Walking Equipment and Accessories

Arc’teryx Norvan LD 4 | Review

A relatively fast-feeling trail shoe with a subtle mix of durability, grip and underfoot comfort, making it a solid all-rounder for everything from off-road Parkruns to mountain ultra prep.

I’ve put this shoe through its paces over everything from soggy 5Ks on chalky Wiltshire trails to 20km+ recces in Eryri, and what I’ve found is a genuinely versatile trail running shoe. The Norvan LD 4 feels nimble but doesn’t skimp on stability. It has enough cushioning to take the edge off long-distance runs, yet keeps things responsive underfoot. Grip-wise, it doesn’t have the chunkiest outsole out there, but it holds its own surprisingly well across a mix of terrain. If you’re after a reliable daily trainer for trails, or a mountain running shoe that can cover a bit of everything, it gets my recommendation.

Buy The Arc’teryx Norvan LD 4: £170 at Alpinetrek.co.uk

The Arc’teryx Norvan LD 4 shoes pictured here in Eryri National Park for some gear testing by our team. Photos: Dave MacFarlane.

Who Will Like The Arc’teryx Norvan LD 4

I can see this appealing to people who split their time between gravel tracks, technical terrain and the odd pavement linking it all together. It suits mid-to-long distance trail runs well and could comfortably see you through your first ultra – especially those with less extreme underfoot conditions.

I ran in the Norvan LD4 during our Outdoor 100 Test Trip in North Wales, where the Rhinogydd’s mix of wet rock and bog put the outsole to the test. It didn’t dominate the mud like some more aggressive soles might, but I was never caught out either.

How I Tested The Norvan LD 4

I’ve been using this across:

Parkruns on the Wiltshire Downs during the cooler months
Route-scouting days over 20km for a guidebook to hiking Wales’s 189 mountains
Regular training runs, from road to trail
And, as mentioned, a multi-day test in North Wales, where conditions ranged from greasy rock to dusty fire roads.

I also used its predecessor, the Norvan LD 3, for the Brecon to Cardiff Ultra, so I’ve got a decent point of comparison.

Buy The Arc’teryx Norvan LD 4: £170 at Alpinetrek.co.uk

Key Features

Underfoot platform: The toe has a fairly average shape to it, but the platform underneath it is quite wide – nothing off-the-scale, but just enough at the forefoot to keep things stable when your footing’s uncertain. Combined with a modest level of EVA cushioning, it gives a balanced, surefooted ride. You’re not floating like in a Hoka, but I found that it does soften the blows of long descents and hard-packed trails.

Outsole: The Vibram Megagrip rubber used here isn’t super deep in lug profile, but it gives consistent bite across wet rocks (as with all shoes, this is only to a certain degree) and firm tracks. It’s one of those soles that does “most things decently” rather than specialising in any one surface – think gravel, light mud, and dry rocky trails rather than sodden fell races above Keswick.

A solid all-rounder for everything from off-road Parkruns to mountain ultra prep.

Fit and sizing: Arc’teryx suggest the Norvan LD 4 runs large, but I stuck with my regular size 10 and it worked perfectly for me. The toe box is pretty standard – not too tapered. I’ve not noticed any hot spots when running in these.

Upper construction: The upper hits a nice balance: light enough for a bit of flex and breathability, but reinforced in the right places for durability. There’s a small gusseted lace garage on the tongue that keeps things tidy and tangle-free.

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I really like the stretchy, gusseted tongue. This provides a sock-like fit, but with a touch of padding too. I’ve found it does a good job of keeping out bits of debris.

Insole: The removable insole gives you the option to swap in custom orthotics or just extend the lifespan of the shoe a little. It’s a small detail but a good one.

Performance

These shoes feel like they were made for mixed terrain. There’s a reassuring connection with the trail – you get some ground feel without sacrificing comfort. I wouldn’t call it plush, but the shock absorption is enough to stave off foot fatigue over longer efforts.

Despite the modest weight (approx. 265g per shoe), the shoe feels quite robust. The platform is wide and supportive and it feels planted even over uneven ground. It’s not an all-out racer, but if you’re going long and want a dependable feel, it’s a great option.

Verdict

The Arc’teryx Norvan LD 4 doesn’t shout about any one headline feature, but that’s kind of the point. It’s an understated, high-performing all-rounder that will suit trail runners tackling a bit of everything: from muddy local loops to proper mountain days. It’s not a soft, maximalist cruiser, and it’s not a stripped-back speed shoe, but it finds a sweet spot in between.

So far for me, after racking up dozens of miles now, the durability has held up well with no fraying and the cushioning still giving rebound. I got a lot of miles – a few years actually – out of the Norvan LD 2 and I expect this to last well too.