Why the Trail Running Shoe Industry Is Exploding Right Now
Borderlands Trail and Ultra Running · Josh Rosenthal | Ultra Runner
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Show Notes
Trail running shoes are evolving faster than ever, with a wave of new brands and technologies reshaping the sport. In this episode, Josh and Taylor Bodin—Lead Trail Reviewer at Believe in the Run—dig into why innovation in trail footwear is accelerating and why runners should be paying attention.
From heritage brands to newcomers like NNormal, Speedland, and Norda, the conversation explores the materials, design philosophies, and performance goals driving modern trail running shoes. Along the way they unpack sustainability, premium construction, and how brand identity and storytelling are becoming just as important as what’s underfoot.
For trail runners curious about the brands and technology shaping the future of trail running shoes.
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Topics / Timestamps
- 03:01 Heritage Brands vs. Modern Innovations
- 06:02 The NNormal Brand and Its Unique Approach
- 11:59 Speedland: A New Era in Trail Running Shoes
- 29:23 The Evolution of Shoe Technology
- 32:04 Performance vs. Design in Trail Running Shoes
- 37:02 The Rise of Norda and Its Unique Community
- 39:59 Innovative Materials and Their Impact on Performance
- 46:04 The Future of Trail Running Footwear
- Resources / Links
- Believe in the Run reviews:
- NNormal: Tomir 2.0, Kjerag
- Speedland: GS:TAM, GS:PGH, SL:HSV
- Norda: Norda 001, Norda 002, Norda 003
Presented by Kiprun.
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