NNormal - Kjerag Series

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).

I run in the long sky 2, the matryx version would be perfect for you. I HIGHLY recommend.

I similar shoe that I’ve only tried on is the nnormal kjerag. It only has 3mm lugs vs the merrells 5mm so I went with the merrells. There’s a less expensive version of the long sky 2 that doesn’t have the matryx upper. I’ve had a bit of issues with the upper tearing a bit around the toe where the overlay ends. It’s definitely from hitting rocks and I’ve repaired it with some dyneema thread. The midsole also isn’t as firm on this model and it feels like it could benefit from a rock plate. I made some out of protein powder bottles. So with these in mind I wouldn’t recommend it over the matryx versions but you can find these on sale so it’s maybe worth looking at. I purchased a bunch of them at 53$ each so it was worth it. [review here](https://youtu.be/rlv5s64rNOw?si=5l2JWiOg8-a9Vnjf)

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.

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

There is a new version coming out. I don’t think the changes are substantial though.

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

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.

I sized down from my normal true-to-size for Kjerag 1 (10.5 to 10). But I was randomly in a store in durango that had the kjerag 2.0. Tried the kjerag 2 in US 10 and it was definitely way to tight. Unless this new upper has more give than the former, I will likely get my normal 10.5 when i pull the trigger.

I sized down from my normal true-to-size for Kjerag 1 (10.5 to 10). But I was randomly in a store in durango that had the kjerag 2.0. Tried the kjerag 2 in US 10 and it was definitely way to tight. Unless this new upper has more give than the former, I will likely get my normal 10.5 when i pull the trigger.

Very curious to hear how Kjerag 2 compares to norda 005. The norda looks sweet but the outsole wear makes it hard to justify the cost. Kjerag 2 seems like a good compromise. Anyone have a feel if the new midsole significantly extends the length of run someone would do in it? people claimed the kjerag 1.0 could handle up to a 50k but i kinda maxed at 25k.

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

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

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.

Don't have the Pros, but they're on the list. I do have the Kjerag 02 and only have positive things to say about them. Light, nimble, really responsive midsole. One of the first trail shoes that has given me that "fun factor." No complaints about the grip, either. Outsole remains the same from the first version, so you'll be able to judge whether it's sufficient!

Cheers for the review! Did you have any problems with the tape that wraps around the upper where it meets the missile peeling away on the original Kjerag (1.0)?

Appreciated. My pair started peeling in the same place but spread all the down the side of the shoe. Have returned them, will glue my next pair before it becomes a problem.

2 shoe quiver:  Though I have tried a number of shoes and brands I have come down to 2 shoes that work for me in Boulder, Colorado and typically racing 30k-60k races.  1. Nnormal Kjerag - fun, technical everyday shoe that last 2x any other shoe that I have. I raced a trail marathon feet were happy last 600+ miles and great for trails where I live.  2. Salmon Ultra Glide - comfortable, recovery shoe or for longer efforts. I can regularly find them for $50-$80 which make them easier on the wallet and make for great hiking shoes after 300 miles. I would like to swap out the ultra glide for something like the Tecton x3 or salmon ultra glide s/lab though 

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.

Have both. Was surprised that the Pro’s felt like a lot more shoe/more substantial than the Kjerag 2’s. I really like both. Pro’s have more bouncy-vibes but the Kjerag 2’s are definitely more lively than the 1’s. I just used the Pro’s for a technical mountain 100M (swiss peaks 170) and they performed very well on rock, dirt, mud, grass, flat or 35% in/declines, rain or shine. The Kjerag’s would have been too minimal for this i think, and the grip in wet grass/mud would probably not be good enough. For shorter distances in dry conditions, i still think the Kjerag 2’s are my prefered

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!

NNormal Kjerag!!

Love the kjerag, but I would not say it has a good bounce. Anyway it is my favorite shoe of all currently

Thank you for the information. Also preordered a pair. Looking forward to it. I love the kjerag 1. With no other shoe I did so many miles. The stack height is fine to me, but I am curious about the new stack height of the 2. The only thing I do not like so much is the 6mm drop. 0-3mm would be nice 🙂

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

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.

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.

I've been comparing the Nnormal Kjerag02 and Norda 005. Also the Patagonia "trail" clothing is very nice. Ps. The Norda 005 are very nicely built but too much foam for me and "unstable". I enjoy the Nnormal Kjerag 01 and 02 more. I'm running technical forest (MTB) trails 90% of the time. It's been a fun summer testing.

I've been comparing the Nnormal Kjerag02 and Norda 005. Also the Patagonia "trail" clothing is very nice. Ps. The Norda 005 are very nicely built but too much foam for me and "unstable". I enjoy the Nnormal Kjerag 01 and 02 more. I'm running technical forest (MTB) trails 90% of the time. It's been a fun summer testing.

Nnormal Kjerag’s are my favorite right now. It’s a 6mm drop. Plenty of toe space but narrowe in the mid foot than Altras. I used to like Altras but have since switched since they don’t last more than 200 miles for me. These have been great so far - over 300 miles in them and probably another 300 left.

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...

I have good experiences with the Nnormal Kerag. A bit lower listed stack than the Sylan. I can't comment on how they run in humid Asian summers but they were fine with thin socks in a dry desert summer. These are more of a 25-30K shoe for me. I have taken these kinds of shoes out to distance but tend to regret it because my feet get sensitive. I usually do medium-high stack shoes. Might be different for you. The Kerag 2 has been announced and it has a few mm extra stack so if you go this route might be good to wait until they're released and use something else in the meantime. I also like the Salomon Genesis.

How does the Tomir 2.0 / Kjerag sizing compare to you? I ended up going true to size in the Tomir but find them on the snugger side and could have benefited going a half size up. Meanwhile a lot of people have sized down for the Kjerag it feels like a gamble ordering online.

As always it’s very personal depending on how well the shoe fits my feet and the terrain I’m running in (technical mountains, mud, rocky). I like sky running races around 20-30k and VK’s. Sometimes short road races from 5k to Half Marathon. Current rotation: - Merrell Long Sky 2 Matryx. Great allrounder. - VJ Ultra 3. Cushion. Great for easy and long runs. - NNormal Kjerag Brut (mud) - Salomon Aero Glide 3 (road and treadmill) Recently retired shoes: - Nnormal Kjerag 1. Fast but too small lugs to have good grip in mud/loose debris. Too little cushion for me. Kjerag 2 has more cushion but same outsole. - Nnormal Tomir 2. Great allrounder but didn’t fit my feet (too little big toe space). A bit heavy when wet because the insole keeps a lot of water. - Salomon S/lab Genesis. Great allrounder but worse grip on wet rocks than Vibram Megagrip and VJ. - VJ Maxx 2. Really good allrounder. But didn’t fit my feet (too little big toe space). Shoes I’m considering next: - La Sportiva Prodigio Pro - Merrell MTL Adapt Matryx - Merrell Skyfire 2 Matryx

As always it’s very personal depending on how well the shoe fits my feet and the terrain I’m running in (technical mountains, mud, rocky). I like sky running races around 20-30k and VK’s. Sometimes short road races from 5k to Half Marathon. Current rotation: - Merrell Long Sky 2 Matryx. Great allrounder. - VJ Ultra 3. Cushion. Great for easy and long runs. - NNormal Kjerag Brut (mud) - Salomon Aero Glide 3 (road and treadmill) Recently retired shoes: - Nnormal Kjerag 1. Fast but too small lugs to have good grip in mud/loose debris. Too little cushion for me. Kjerag 2 has more cushion but same outsole. - Nnormal Tomir 2. Great allrounder but didn’t fit my feet (too little big toe space). A bit heavy when wet because the insole keeps a lot of water. - Salomon S/lab Genesis. Great allrounder but worse grip on wet rocks than Vibram Megagrip and VJ. - VJ Maxx 2. Really good allrounder. But didn’t fit my feet (too little big toe space). Shoes I’m considering next: - La Sportiva Prodigio Pro - Merrell MTL Adapt Matryx - Merrell Skyfire 2 Matryx

The Nnormal Kjerag is special. I also loved my OG Salomon Ultraglides.

Nnormal Kjerag and Salomon S / LAB Genesis

Not OP, but another Kjerag owner. They definitely run long, half a size down is needed for sure. Other than that it's not only a very durable shoe, but an incredibly fun one.

The Nnormal Kjerag is a very agile, fast and close to the ground option. It runs long, so I would size down half a size.

I also add that Nnormal tends to run big. I sized down a ½ with the Kjerag.

Hoka Tecton x3 Also bought Nnormal Kjerag as a rotation but it wasn’t working for my feet. Still looking for another shoe but the Kjerag has become a daily walking around shoe doing whatever. I actually find it’s getting more comfortable so I might give it another try (but maybe it’s wearing thicker non-running socks lol).

I don’t like mine but if I can only bring one pair of shoes somewhere then this is the pair. They are great as a daily walk around town and I *CAN* run in them if I wanted to.

Same for the Kjerag. I’ve put about 100k on mine and not finding them great (but high quality build). Considering trying to sell them so someone else can actually get use out of them but it’s a pretty limited market around here haha.

I have both shoes. Have around 600 miles on the pros. Love the shoe but durability has not been great on the first two pairs. Third is better. It’s my go to shoe for running in the San Juan’s of Colorado. The Kjereg 2 are nice for a lighter more trail feel. They cut across my foot where the laces start towards the toe and I think I will return them. For me the pros are way more comfortable. I generally do a longer run with them of around 20 miles with 6k of climbing and they’re great.

I live in the UK and haven’t had too many issues finding places to try them on. The Tomir is a decent do it all shoe, capable of doing any trail run and some light fell imo. I don’t like it for rougher fell terrain as I find the stack really high (and the lugs are not that deep). I’m hoping the new Kieran Brut may be a bit better there (need to try them on) but I was saddened to see only 6.5mm lugs and seemingly a high stack. Points for durability. Would I take the Tomirs over my La Sportiva mutants as a do it all shoe, or my VJs? No, but I do like them quite a lot and those shoes I’m comparing them to set the bar very high.

Try those from Nnormal. The Kjerag is kickass.

I love my Tomirs. I have 800k on them and they are still fine. I have the Kjerag as well. About 200k on those and they appear to be holding up even better. As for sizing, I wear both in my regular running shoe size (EU 44, US 10). The Tomir is significantly roomier in the forefoot than the Kjerag.

Got these and the new Tomir 02 NN (straight laces) yesterday. Only used them for two walks in the forest (some short running to test as well) to get a feeling of them / trying to dial in lacing etc. The midsole is really great, and has a lot of bounce, but I think that with my weight these won't be shoes for the long distances, even with the increased stack. Definitely more volume in toe box compared to Kjerag 01 (or just a more forgiving upper?), which I couldn't buy because they were -too- tight for me over the arch. When I tried on the Kjerag 01 I had to size up a full size for them to fit at all, and even then it was slightly uncomfortable. Almost two thumbs width of spare length in the front is just not doable. With the Kjerag 02 I only sized up half a size, which is what I often have to due to slightly wider feed than average. I find the shoes to be slightly longer than I prefer for me feet, but that's about it.

Got these and the new Tomir 02 NN (straight laces) yesterday. Only used them for two walks in the forest (some short running to test as well) to get a feeling of them / trying to dial in lacing etc. The midsole is really great, and has a lot of bounce, but I think that with my weight these won't be shoes for the long distances, even with the increased stack. Definitely more volume in toe box compared to Kjerag 01 (or just a more forgiving upper?), which I couldn't buy because they were -too- tight for me over the arch. When I tried on the Kjerag 01 I had to size up a full size for them to fit at all, and even then it was slightly uncomfortable. Almost two thumbs width of spare length in the front is just not doable. With the Kjerag 02 I only sized up half a size, which is what I often have to due to slightly wider feed than average. I find the shoes to be slightly longer than I prefer for me feet, but that's about it.

Nnormal Kjerag. Doesn't have big lugs. Great ground feel. 6mm drop is higher but I don't think I ever noticed it. I've raced a rough 50k in them while also just wearing mixed use road to trail. As a 190+ lb runner, it's the first shoe I've ever put over 500 miles on and they just refuse to quit.

FWIW, the NNormal Kjerag still exists and that's a pretty modern but minimalist shoe that performs well in technical terrain. And surprisingly, the LaSportiva Prodigio Pro (a much cushier shoe than the Kjerag) does even better in techy stuff. That said, early reviews of the Mafate X sure make it sound more like a long distance gravel cruiser.

I don’t know but I snagged a used pair of 001’s for like $110 that claimed and seemingly true only had less than 15 miles on them. They look great, first run in the morning. Excited although I absolutely love my Kjerags

Kjerag 1.0 definitely drains better than the 001’s. I think the kjerag is my favorite shoe ever and am patiently waiting to buy a pair of the 2.0 the day they’re available to me. The weight difference is unreal. But they are skinny, most I meet that had them don’t like how they fit or the lack of insole. I still don’t think they drain as well as my topos did.

Hoping to put enough miles on my kjerag 1’s to justify wearing my kjerag 2’s this fall Currently redesigning a vest that I made for a friend. I’ll have that ready to go by my bday in late September for a big bday run. Similar to a Salomon vest. Due to shorter runs because of the heat, I’ve been wearing an early version flip belt this summer and experimented with making a belt. Don’t really like either but I have ideas for improving mine, unfortunately involves making it larger so I haven’t done it yet. Creepers socks. Always. I want one of those button up running shirts real bad. But just an old vuori shirt from Mercari. Leif shorts. Absolutely love them. Janji half tights when it’s a little cooler. Got a killer deal on a coros apex pro 2 on eBay that I’m rocking now. Said he had a bunch of watches and his wife was making him get rid of some. Said it was used but it still had the screen sticker on it lol. Edit to add I bring pepper spray with me now per my fiancés request, people keep getting stabbed and killed in the woods around my parts.

Hoping to put enough miles on my kjerag 1’s to justify wearing my kjerag 2’s this fall Currently redesigning a vest that I made for a friend. I’ll have that ready to go by my bday in late September for a big bday run. Similar to a Salomon vest. Due to shorter runs because of the heat, I’ve been wearing an early version flip belt this summer and experimented with making a belt. Don’t really like either but I have ideas for improving mine, unfortunately involves making it larger so I haven’t done it yet. Creepers socks. Always. I want one of those button up running shirts real bad. But just an old vuori shirt from Mercari. Leif shorts. Absolutely love them. Janji half tights when it’s a little cooler. Got a killer deal on a coros apex pro 2 on eBay that I’m rocking now. Said he had a bunch of watches and his wife was making him get rid of some. Said it was used but it still had the screen sticker on it lol. Edit to add I bring pepper spray with me now per my fiancés request, people keep getting stabbed and killed in the woods around my parts.

Nnormal Kjerag 2 (24/18mm) and VJ Lightspeed (29/23mm) are my favorite shoes for technical trails (up to 21 km). For 42 km runs, I have used VJ Maxx2 (31/25mm) and Hoka Tecton X3 (40/35mm) for some extra cushion. The new Kjerag 2 is really good! I would probably have the Tomir as well in my rotation, if not for the 8mm drop ... (There is always VJ Ultra 3 (38/30mm), Mafate 5 (44/36mm), Mafate X (49/41mm), Rocket X Trail (50/44mm) for even more stack ... but good luck to your ankles if you wear those on technical trails ...)

Nnormal Kjerag 2, VJ Lightspeed. The latter has a plate, so a bit more control with the Kjerag.

Speedgoats are super grippy for me but if you want even more bite I would suggest looking into NNormal and Norda.

I just tried the Kjerag 01 for the first time today and I’m not sure if the “one-thumb-from-the-longest-toe” rule applies well to Kjerags in general. With that much space, they feel too big, I’m worried my feet won’t be secure enough Do you have any recommendations or sizing advice specifically for this model?

Thanks for the review! I genuinely love the 1.0 so might be joining you here soon

I found the toe box on the Kjerag and Tommirs really tight fitting as well. I just use my Kjerags for short and fast fell races. Anything over 90 mins and they're too uncomfortable.

Interesting to hear about the prodigios. I have the kjerags now and they're just a little too narrow in the forefoot to be comfortable over longer distances. Love them for anything under 90 mins.

I would say that Kjerag 2 will replace the original Kjerag

How would you compare the VJ Ultra 3 and the Speedgoat 5? I wasn't too impressed with the Speedgoat 6, so the VJ Ultra 3 seems like a better replacement. I have experience with the VJ Ultra 1 and its great grip. For shorter distances I'm happy with the Kjerag and for ultra races with the Tecton X 3, but I'm missing a shoe for long training in the mountains....how long do you estimate the lifespan of the VJ Ultra? Thanks, and I look forward to the review

Have you looked at S/LAB Genesis, or the new La Sportiva Prodigio Pro? I've got 497 miles in my first S/LAB Genesis pair and still have them. Prodigio Pro is one of my top picks so far in 2025. Kjerag is very minimal underfoot - don't expect anywhere near Speedgoat level of cushion or protection with those. That's a completely different type of shoe. I just tested the MTN Racer 4 and I don't think it's a great update. There's a lot of protection underfoot but it got heavier and lost a lot of flexibility.

Yeah my pair of Kjerag's absolutely rules. Best shoe I've had since Salomon killed the original sense line.

Got these in on Saturday and finally got to get a run in on them on Tuesday. Did a quick 5mi just to feel em out compared to the 1.0 and I'm pretty impressed. First thing I noticed was the midsole, I'm pretty wary of an increase in stack cause I tend to like being closer to the ground. After a bit I got used to it and was pleasantly surprised, it's definitely softer and more poppy than the original while still giving what'd I'd say is a good amount of ground feel. The upper is also a huge upgrade imo. The tongue is more of a knit material that wraps the midfoot and gives a bit more than the previous model where I found myself adjusting the tongue and struggling to get it flat. The change in upper material has made the shoe much more breathable as well which is a pleasant surprise. The site states that it's based on the same last, but I'd swear there's more room in the forefoot as well. That may also just be due to the lighter material in the upper, maybe it just flexes a bit more. Overall I'm really happy with the new model so far. Definitely feels like an incremental upgrade all around. Can't wait to get more miles on em.

Same with me. It’s the only thing I don’t like about the shoe. So would be great if there’s more room in the new version.

I had a similar issue with my Kjerag 1 — I ended up gluing the upper back to the midsole, and 1500 km later it’s still holding up fine. Have you noticed a difference in how it runs on the runnable sections with the new midsole and geometry? Aside from the increased stack, does it actually change the ride much?

I personally like them a lot. Waaaaay more durable than the Hoka’s, and the shape is better for me (personally) too. They’re definitely stiffer/more responsive and less cushioned than the speedgoats, for example, but it hasn’t been a problem for me at all. The lugs are also a lot more serious - I typically prefer the Tomirs for muddy/slippery conditions. If it’s dry, I reach for the Kjerags. But Tomir is the go-to for swamp conditions.

Genesis are good the rest is so so. I went for NNormal Kjerag as my only pair of shoes, currently 1000km and still good to go.

Big fan of nnormal. Every model uses the vibram megagrip

That helps me, thank you. I have 42.5 on most shoes but 42 on Kjerag. Will try 42 on Kjerag 2 too.

I like the orange outsole, makes it easy to distinguish the 1 from the 2 with the black colorway.

That helps me, thank you. I have 42.5 on most shoes but 42 on Kjerag. Will try 42 on Kjerag 2 too.

I'll have to check those out. Based on another comment I picked up a pair of nnormal kjerag shoes and they seem to fit what I was looking for quite well. I haven't run in them yet, but they're very torsionally stiff, light, and have just a little more rebound than the 1500 T2

You don't really say what "beat up" means or what your running gait that you think causes the issue is, but 600km on trails is non-trivial, and I would expect shoes to look beat up if not be totally worn out by then. The most durable trail shoe I've had is the Nnormal Kjerag, but it's still a shoe, and a trails are hard on shoes.

The MTN is roomy and i also like it. The reason why i ended up mostly running in the Kjerag is mid foot lock down. For whatever reason in the Topos i simply couldnt get my feet totally locked in on very steep techy downhills. They are great for me on mellow rolling trails and whatnot but for whatever reason my foot and the shoe just couldnt come to agreement on steep downhills. The Kjerag is light and feels like it has zero padding but my foot doesnt move once its in the shoe and so by default it became my go-to. Recently, i have found success w/the Arcteryx Sylan Pro, though. Excellent foot lock down **and** some actual soft feel underfoot. Thats been nice.

Your shoes are definitely too small and/or the lockdown is not right. It took me years to find a shoe i can do descents in at speed and in technical terrain. The NNormal Kjerag is what has worked for me and i know for others in similar positions. But, yeah, maybe try those Euro brands like Sportiva or Scarpa or Dynafit and find a shoe where the lockdown on a steep downhill works for you. Good luck.

I have been absolutely loving my Nnormal Kjerag, including long days on rugged mountain terrain. They’re amazing. Moving even further in that direction, the Tomir 2.0 looks like a really strong contender. Others to look at would be something like a La Sportiva cyclon, Salomon Genesis (but I don’t love Salomon’s rubber), etc. What part of your Speedgoats are trashed? The upper? Outsole? Something else? My other favorite outsole for mountain terrain is a Topo Athletic MTN Racer. I still have a pair of the first version with the ripstop nylon and those are awesome. But for uppers, you want something ideally with a Matryx or similar material.

A lot of people will recommend a wide variety of different things. Some will say Speedgoat, some will say high stack is your enemy. Some will say Tecton, others will say plates will kill you. And then obviously there’s what does or doesn’t fit your foot. If you have the fitness to be doing this kind of an effort, then you probably have spent a good amount of time on trails, and have your own experience to draw from that will tell you what works for you, probably better than any of us can. Shorter answer that’s probably what you’re actually looking for: I would use my Nnormal Kjerag for this. Some other La Sportiva models could be ideal, like Prodigio pro or mutant perhaps. But definitely stay away from (in my opinion) Salomon rubber and definitely no cowboy boots.

Nnormal Kjerag! My first pair has 800+ miles of technical trail, AND I’ve worn them casually for the last 4 months most days. They are now running pretty low on tread and a little bit off the internal heel fabric is wearing through, but I will keep doing mellow runs and casual wear while saving my second pair for longer/more technical/more demanding runs. Man I love these shoes. Perfect for me.

Closing in on 900mi on my first pair of Nnormal Kjerag. They are hands down my favorite shoe. I am relatively light/efficient, so I don’t know how much of a difference that makes, but I have found them to be totally adequate for 12+ hours on my feet. The new version will be even better for long distances. I can’t say enough good things about that shoe. Like any shoe, the fit matters a lot. But in terms of quality and utility, they are amazing.

My favorite maybe the Nnormal kjerag, but realistically i just go with some semi worn-out + low stack + Vibram megagrip shoe. I always destroy the midsole / side of my shoe if i am scrambling a lot, and I found the La sporitva white outsole not as grippy as Vibram Megagrip, plus having semi worn-out lugs helps out in rocks.

+1 for the Kjerag. I wasn't fully sold until I hit 50 miles in them, but then they softened just enough to be outstanding.

Check out Nnormal Kjerag. Very elegant and versatil.

Haven’t tried the Tomir, but the Nnormal Kjerag is money 🤙🤙

Nnormal Kjerag is my main shoe right now! Love them, can’t wait for the Kjerag 2 this summer 🤙

I’ve been using the Saucony Xodus Ultra 2 for the muddy PNW trails this winter. Love em, but the grip is terrible on wet rocks. You kinda have to choose between one or the other. I just picked up a pair of the Nnormal Kjerag and the grip is phenomenal, although the cushion and tread is fairly minimal. I have a half marathon and a 20 mile race coming up I’ll use the Kjerag for… but I think anything longer than that I may snag the newer Kjerag Brut that has more cushion and larger lugs.

I have the Kjerag, great shoes. I’ve put about 200 miles on them and the tread barely shows any wear. I use them for everything in the PNW (US), with the only downfall being swampy conditions due to smaller lugs and poor ventilation. They run a little hot, and the stack is pretty low, but they’re extremely light and nimble - a great speed/race shoe! The Kjerag 2.0 comes out in July and should be better ventilated with a touch more stack.

I rotate 2 pairs of the Nnormal Kjerag 1.0, both have about 300 miles on them and still look almost brand new (after a good cleaning of course). The cushioning is minimal, however, I’ve trained and ran a 50k recently with no sore feet, blisters, etc. The 2.0 just launched with a few extra mm of cushion. Price tag is totally worth it for the longevity 🤙

I will also add that they take about 50-60 miles to fully break in, but after that, like butter 🧈

I rotate 2 pairs of the Nnormal Kjerag 1.0, both have about 300 miles on them and still look almost brand new (after a good cleaning of course). The cushioning is minimal, however, I’ve trained and ran a 50k recently with no sore feet, blisters, etc. The 2.0 just launched with a few extra mm of cushion. Price tag is totally worth it for the longevity 🤙

I have a pair of Kjerags, the cushion is minimal and I personally wouldn’t go over 50k with them. The Kjerag Brut has an extra 6-7 mm of cushion and larger lugs (available through REI), and the Kjerag 2.0 will be released in July with more cushion than the current version. I think it’s a fantastic shoe!

I have a pair of Kjerags, the cushion is minimal and I personally wouldn’t go over 50k with them. The Kjerag Brut has an extra 6-7 mm of cushion and larger lugs (available through REI), and the Kjerag 2.0 will be released in July with more cushion than the current version. I think it’s a fantastic shoe!

I have a pair of Kjerags, the cushion is minimal and I personally wouldn’t go over 50k with them. The Kjerag Brut has an extra 6-7 mm of cushion and larger lugs (available through REI), and the Kjerag 2.0 will be released in July with more cushion than the current version. I think it’s a fantastic shoe!

Totally agree about more room in the forefoot on the newer model. I debated on sizing down, but decided to roll with the extra room. I’ve put about 30 miles on the 2.0 so far and love them to death.. the 1.0 is sitting in the closet getting jealous 😂

Totally agree about more room in the forefoot on the newer model. I debated on sizing down, but decided to roll with the extra room. I’ve put about 30 miles on the 2.0 so far and love them to death.. the 1.0 is sitting in the closet getting jealous 😂

I also have extremely narrow, long, and low volume feet. Finding shoes that fit length wise, but also fit volume wise has always been a struggle. I finally landed on the Nnormal Kjerag and I add a thin insole to help fill in some of the extra volume. The shoes fit like a glove! I’ve ran a handful of 50ks and half marathons with nothing but happy feet 🤙

I recently switched to the Kjerag 2 from the Kjerag 1 and overall I’m pleased with the decision. It took me a bit to get used to the increased stack, but now I prefer the 02 to my 01. I had a quality control issue with my initial pair of 02, the upper began to separate from the midsole after just 50 miles. My retailer, SkyRun in Utah, was quick to replace them for me and so far they’ve held up great. Currently living on Maui so running a lot in the technical, rooty forest, or up on the technical rocky volcano 🤙 I have no experience with the other one.

I would say it’s fairly similar in terms of ride. I could really feel the rocker when they were fresh out the box, but as they’ve broken in I no longer notice it (maybe my body just adapted). They’re really comfortable! I did size down a half size when I got my replacement, the first pair felt a little roomier than the 01, and I like my shoes to fit on the tighter side.

I actually sized down a half size when I moved to the 02. I initially tried to do the same size, but my feet were swimming in the fronts of them. I quickly exchanged them and have been happy with my decision. I prefer more of a snug fit from the start because my feet don’t swell during long outings.

Have you tried Nnormal? They're a really narrow fit, tried them recently. I think someone posted here their Nnormals and they had aged pretty well.

The NNormal shoes are designed to be durable and I'm up to around 700 miles (1100km) on my Tomir 2.0s. The soles are designed to be replaced (stitched on instead of just glued), but there's nobody in my country certified to do it. But the upper and midsole still feel fine to me.

You are looking for Killian Jornet’s [NNormal](https://www.nnormal.com/en_US/content/kjerag?srsltid=AfmBOoo5fLYN8IQEW_6ETzFMbM0JLrDCGooWUsrIjcsT9dfl_ksHj14g) brand. They are by far the longest-lasting trail shoe out there. You’ll pay for it, but they are priced in line with other durable trail shoes per mile of use.

Yeah, probably best option for the conditions we’ve had so far

I went a half size down with the Kjerag and had to send them back. Ended up in my normal size. To begin with I questioned if I needed a half size up but have settled into them and they feel great now.

Very cool. I’ve been waiting to see some more reviews before pulling the trigger. I demoed the Kjerag 1.0 and my only complaint was too little stack, so excited to try the 2.0. Been loving the Tomir 2.0 as my go-to trail shoe here in the Wasatch.

Nnormal Kjerag and La Sportiva Bushido are perfect for this.

I’d recommend the Nnormal Kjerag. The grip is fantastic, and although the stack is low on paper the real feel is significantly higher. I’ve used them for both short scrambly efforts, and a 50 miler.

I love my kjerags. But I wear thick socks always in trail shoes, darn tough midweight cushioned hiking socks. That said, I won't race long distance in them. I think that over 50k my feet would get tired.

Kjerag are great when it's dry, but in the wet, muddy stuff, they have no grip. When it's dry, they're ace though. Tomir are fantastic for the long, slow stuff. Wore them this weekend on a run around Snowden with 6,000 foot of elevation and my feet were fine the whole way around. Not built for speed, but you can just keep going in them. Runs that are over 3 hours, they're the best. Both are great, but I wouldn't recommend them if you only want to get and use a single pair of shoes all of the time, which I know is popular among road runners. If you have a few pairs of shoes on rotation, depending on the run, the conditions and terrain, I'd recommend them both.

If it’s not too muddy, Nnormal Kjerag. If it is muddy, the Hoka Zinal 2 are ok (I’m in the uk too)

Only did a 5 mile in mine so far but I loved them. Everything is an improvement on an already incredible shoe. The extra hole for a heel lock is a welcomed addition as well imo.

I normally wear a size 12, sometimes depending on brand a 12.5. Got my Kjerag’s in an 11.5 and absolutely love that shoe, got about 300 miles on them and they feel brand new. Very interested in the Brut for steep/loose mountain terrain! I believe on Nnormal’s website they recommend sizing down 1/2 size.

It really depands what you are looking for. If you want a shoe that is durable, then go for an NNormal--they are extremely durable. Similair to Altras, they have a thin and hard sole. It is especially incredible for downhill running, better than any other shoe I've ever ran with. The only downside is, that it isn't that fast in the flat, but it can still win UTMB and Sierre-Zianal.

Have ran in 4 pairs of the 001, and also own pairs of the Kjerag 1.0 and Tomir 2.0. The Kjerag is obviously very thin, and will for the vast majority of people not be suitable for an ultra. I never really connected with the Tomir, feels a little stiff and like you’re a bit disconnected from the trail. Maybe the lug pattern throws me off a bit. Also the shoe look fantastic. The 001 is a very good shoe that will last for a long time. Wear and tear of the lugs are what will retire the shoes from technical trails, not a torn upper or dead midsole. I find the midsole not to be super springy for gravel roads or roads, but it is a trail shoe and that is where I want it to exceed. For me, it lands in that sweet spot where it’s quite cushioned for easy trails or gravel sections, but with a good ground feel for roots and rocks. The 001 does have some sidewall delamination issues if you often need to dry the shoes with heat, and also retains quite a bit of water as the dynema upper isn’t really perforated. That being said, I’ve ran more than 4000 km in the 001 and more often return home with wet than dry feet, and I would still recommend it. I also find that you can really dial in the lacing pretty precise, which I struggle with in the Prodigios

I have logged 1000+km in 2 pairs of kjerags (still going strong / resolved). I exclusively run in the super thin sidas socks out of necessity. Definitely keen to go half size up in the 2.0's

I have logged 1000+km in 2 pairs of kjerags (still going strong / resolved). I exclusively run in the super thin sidas socks out of necessity. Definitely keen to go half size up in the 2.0's

I’m obsessed with the NNormal Kjerag

I have the 001s and they are like a tank. Cushion isn’t over the top and comfortable enough for me. My only gripe is they are warm, I’m not going to wear them this summer. The kjerag fit my foot very well, but I need more cushion. If you like a lower stack shoe that could be for you. I’ve been using the prodigio pro and really like those, haven’t had any durability issues but I haven’t had them long. I’ll keep using those for the time being.

Tomir 2.0 had been my favorite. Had that and Kjerag. Waiting for the Kjerag 2 that will be a nice improvement with more cushioning

Not a plate shoe, but I’ve been surprised how light and fast my Nnormal Kerags have been. The best trail (road) shoe I’ve ever had was the Adidas Boston 6. I wore them for everything, high alpine to roads. And the boost foam + whatever other magic was in there just worked for me. Faster than everything and the effort was just gone.

I ordered these and can confirm they run at least a half size too big. For me I actually sized down one full size when i exchanged. But the fit remained very odd and I was unable to keep them. They did seem like very high quality shoes though if you manage to have them fit you. (edit: wrote "two sizes" when i meant "two half sizes". fixed)

Mine have 800km on them and look amazingly good. The worst part is trying to clean them, the uppers just refuse to give up the dirt

Nnormal Kjerag for anything truly technical. There is simply nothing like that shoe. For everything else, Speedgoat 3. I will be buying a pair of Norda in April when Montreal on business so I can buy them for $285 Canadian instead of $285 US (yes, they have the same list price in Canada 🙄.

Nnormal Kjerag. Best technical shoe I have ever run in. If you have the foot strength, you will never go back. Imagine everything that makes Salomon great for technical running, then make every single part better. I can wait for the second edition.

I think this is very possible. I have yet to try Norda, though I plan on buying a pair when in Montreal in April. I have hyper miled many standard shoes (not trail, but as an example, I put over 700 miles on a pair of ASICS Novablast two years ago) and I agree - there is likely more life in most shoes, not just the newer, premium, durability brands. That said, when I finally tried another brand, Nnormal (the Kjerag) that touted longevity, I have to say - it was real…I am over 500 miles on my first pair, bought a second pair assuming the first was close to dead, have put 100 miles on those, but the first one keeps going! Per their marketing now I just want to see how they are at 1000km, which I will hit in the next couple of weeks. Once you are at that kind of time, I think you are getting your moneys worth out of any shoe especially trail since so much can fall apart! If Norda is the same, then it would be worth it.

This is the way. Vibram Megagrip >> than Frixion White. Ground feel on truly technical terrain of the Kjerag is unmatched.

I don’t think Speedland is any more durable than Nnormal or Norda. They are all durable, but I would rank them from most to least durable: Norda, Nnormal, Speedland. I have had all three. Speedlands grip is very poor compared to Norda and Nnormal.

This. Or Kjerag. Both last over 600 miles easily.

Yeah it's a great concept but not perfectly executed yet. I just picked up the Kjerag which I'm super happy with and should last me plenty of time until they've perfected this concept.

Hi, everybody. This questions gets asked occasionally, but I haven’t seen it in a minute. What does everybody like for light trail shoes? For context, my road shoes are Saucony Kinvaras that weigh in at 194g / 6.85 ounces for a US men’s size 9 / EU 42. These make my Saucony Peregrines (277g / 9.7 oz), a typical recommendation for a light trail shoe, feel like bricks. So far I’ve found: Hoka Zinal - 239g / 8.4 oz Nnormal Kjerag - 214g / 7.5 oz They definitely command a premium price. This led to me to ask, what else is out there under 9 oz / 255g? What’s everybody’s experience with these? I am, incidentally, mostly looking for a little extra traction on mud. Ran trails for years in road shoes and the trails I frequent don’t really need huge lugs.

It is impossible for me to choose the best shoe because my choices would be different for different terrain and distance. Perhaps if I could pick a single favorite shoe of all times it would be **La Sportiva Helios** - between different versions I owned 12 or 13 pairs. I liked it because it felt like a continuation of my feet and I could really push it hard on super technical terrain in a broad range of terrains. However It didn't work well on either very rocky terrain or distances above 50k. If I look at my current set of shoes I gravitate to 3 shoes - each of them excels in different categories of terrain and distance - **NNormal Kjerag, La Sportiva Prodigio, and Salomon S/lab Genesis**. I've just ordered La Sportiva Prodigio Pro and based on reviews I think it has a good chance to become one of my top 3 shoes, but we'll see.

I've been dealing with insertional Achilles tendonitis recently and similar pain at the back of the heel. The most comfortable shoe in my rotation is Salomon S/lab Pulsar. It has a soft and pliable heel counter. The second most comfortable is probably NNormal Kjerag. Also I have an old pair of Brooks Catamount, which is the 1st version of the shoe. It is pretty comfortable too.

This has been discussed just a few days ago on this subreddit. I recommend finding that post. But to.summarize, the shoes that were recommended the most are La Sportiva Bushido and La Sportiva Mutant. In my experience, NNormal Kjerag is also quite decent.

A lot of people recommend highly cushioned shoes like Hoka Speedgoat or Nike Zegama, but in my opinion if you want to improve your technique and agility when running on technical mountain terrain you should learn to run in moderately cushioned shoes because they provide a better degree control and feedback. Also you are much less likely to twist ankle or have other injuries when you are lower to the ground and better feel the terrain. My current favorites are NNormal Kjerag and Salomon S/lab Ultra 3. If you need a bit more cushion - La Sportiva Prodigio or Salomon Genesis. And if you need to go on a very rough mountain terrain - La Sportiva Mutant.

In general, look for trail shoes with wide and shallow lugs. For example NNormal Kjerag rides fairly well on pavement - look at the pictures of outsole and that should give you an idea of what I mean.

I don't think there is a shoe that is comfortable for long runs and stable on a technical terrain at the same time. You have to sacrifice one thing or another. When the stack is increased for comfort, that inevitably makes the shoe higher off the ground and therefore inherently less stable. I wore a lot of similar shoes to the ones in your rotation. Recently I have been moving away from Hoka. I have a very large number of shoes in rotation, but if I pick shoes that I gravitate towards the most, currently it would be the following 3 shoes: 1) NNormal Kjerag - very natural, stable, and has a great ground feel. I can wear it for up to 50k if it isn't too rocky. My first pair has about 320 miles and it still feels great and the outsole still shows not that much wear. Normally I wear shoes for up to 300 miles, but this one definitely has a lot of mileage remaining. My second pair of Kjerag has 60 miles. 2) Salomon S/lab Genesis is my unicorn shoe for longer ultras of up to 100M or shorter runs on gnarly mountain terrain. It fits me extremely well, like a sock with no hotspots. Even though it isn't the most cushioned shoe, it seems to work really well for longer distances. And while it isn't the best shoe for really technical terrain, it can handle it decently well. I like this shoe so much that I bought 4 pairs in the last 2 years. 3) La Sportiva Prodigio is a great choice in between the two above choices. It can handle technician terrain better than Genesis but it isn't as comfortable. It is stiff when new but softens considerably after the first 30-40 miles. The foot lockdown is excellent. I have two pairs of Prodigio and am looking forward to trying a new Prodigio Pro, which should be a more direct competition to S/lab Genesis.

I have two pairs of Kjerag - love them even though I am not the lightest runner at 80 kg. One of the pairs is at 350 miles and still feels good. They have low thread with broad lugs and generally work ok on asphalt. But you'd wear them much faster if you wear them when running on road regularly.

Here is my excessive collection of trail running shoes - all of them still have some usable mileage, although a number of shoes are nearing retirement Salomon * S/lab Ultra 3 * 2x S/lab Genesis * 2x S/lab Pulsar * S/lab Pulsar 2 SG La Sportiva * 2x Prodigio * Kaptiva * Bushido 2 * Mutant * Akasha NNormal * 2x Kjerag Dynafit * Ultra 100 * 2x Alpine * Feline SL Hoka * Zinal * Speedgoat 5 Also have 3 pairs of road shoes Note: obviously I didn't buy these all at once. Many of these are several years old.

From many shoes that I've had so far, NNormal Kjerag. I am on the heavier side and tend to run on steep terrain, which makes me retire most shoes before they reach 300 miles. I have a pair of Kjerag that is almost 400 miles, and I continue using it for shorter runs.

I spend a lot of time in either the Kjerags or the Salomon s/lab pulsar (I have the original ones, but the age version like really perfect).

Nnormal Kjerags and Merrell Long Sky 2 Matryx.

I don't know if the Dynafit Ultra 100 has changed in the last couple years. I had a pair 3 years ago, they had the Pomoca outsole. Most of my shoes are pretty minimal, I love Nnormal Kjerags and Merrell Long Sky. The Dynafit felt heavy and unstable to me. I sized up 1/2 size (US), it was still very low volume for the toes. It was a pretty comfortable shoe, but too heavy and slow for smooth trails, too thick and unstable for technical trails.

Merrell Long Sky 2 Matryx. I like the Nnormal Kjerags too but the LS2 is a great show for long days on rocky trails with some scrambling and some fast running.

Kjerag is a great shoe. How does it feel cheap? It’s built like a tank. Maybe cause it weighs 7g? lol

I've heard people say this but if you prefer a slightly larger fit (to give your feet room to expand for very long distances) I would personally recommend just measuring your feet as per the sizing guide on NNormal's website. I did this, and found it resulted in a perfect fit on the Kjerag, Tomir 1, and Tomir 2, but surprisingly it actually landed me a half size up from my usual size. I know this runs against the grain of what others have found, but it works for my foot, so YMMV.

La sportiva makes great technical shoes for sky running. Differing levels of protection and width. But most all have good sticky vibram rubber. I like the kaptiva and mutant for tech. The bushido is also low sprung and techy. But a little too narrow and low volume for me. I’ve also got some miles on the Nnormal Kjerag 1.0 and they’re impressive as well. Look for lower stack and sticky rubber and then find one that fits your foot…

NNormal Kjerag ftw

Worth considering both Nnormal Kjerag and Tomir - cushioned but not too much so and more than capable in the most technical stuff you’ll find. Grippy Vibram, small lugs on Kjerag and beefier on the Tomir 👍🦄😸🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Thanks! The 1.0 is my favorite trail shoe for anything under 25 miles ever so I was hoping they didn’t screw it up. It’s always the shoe I pack if I only have room for 1 pair of running shoes. Almost 600 miles on that pair and still feel great.

I ran with Altras right out the box, 15 miles on the first run, I remember... no issues at all. I do a lot of trail and mountain running, so might be why I didn't have issues- strong legs already. Also do ultra running. Certain brands have a philosophy of how you should be running, Altra is one of those brands, Hoka another... You'll have to experiment and see what you like to run in, everyone is different. Personally I don't like Nike or New Balance, I really like Kilian's new shoes NNORMAL, and also Saucony... but also Salomon and La Sportiva.

Like others I would advise varying your drop in your shoe quiver for training if you can afford it. Hammies/calves for me get pretty wrecked from low/zero drop (0-4; mostly Topos) but high drop (8-10mm; NNormal Tomir and Sportiva Mutant) will sometimes give me funny knee feelings especially if I'm really pushing it on the downhills. Medium drop (6mm) seems to be a happy spot for me (for racing at least) and incidentally the same drop as my all-time favorite shoes (NNormal Kjerags). I have multiple 50Ks in them ranging from Speedgoat with 12K vert to fairly flat races with \~3K vert and haven't had anything tweaky.

Thanks for the review. Have the Kierag 1.0 was a bit worried when I read there was more cushioning. Although sometimes I feel pointy rocks deep in my forefoot with the current model 🤣. Very subjective but that color choice is terrible though uff. That orange sole ruins it and the burgundy with light blue hurt my eyes. 💔 Durability and grip of the sole is insane on the 1.0. I see they replicated that which is fantastic news. Had a pair of Saucony Perigrine before that did not pass 400km in the rocky Norwegian terrain.

Probably i would think of the Kjerag 2. The Litebase compound is exceptional and the shoe is precise enough to handle technical terrain. Or you try a La Sportiva model like the Prodigio (the original one) as they also have good grip, but enough cushion for some road.

Yes but only a little. 3mm more stack. Looks like a small update. Ran in the Kjerag and now in the Tomir 2.0. Both feel pretty firm but are tanks if durability is the main concern. Both not my favourite shoes but they do what they are supposed to really well