Craft is a newer brand to me, even though I’ve been around them for years with different racing events like Ragnars. It’s clear to me, after trying these shoes and a pair of their shorts, their team is focused on running performance and innovation. They’re willing to make the smallest change to their products if it makes them better.
The designers and engineers must be strong believers in the 1% rule. And the Nordlite Speed shoes only further exemplify this.
Rethink Every Material
When I think of someone that rethinks every little thing, and pours all they have into it, I think of Steve Jobs. For example, the first iPhone reimagined everything about a smartphone; from the materials to the digital keyboard. Craft seems to be the same in their approach.
From the collar to the outsole, Craft has innovated.
The collar on the Nordlite Speed shoes reminds me of the Altra Vanish Carbon 2s, which follows this trend of a high lip on the back. This wasn’t a high point on the Altra’s, but it was fine on the Hoka Mach 6s. To differentiate themselves, Craft has an even softer, spongier material that’s better than both Altra and Hoka.
As we move down to the tongue, it’s exceptionally thin and light too. I’ve not only gotten used to this, but now I wonder why the traditional thick fabric tongue is the norm. Craft’s design is not just more comfortable, but it demonstrates how they’ve refined these shoes.
This refining continues into the laces. They’re thin and narrow, but not to the point that they cut off circulation or feel like they’re strangling your feet. Typically, when I’ve reached 30 miles or so on a single pair of shoes, there’s been at least one run where my shoes have slightly loosened. Until now!
In addition to the laces, the material on the upper around the eyelets (the holes the laces go through) differs from the rest of upper. While the upper is made of a wafer-thin plastic material, the parts by the laces are more grippy and reminiscent of the texture of silly putty.
Speaking of the upper material, I wish this same futuristic fabric was on every pair of running shoes. It’s mind-blowingly light and web-like, so it doesn’t feel like you’re wearing an ordinary pair of shoes. And somehow, this stuff is tough and incredibly durable so far. (I’ve ran over 55 miles on these to date.)
More Surprises
The foam midsole threw me for a loop, because it’s quite wide and thick which adds more weight. (Causing me to think that Craft didn’t follow through with this performance mind set by not cutting off unnecessary weight.) But then you run in them, and you realize why Craft purposely designed these to look like a massive smushed marshmallow. The wide surface area provides ample stability that even during a 20 minute session on bleachers after an 8+ mile run I never tripped.
This is partially due to the overall curve of the sole too. It’s fairly flat between the arch of your foot to the heel, but it’s extremely curved from the arch to the tip of your toes. The best way to visualize this is to think of a rocking chair. The Nordlite Speed shoes feel like rocking chairs for your feet.
And then there’s the outsole. The part that gets used and abused the most. Somehow it surprised me too!
Upon first impressions the outsole appears to be too thin and will wear really fast. Nope! These things are remarkably tough. They still look like I just took them out of the box.
Oh, and there’s a carbon plate in these that really does give you an extra spring in your step.
Nobody’s Perfect
When the iPhone came out, there were some growing pains. The same goes for these shoes.
No product is perfect and with the high back collar these rub the back of my achilles around mile 8 on my runs. This isn’t the end of the world, since a longer pair of socks prevents this. But I personally prefer to run in short ankle socks, and I believe you shouldn’t have to change for your gear. (Your gear should change for you.)
Craft’s super plush material around the collar is meant to prevent this, but with how soft it is it eventually flips over around mile three. Exposing your skin to the stitching and causing the rubbing.
With that being said, that’s my only gripe with these shoes. (And I usually have more.) I wish these had a slightly wider toe box and a “0 drop” design, but that’s probably just me.
Where They Shine
Going back to the iPhone, it wasn’t instantly used everywhere. Most corporate companies stuck with Blackberry phones for their employees because they were used to the tactile keyboard. That’s where Blackberry’s phones shined.
Shoes as refined as these, with next gen materials and a carbon plate, can technically be used every day. However, they shine when you’re trying to PR on race day, have a high intensity run, or go on a long distant run.
Again, you can use these every day, I have for the last few weeks, but it’s in those peak training moments where I’ll be using them moving forward. Because that’s where they’re in their element and surpass expectations.
The Recap
I’m shocked by how much Craft innovated on a pair of running shoes. With giants like Nike and Adidas, I didn’t think there was much a company could do to reiterate on a running shoe.
These are going to be the shoes I grab for race days and Saturday mornings when I have a 10+ mile run ahead. I’ll have to wear long socks to prevent the rubbing on my achilles, but that’s more than okay because of how much support and confidence they offer on days like that.
After trying the Nordlite Speed shoes, I can’t wait to see what Craft does next.