Customer Reviews Arc'teryx Norvan SL 3

I've worn these shoes casually, hiking and trail running and they've been great so far. Secure fitting around the foot and ankle, breathable and extremely light and fast. I did initially get ankle rub from the 'sock' that caused a blister, but I wasn't used to the high ankle. And I also found the sole of the shoe quite thin, especially where by the toes, so running over sharper rocks I could feel this through the shoes. I also would slip on loose dirt and rocks on a few occasions. The shoe does fit tight, perhaps narrow, which for me felt secure. However, the shoe is very breathable, and with the fit, I felt locked in and secure, helping increase the feeling of being fast and light on my feet. I've even used them in the gym for this reason, as well as the sole being relatively flat, making it great for weight lifting. I've worn them in the city, forests and mountains and they've been a great asset.

I've worn these shoes casually, hiking and trail running and they've been great so far. Secure fitting around the foot and ankle, breathable and extremely light and fast. I did initially get ankle rub from the 'sock' that caused a blister, but I wasn't used to the high ankle. And I also found the sole of the shoe quite thin, especially where by the toes, so running over sharper rocks I could feel this through the shoes. I also would slip on loose dirt and rocks on a few occasions. The shoe does fit tight, perhaps narrow, which for me felt secure. However, the shoe is very breathable, and with the fit, I felt locked in and secure, helping increase the feeling of being fast and light on my feet. I've even used them in the gym for this reason, as well as the sole being relatively flat, making it great for weight lifting. I've worn them in the city, forests and mountains and they've been a great asset.

I bought this pair a month ago. I'm delighted with them! I was able to test them on trail outings (ranging from 10 to 25km) at home in the French Basque country. Incredibly light, and bucking the trend towards "high cushioning" in most trail shoes, they give you a better feel for the surface and better proprioception, while maintaining an excellent level of comfort. Grip is very good on dry ground, even in very technical, rocky sections. Not yet tested in wet weather. The mesh is ultra-breathable. Highly recommend!

I've owned each of the Norvan SL editions, some more than once, and the SL3 is a great continuation in this line. It seems basically the same as the SL2, but with improvements from the mesh upper fabric, which is greatly appreciated. My one problem is the heel tab, which rubbed up against my heel causing blistering very quickly. I cut off the heel tab and sealed the fabric, and since it's been a wonderful shoe. However, I'm reluctant to buy another pair with the heel tab, knowing I'd probably just cut it off. I greatly preferred the heel counter, which was more comfortable. It was easier to put on the shoe with the tab, but it's not too difficult without it, and it seems there has to be a way to have a mesh heel counter without a tab that's as easy to put on. Basically I miss the heel counter of the SL and SL2, although I like the new mesh.

Light weight, breathability, durability and comfort level combined make the Norvan SL 3 my favorite shoe for long distance hiking especially in warm weather environments. I have used the SLs on varying terrain and incline/declines without any slippage, ankle rolling or discomfort. The addition of the ankle hugging elastic prevents debris from getting in your shoe and the spacing of the Vibram tread provides excellent grip even in wet conditions. I owned a pair of SL 2s previously and didnt expect the 3s to get any better but I'm glad I upgraded. You get what you pay for with this product so I would say the price point is spot on. Would like to see more light colors for hot sun lit areas. Side note: To show how light these shoes are my wife thought I recieved an empty box when she checked the mail.

I have a wider feet but it fits well and so light! Highly recommended

I have run in the Norvan SL2's for two mtn running seasons for the most part on the wild and rugged trails of Maine and New Hampshire (including many long days mtn running in The Presidentials) and absolutely loved those shoes - the best ever as far as I am concerned. For a shoe that light to offer that much protection and durability was an amazing design feat. The grip was phenomenal but what really set the SL2's apart from any other shoe I have run in was the intuitive dynamics; it literally was hard to make a misstep. I ran to many PR's on everything form local mtn bike singletrack to the Presidential Range Traverse wearing the SL2's. I ran through 3 pairs before they were replaced by the SL3's. The SL3's do not have anywhere near the same ballet-slipper-as-mtn-running-shoe feel and the ankle cuff actually impedes making easy, fine adjustments mid-stride while cruising technical terrain quickly. It is an entirely different shoe than the SL2 - honestly seems more like a light day hiker than a super light, responsive mtn running best friend of a shoe. I can see the utility of the SL3 but it is so vastly different in character from the exceptional SL2 I wish you had added the SL3 to the lineup and kept the SL2 available.

I went up to London for a pair of these, but the Flagship store only had Goretex shoes in the shop, so I took a chance and ordered them on line. Tried them on went for a short walk then a ten mile bike ride still okay. Then on a longer five mile walk the dreaded blister. There is a very tight band runs round the back of the shoe which rubs with very little padding around it. I have high insteps and the cuff system on this shoe doesn't seem to work for me, wrong shape foot. I have Aerios GTX which are a perfect fit, but I think these will live in the back of the wardrobe before finding their way to the charity shop.

Very narrow yet very long, Im truley not sure what type of foot this is designed for...

Very narrow and long fit. Doesn't seem to be designed for human feet.