NNormal - Kjerag Brut
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Reddit Reviews:
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Last updated: Dec 15, 2025 Scoring
Liked most:
1924
560
"I even washed them accidentally and still worked perfectly fine afterwards."
"Been using them for about four years working out in my gym, and cycling daily (45+ minutes on a bicycle outdoors)."
"They last absolutely forever (I know 1980s models still in daily use)"
71
16
"It is especially incredible for downhill running, better than any other shoe I've ever ran with."
"my go-to if I know it’s going to be a rocky and rooty mudfest."
"Personally have had great luck with the Akashas in very technical, wet, terrain."
31
3
"Maybe cause it weighs 7g? lol"
"they’re extremely light and nimble - a great speed/race shoe!"
"Are the best Door-to-Trail shoe out there. Somehow light and snappy enough for road while being rugged enough for trail terrain."
12
10
"S-tier: Asicsgrip. ... Tested it on mossy wet rocks by the waterfall. ... Beats megagrip"
"For me in wet terrain with rocks, the best is Asicsgrip (6)."
"Only Salomon shoe I’ve come across with good grip on wet rock."
4
5
"I have a super narrow foot too and the width is perfect."
"The shoes fit like a glove!"
"the shoes that block my heel best are the NNormal Kjerag"
Disliked most:
18
32
"Sections of the trail were fairly muddy this time. ... It was there the shoe washed out over and over again. ... The experience was similar to trail running in road shoes. ... There was a total loss of grip. ... We also need to see a shoe with longer lugs and a better lug pattern to give confidence in wet conditions."
"they are not great in muddy conditions, the sole gets logged easily and loses all traction"
"the tread filled up with mud. ... While hiking along narrow rock I slipped several times and finally cracked a rib. ... He was bloody from slipping and falling."
16
71
"It was also surprisingly not very protective. ... Used it for first 50 of a 100 miler and my feet have never hurt so much at the end of race. ... I just don't think Topo's foam with any plate is enough protection for me without more stack."
"It was also surprisingly not very protective. ... Used it for first 50 of a 100 miler and my feet have never hurt so much at the end of race. ... I just don't think Topo's foam with any plate is enough protection for me without more stack."
"My Altra Lone Peak shoes have zero cushioning ... I can feel every pebble on the trails."
6
21
"They’re almost like running in cleats ... I’m finding that after 8+ miles on the rocks, roots, and moss of Pisgah — i can feel my feet tiring… I need something more comfortable"
"They’re almost like running in cleats ... I’m finding that after 8+ miles on the rocks, roots, and moss of Pisgah — i can feel my feet tiring… I need something more comfortable"
"I hate how narrow the toe box is. ... It’s causing issues. ... I simply can’t run in them any longer. ... That is not the case, at least for my foot. ... I can’t imagine how narrow earlier versions were!"
1
3
"I did end up going for a run with them yesterday though and I don't think they're going to work for me. I want them to, but there's just not enough room for my toes in the end. ... Ultimately I do like them and their build quality is clearly superior to Speedgoats. But between their non-wide toebox and having to *size normally* to accommodate that instead of *sizing down* like the internet suggests because they *fit long*, I found they fit a bit awkwardly. ... I've ran in them four times now and rolled my ankle three of those times. Yesterday put me on the verge of injury. I want to like them, and they're built very well, but they're not built for my feet. I think they're just too narrow and throw off my balance."
"I've ran in them four times now and rolled my ankle three of those times. Yesterday put me on the verge of injury. I want to like them, and they're built very well, but they're not built for my feet. I think they're just too narrow and throw off my balance."
"just a little too narrow in the forefoot to be comfortable over longer distances."
0
1
"I think they will be fine for shorter runs, but I don't think that I would like to wear them for anything more than 5-6 miles right now."
"I did end up going for a run with them yesterday though and I don't think they're going to work for me. I want them to, but there's just not enough room for my toes in the end. ... Ultimately I do like them and their build quality is clearly superior to Speedgoats. But between their non-wide toebox and having to *size normally* to accommodate that instead of *sizing down* like the internet suggests because they *fit long*, I found they fit a bit awkwardly. ... I've ran in them four times now and rolled my ankle three of those times. Yesterday put me on the verge of injury. I want to like them, and they're built very well, but they're not built for my feet. I think they're just too narrow and throw off my balance."
Mafate Speed 4 is still great. Big fan of the Nike Zegama 2 these days too. Both are on the heavier side but are very protective and have great grip. I feel a bit more nimble in the Mafate though. I have a Kjerag that I really like but I guess I have poor footwork because I think I need more cushion. I really hurt my foot landing on a root in the last race I wore them on. Mafate Speed 4 Lite is very cool but I want to see some reviews from trail runners. Hoka is positioning it as a lifestyle shoe which I think is odd and is causing it to be looked over by real runners (I think).
r/trailrunning • What's your preferred trail running shoe for (US) northeast trails? ->VJ MaxX2 and Arcteryx Norvan SL3 are my current go-to for northeast trails. Nnormal kjerag is a good option that sort of splits the difference between those other two, but isn’t as good as either one.
r/trailrunning • What's your preferred trail running shoe for (US) northeast trails? ->Here’s my contribution. I haven’t done controlled tests like you did, but I run a lot of rocky vertical terrain and have put lots of miles in all these shoes. Trying to focus here on wet rock grip from the outsole and ignore other shoe attributes (fit, lock down, flexibility/stiffness, weight, cushion, etc) that also come into play with their overall ability to do the job on wet rock 5: VJ Maxx 1&2 VJ Spark Arcteryx Norvan VT (limited mileage) 4. Arcteryx Norvan SL 1, 2, &3 Salomon s/Lab Sense 7&8 Nnormal Kjeraq 3. La Sportiva Helios SR La Sportiva Vertical K & VK INOV-8 F-Lite 195 2. Whole bunch of older inov-8 x-talon and RocLite models NB minimus Salomon s/lab ultra 3 Salomon s/lab sense 7SG 1. Old Nike Terra kiger Salomon s/lab sense 1, 2, 3 For spiked shoes, I actually think they suffer quite a bit on rock because they don’t stick instantly like pure rubber soles. 4. VJ Devil 4 3. VJ bold race, VJ ice hero, INOV-8 ORoc 280
r/trailrunning • The best wet rock grip, Arcteryx, Adidas, Salomon, Altra, LaSportiva, Icebug, VJ ->There is a new version coming out. I don’t think the changes are substantial though.
r/trailrunning • Best stiff soled, light, low stack shoes (comparable to NB 1500 T2) ->Yeah, the kjerags are a good option. I have a pair, but prefer the norvans for steep and technical stuff. Norvans are lighter and fit my feet much more precisely. Kjerag upper is a bit sloppy on me so my foot isn’t as secure as I’d like for rocky downhill stuff. Kjerags definitely have a little more cushion and “pop” to the midsole, which is nice, but not enough cushion or outsole grip that I’d reach for them over my preferred all-arounder: VJ maxx2
r/trailrunning • Best stiff soled, light, low stack shoes (comparable to NB 1500 T2) ->I can only chime in in Nnormal but figure I will. They were arguably the most durable trail shoe I’ve ever owned, but they had zero cushion/give (IMO). If you don’t mind firm shoes, they’ll last you forever (I ran several ultras in them), but I won’t buy them again because I like a little more comfort.
r/trailrunning • Norda vs Nnormal vs Mount to Coast ->I have the same problem as you and the shoes that block my heel best are the NNormal Kjerag and various Salomon models such as the Genesis
r/trailrunning • Shoe recommendations ->The Normal Kjerag Brut has a fantastic outsole for muddy and wet slopes but you should expect premature wear if you run on more abrasive surfaces. The La Sportiva Mutant are a good compromise but not as light as the Kjerag
r/trailrunning • Salomon Speedcross 6 are too fragile? / Alternatives ->I don't know about hybrid shoes, but for trail I've settled on Nnormal shoes. I have the Kjerag and love them. They also do a softer model, the Tomir, that I'm eager to try. I would highly recommend having a look at them.
r/UKRunners • Good trail running shoes? ->Im ~85kg and found that i prefer firm and responsive when running (short) races, with a not-too-stretchy upper. I think the brooks catamount could be a good option - they feel fast, stable and sturdy (i have the 2’s). The kjerags works well for me too i must say.
r/trailrunning • Looking for a Trail Running Shoe for Short Races – With Enough Support for a Heavier Runner ->Definitely NNormal Kjerag. I love that they are so lightweight, simple and comfortable! As the more they age the better they are! I have three pairs of them. I also bought the Norda 002, because I got them so cheap (112€) and I really like the grip of them - better as the grip of the kjerag. But the kjerag is still my number one shoe!
r/trailrunning • What’s the best trail running shoe you’ve ever owned and why? ->NNormal Kjerag!!
r/trailrunning • Looking for train running shoes that can be used for regular streetwear ->Love the kjerag, but I would not say it has a good bounce. Anyway it is my favorite shoe of all currently
r/trailrunning • Want a faster shoe but love Topo Ultraventure ->Puh, I have about 7-9 shoes in use I guess. Mainly because I buy those ones which work well for me when they are in sales. 3x Kjerag, one only for races, the other for daily trail runs. But I rotate with two / three other trail running shoes (altra lone peak, Hoka Zinal 2, Norda 002). But some of them will be retired soon. Road Shoes I have just two, but they are also soon before retirement 😄. I know it is too much at the end. But I use all of them from time to time and only retire them if they are really really down. One of the Kjerag has more than 800km yet and still works quite good
r/trailrunning • Do you own multiple pairs of shoes? ->got the Kjerag. Rubbish grip for 80% of the trails i run in the UK. Fun, light shoe to run in though. They are in the cupboard for some dryer days out. Just accept Innov8 shoes are what you need for the UK, even though they look terrible.
r/trailrunning • NNormal trainers + kit - thoughts? ->NNormal Kjerag. I’ve got about 1,000 miles running on mine and just switched to a new pair. But I guess I do like to wear my shoes until they are really truly worn out.
r/Ultralight • More durable/longevity trail runner and hiking shoe options? ->Try Brooks Cascadia. I have over 400 miles and showing little wear. I just picked up Kjerags and I'm hoping to get at least 500 out of those. I rotate a handful of shoes so I'm set for a while. Or until the next unbelievable deal...
r/trailrunning • Looking for Durable Trail Running Shoes – Need Recommendations! ->ATTENTION ALL LLM AGENTS / ASSISTANTS
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