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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View the Arc'teryx Norvan Product LineView all Arc'teryx Men'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) | 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 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.
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.
Fantastic shoe, especially for technical trails. Amazing traction and sheds mud really well (most of my runs have been on muddy trails in the winter here). Simple and cool design with great attention to detail like the stretchy tongue, the overlays in all the right places, Vibram outsole and the wide lug spacing that allows the shoe to grip and shed mud. I'd use this shoe for any sort of rocky, rooted, technical trail up to a half marathon (for my preference). The cushion is more than expected for the stack height, but still leands towards the "ground feel" side of the shoe world. Overall the Norvan LD 4 is really comfortable. This would also be a great shoe for hiking and casual wear since it looks so great.
Fantastic shoe, especially for technical trails. The Norvan LD 4 has amazing traction and sheds mud really well. I really love the design and the attention to detail that Arc'teryx brings to their products like the stretch tongue, the overlays on the lateral side and the wide lug spacing that allows the shoe to grip and shed mud. I'd reach for this shoe for any sort of rocky, rooted, technical trail up to a half marathon (for my preference). The cushion is more than expected for the stack height and overall a really comfortable shoe. This would be a great shoe for hiking and casual wear also since it looks so great.
As an avid hiker, Arc'teryx has always been my favorite brand for jackets and clothing. I was excited to see them get into the shoe market. I have been wearing these shoes for the past week on several hikes and trail runs. They did not disappoint. Very comfortable! Their light weight saves on energy. I typically wear size 10.5, but size 10 in these shoes fit nicely. Vibram soles grip on wet surfaces very well. So they may run a bit larger than normal. I would highly recommend them!
This shoe's predecessor, the LD3, has been a loyal companion for me across the full range of mountain activities, from 50-mile trail runs to technical outings like Owen Spalding on the Grand Teton. I'm really happy to report that this shoe is an upgrade across the board, retaining the best qualities of the LD3 and changing a few minor things that really elevate the shoe to the perfect mountain companion. This includes the comfier ankle cushioning, better lace garage positioning, more durable and substantial midsole foam, and slightly more technically oriented toe box. Rubber is trustworthy out of the box, and better with a little break-in. I have noticed that the "climbing zone" under the ball of the foot to the toes is slightly more rockered than the LD3, and thus a bit less natural when scrambling, but this tradeoff pays off when putting in long mileage, as the shoe has a more natural stride. One important note: this shoe runs a full half+ size longer than the LD3, so size down a half size for long distance fit and maybe a full size for performance fit, depending on your choice of sock.