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This Technical Approach Shoe Doubles as a Tough Everyday Sneaker

This sleek slip-on shoe works as well for commuting as it does scrambling.

tan slip-on approach shoeNorda

By Jack Seemer

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By nature, approach shoes make for excellent everyday footwear, especially this time of year.

Technical feature such as grippy soles and durable toe caps provide excellent protection against variable weather and terrain. Meanwhile, low-cut designs and cushioned midsoles — crafted for covering many miles to reach the base of a mountain — ensure ample comfort.

Norda’s latest entry, the 003 G+, goes one step further with the addition of an innovative material that makes it ideal for cool and wet conditions.

tan slip-on approach shoe
The Norda 003 G+ (pictured) offers additional warmth and weather resistance over normal approach shoes.
Norda

Norda 003 G+

Called G+, this thin layer of graphene is integrated into the lining of the Bio-Dyneema upper, offering both water resistance and increased warmth, “all while remaining highly breathable,” Norda claims.

The membrane, manufactured by textile Directa Plus, boasts a hydrostatic head (HH) rating of 10,000mm — meaning it could withstand the pressure of 10 meters of water before leaking.

tan slip-on approach shoe
The invisible graphene membrane seamlessly integrates into the lightweight Dyneema upper.
Norda

“This unparalleled technological ingredient ensures heat homogenization, avoiding the creation of hot spots and thermal discomfort for the user while also preventing your feet from freezing,” Norda adds.

Norda has largely pioneered the use of graphene in footwear, adding it to previous releases such as the 001 G+ and 001 G+ Spike. However, other brands such as Inov-8 have also experimented with it

tan slip-on approach shoe
The 5mm lugs deliver ample grip for users who want to use the shoe as intended.
Norda

As for the 003 G+, it offers other technical features, too. Those include the aforementioned Dyneema upper and Vibram Litebase sole plate — both of which help to keep the overall weight down.

The 5mm lugs also deliver abundant grip for users who want to use this shoe as originally intended — that is, for scrambling, hiking and everything in-between.

Pricing and availability

The Norda 003 G+ is available now for $325 — a $30 increase on top of the 003 silhouette without the graphene membrane. It comes in a single tannish colorway the brand calls Maple.

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