Craft Nordlite Speed review

Craft carbon plated road shoe has a built-in Ortholite insole that aims to encourage a higher cadence during runs. Tomos Whitmarsh-Knight tests out the Craft Nordlite Speeds to see if it does the job.

First impressions of the Craft Nordlite Speeds

First things first, I think the Craft Nordlite Speeds look pretty cool, but there are other colourways available (a grey version and a white patterned option) if this style simply isn’t your thing. Take a look at our best running shoes in 2024 round-up for more inspiration.

When lacing the shoes up I needed to pull the laces fairly tightly for a secure fit, which caused some bunching in the material over the forefoot. The bunching didn’t affect performance, but it’s not something I particularly like seeing with my racing shoes.

Material and stability

The upper of the Nordlite Speed is completely unstructured. The material is a very thin, ventilated synthetic mesh, so it scores highly for breathability, but gave the impression that it wouldn’t offer up much stability at higher speeds, especially for tight cornering.

Ultimately, the lack of structure in the upper didn’t cause problems during testing, though, and the shoe felt very stable for its lack of upper and relatively high stack (40mm heel/32mm forefoot). The heel counter on the Nordlite Speed is very thin, but does include some cushioning that lines the upper part of the heel, which is appreciated and helped keep my feet locked in.

Fit and performance

The scrunching in the upper was amplified when using the shoe sockless, during which time I also experienced some rubbing around the heel.

This came from the stitching just above the padding in the heel counter, so if you’re going to be running sockless, I would recommend going half a size down, which could help alleviate any rubbing.

There’s also no loop or pull tag on the heel or tongue to help get the shoe on quickly in transition.

The Ortholite insole gives the shoe a lovely initial soft feel, but I found that quickly dissipated while running, leaving the Nordlite Speed’s ride feeling firm. With that said, I think the midsole used by Craft would appeal to runners who prefer a firmer and more rigid ride.

The forefoot rocker helped keep my cadence high, but in comparison to other carbon plate race shoes on the market the Nordlite Speeds don’t have the same bounce or propulsion underfoot.

While using the shoes at faster efforts between 5-10km they do initially respond well, but I found it difficult to sustain due to the lack of propulsion.

This makes me feel as if they’re is better suited to middle to long-distances races, as the rocker lends itself to tempo and marathon paces better.

The outsole grip was reasonable in dry conditions. I didn’t get to try the shoe out in wet conditions but have some doubt as to how the outsole will cope on damp surfaces.

Conclusion

In conclusion these aren’t bad shoes, but they’d need a few tweaks to make them genuine race-day contenders for triathletes. As mentioned above, I see these shoes being a good option for those who enjoy a firmer and more rigid ride.

Those searching for top end speed will need to look elsewhere, but kudos for the Ortholite insole – the comfort that provided underfoot was a big plus.

Craft Nordlite Speed spec

Price:	£185/$243
Sizes:	7-11 (men’s , UK), 4-7.5 (women’s, UK)
Stack height:	40mm heel, 34mm forefoot
Drop:	6mm
Midsole:	Ultra carbon plate
Weight:	275g (UK 8)