Trail-Running Shoes Buying Guide

Made for training and adventure runs, the men'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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Imported.
View the Arc'teryx Norvan Product LineView all Arc'teryx Men's Trail-Running Shoes| Best Use | Trail Running |
|---|---|
| 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) | 1 lb. 3 oz. |
| Gender | Men's |
| 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 12.5 | 13 | 14 | 26.5 Mondo | 27.5 Mondo | 28.5 Mondo | 29.5 Mondo | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Men's | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 12.5 | 13 | 14 | 8.5 | 9.5 | 10.5 | 11.5 |
| U.S. Women's | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 9.5 | 10.5 | 11.5 | ||||||
| UK | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 12.5 | 13.5 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 |
| EU | 39.33 | 40 | 40.6 | 41 | 42 | 42.6 | 43.3 | 44 | 44.6 | 45.3 | 46 | 46.6 | 47.3 | 48 | 49.3 | 42 | 43.3 | 44.6 | 45 |
| Mondo | 24.5 | 25 | 25.5 | 26 | 26.5 | 27 | 27.5 | 28 | 28.5 | 29 | 29.5 | 30 | 30.5 | 31 | 32 | 26.5 | 27.5 | 28.5 | 29.5 |
| Foot Length (in.) | 9.6 | 9.84 | 10.04 | 10.24 | 10.47 | 10.63 | 10.83 | 11.02 | 11.22 | 11.42 | 11.61 | 11.81 | 12.01 | 12.20 | 10.47 | 10.83 | 11.22 | 11.61 |
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 have put probably 110 miles on these puppies and they are just now starting to show some wear and tear on the exterior forefoot. The tread is in great condition and the sock like feel of the upper is still holding really strong. I almost don't need to tie these at all to feel like I have the support I need. I have been running and hiking on some really loose gravel and rocks covered in leaves and I have felt super confident in these shoes. The only thing I don't love is the all black look so I changed out the laces for a little bit of color.
I absolutely love these shoes! They are great trail and road shoes and the outsoles give great traction in diverse conditions. I like how stiff the cushion is while still having a little give on it when you need it. This stiffness helps when hitting technical terrain and lots of rocks. The fit is very comfortable and snugs up to your foot. It took a run or two to figure out how snug you wanted to tie the laces to keep your foot from moving. The upper breathes fairly well but can be a little warmer than some shoes. When getting them on at first you really have to tug on the tongue to get it to lay flat but once it is then there are no issues. The cushion in the tongue is an added comfortable feature. Overall these shoes have been wonderful and fun to run in!
The new LD4 is my first Arcteryx shoe and it’s great. The sock lining makes it fit like a glove. Very light weight. Made for the trails and great traction. I would highly recommend this shoe to anyone looking for a shoe with cushion and traction.
As someone who regularly uses trail running shoes for a variety of activities which include biking, running, and hiking. I appreciate footwear that offers both grip and comfort. I took these shoes out for a bike ride and a trail run, and they exceeded expectations on both fronts. The grip is excellent, especially on bike pedals, which adds confidence during rides. The fit is snug through the midfoot, providing secure support, yet they remain surprisingly comfortable for trail runners. Overall, they strike a great balance between performance and comfort for multi-sport use.
My experience with the Norvan LD4 was amazing I used them in different terrains with a lot of elevation gain as well a lot of downhill. Things that worked well for me was the comfort and how it fit great out the box. I would recommend going down half a size but staying true to size wasn't a deal breaker for me I just should of went down half a size. I loved how amazing the floor beneath me felt. I could really feel everything I stepped on which is a plus for me. The shoe was very breathable I had no issues with a lot of sweat. The longest day I had with them was a 8 mile hike that took about 3 and a half hours and I felt comfortable the whole way through. I am always worried how a sole will hold up on different hikes and I have to learn to trust the shoe, with the Norvans I quickly began to trust the vibram sole it never gave me any problems on the different terrains that I encountered. If you need a trail runner or even a everyday hiking shoe I would highly recommend it to people that like a low top low weight shoe style. Disclosure: I received this product for free in exchange for my honest review.
Trying on my new Norvan LD4s, I immediately thought I’d made a mistake with the sizing. Many reviews mentioned they ran a bit large, and I regretted not sticking to my original size. Luckily, adding an insole gave my forefoot a little more room and made the fit comfortable—problem solved. Disclosure: I received this product for free in exchange for my honest review. For context, I have very flat feet with severely collapsed arches, but I actually supinate when I run. I usually stick to neutral shoes, and most trail shoes work well with my gait. The Norvans were no exception, and I was really satisfied with their performance. On slow ascents, they felt comfortable and secure, thanks to the Vibram Litebase outsole. Ascending on gravel and rock, they gripped well and gave me confidence in my footing. On descents, I expected my toes to feel cramped, but surprisingly they didn’t at all. Compared to some of my recent, more cushioned shoes, the Norvans reminded me how nimble I can feel on the trail—they let me push off the ground quickly without feeling bogged down. I was impressed by how comfortable they felt during a fast walk, an easy jog, and even uptempo interval work. They’re responsive, and the minimal forefoot cushioning actually helped me generate a more explosive next step. I still wish I had gone up half a size, but even in the smaller size, I’ve managed to make them work—and I’m really happy with how they perform.
I’ve been running in the new Norvan LD 4s for a few weeks now, and I’m genuinely impressed. The balance they strike between stability and cushioning is spot on. There’s enough softness underfoot to absorb impact on long runs, but they still feel responsive and snappy when I pick up the pace. It’s like they’ve managed to blend comfort and performance without sacrificing either. One thing I really appreciate is how secure they feel. The fit hugs my feet just right—snug without being tight—so I never worry about slipping around inside the shoe, even on uneven terrain. And the grip? Solid. Whether I’m on dry hardpack or navigating slick, muddy trails, the traction holds up really well. They’ve quickly become my go-to trail shoe for pretty much any condition. If you’re looking for a trail runner that’s versatile, dependable, and built for distance, the LD 4s are definitely worth checking out.
Comfy fit, ran well, and love the orange color. Ample support on the inner/outer foot and easy on the toes. Only issue is that heel could use more cushion, especially for a heel striker like myself.
These trail running shoes have quickly become my go-to for mixed terrain runs. They're impressively lightweight, which makes a big difference on longer outings or faster-paced efforts. The cushioning hits a sweet spot—soft enough to keep feet comfortable over miles of gravel and pavement, but still responsive and protective on technical singletrack. I've taken them up technical singletrack and on canyon bike trails, and they perform beautifully on both. Breathability is another strong point. Even on warm days, my feet stay cool and dry, which has helped prevent hot spots and blisters. I’ve taken these shoes on everything from rocky trails to dirt roads and even short pavement stretches, and they’ve handled it all really well without feeling out of place. They also fit true-to-size, which made getting the right fit simple. The only drawback I’ve noticed is that the shoelaces tend to come untied more easily than expected—double-knotting them helps, but it’s something to be aware of. Overall, these are a great option for runners looking for a lightweight, breathable, and versatile trail shoe that can comfortably handle a mix of surfaces.
Initial impressions: out of the box, the build quality feels nice. The upper material feels robust and durable. The knit tongue is unique and felt "fast." I'm usually between a 10 and 9.5, and i went down to the 9.5, and the size is great. The toe box is slightly narrow, and the overall volume of the shoe is definitely on the smaller side. I wore this shoe daily for about a month. If, for some reason, I was forced only to wear one shoe for the rest of my life, I think I would want it to have this sole. It's a perfect mix of responsiveness and cushion. the 6mm drop is just enough cushion for longer runs while remaining neutral for shorter walks or day hikes with a pack. On faster trail runs the 4mm lugs feel like they are taking a bite out of the softer gravel. When using the shoe as an approach shoe, the lugs combined with the rubber made me feel surefooted on any sketchy rock or muddy descent with a climbing pack on my back. The sole was even relatively comfortable on concrete when walking my dog. The negatives: while I initially liked the idea of a stretchy knit tongue, I quickly changed my mind. Every time I put the shoe on, the knit tongue would bunch up at the front of the shoe, and over time, I could feel the tongue stretching significantly from having to pull it up each time. The shoe also has a pretty aggressive rocker to the front. If you really wanted a little more lockdown and cranked on the laces, the combination of the rocker and the thin tongue led to some serious pressure points right around where the shoe would naturally crease. I thought that as the shoe broke in, this would resolve itself, but if anything, the problem only got worse. TL;DR awesome sole, upper became a pain I received this product for free in exchange for my honest review.