Norda

The norda™ story began on a run—naturally. But it took many more miles before the full mission took shape in the minds of its founders, Willa and Nick Martire.

Designed for runners, by runners, their journey started long before norda™ existed. Running together had always been their way to connect—through laughter, venting, and dreaming. One dream, in particular, kept resurfacing: creating the ultimate technical trail-running shoe. A shoe that merged high performance with sustainability, without compromise.

In early 2020, with the world at a standstill, that dream finally had space to take shape. Leveraging decades in the footwear industry, Willa and Nick gathered a team of athletes, artisans, and material specialists worldwide. They questioned limits, challenged conventions, and refused to settle.

Joining them were Louis Martin Tremblay, Head of Design, and Gerard Cleal, Brand Development—two equally passionate experts who helped bring norda™ to life. Together, they crafted the first prototypes using the most advanced materials available, testing them in the harshest conditions from -35°C to +35°C in the rugged landscapes of Canada.

The norda™ 001 is the result of over sixty years of combined footwear expertise, countless miles on the trail, and an unshakable belief: the world doesn’t need just another trail-running shoe—it needs a better one.