Arc'teryx does it again! The Norvan LD 4 is a comfy all-mountain trail running shoe built for longer days on varied trails.

‘LD’ stands for 'Long Distance', in case you're not well versed in the Arc'teryx lingo yet.

They feel premium right out the box (as you would expect from the Arc'teryx brand), with solid cushioning, impressive traction, and an innovative upper design.

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While not perfect on steep climbs, overall, they’re a versatile choice for mountain adventures - let me explain...

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Key specifications:

  • Price: $170 at arcteryx.com / REI / Sportsshoes (For UK Readers)
  • Weight: 9.8oz / 279g (US Men’s 9)
  • Drop: 6mm (25mm heel / 19mm forefoot)
  • Upper: High-volume mesh, sock-like fit, lace garage
  • Midsole: Dual-density foam, balanced cushioning
  • Outsole: Vibram Megagrip with LITEBASE tech
  • Additional features: 4mm mud-shedding lugs, TPU reinforcements, molded sockliner

Sizing and fit

These run on the slightly larger size.

I suggest sizing down half a size for medium/narrow feet. If you have wider or high-volume feet, stick with your usual size and you'll enjoy the fit.

Performance review

I’ve put solid mileage into the Norvan LD 4, and they really shine on long mountain runs.

The ride feels balanced, offering enough cushion without losing responsiveness or ground feel.

In some ways it reminds me of the Arc’teryx Sylan (another fantastic trail running shoe), with improved stability but less of a efficiently fast tuned rockered geometry, as you can see in the gallery below.

The upper is super comfortable (seriously, one of the best I’ve worn) but trades off some breathability.

The lace garage neatly tucks laces away, preventing any trail snags, and the gusseted tongue stays comfortably in place all day - see images below.

The Vibram Megagrip outsole has fantastic traction across all conditions, giving reliable grip even when trails become unpredictable.

One thing to note, the heel counter feels slightly stiff on steep climbs and fast flats.

A little extra flexibility here would be nice, but overall it’s a minor complaint considering how well the rest of these trail running shoes perform.

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My verdict

If you’re after a versatile, reliable shoe for long-distance mountain trails, the Norvan LD 4 is an excellent pick, just remember to size down half a size for optimal performance on technical terrain.

Arc'teryx continues to impress me! You can pick up a pair at the following online stores:

$170 at arcteryx.com / REI / Sportsshoes (For UK Readers)