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in this story
Craft Nordlite Ultra Trail-Running Shoes, $80 (was $160)
Why do we like this deal?
REI’s Fourth of July Deals event is going on in full swing until July 6, and it’s hiding a brand most American runners have probably never heard of. Swedish brand Kraft began in ’73 when the founder tested a polyester base layer and found it was very good at wicking sweat. That discovery spawned a Nordic mountain-sports brand that’s been worn by Olympic ski teams for decades, and while that’s still its bread and butter, Craft’s trail running shoes, which share a similar ethos, have been making a splash since their debut in 2019.
The Nordlite Ultra trail-shoe is one of Craft’s most popular silhouettes, and right now, they’re $80 at REI (down from $160) in all five colorways. It’s still kind of a niche brand in the trend world, but at one time, there were also On, Ultra, and Hoka. Here, we’ll examine what these shoes do, who they’re best for, what users are saying about them, and why they’re worth trying out a pair.
Craft Nordlite Ultra Trail-Running Shoes, $80 (was $160) at REI.
What shoppers need to know
- Upper: Single-Layer Engineered Mesh
- Midsole: CR foam supercritical compound
- Outsole: 3-piece rubber with shallow lugs
- Construction: 40mm heel stack, 6mm drop, no rock plate
- Best for: Road-to-trail hybrid, long training miles, gravel and light singletrack, mixed surface travel
Before seriously entering the running shoe market, Kraft spent most of its 50-year career making base layers and apparel for skiers and cyclists. That history is reflected in the construction of the Nordlite Ultra, which features a breathable single-layer mesh upper that’s wide enough to fit most feet. The CR foam (the brand’s Supercritical midsole foam) is the same material used in Craft’s racing shoes, and the lugged rubber outsole can handle roads, gravel, and groomed tracks, making them a road-to-trail hybrid.
Another hybrid shoe, Hoka’s Challenger 8 offers a similar mesh upper, weight, and intent from road to trail at a retail price of $155. With this deal on the Nordlite Ultras, you’re getting a similar shoe at half the price, and on top of that, the Challenger 8s uses compression-molded EVA instead of CR foam, which some say isn’t as light or responsive.
RELATED: Asics’ ‘Supportive’ Gel-Cumulus Running Shoes Are Still Nearly 40% Off After Prime Day
what shoppers are saying
Many dedicated runners have confirmed the Nordlite’s versatility in reviews: “I’ve been able to complete many runs with these shoes, mostly on pavement, but also on some mixed gravel, sand, and I’ve been in both wet and dry.”
Another reviewer wrote that the shoe is “very stable and cushioned on all terrain,” and that they found “they are very comfortable on gravel due to the cushioning and protection in the sole.” Another runner commented that when I push off with my toes they get a “springy, exhilarating feeling.”
The Craft Nordlite Ultra trail-running shoes are available now for $80, but since the sale is ending soon, you might want to get a pair asap if you’re interested.
also check
- Merrell Nova 4 Trail-Running Shoes, from $105 (was $140) at REI
- Saucony Peregrine 15 Trail-Running Shoes, $116 at REI (was $145)
- Hoka Gaviota 5 Road-Running Shoes at REI, $140 (was $175)
