Arc'teryx Launches Its First Trail Running Shoe: Built for Vertical Terrain

Arc’teryx enters the trail-running market with a shoe that delivers climbing and scrambling performance with high durability on steep, technical landscapes

North Vancouver, BC June 2016 – Today, trail running can be a vertical experience. Arc’teryx proudly announces the launch of its first trail runner, the Norvan VT and Norvan VT GTX. A first-of-its-kind, the Norvan VT is built for alpinists and climbers who use trail running to increase their primary sport performance and dedicated trail runners looking for new territory to explore. This shoe’s design, fit, features and materials combine to free athletes to push past traditional shoes’ boundaries and extend into steeper, more technical landscapes. The Norvan VT is the first of many Arc’teryx trail running shoes to come.

Built to allow the trail runner to adapt quickly to varying terrain, the Norvan VT combines comfortable, supportive lightweight performance and confident traction on technical trails, with a precise fit that allows a quick transition into scrambling and ascending steep rocky terrain via an ingeniously simple adjustable lacing system.

Employing a new (patent pending) 360⁰ Support System made of internal and external components, the shoe can be easily tightened and secured to pull a runner onto the ball of her foot for a precise, supportive fit while scrambling, then disengaged to restore the higher internal-volume needed while running. The system wraps the forefoot for evenly-distributed, reliable support while edging and scrambling.

 “Runners, climbers and athletes are continuously pushing themselves further and higher,” said Greg Grenzke, Arc’teryx’s design manager for Ascent & Footwear categories, “We wanted the Norvan to be an extremely high-performance trail runner that had no compromises while running with the added benefits of approach footwear when steep and technical terrain came into play.”

Made for rugged, technical terrain, the Norvan VT delivers unprecedented scrambling ability and durability due to a use of strategically-mapped outsole compounds and lug geometries. The EVA/polyolefin blend midsole lasts 36% longer than standard EVA. Non-stretch, PU-coated and highly-durable synthetic material wraps both the midsole and upper. 0.4mm TPU film overlays are used in all high-abrasion areas for extra protection

While inspired by athletes and alpinists, the Norvan VT is a perfect option for anyone looking to spend time moving fast in the mountains. Every consideration was made in the design process to ensure the Norvan VT is the most comfortable, lightweight, advanced trail running shoe on the market.

A raised perimeter sidewall helps the foot sit deeper in the shoe for inherent stability, and 9mm heel-to-toe drop and a 26mm/17mm stack height deliver comfort and protection on rugged trails. An advanced Vibram rubber sole combines a sticky Idrogrip forefoot for traction on slickrock and wet trails with a Megagrip compound for durability and sure-footedness. The Norvan VT is the only running shoe on the market that utilizes this sticky rubber compound in its forefoot.

“Climbers and alpinists are drawn to the mountains, even when training, and this is something we believe in supporting with the addition of the Norvan VT shoe, “continues Grenzke, “We’ve made a long-term commitment to the trail running market and to creating shoes with attributes of comfort, light weight and excellent traction that allow people to go further and faster in technical mountain terrain.”

The shoe is available for both men and women, in a Norvan VT style and Norvan VT GTX style, complete with GORE-TEX protection.

Available to purchase Spring 2017. Details here:

• UPPER: 0.4mm TPU film overlays, 100% Cordura mesh, 1.1mm forefoot synthetic, 1.3mm internal forefoot microfiber, 0.8mm synthetic suede internal reinforcement
• FIT: Adaptive Fit on all styles and models
• LINER: Non-removable, anti-debris, 2-layer stretch nylon monomesh with air permeable EVA foam core, GTX models: Stretch GORE-TEX to 100% of liner height
• SOCKLINER: 4mm thickness OrthoLite 3D molded insert
• MIDSOLE: 85% EVA / 15% Polyolefin blend, 55 Shore C, 27 mm/18mm stack height, 9mm drop
• OUTSOLE: Vibram Megagril (Rear 2/3), Vibram Idrogrip (Front 1/3)

• Norvan VT Men’s & Women’s – US $170 – Weight – 10.6 oz /Men’s 9 us
• Norvan VT GTX Men’s & Women’s – US $200 – Weight – 11.3 oz / Men’s 9 us

Download images here:

Norvan VT Men’s – https://arcteryx.box.com/s/uf77pc80k75zqdtfsapbfp1gk6pb36te

Norvan VTX Women’s – https://arcteryx.box.com/s/09xd6xt6k66zh7doacpunatqaxv4s9j1

Norvan VT Detail Shots – https://arcteryx.box.com/s/ly5am362p7fwhq4rkg2mejudjh9iowbk

Arc’teryx Equipment is a technical high-performance outerwear and equipment company based in North Vancouver, Canada. Our relentless commitment to design, craftsmanship and performance delivers breakthrough experiences. The company’s industry-leading design and unique in-house manufacturing center creates technical products that can be trusted to perform in moments of extreme need.

Arc’teryx distributes its products through more than 3,000 retail locations worldwide, including ten branded stores in Europe, North America and Asia. www.arcteryx.com

Arc’teryx is named for the Archaeopteryx Lithographica, the first reptile to develop the feather for flight. Evolution in Action.