Arc’teryx Norvan SL3 trail running shoe | Tested and reviewed

Vancouver based outdoor powerhouse Arc'teryx released one of our favourite trail running shoes last year – the rugged and highlight cushioned Norvan LD3. And they've showed no signs of slowing down with the release of this ultralight, minimalist shoe, the Norvan SL3. Let's see how it compares...

The brand took a new approach with the Norvan SL3, transitioning away from the long distance focus of the LD range. Instead, this minimalist trail running shoe focuses on high-performance in mountains and rocky terrain, aiming to be the ideal shoe for handling scree and scrambles at high speeds. Arc'teryx say they used feedback from their mountain athletes and climbers to refine and perfect this new design.

Upper

The 'SL' in the shoe's name stands for super light, which may as well be an understatement. Coming in at 215g per shoe (size 11), these shoes are incredibly light and nimble, with a breathable upper which fit very snugly around my feet. Verging on tightness in one or two places.

The upper is made up of Matryx fibres, which combine polyester with nylon, creating a highly durable and lightweight fabric. As a daily runner who has destroyed his fair share of shoes, I found the Norvan SL3 quite able to withstand an onslaught of abrasive terrain. I also found the upper nicely flexible, which is ideal for varied and twisting trail runs.

The shoe has a simple lace system with the laces being able to be tucked away into an integrated pocket in the tongue. This foam tongue is one of the only 'padded' parts of the SL3, and it's knitted into the upper fabric to create debris-defensive gaiter. Always a plus.

Towards the forefoot, the SL3 can feel quite tight. I suspect that I would've felt more discomfort if it weren't for the pliability of the upper fabric. It has just enough give to accommodate my average-width plodders, so I'd recommend sizing up if you like a wide fit.

Midsole

There isn't too much to say about this midsole, it's fairly classic for Arc'teryx. Comprised of a blend of EVA and Polyolefin, I found this midsole decently propulsive though I'd question the efficacy of the shock absorption over a very long run. This being despite the unusually high stack.

The SL3 has a 7mm drop. This may sound excessive for some people, but I found the shoe to be incredibly responsive. The experience is similar to much lower stack minimalist shoes, as the sole has very little cushioning, giving you clear feedback with every stride.

Outsole

Combining such a lightweight shoe with a Vibram mega grip sole and 3.5mm lugs is total harmony. You get every bit of traction you need, uphill or downhill, and the outsole performed exceptionally well on rocky or hard packed ground, even when wet.

I tested these in a rainy spell of typical English weather, and the grip fell a bit short when I crossed softer, muddy ground. But, this isn't surprising with such a short lug-length. The SL3 is by no means a fell running shoe, but it will get you through any park run without a problem, and may be your saving grace on an alpine outing.

Features

For a shoe that we're considering minimalist, the Norvan SL3 has a decent set of extra features. As mentioned, the tongue is totally integrated into the upper, forming a snug knit collar which wraps around your whole ankle like a sock. This does a great job of keeping out rocks and dust, though the soft material can get quite saturated if you're splashing around in puddles.

Another novel feature is the loops by the ankle which can be used to clip the shoes into a harness if you're using them as approach shoes, or to simply hang them on a hook to air out. The rest of the shoe is fairly minimal, aside from tiny details like the tongue pockets for the laces, which help to serve the SL3's overall aim of being sleek and technical.

Sustainability

While Arc'teryx have been making some great strides this year with their new circularity programme ReBird, the brand's primary philosophy for sustainability revolves around designing kit which can be used for a long, long time.

In fairness, that philosophy is fully on show with the SL3. The Matryx upper is exceptionally tough, and the polyester is recycled, though of course the fabric and midsole are still derived from oil-based synthetic materials, which we at LFTO are starting to see is not the only choice for brands.

Price and Competition

An RRP of £140 puts the Norvan SL3 just below our benchmark for being particularly expensive. It costs over £30 less than the Scarpa Ribelle Run Kalibra HT , a comparable mountain shoe with a bit more toughness and grip, but less comfort.

The SL3 isn't as versatile as some shoes in its price range like the Nike Pegasus Trail 4. But, while it isn't as general-purpose as most road to trail running shoes, it does perform much better than its competitors on technical trails. So, pick your poison. Or get both and have a solid roster of running shoes.

How we tested

These shoes were tested and reviewed by our resident trail running expert, Milo Wilson. Milo joined the LFTO team in May 2023 after two years of reviewing gear as a freelancer while studying creative writing. He discovered trail running as a means of exploration, rather than exercise, and you'll always catch him sprinting away from his desk at 5:30 to find a new adventure.

Verdict

The Arc'teryx Norvan SL3 is unique. It won't work for everyone, but it's liable to be your new favourite shoe if you gel with its approach.

Features like the carabiner attachment and narrow, precise toebox make the SL3 feel almost – almost – like a climbing shoe which has been kitted out for trail running. It's certainly a niche, but if you love to run and scramble at high altitudes, I'd say you've found a winner here.

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