Review: Nortiv8 Whitney Trail Running Shoes

A surprisingly capable budget trail running shoe with a wide toe box, breathable mesh uppers, and good traction at a price that’s hard to beat.

The Nortiv8 Whitney is a budget-friendly trail running shoe that caught my attention because of its low price compared to the shoes I typically hike in. I was curious whether a shoe at this price point could provide the comfort and performance I look for in hiking footwear.

Specs

• type: trail running shoe
• upper: breathable mesh with TPU overlays
• midsole: compression-molded EVA foam
• outsole: rubber with 4 mm lugs
• heel drop: 5 mm
• cushioning: maximum
• weight: 11.6 oz. per shoe (1 lb. 6.8 oz. for the pair)
• price: $69.99 (frequently on sale for less)

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How I Tested the Nortiv8 Whitney

I’ve been wearing these shoes for the past month on a variety of terrain, including multiple hikes on rocky and root-filled trails around Mount Hood, coastal hikes with both forest trails and beach walking, and a backpacking trip near Mount Rainier. I’ve also worn them on long walks around my neighborhood to evaluate their everyday comfort.

In total, I’ve put more than 30 miles on them on trails and more than 20 miles on neighborhood sidewalks, which has given me a good sense of their comfort and performance in different conditions.

Features

Fit and Comfort

Over the years, I’ve hiked in Altra, Topo, and HOKA trail running shoes, which all have the foot-shaped design and roomy toe boxes I look for in hiking footwear. Having enough room for my toes to spread naturally is important because when my toes feel cramped, they become sore long before the end of a hike.

Since the Whitney is only available in men’s sizing, I used Nortiv8’s size chart to order a men’s 7.5, which corresponds to my usual women’s 8.5. The sizing worked well for me, with a fit that feels very similar to the women’s hiking shoes I normally wear.

The Whitney has a similar foot-shaped design to the trail runners I’ve used most, especially in its overall shape and roomy toe box. Another factor that affects how a shoe feels while hiking is heel drop. Heel drop refers to the height difference between the heel and forefoot of a shoe. A zero-drop shoe has the heel and toes at the same height, while a shoe with a 5 mm drop has the heel slightly higher than the forefoot.

Although the Whitney has a 5 mm heel drop rather than the zero drop of the shoes I wear the most often, I couldn’t tell much difference between them.

The ankle collar has noticeably more padding than most trail running shoes I’ve worn. I wasn’t sure at first if I would like the added cushioning, but I found that I appreciate the comfort it adds around my ankle. However, if you aren’t a fan of thick padding, these shoes might not be for you.

Traction

I also pay close attention to traction because shoes that slip easily make me feel much less confident on trail. The Whitney has 4 mm rubber lugs, and in my testing, the traction has been very good. Even on downhills, where I tend to slip on loose rocks and uneven ground, they have performed well.

Breathable Mesh Uppers

During warmer weather, I only wear trail runners with mesh uppers for breathability. Waterproof shoes tend to trap too much heat for me, which leads to sweaty and sore feet. The Whitney’s breathable mesh has kept my feet comfortable on hot days, while the TPU reinforcements add some protection without sacrificing ventilation.

I also prefer mesh uppers for stream crossings because the water drains quickly and my feet dry much faster than they would in waterproof shoes. While wearing these on a recent hike, I walked through a stream and they drained and dried about the same as my other trail running shoes.

Durability

Typically, my trail running shoes begin showing wear after a couple of months of regular use, usually with small holes developing in the cushioned upper or the outsole lugs beginning to wear down.

While it’s still too early to judge their long-term durability, the Whitney still looks nearly new with no signs of wear other than small creases in the midsole.

A Few Things to Note

The Whitney doesn’t include attachment points for trail gaiters. Since I wear long hiking pants year-round and don’t use gaiters, this isn’t something I miss, but it’s worth noting if you normally hike with them.

I’ve also noticed that the shoes occasionally squeak while walking. I tend to notice it more around the house than on the trail, although that may simply be because I’m paying more attention in a quiet environment. It hasn’t affected their performance, but it’s something I’ve observed during my time wearing them.

Pros

• excellent value
• wide toe box for comfort
• comfortable cushioning
• breathable mesh upper
• good traction

Cons

• only available online, so you can’t try them on first
• men’s sizing only
• no gaiter attachment points

Final Thoughts

I was skeptical about these shoes because of their low price, but they’ve been comfortable to wear, and I haven’t felt like I was giving up performance compared to much more expensive trail runners.

Assuming they continue to hold up over the coming months, I think the Nortiv8 Whitney offers a great value for hikers looking for a comfortable, wide toe box trail running shoe without spending upwards of $150. I’ll update this review as I put more miles on them.

Disclosure: this item was donated for the purpose of a review.