do it on our own, and we did it together, with Louis and Gerrard – the four of us.
W: Creating something that means something to us. Not saying fashion doesn't mean anything to me, but it is nice to create the type of shoe that resonates with the life we want to live.
N: We have spent our entire careers between sports and fashion. I think because of that it certainly influenced and influences our aesthetics, our color choices, and so on. For 15 years Willa or friends always told me to start our own brand, and I always thought about it and gravitated towards fashion. At the end of the day we never did it.
W: I think norda™ is a perfect marriage of all of our interests. We enjoy fashion, but we enjoy the outdoors and sports equally. When we used to work on the fashion side of things we were yearning for the outdoors and sports.
N: Fashion paid the bills. We spent all of our time practicing sports. When we hit our early 40s, we decided we had enough apprenticing and it was time to do it on our own, and we did it together, with Louis and Gerrard – the four of us.
W: Creating something that means something to us. Not saying fashion doesn't mean anything to me, but it is nice to create the type of shoe that resonates with the life we want to live.
[How did this last year of launching and running norda™ change your view on your ideas/plans?]
N: If anything, it reinforced and strengthened our resilience to continue to push harder and smarter and faster. The reception from the running community has been significant. Reception from the everyday runners was amazing, even though we are making a super high end product it is still for everyone. The acceptance and interest in norda™ has been far higher than we ever dreamt.
W: Trail running is really having its moment. It is crazy: Apple launched their new watch on trail running athletes. Lululemon is even selling a hydration vest.
N: Trail running is going to be the next massive sport. It is here already, but we are just at the start of the wave going up. As people rediscover the outdoors, they are over just the road and time per mile. You only need a pair of shoes. You don't even need a pair if you are a barefoot runner. *laughs* It is an easy activity to take up.
W: Put your shoes on and go.
N: You don't need much equipment compared to cycling or skiing, and whether you go for 45 minutes or 6 hours, it is an incredible workout and experience.
W: You don't even need a trail. You can just cut through a field or woods, go anywhere you want. That's freedom.
N: If anything, it reinforced and strengthened our resilience to continue to push harder and smarter and faster. The reception from the running community has been significant. Reception from the everyday runners was amazing, even though we are making a super high end product it is still for everyone. The acceptance and interest in norda™ has been far higher than we ever dreamt.
W: Trail running is really having its moment. It is crazy: Apple launched their new watch on trail running athletes. Lululemon is even selling a hydration vest.
N: Trail running is going to be the next massive sport. It is here already, but we are just at the start of the wave going up. As people rediscover the outdoors, they are over just the road and time per mile. You only need a pair of shoes. You don't even need a pair if you are a barefoot runner. *laughs* It is an easy activity to take up.
W: Put your shoes on and go.
N: You don't need much equipment compared to cycling or skiing, and whether you go for 45 minutes or 6 hours, it is an incredible workout and experience.
W: You don't even need a trail. You can just cut through a field or woods, go anywhere you want. That's freedom.
Where most brands view a more eco driven approach in their work as circular, meaning their products wear down and then can be recycled, norda™'s view on the topic is one with longevity in mind.
Most pro runners usually burn through multiple pairs of shoes a year. There is no point in buying conventional products, even if they are marketed as sustainable, if you're constantly buying new products and restarting the cycle of said product.
Nick and Louis' approach to shoemaking is rooted in tradition and with multiple decades of combined experience under the team's belt their product is at its core supposed to be created to endure hell and high water. We have seen athletes post their Strava results of nearly 2000 Kms on their pairs with them just looking a bit scruffy.
Most pro runners usually burn through multiple pairs of shoes a year. There is no point in buying conventional products, even if they are marketed as sustainable, if you're constantly buying new products and restarting the cycle of said product.
Nick and Louis' approach to shoemaking is rooted in tradition and with multiple decades of combined experience under the team's belt their product is at its core supposed to be created to endure hell and high water. We have seen athletes post their Strava results of nearly 2000 Kms on their pairs with them just looking a bit scruffy.
This mileage is unseen in the trail running world, and makes Strava very confused as a result. All this just serves to prove the infamous moto:
"A world doesn't need another trail running shoe, it needs a better one"
001 took on the Minotaur Skyrace, one of the most grueling and harshest rocky trails in the Canadian Rockies and the world and was the only shoe to go the full course coming fully intact at the end.
We witnessed first hand the survivability of 001 over at 2022 UTMB, where a fresh pair worn by Jason Schlarb came the full UTMB distance to the finish line unscaved.
"A world doesn't need another trail running shoe, it needs a better one"
001 took on the Minotaur Skyrace, one of the most grueling and harshest rocky trails in the Canadian Rockies and the world and was the only shoe to go the full course coming fully intact at the end.
We witnessed first hand the survivability of 001 over at 2022 UTMB, where a fresh pair worn by Jason Schlarb came the full UTMB distance to the finish line unscaved.
[Back at Aldo, Nick is quoted saying "Technology to them is not technology like it is to the rest of us" in regards to the way GenZ consumes products. How much did this statement change with your own brand?]
N: I was doing a lot of public speaking back in those days *laughs*. I was running a brand, "Call it Spring", it was very GenZ focused. It was brilliant. Everything in life happens for a reason and that time really opened me up and made me focus on the next generation, pay attention to them.
I think when we were planning norda™ we really studied every element of the brand: community, values, product strategy, pursuit of only the finest and leveraging the latest technology on the planet, what was our ecological footprint and mission going to be. Could we even do it, because the truth is: there really was no such thing, since high performance products are chemical based.
N: I was doing a lot of public speaking back in those days *laughs*. I was running a brand, "Call it Spring", it was very GenZ focused. It was brilliant. Everything in life happens for a reason and that time really opened me up and made me focus on the next generation, pay attention to them.
I think when we were planning norda™ we really studied every element of the brand: community, values, product strategy, pursuit of only the finest and leveraging the latest technology on the planet, what was our ecological footprint and mission going to be. Could we even do it, because the truth is: there really was no such thing, since high performance products are chemical based.
Through science and technology we figured out the balance. That period really formulated our strategy in our brand, making sure we didn't do just a shoe.
Very early on we had our friends and colleagues advising us. We were introduced to a gentleman named Will Turner. He is in his 60s and he holds the world record for running the most Iron Mans consecutively in a year. He ran over 105 Ironmans over 2 years. It is almost one every weekend. He did that leading up to his 60th birthday (it was not exclusively official Ironmans, some distances were set up by Will himself - editor's note). Very early on he was helping us in testing and prototyping and he said: You have a great shoe, people are gonna love the tech, you did the craziest one on earth – focus on the brand. While we knew we had to do that, this was an aha moment. A year and a half leading up to that was all about the shoe. Since then and going forward we want to represent the four of us and our personal values.
Very early on we had our friends and colleagues advising us. We were introduced to a gentleman named Will Turner. He is in his 60s and he holds the world record for running the most Iron Mans consecutively in a year. He ran over 105 Ironmans over 2 years. It is almost one every weekend. He did that leading up to his 60th birthday (it was not exclusively official Ironmans, some distances were set up by Will himself - editor's note). Very early on he was helping us in testing and prototyping and he said: You have a great shoe, people are gonna love the tech, you did the craziest one on earth – focus on the brand. While we knew we had to do that, this was an aha moment. A year and a half leading up to that was all about the shoe. Since then and going forward we want to represent the four of us and our personal values.
[What's your future audience?]
W: It is one of those things where I think the answer will present itself when we are ready.
N: We are a trail running company. Everything we do is focused on creating the finest product for this specific need, and it is an immovable pillar for us. We don't come up with a collection at a time. Our pieces are finest in their category. Like with our Dyneema® running jacket: we are making only 10 of those, but it is the lightest, finest running jacket ever made. It is our commitment.
W: It is one of those things where I think the answer will present itself when we are ready.
N: We are a trail running company. Everything we do is focused on creating the finest product for this specific need, and it is an immovable pillar for us. We don't come up with a collection at a time. Our pieces are finest in their category. Like with our Dyneema® running jacket: we are making only 10 of those, but it is the lightest, finest running jacket ever made. It is our commitment.
W: There are a lot of people wearing norda™ who are not runners, let's face it. I think people who are wearing it for fashion like the tech of our shoe and the way it looks. It's a great shoe if you are spending a lot of time on your feet, like photographers, musicians and more. That's OK with me!
N: Reiterating that – we do everything with a purpose, but it is awesome that people in cafes are wearing nordas, be it DJs or artists. Performance is life now. You want to feel awesome whether you are using it for its purpose or not.
N: Reiterating that – we do everything with a purpose, but it is awesome that people in cafes are wearing nordas, be it DJs or artists. Performance is life now. You want to feel awesome whether you are using it for its purpose or not.
Our project's motto is "We explore functional apparel". Purpose of such apparel is to satisfy the need for functionality and adaptivity to certain conditions. Previously, having such clothing was the privilege of the most active human activities: military industry, sports, technical workers etc.
However, in our new reality, any borders are erased and now all these privileges are available to the ordinary user.
However, in our new reality, any borders are erased and now all these privileges are available to the ordinary user.
Our magazine began its story in September 2015. On a social media platform, a small team of enthusiasts started to search and share rare and unique to the local community content about technologies in modern clothing, its production, and related materials.
We have followed the "go do it by yourself" rule. You might see why we fell in love with norda™ when we had our first zoom call. The passion and the itch to do it yourself and do it better is the greatest character trait out there.
We have followed the "go do it by yourself" rule. You might see why we fell in love with norda™ when we had our first zoom call. The passion and the itch to do it yourself and do it better is the greatest character trait out there.
[Describe your ideal piece of running gear that doesn't exist yet?]
W: It might exist, but I have yet to test it. I am looking for a perfect running jacket and hat.
A lot of people don't like running hats, but I do: keeps the hair out of my face.
N: Something is coming from us for that in Spring, only took a year to make it.
W: It might exist, but I have yet to test it. I am looking for a perfect running jacket and hat.
A lot of people don't like running hats, but I do: keeps the hair out of my face.
N: Something is coming from us for that in Spring, only took a year to make it.
W: Also a perfect pair of running shorts for a woman. There are a lot of great shorts that are probably mostly tailored for men, even if they are marketed as unisex. There could be some improvements.
N: For me it is shorts and a tight. I don't think we achieved perfection there yet. There are brands that are doing great ones out there, but we might nail it ourselves in the next couple of years.
W: Are we making announcements?
N: I mean look at what we have done: we will do what we said we will.
N: For me it is shorts and a tight. I don't think we achieved perfection there yet. There are brands that are doing great ones out there, but we might nail it ourselves in the next couple of years.
W: Are we making announcements?
N: I mean look at what we have done: we will do what we said we will.
[What's your stance on running materials dilemma: natural or synthetic?]
W: I tend towards natural materials. They do not retain soap and smells even after washing them, the feeling of freshness. I specifically like things made with wool or cotton.
N: I like old school soft cotton shirts, but it really comes down to technology and what you can do with it.
[Cushioning vs energy return - what's your personal choice?]
N: I think if you use technology properly you can have both.
W: I tend towards natural materials. They do not retain soap and smells even after washing them, the feeling of freshness. I specifically like things made with wool or cotton.
N: I like old school soft cotton shirts, but it really comes down to technology and what you can do with it.
[Cushioning vs energy return - what's your personal choice?]
N: I think if you use technology properly you can have both.
You don't have to choose, like it has been before: the compounds are there.
W: And it depends on what type of energy we are talking about. I don't like the carbon plate type of return.
N: In trail running specifically cushioning, stability and traction for performance and safety are the priorities. You see marketing departments of big companies pushing for speed and energy return: sure, it has its place, but often to do that you have to compromise the previous elements I mentioned.
We may explore it in the future, but not today.
W: And it depends on what type of energy we are talking about. I don't like the carbon plate type of return.
N: In trail running specifically cushioning, stability and traction for performance and safety are the priorities. You see marketing departments of big companies pushing for speed and energy return: sure, it has its place, but often to do that you have to compromise the previous elements I mentioned.
We may explore it in the future, but not today.
When the best available wasn't enough, norda™ did it themselves. The sole of the debut model could be a subject of a separate essay on its own. It is made in collaboration with Vibram® and inspired by the Canadian Shield – the largest and strongest Precambrian rock formation on Earth. The sole of the model depicts the island of Montreal and the surrounding topography.
A truly astounding grip is the main positive feedback on the model from professional athletes and regular users alike, and we can 100% attest to that. A feeling of being a mountain goat is strongly associated with wearing the 001 on any terrain.
A truly astounding grip is the main positive feedback on the model from professional athletes and regular users alike, and we can 100% attest to that. A feeling of being a mountain goat is strongly associated with wearing the 001 on any terrain.
Vibram® provided the best component to enhance grip, reducing weight and increasing durability. Vibram® Litebase® technology conserves energy and enhances performance with a 30% reduction in overall sole weight. Vibram® Mega Grip® rubber delivers superior durability, traction and the strongest grip on both wet and dry surfaces.
In line with many car analogies, as they are a part of the norda™ 001 design process, its grip functions with a multi-level figuration. Mud, rocks, roots or water all sit at different levels and need a specific traction to be conquered. Any already pre existing solutions were not an adequate option or compatible with the intricate design of the 001 outsole.
In line with many car analogies, as they are a part of the norda™ 001 design process, its grip functions with a multi-level figuration. Mud, rocks, roots or water all sit at different levels and need a specific traction to be conquered. Any already pre existing solutions were not an adequate option or compatible with the intricate design of the 001 outsole.
[Can you tell us about your favorite trails?]
W: It is funny because I think all of us have favorite trails but we don't like to tell people about them.
I would say our most recent trip to Scotland – the Highlands are sensational. There are free parking lots near the trails that are available for everyone. You can pull up, tie your shoes and go.
N: A 3 hour long drive from Edinburgh and you are in an entirely magical place.
W: I have a favourite trail along the coast of Maine. It is only an hour along a peninsula. Some of the most epic trails are through protected areas and we can't really promote or say where they are.
N: The best trail is where you are at this particular moment.
If I am being honest, I adore all of these experiences and they are epic, but the trail we run everyday right here at our farm is my favourite, I don't think it gets much better.
W: It is funny because I think all of us have favorite trails but we don't like to tell people about them.
I would say our most recent trip to Scotland – the Highlands are sensational. There are free parking lots near the trails that are available for everyone. You can pull up, tie your shoes and go.
N: A 3 hour long drive from Edinburgh and you are in an entirely magical place.
W: I have a favourite trail along the coast of Maine. It is only an hour along a peninsula. Some of the most epic trails are through protected areas and we can't really promote or say where they are.
N: The best trail is where you are at this particular moment.
If I am being honest, I adore all of these experiences and they are epic, but the trail we run everyday right here at our farm is my favourite, I don't think it gets much better.
[What is your big running goal?]
W: I have an injury, so mine is more of being able to run a good distance without pain. I am always excited to have those good weeks where I can go further. But also something epic and totally unique like running around Easter Island.
N: One day, when we have time, I really want to travel and experience, be it in an actual race setting or not, to discover. "Running in new countries" is the sport I want to pursue for the next phase of life. That is my goal.
W: That is how we started all of this together. It was never about a race or breaking a record. It was always about traveling and experiencing places, meeting people.
[and finally… What do you run for?]
W: Balance.
N: It can mean so many things. For my family. Running is the simplest human motion for pushing the body, a highest expression of your ability without external forces.
W: I have an injury, so mine is more of being able to run a good distance without pain. I am always excited to have those good weeks where I can go further. But also something epic and totally unique like running around Easter Island.
N: One day, when we have time, I really want to travel and experience, be it in an actual race setting or not, to discover. "Running in new countries" is the sport I want to pursue for the next phase of life. That is my goal.
W: That is how we started all of this together. It was never about a race or breaking a record. It was always about traveling and experiencing places, meeting people.
[and finally… What do you run for?]
W: Balance.
N: It can mean so many things. For my family. Running is the simplest human motion for pushing the body, a highest expression of your ability without external forces.
Finishing their first year of operation in Chamonix was just the right fit for the incredible streak of achievements for the Canadian innovators. Having released collaborations with Satisfy Running, Ciele, Ray Zahab and many more underway, creating a G+® graphene membrane equipped trail shoe and the first ever black Dyneema® shoe, exploding on the world scene with more than a hundred stockist locations across the globe, world level athletes competing in them and setting unprecedented records throughout the harshest running trails, appearing in an Apple commercial and so so much more, this Canadian barn find has shown no signs of slowing down and with a closed doors teaser we got for the future of norda™, we can sincerely say – norda™ is going to the moon!
Such achievements are brought about by great leaders who inspire action by prioritizing purpose and belief in all of what they do.
By weaving their beliefs, their why's, into their mission and culture, they build deeper connections with the ones around them and ultimately lead their tribe, their family, to greatness.
It is safe to say that Nick Martire and Willa Leus Martire of norda™ are such leaders, and we are definitely here for where and how together as a team with Louis and Gerard, they will lead the industry.
By weaving their beliefs, their why's, into their mission and culture, they build deeper connections with the ones around them and ultimately lead their tribe, their family, to greatness.
It is safe to say that Nick Martire and Willa Leus Martire of norda™ are such leaders, and we are definitely here for where and how together as a team with Louis and Gerard, they will lead the industry.
Keep it pinned to their socials and ours for many incredible milestones in the coming months.
In the meantime, check out the other work we have done on the topic via the links below.
In the meantime, check out the other work we have done on the topic via the links below.
Produced by TECHUNTER Media.
Questions, words: Ivan Dzhatiev [TECHUNTER, creative director].
Answers: Nick & Willa Martire [NORDA, co-founders].
Layout, edit, prod: Alex Zabelin [THM].
Ph: Ivan Dzhatiev, Alex Zabelin [THM].
Questions, words: Ivan Dzhatiev [TECHUNTER, creative director].
Answers: Nick & Willa Martire [NORDA, co-founders].
Layout, edit, prod: Alex Zabelin [THM].
Ph: Ivan Dzhatiev, Alex Zabelin [THM].
