Trail-Running Shoes Buying Guide

Made for training and adventure runs, the women's Arc'teryx Norvan LD 4 Trail-Running Shoes handle mud, roots and rocks. They have durable uppers and Vibram® Megagrip outsoles for grip on any terrain.
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View the Arc'teryx Norvan Product LineView all Arc'teryx Women's Trail-Running ShoesBest Use | Trail Running |
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Trail-Running Shoe Type | Rugged-Trail |
Running Shoe Cushioning | Moderate Cushion |
Heel-to-Toe Drop (mm) | 6 |
Heel Stack Height (mm) | 25 |
Forefoot Stack Height (mm) | 19 |
Footwear Height | Ankle |
Footwear Closure | Lace-up |
Upper | Synthetic textile |
Lining | Synthetic textile |
Midsole | EVA |
Outsole | Vibram Megagrip rubber |
Rock Plate | No |
Weight (Pair) | 15.3 ounces |
Gender | Women's |
5 | 5.5 | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 12 | 23.5 Mondo | 24.5 Mondo | 25.5 Mondo | 26.5 Mondo | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
U.S. Women's | 5 | 5.5 | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 12 | 6.5 | 7.5 | 8.5 | 9.5 |
U.S. Men's | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 11 | 6.5 | 7.5 | 8.5 | ||||||
UK | 3.5 | 4 | 4.5 | 5 | 5.5 | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10.5 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
EU | 36 | 36.6 | 37.3 | 38 | 38.6 | 39.3 | 40 | 40.6 | 41.3 | 42 | 42.6 | 43.3 | 44 | 45.3 | 38 | 39.3 | 40.6 | 42 |
Mondo | 22 | 22.5 | 23 | 23.5 | 24 | 24.5 | 25 | 25.5 | 26 | 26.5 | 27 | 27.5 | 28 | 29 | 23.5 | 24.5 | 25.5 | 26.5 |
Foot Length (in.) | 9.6 | 9.84 | 10.04 | 10.24 | 10.47 | 10.63 | 10.83 | 11.02 | 11.42 | 9.6 | 10.04 | 10.47 |
Calculate your own foot measurements, then select your product size. Use a ruler or tape measurer to measure your foot from the heel to the tip of your longest toe. Find the closest measurement that is equal to or greater than the length of your foot.
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I got these shoes right before a two week trip to Paris and Lisbon, spent some time running and walking around both cities and found them to be extremely comfortable. The slick cobblestone tiles in Portugal (especially during the rainy season) proved to be tricky to navigate, but these shoes kept me upright. I've ran pavement and trails in them and found them to be both comfortable and grippy. I went canyoneering and hiking in Utah at Blarney in them and they also proved to be super comfortable and had high traction. At first they took a bit to break in width-wise, but I found them to be perfect once they had some wear to them.
Shoes are incredibly lightweight - perfect for longer runs where weight really matters. Good cushion balance for trail purposes. Spacious around the toes, I would consider sizing half a size down for my more narrow feet. I am also always looking for more neutral shoe colors, so I love the sleek black!
I've logged just under 200km in the new Arc'teryx LD4s and have been really impressed with their performance. Based in Squamish, I’ve tested them across a variety of terrain, and they’ve handled it all exceptionally well. The grip is solid—both on rock slabs and in muddy conditions. Compared to the LD3s, these feel sleeker and more dialed in. My feet feel secure, especially on technical terrain, which has given me a lot of confidence on more demanding routes. My longest run so far in them has been 30km, and I found the cushioning to be nicely balanced, it offers comfort over distance without completely muting ground feel. I’d recommend the LD4 as a versatile all-trail shoe that really shines on technical terrain.
Absolutely love the new Norvan LD 4 shoes!! These are my go to shoe for long runs on the trails. They are lightweight, breathable, and responsive. They are built with Vibram Megagrip on the bottom to ensure you dont slide off those slippery rocks. One of my favorite features is the shoe lace garage. This allows the laces to stay secure so they don’t get in the way! Overall these are my absolute favorite trail running sneakers!! They are true to size and run a bit narrower.
The Norvan LD4 has some thoughtful updates that long-distance trail runners will appreciate. Right away, the improved heel fit stands out and it locks in more securely than previous versions and gifts a more confidence and stability on technical terrain. The redesigned lug pattern is meant to offer better grip, and while it’s not a night-and-day difference on shorter runs, the added traction really comes through when needed. There’s also a noticeable change in cushioning — it feels a touch more forgiving underfoot. The LD4 stays true to the Norvan DNA - light, reliable, and built for distance.
Not the same shoe as my original Norvans. These are uncomfortable to put on because of the elastic tongue, which grips the foot awkwardly and adds to a too-tight feeling around my foot. Additionally the tongue seems to have a spine in the middle that bunches up and looks strange. I wish I had kept my old shoes!
Hi there, thank you for providing your feedback. We're truly sorry to hear that the Norvan LD 4 Shoe didn’t meet your expectations. Your feedback is important to us, and while it’s disappointing to hear we’ve missed the mark, we appreciate you bringing this to our attention. We’ll make sure your comments are shared with our team as we continually strive to improve.
These have been a great addition to the shoe quiver. Toebox feels roomier, and the cushion is just enough for harder-packed gravel and concrete between softer trails. I swapped out the original beds for superfeet to support a high arch (like all of my other shoes) and they work great. I also have a narrow foot, so I make sure to lace them up as tight as I can. The only thing I've noticed is that the tongue is a lighter, stretchy material, similar to the gaiter on other styles. This feels a bit thick/long on me, but I think it will be totally fine on a more medium-sized foot. Still plenty comfy/adjustable. This is my 2nd pair of Norvans (loved my LD 3's!), so excited to continue to put these to the test!
I bought these shoes for trail running and they quickly became my go to shoe. They feel amazing on my feet and have great traction for the trails, but are so comfortable that I got another pair for work (healthcare), dog walks, weekends, and everything in between. They do run a half size big for me so order accordingly!
I’ve been using these trail running shoes for a few weeks now, and I’m impressed. The shoes are incredibly lightweight while still offering solid support. The comfort level is exceptional. The cushioning is responsive without being overly soft, so I still feel connected to the ground, but without the impact fatigue. The fit is snug but not tight, with just the right amount of room in the toe box. Overall, these shoes strike an ideal balance between performance and comfort. They’re a great pick for anyone looking for a lightweight, breathable trail runner that doesn’t sacrifice support or durability. Plus they look great!
Really thrilled with this generation of the Norvan trail runner. It's definitely going to be a daily driver around the Wasatch this summer ... the light weight helps on long energy-sapping days, and the grip is holding well on loose gravelly trails in the SLC foothills. The rubber they used on the soles is billed as "mud-shedding" and I've put that to the test—they do indeed shed mud nicely, which I appreciate so much ... getting mud caked on is always a pain and a slow-down. The lace garage is working well--tie the laces in a bow, then tuck them into the stretchy bow-holder to stay put for your whole run. I chose the Rune/Dark Arctic Silk color because in real life it's a pretty pale pink; I was worried they'd look dirty quickly, but after several outings the shoe's exterior seems to shed dirt and resist scuffs well.