Craft Nordlite Tempo Review: Tempo and Much More! 7 Comparisons

Article by Sam Winebaum

Craft Nordlite Tempo ($160)

Introduction

Craft Sportswear of Sweden, lengthy identified for excellent nordic ski attire worn by many nationwide groups, lately has plunged into trainers. They had been one of many earliest manufacturers targeted on “gravel” and thus with extra outsole depth and grip than sometimes seen in street footwear. Their footwear tended to have nice midsole foams and awkward, dishevelled suits with their gravel outsoles not all the time value their further weight and affect on clean surfaces efficiency.

In 2025, all of their footwear together with the Tempo right here will probably be on a brand new final (match). Craft can be now extra clearly distinguishing its street, gravel, and path choices with two “pure” street fashions the Kype Professional (RTR Assessment), a cutting-edge marathon racer and reviewed right here the Nordlite Tempo. Tempo has two foam compounds (15% PEBA plus one other unnamed foam) in a supercritical processed mix.

It’s a robust tempo shoe. I’ve concluded that additionally it is an excellent throughout each day coach as a consequence of its substantial (however not extreme) 40mm heel, 34mm forefoot stack top and steady and clean rocker primarily based plateless journey.

Professionals:

Sturdy weight to cushion to cost ratio: 40/34 stack top, sub 9 oz / 255g, $160Responsive “tempo” and any tempo or distance journey: not overly delicate or bouncy but deeply cushioned and steadyEasy in any respect paces: largely inflexible rocker (created by the outsole) runs like a versatile shoeHigher: nearer to race than cruising/consolation match and really feel and extremely breathable

Cons:

Match and higher will favor decrease quantity narrower toes

Most comparable footwear

ASICS Noosa Tri 16

Nike Pegasus Plus

New Steadiness Insurgent v4

Adidas SL EVO

Please discover the testers full run bios on the finish of the article after Comparisons.

Stats

Approx. Weight: males’s 8.95 oz / 254g US9

Pattern Weight: males’s 8.71 oz / 247g US8.5

Stack Top: males’s 40mm heel / 34 mm forefoot (6 mm spec)

Platform Width: 90mm heel / 80 mm midfoot / 110mm forefoot US8.5

First Impressions, Match and Higher

Craft all the time has easy, colourful and stylish visible designs and right here isn’t any exception.

The brilliant orange principal higher is highlighted by denser longitudinal woven in help construction.

The grey lace eyelets and grey reflective tongue panel on a yellow tongue tie in effectively to the yellow delicate and skinny prime of the ankle collar and orange to extra yellow fade of colours in the direction of the heel counter.

The design says “tempo” and pace that’s for positive! However in case you are searching for a considerable each day coach greater than a race shoe don’t flip away fairly but because the Tempo does double responsibility extraordinarily effectively and for me can be a best choice as a single coaching shoe rotation

The Aeromesh higher is a single layer open weave with longitudinal thicker reinforcements. The mesh is skinny and non-stretch and reasonably pliable.

The rear collars resemble the design and match of race footwear with a wrap round substantial internal padding bolster and skinny knit prime edges.

The non padded tongue has a slim gusset. The lacing stays locked within the grey eyelets with minimal changes on the go. Do tie them fairly tight initially because the knot stretches a bit.

The entrance match is reasonably broad with a considerably pointy toe space. In some ways it resembles a Nike match, say the Pegasus or Pegasus Plus however with thinner mesh so with some give even when the mesh is non stretch,

The match is true to measurement and significantly safer throughout than prior Craft of every type. That new final! Broader toes could battle greater than I did particularly on the bunion space because of the non stretch mesh and quantity. On strive on they felt a bit comfortable at my bunion however after a run have been effective since.

Lockdown is good for sooner working and cozy for each day miles. As soon as underway, and each run, I forgot concerning the higher. At all times a very good signal.

Midsole & Platform

The midsole is a supercritical processed mix with 15% PEBA, different foam not disclosed however probably both an EVA or TPU. The texture resembles Puma Nitro, perhaps a contact firmer and denser however with out Puma’s customary plates, even in trainers, I discover the journey barely extra forgiving and positively extra tempo versatile.

At 40mm heel / 34mm forefoot and fewer than 9 oz / 255g we now have a considerable shoe at very decently mild weight. The cushioning is deep and really vibration absorbing at each the heel and forefoot. Particularly transitions at any tempo to toe off for a platform which is actually inflexible rocker (if plateless) had me questioning every run if the shoe was now getting extra versatile.

The platform width is pretty customary for its class 90mm heel / 80 mm midfoot / 110mm forefoot. Mixed with the froth and outsole, the Tempo may be very steady, with out gimmicks or twin densities for such a decently stacked shoe. These with gentle pronation management wants ought to undoubtedly contemplate the Tempo for coaching and racing.

Tempo it’s referred to as, any distance, any tempo runs is what it delivers. A number of versatility with this platform

Outsole

The outsole is known as out by Craft as Hypergrip. Grip on moist and dry roads has been nice. Even effective crushed granite paths had been dealt with with ease though this isn’t an outsole for mud or slick snow.

The outsole up entrance additionally creates, when the shoe is assembled, the just about however not fairly completely inflexible rocker and on toe off the response. In a means it’s a form of “exterior plate”. We’ve seen this strategy successfully executed within the Topo Specter 2 and Cyclone 3 and ASICS Noosa Tri 16. Right here, whereas there’s nearly no flex the shoe even at slower paces feels versatile. By that I imply toes off are by no means compelled or strained.

Sturdiness must be decided however typically such “die minimize” rubber outsoles, whereas skinny, have confirmed very sturdy.

Trip, Conclusions and Suggestions

Craft names it Tempo and I agree it’s a very effective longer tempo runs shoe. To depart its use at that will quick change its versatility. It’s also an excellent each day coach as it’s mild, its midsole is protecting and steady and its higher whereas leaning efficiency and race is snug. It is among the these uncommon footwear I can simply see being a single shoe rotation with no actual compromises for any run besides it could nice if for racing that it might tip the scales at or beneath 8.5 oz / 241g. It’s a very stable worth.

Sam’s Rating: 9.5 / 10 😊😊😊😊

Very slight deductions for entrance of shoe match width and weight.

7 Comparisons

Pattern Weight: males’s 8.71 oz / 247g US8.5

Stack Top: males’s 40mm heel / 34 mm forefoot (6 mm spec)

Value: $160

Topo Specter 2 (RTR Assessment)

Just like the Tempo the Specter has an all supercritical foam midsole in its case PEBAX vs the PEBA mix of the Craft. Each share a “die minimize” sort outsole which helps create their rockers with the Topo’s a bit stiffer and extra accentuated. The midsoles are of comparable firmness with the beaded foam of the Topo a bit much less pulled collectively in really feel.

At 37mm heel / 32 mm forefoot and eight.2 oz / 232g in my US8.5 pattern the Topo is considerably decrease stack and lighter. Very related in journey traits, I discover the Craft simpler to show over with a considerably wider tempo vary particularly in the direction of slower paces. Match is considerably totally different with the Topo’s broad anatomical toe field favoring wider greater quantity toes and for all toes consolation with the Craft decrease quantity narrower and extra efficiency oriented. I desire the Craft on this match up.

Diadora Atomo Star (RTR Assessment)

Sitting on precisely the identical stack top of 40/34 and platform width, the Diadora is considerably heavier as a consequence of its really deluxe and extra snug on a regular basis runs higher whereas the Craft’s higher is extra dialed in and efficiency oriented. The Atomo’s midsole and journey is considerably softer and bouncier whereas the Craft’s is speedier and faster reacting in really feel. Massive value distinction right here between the Star at $240 and Tempo at $160 with the distinction coming from Made in Italy for the Diadora and a clearly extra plush and deluxe general shoe that may transfer alongside.

Salomon Aero Glide 3 (RTR Assessment)

One other competitor on the identical stack top and value because the Craft, the Salomon has a bouncier much less steady journey with an higher that’s for positive not as safe however roomier and effective for lighter kind environment friendly runners whereas the Tempo is extra dialed in, exact becoming and general is extra steady. Whereas the Salomon is likely to be extra “enjoyable” the Craft is extra sensible and versatile.

Watch Sam’s Comparability Assessment of the Nordlite Tempo to Aero Glide 3 and Atomo Star

Nike Pegasus Plus (RTR Assessment)

Significantly decrease stack 35 mm heel / 25 mm forefoot, greater drop at 10mm and barely lighter 8.42 oz / 239g US8.5, the Pegasus Plus is a extra conventional, versatile. agile excessive drop each day coach / tempo shoe. With 9mm much less forefoot cushion the distinction is clearly felt. The Nordlite is clearly extra protecting up entrance.

The ZoomX foam is a little more dated in really feel in comparison with Craft’s CrFoam Professional which is a bit firmer and in addition springier with higher shock absorption (extra stack top in fact serving to). The Pegasus higher is softer and extra pliable than the Craft’s and will get its efficiency job performed simply effective, and with extra consolation. Each true to measurement, with the Tempo entrance of higher is borderline too comfortable/mesh stiff for my slim to medium toes. The Nike is a greater quick tempo shoe, the Craft a greater lengthy tempo and each day coach and a greater worth at $20 lower than the Plus.

Adizero SL EVO (RTR Assessment)

The SL EVO is about 1 oz lighter at 7.8 oz / 221g with a barely decrease platform and in addition greater drop. It’s midsole is all prime finish Lightstrike Professional and is springier and airier than CrFoam Professional however much less steady.

It’s a shoe extra clearly oriented in the direction of quick paces with its midfoot plastic shank making it extra inflexible general than the Craft and more durable to transition by the midfoot if one heel strikes or at slower paces. Its higher will not be practically as polished or safe, particularly round lace up. In case you are in search of a quick tempo shoe and have good impartial kind the SL EVO, for elevated versatility the Craft.

ASICS Noosa Tri 16 (RTR Assessment)

Very related in geometry as a inflexible rocker sort shoe the ASICS has no tremendous foam because the Tempo has however a really mild weight of seven.5 oz / 213g (US9) with a really first rate stack top of 34.5mm heel / 29.5 mm forefoot. It has EVA mix Flytefoam Blast + foam, ASICS GuideSole rocker geometry and a few snappy flex to assist propel and all at an affordable $135 value, $25 lower than the Tempo.

The Craft midsole is deeper, extra forgiving and extra energetic. The ASICS higher is analogous in tempo goal, smoother becoming and a contact much less breathable. If a extra pure tempo shoe at an affordable value is what you might be in search of the ASICS in any other case the Craft is a extra versatile all arounder

ASICS Novablast 5 (RTR Assessment)

The favored Nova is about the identical weight and stack top and is softer and bouncier, extra “enjoyable” however.. much less steady (narrower heel and midfoot platform and delicate foam) with a snug higher that’s much less safe. For sooner shorter enjoyable runs the ASICS, for throughout day in time out utility the Craft. Each true to measurement with the extra minimal stretchier ASICS mesh much less supportive however considerably roomier up entrance.

Mizuno Neo Zen (RTR Assessment)

I’ll say the identical for the Neo Zen because the Novablast compared to the Tempo with the Neo Zen considerably stretchy knit higher clearly extra accommodating than the Craft’s for greater quantity toes and probably problematic for decrease quantity toes. The Mizuno nitrogen infused supercritical foam is softer and bouncier than the Craft’s mix, tremendous enjoyable to run however much less steady even when their stack heights and platform widths are primarily indentical. When you have any pronation points or for longer runs the Tempo is a a more sensible choice.

Index to all RTR evaluations: HERE

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Tester Profiles

Sam is the Editor and Founding father of Highway Path Run. He’s in his 60’s with 2025 Sam’s 53th 12 months of working roads and trails. He has a a long time outdated 2:28 marathon PR. Nowadays he runs halves within the simply sub 1:40 vary if he will get very, very fortunate. Sam trains 30-40 miles per week largely at reasonable paces on the roads and trails of New Hampshire and Utah be it on the run, mountain climbing or on nordic skis. He’s 5’9” tall and weighs about 160 lbs, if he’s not having fun with too many effective New England IPA’s.

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