Customer Reviews Arc'teryx Norvan LD 3

Bought these at the beginning of the summer. I've now put 310 miles (500km) on the shoes, entirely on trail. Went on a road trip from CO to WY to MT to BC and these shoes handled everything phenomenally. Longest day in them was 30 miles (48km). Every run my feet felt fantastic. Never a single hot spot, and my feet felt better after runs than they have in any other shoe. I've been running in Salomons, Brooks, and Hokas and these blow every one of those out of the water. From rolling single track to 3000' (900m) scree surf descents these never let me down. Despite being on rather rocky/rooty/scree filled trails the majority of the time (I ran The Rut in MT in these), these have held up FAR better than any other trail shoe I've had. Especially in the soles which are somehow both sticky and long lasting, I have so much confidence in my footing in these regardless of the trail being wet granite slab or rooty trail. My last few pairs of Hokas would have tread blocks peeling after 100 miles or so. I think I can pretty easily get another 100+ miles out of these shoes before retiring them and they will still look better than all my hardly worn Hokas. Are they perfect? No, but nothing is. My biggest complaint is in regards to the sock liner. Never have I seen a more worthless sock liner. I have recently started using superfeet insoles and they fit beautifully in these so it wasn't really an issue, but if you don't regularly add an insole they could be a bummer. As others mentioned, there is a bit of material in the upper. The inner neoprene/mesh sleeve really serves to lock in your instep like no other shoe, however they can run a little warm due to this extra fabric. Considering I live in New England and we had the fortune to play in Western mountains this summer, it's not been an issue. However these may not be the best summertime desert shoe if that is your stomping ground. Compared to Hokas and especially Salomons these run a bit wider in the toe box and higher volume, once I added my super feet they fit like a dream. The lace pocket is oddly tight to get into, and the laces are frictionless enough in the eyelets that you practically have to tighten the shoe from the toe box every time you put them on. The laces never come UNtied, you just have to make sure you get allll the slack out from the toe box on up or they feel loosely tied shortly into a run. Once I figured out how to lace them (start with them feeling almost overly tight, once you walk around/run the laces seem to even themselves out), I haven't had to stop to retighten them, but it was a learning curve at first as they always felt loose 10 minutes into a run. It's possible that the slick laces help alleviate pressure points over your instep by spreading the load? I wouldn't change them just in case.

Ran 2 ultras in this shoe in 2022, and plan to run more ultras in this shoe in 2023. Vibram sole does an amazing job gripping all types of terrain regardless of weather/conditions. Major improvements on the former LD2. Cannot recommend this shoe enough!

For me, it's all about the fit. I'm a low mileage runner these days and it's all about the trails. These have the perfect amount drop and cushion for me. I wear Superfeet insoles because my arches are higher and these shoes lace up great over my midfoot. The toebox is wide ER which is also great. I definitely have a low-volume foot and these are perfect for narrower feet. I love these shoes and have 2 pair. I wear them for hiking, also, because they're just such a good fit for me.

I've put around 1000 trail/mountain running miles on the Norvan LD3s. I use them for everything from linking up mellow gravel trails to technical alpine mountain running. They are very light. Stable. The cushioning is superb. Lots of room in the toebox but still a solid feel in the laces and heel. Great for long distance or high impact technical or fast downhills. They perform well on most surfaces, including dry and wet rock, mud, steeps, etc. Not super durable but not a huge issue. Their only notable weakness in my perspective is snow. Most of the alpine runs I do in the summer require a decent amount of travel on snowfields, up, down, traversing, etc. The softness of the cushioning makes it impossible to "edge" on sloped snow and the tread does nothing on snow. No control at all. That said, there is a whole world of trail and mountain running that does not require snow travel (and grippers are always an option). For all the rest, these are my go to shoe. Ordering another pair now.

Versions 1-3 have marked technical improvements, each of which I've enjoyed all the more, til they became my go-to shoe. I can see it coming. Soon to be DISCONTINUED. So, buy a pair while you can...

I have over 650 miles on my first pair of LD3 and bought two more pair as long term replacements. I have never had a shoe so perfectly tailored for me and my feet. Wide in the toe box and snug around the instep and the beak has never slipped. I have exceedingly difficult feet to fit, but these do it. After break in they were soft almost like a Hoka but much more precise and less bulky. I've also never had a shoe protect the soles of my tender feet so well while still being able to feel the ground. And DURABLE! 650 miles and they look brand new under the mud. I'm convinced I could easily do a thousand miles in these with zero issues/injuries and they'd still look new! I had to add a second insole (Superfeet Run) to help fill the shoe, but I always have to do that so I don't blame the shoes. Probably perfect for most normal-volume feet (mine are exceedingly low volume feet).

Amazingly light. Supportive. Durable. Good looking, even covered in mud. I have hallux rigidus, so need a shoe with decent rocker that's not super flexy at the toes. This shoe is *perfect* for me. I still put an insert in, but there is room. The upper breathes well and has enough stretch to accommodate swollen feet.

A good fit and a nice shoes for winter. Size is perfect fit!

I use these shoes to walk and hike. They are light, give good support and have a wider toe box which works for my feet. Highly recommend them. This is my 4th pair.

My daughter loves these shoes , unique color , light and very comfortable

I purchased these to replace a pair of the original Norvan LD shoes that I had finally worn out. So far after a number of trail runs I have found them to be nicely cushioned and very grippy on the wet trails of the PNW. Comparing them to the first gen Norvan LD shoes I would say they have more cushioning but they feel a bit vague and less precise when placing you foot. All in all an easy transition from the old shoe.

These shoes have become my go-to choice for Summer/Fall backpacking and long alpine approaches. Dealing with chronic plantar fasciitis, I require footwear that provides substantial support and cushioning while still performing well on technical terrain. These shoes have met my expectations in that regard. My only complaint is that they run a bit wide for my liking, though not to the extent of causing blisters. I still find them comfortable enough for engaging in some light class 3 scrambling!

Fourth pair of LD3 in the family, 1 GTX and 3 standards, my wife loves the white one. I am in the process to buy a new one. With Norvan LD3, Arcteryx is covering the whole range of requirements from casual office, walking/hiking, and trail running. Actually the LD 3 GTX are my fav shoes for the "every day". The LD3 is stable however provides enough cushoning when you go to the road tracks. A special note regarding the durability: I have approx 800 Km of running on both my shoes - no sign of deterioration (either upper side and the botttom). Clearly the response of the shoes is not like the first day, but this is acceptable. I have appreciated a lot these shoes when the weather is getting worse, as they offer a magic combination comfort/stability which is unique. Don't size up.

My Third pair of Norvan LDs Fantastic combination of lightnesss, cushion, and durability. My first pair still get worn casually as the still look in great shape. the LD 3 are some of the most comfortable, smooth striding shoes I've ever owned. The uppers are light and breathable yet seemingly impenetrable to wear. I love the color ways as well. Nothing but the best materials as always from Arc'teryx!

I wore these shoes most days of a long trip, with many miles a week of trail running, and a few miles a day of walking around town. Biggest improvement over the previous generation, for me, is the laminate of the toe box upper no longer digs in with each step, and the high stack high is a great improvement. They are fairly comfortable, though not as squishy or supportive as some other running shoes, while the shoes remain fairly understated. The mega grip sole is reliable across surfaces. The foam under the heel and arch deforms enough to effectively provide some stability, and enough that the sole wore down differently than any other shoe I've worn. I probably got 300 miles out of them before the tread wore down enough to make them uncomfortable - the nubs under the ball of my foot wore down completely, effectively increasing the heel toe drop and reducing comfort rolling through a step, as well as tread along the outside of the shoe, but not the very back of the shoe under the heel. Overall, it feels with a few tweaks they should be able to last a bit longer, but I had a good time with them.

What a great shoe...Sorry, I can't tell more. I must go outside to run with it.

The wider toe box on these shoes are perfect for me. The allowance for toe splaying along with nice arch support (I insert insoles) are heavenly. The gripping treads make my walks sure and steady despite the weather conditions. Great shoes.

I started with one pair & now I own 4 ! it is comfortable running shoes, lots on grip on the trails & looks pretty cool with its colours do it is my road running shoes now. My only worry how hard it will be to clean it once mud covers the trails, grip wise, so far it is doing very well on my few mud encounters but the big one wil happen in Winter.

Bought these in 2022 as a long trail run option. Immediately noticed the great fit, particularly the wider toe box. These are light and comfortable and do well in technical terrain. The vibram soles are awesome too. Plan to use these for upcoming 50k!

I bought these this summer. I have ~190 miles on them, 90% trail running. I wore them on a 9 day hut to hut trail run from Verbier to Zermatt in the Swiss Alps, covering around 150 miles and 53k of vert. There is one small abrasion developing from careless rock scrambling. I put in an insole to support my very high arches. They fit very true to size (same as my La Sportiva size, .5 size smaller than Hoka, full size smaller than Dynafit). This is my ideal, dream trail running shoe for the runs I like. It's cushioned enough to run all day in but never feels sloppy, while the toe is precise enough for moderate scrambles. The drop and volume fit my middle of the road feet well. The lace garage is simple and uncluttered. Vibram Megagrip is holding up great. I had been running in the Nn*rmal Kj*rag which I liked a lot, but wanted something with more protection and slightly stiffer midsole for my Alps trip. These were absolutely perfect and I think the two shoes make an incredible shoe quiver. buy 'em

Honestly, I purchased these because with a prodeal these were the most affordable trail running and hiking shoes I could get. My Altra Superior shoes were awesome but the traction on wet rocks and roots wasn't ideal (and they were blown out anyways) so I went looking for something new. These shoes are light, have great cushion and still provide great trail feel (without feeling bulky) and the colour is super nice. I have a few trails under my belt in these now and right out of the box they were comfortable and didn't cause any hot spots/blisters and provided snug fitment. They also have great traction. I have medium width feet.

I've owned my LD3's now for around 2 months and run approx 70km in them - so I would say this is a relatively short term review compared to some others no doubt, anyhow Initial fit and breaking in - I would say that the shoe took a couple of runs to feel like my own, I also have particularly low volume feet so it took some serious lock down and lace adjustments to get the rights fit . After this initial period I can now say that I'm really happy with the fit and feel. My longest run to date in the LD3's is a 10k on a mix of trail/road and the cushioning and feel worked really well. Been using mainly on wet/muddy/rocky UK woodland trails and more recently on some dusty trails on vacation in Majorca .. I cant fault the outsole of balance of the shoe. Bought my LD3's in Black/Phenom as I have a thing for wearing white or lighter colored shoes on the trail they just look great with mud on!!

Although I had to warranty a pair due to a tongue loop issue, the customer service was as incredible at Arc'teryx as this shoes performance. The shoe has a nice feel under foot. I have a narrower arch and wider forefoot. Great stability out in the Rockies and responds well to the flat trail all the way to the more complex mountain climbs/drops. I would highly recommend this shoe running the trails around town or a 50km + day out in the mountains. This colour way in particular blows my mind as an added bonus to the shoes overall performance.

I love my Arc'teryx norvan ld3s. I deliver the mail for a living and I wear these all day long and I have very pain prone feet suffering in particular with metatarsalgia in my left foot which I have never noticed since I started wearing the ld3. I don't know what that midsole is made of but it is unbelievable. You can land hard on these things and you don't feel a thing. The grip is fantastic as well. My only complaint is that they are overly roomy. Even with an extra insole they still feel big so I would definitely size down by half a size. Maybe even a full size. Super comfortable upper with possibly overly long laces but these are minor complaints. Also some questionable color choices in past years. I have ordered a Gore-Tex pair for the winter months half a size down and I can't wait to get them. I honestly am thinking about buying two or three more pairs in case they change the design significantly. I have also run in these over 10 miles in snow and concrete and they really felt great. A bit warm in the summer months if you are actually out there running on concrete. Huge improvement over the ld2s.