SAM: I’ve heard tell from other reviewers that there’s a new Craft in town, one with uppers that have some substance. As much as we’ve loved Craft’s shoes up to this point, they’ve often had little in the way of lockdown or structure. It’s been a drag on many models, but the Nordlite Tempo is my first experience of this new Craft I’d been hearing all about.
I have to say, Craft is truly finding its way out of the wilderness here, not least in the way this upper secures this shoe to your foot. The Nordlite Tempo has a comfortable, secure fit that results from a wide-open TPU reinforced AeroMesh. The mesh itself is a clear white color, but those big holes are sewn through with embroidery that streaks from toe to heel. This is my first time in a shoe with an upper like this, and I’m so impressed by the elaborate (dare we say beautiful?) design that maintains a truly wild breathability. It’s sturdy, comfortable, and it seems to me that design possibilities in this construction are endless.
Spoiler warning, but you’ll see below that Melissa wasn’t a fan of the lacing on the Nordlite Tempo. For me, it was a big positive. I love laces that hold their position while tightening, even if I have to adjust up and down the chain. These laces always lie flat against the tongue due to the narrow rectangular eyelets, so I easily avoided any twisting or pinchy laces, something else small I appreciated.
