gnuhr + norda = gnorda
Two no-frills, exploration-driven brands converge on a 10-style range built to go anywhere.
norda and gnuhr, two purveyors of “gear” that emphasize considered design without compromising on style. Each label, established in the 2020s, has injected new energy into outdoor-oriented fashion. For norda, their cult-like following stems from introducing the most advanced trail running shoes to the market. Meanwhile, gnuhr’s ability to break down a garment to its essential elements has made it a favorite among gorpcore enthusiasts and gearheads alike. Combined, they are gnorda.
Neither norda nor gnuhr place fashion before function. Even so, they took to Paris Fashion Week to introduce their collaborative line: gnorda. The 10-style collection is a seamless fusion of their distinct identities, centered on multifaceted design, textile innovation, and an evolving approach to outdoor gear. Drawing inspiration from René Daumal’s allegorical novel Mount Analogue, a mineral palette is highlighted by brown and bright blue tones, spread across purpose-driven apparel and two footwear options.
“gnorda focuses on the idea of minimum construction for maximum effect, stemming from both brands’ guiding principle of using the absolute best materials with the most paired-back and effective process,” shares gnuhr founder Nur Abbas. This is especially evident with the Breaker Wind Shirt and Pant, which serve as ultralight protection layers. Their made-in-Japan construction pairs Dyneema with nylon ripstop, bridging the material signatures that define norda’s footwear and gnuhr’s apparel. Maintenance and customization are enabled through removable trims, cords, and cord locks.
“We believe that Nur and the gnuhr team are at the razor’s edge of outdoor design. Together, we were able to create gnorda, a line that we feel is without parallel.”
Additional staples from gnuhr’s arsenal are also present. The patent-pending single-stitch construction of its Tubular T is back with original artwork by Farid Saadi and hand-distressed detailing. Meanwhile, the Shag Hoodie has returned to trap heat with a frontal full-zip, and the 3.5” inseam of the Warp Short Short is now backed by a fully seamless engineered warp knit mesh liner. Other inclusions from the Warp line include the Warp Cargo Legging, which is centered on comfort, coverage, and cargo, as well as the Warp T-tank, a single-panel garment-dyed Italian nylon that can be cut into 36 different customization options, altering body length, sleeves, and the neckline.
Three years ago, we sat down with norda co-founder Willamina Martire to discuss the norda 002: the “world’s most responsive trail running shoe.” It’s now a centerpiece of the gnorda partnership, sporting the same bio-circular Dyneema upper and special Vibram sole unit. What sets this brown pair apart, other than the “gnorda” hit at the lateral midfoot, is the upper’s new grid pattern, which replaces the model’s typical reflective linework. The other footwear offering arrives as a bright blue edition of norda’s recovery slide, the 008. Dual-density EVA foam and a Vibram ECOSTEP soleplate are joined by a large “gnorda” wordmark at the footbed.
“We believe that Nur and the gnuhr team are at the razor’s edge of outdoor design. Together, we were able to create gnorda, a line that we feel is without parallel,” notes norda co-founder Nick Martire. This same belief is what led us to connect with Abbas last year, who is back to further elaborate on the importance of this new partnership.
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What shared values between gnuhr and norda made this collaboration feel like a natural fit?
Nur Abbas: The perfect fit between gnuhr and norda comes from our shared dedication to creating gear that excels in functionality without compromising on quality or design. We prioritize the best materials and thoughtful construction, ensuring that our products perform at the highest level on the trail and beyond.
Why is Paris Fashion Week the right stage to introduce this collaboration?
While we’re not intending to create “fashion” items, presenting at Paris Fashion Week is an ideal opportunity because it brings together people with a real understanding of good product, who can appreciate both norda’s and gnuhr’s commitment to quality and innovation.
Was the goal to push either brand into unfamiliar territory, or to refine what each already does best?
gnuhr and norda already share a complementary vision for ultralight trail gear, making collaboration a natural fit. Both brands constantly push the boundaries of innovation on their own, but it also gave us a chance to explore new territory, like integrating Dyneema into apparel in a meaningful way or exploring completely new applications of our engineered warp knit. Plus, it’s a chance to play with the silent g for the “gnorda” brand.
“The lining in the Warp Short was already a highly requested feature, and collaborating with norda allowed us to put it to the test with their athletes, ensuring that we deliver gear that genuinely works.”
gnuhr staples like the Warp Short were reworked with added functionality, such as a new lining. How important was that functional evolution to norda’s involvement in the project?
As norda is deeply rooted in trail running, we wanted to ensure our items truly resonate with that community. The lining in the Warp Short was already a highly requested feature, and collaborating with norda allowed us to put it to the test with their athletes, ensuring that we deliver gear that genuinely works.
Why was the norda 002 chosen as the focal footwear point for this collaboration?
We wanted to make a minimal shoe that fits the gnuhr ethos of doing more and more with less and less. Therefore, starting with a model with a lower stack and fewer features allowed for us to do more with less.
Do you see this as a one-off collaboration or the beginning of a longer creative dialogue between the two brands?
Let’s see! It was such an ideal set of people to collaborate with. Beyond just talking about brand and product, norda has a team of the best people, and it was genuinely nice to work with them! Hopefully, we’ll have the opportunity to make more people question how to say gnorda again.
norda and gnuhr’s collaborative gnorda collection is set to launch on January 29 at 12pm EST via norda and gnuhr’s websites. Prices range from $20 USD for the Retro Sock to $349 USD for the Breaker Wind Shirt.
