What are the Norvan VT 2's?
VT stands for vertical terrain, which should give some clues as to what this shoe is designed for. Whether you're a trail runner, a walker who loves lightweight kit, a mountaineer who's off to do some ultralight summer scrambling or someone who'll do the lot in a weekend, the Norvan VT's are quite possibly the most versatile shoes in existence.
What are they made of?
Upper: The uppers of the shoes are made from a super breathable mesh with hardwearing pieces of TPU to reinforce high-wear areas. Arc'teryx place mesh over the top of the toes and around the upper half of each side, and a protective TPU around the heel, front of the toe box and on the lower half of each side; this gives you the best of both worlds and ensures they'll be able to deal with the abuse that trail running and scrambling have to offer.
Midsole: Moving to the part of the shoe that isn't visible and we quite often forget about, the Novan's feature a compressed EVA to absorb shock and provide cushioning for long days in the mountains. The EVA is compressed before being put into the shoe to ensure it maintains its soft feel for longer, rather than becoming hard and uncomfortable over time.
Footbed: Inside you'll find a 4mm thick Ortholite 3D moulded footbed which provides additional comfort and support. This can be removed for cleaning purposes and dries quickly if/when you encounter some water.
Outsole: The main difference between your standard trail running shoe and the Norvan VT's is the rubber. The Norvan's feature a Vibram Megagrip sole which uses the same compound of rubber as your traditional approach shoe, meaning you've got bucket loads of grip on wet rock, muddy paths and dry dusty trails. This sole also features a 'climbing zone' section (a flat section of rubber like a climbing shoe) on the forefoot for improved edging and better friction.
What are the features?
Starting at the top, an integrated tongue pocket stores the laces to prevent them snagging, while extra holes at the top of the lacing allows you to customise the fit of the shoe. A thick loop on the heel makes getting the shoe on that much easier but also allows you to attach them to a carabiner when climbing technical routes.
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Vibram Megagrip sole
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Ortholite footbed
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Breathable mesh upper
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TPU reinforcements
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Laces tuck into tongue
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Compressed EVA midsole