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Nnormal Kjerag Review

For those that desire the lightest shoe in technical terrain, these are exceptionally comfortable and durable - perfect for racing or uptempo efforts
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Nnormal Kjerag Review (The lightest shoe in our lineup, the NNormal Kjerag is a shoe built for speed and agility.)
The lightest shoe in our lineup, the NNormal Kjerag is a shoe built for speed and agility.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Price:  $195 List
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Manufacturer:   Nnormal
By Matthew Richardson ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Oct 3, 2024
78
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#3 of 23
  • Foot Protection - 25% 6.4
  • Traction - 20% 7.5
  • Sensitivity - 15% 8.0
  • Stability - 15% 8.5
  • Comfort and Fit - 15% 8.8
  • Weight - 10% 9.5
Length Sizing
Runs Small
Runs Large
Width Sizing
Runs Narrow
Runs Wide

Our Verdict

Ultralight and durability don't blend often, but the unisex Nnormal Kjerag, created by Kilian Jornet, manages to pull it off. It's impossible not to compare this model to the Salomon S/Lab Ultra series, which Jornet arguably single-handedly brought to industry-leading prominence. The Kjerag's more relaxed traditional upper provides a roomier fit but is quite narrow in the midfoot, creating a locked-down feel without the snugness of a knit upper. Combining a firm midsole and super hard Vibram Litebase outsole makes for an incredibly light model that doesn't sacrifice comfort or technical cushioning. We are impressed.
REASONS TO BUY
Ultralight
Extremely durable
Technical cushioning
REASONS TO AVOID
Expensive
Tight midfoot upper
Longer break-in time

Compare to Similar Products

 
nnormal kjerag
This Product
Nnormal Kjerag
Awards Top Pick Award
Best Trail Running Shoe with Ultralight Cushioning
Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Trail Running Shoe
Top Pick Award
Best-Tractioned Trail Runner
Top Pick Award
Best for Long Distance Trail Runs
Best Buy Award
Best Value Trail Runners
Price $195 List
$194.95 at Backcountry
$190 List
$189.95 at Backcountry
$119.99 at Amazon
Compare at 4 sellers
$104.93 at REI
Compare at 2 sellers
$67.95 at Amazon
Compare at 2 sellers
Overall Score Sort Icon
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Bottom Line With each step you are picking up less than the competition, and for advanced runners the precision and speed are unmatchedA perfectly fitting, comfortable, and very protective shoe that just begs to be worn on long run daysUnrivaled traction makes this a one-stop shop for mountain athletes and off-trail runnersWith great responsiveness without feeling harsh, this model is our favorite for long runs that are focused and fastSome more advanced runners may find this shoe overbuilt with stiffness and support, but we love the protection and comfort
Rating Categories Nnormal Kjerag Salomon S/Lab Ultra 3 Salomon Speedcross 6 Hoka Torrent 3 Brooks Divide 4
Foot Protection (25%)
6.4
9.0
7.3
7.8
7.9
Traction (20%)
7.5
7.5
10.0
7.5
4.8
Sensitivity (15%)
8.0
6.0
6.0
4.8
3.4
Stability (15%)
8.5
8.6
5.0
7.4
9.0
Comfort and Fit (15%)
8.8
9.0
9.0
8.4
7.8
Weight (10%)
9.5
6.7
6.2
7.8
6.5
Specs Nnormal Kjerag Salomon S/Lab Ultra 3 Salomon Speedcross 6 Hoka Torrent 3 Brooks Divide 4
Sizes Available 4.5 - 13.5 US
regular
4 - 13 US
regular
7 - 14 US
regular and wide
7 - 15 US
regular
7 - 15 US
regular
Measured Heel Stack Height 25 mm 31 mm 33 mm 28 mm 32 mm
Measured Heel-to-Toe Drop 8 mm 8 mm 12 mm 7 mm 9 mm
Rock Plate No No No No No
Measured Lug Depth 3.0 mm 3.5 mm 5.5 mm 4.0 mm 2.5 mm
Measured Weight 8.05 oz 10.64 oz 11.08 oz 9.60 oz 10.82 oz
Upper Matryx Jacquard Matryx Jacquard Synthetic, textile Mesh Mesh
Midsole EExpure midsole Energy Save PU foam with Profeel Film rock protection Salomon EnergyCell+ EVA EVA DNA LOFT
Outsole Vibram Litebase Salomon Contagrip MA Salomon Mud Contagrip Rubber TrailTack Rubber
Heel Tab Type None None None None None
Claimed Heel-to-Toe Drop 6 mm 8 mm 10 mm 5 mm 9 mm

Our Analysis and Test Results

Many of the popular shoes on the market today have a broken-in fit, which gives the user instant satisfaction. Midsoles feel bouncy, the upper padding is soft, and outsoles are softer, providing better traction. Unfortunately, this short-term comfort reduces long-term durability. When we first put on the Nnormal Kjerag, we were almost disappointed. The upper felt stiff, the laces didn't bite, the midsole felt hard, and the shoe felt like it had too much volume. But after running and sweating in the Kjerag we are happy to say all of our initial impressions have drastically changed for the better. This shoe is perfect for those who want an ultra-lightweight technical running shoe with subtle cushioning.

Performance Comparison


For fast running there isn't a more versatile model than the Kjerag. It's great for everything from the road to summiting technical peaks. That said, you'll likely want something with a bit more cushioning to supplement on a day-to-day basis.
Credit: Matthew Richardson

Foot Protection


The dense cushioning and hard Vibram Litebase on the Kjerag give decent underfoot protection. Upper protection is slightly lessened, given the minimal nature of the upper. Thin toe caps and slim heel protection give this shoe less protection than other models in our lineup. However, we tested the Kjerag on various sections of technical terrain and scree and found the protection to be adequate. This shoe excels at precise foot placement, so you shouldn't need much protection anyway. That said, for the most technical terrain, we'd still opt for a shoe that is more built.


The Kjerag feels lively but can beat you up if you are running more relaxed. It doesn't take heel strikes well, especially when running downhill. During our testing, when our legs felt flat, the Kjerag just felt too fast and dense. Due to this, we wouldn't recommend this compared to a more built all-day trainer. Given the price, this is a bit of a bummer, but we are still happy to recommend this shoe for the right user, given its seriously impressive durability.

nnormal kjerag - despite the relatively small stack, this stiff vibram litebase...
Despite the relatively small stack, this stiff Vibram Litebase outsole still offers solid protection even on technical terrains such as scree and talus.
Credit: Matthew Richardson

Some folks may be wondering how the Kjerag compares to the Salomon S/Lab Ultra 3. We found the Ultra 3 to feel slightly more flat-footed, offering better side hill performance. The upper is also slightly more built, providing better protection on technical terrain, which comes with a weight penalty. While there are subtle differences elsewhere, this is where the determining factors between the two shoes lie. If you plan on only running, we'd recommend the Kjerag. If you plan on blending running and hiking on technical scree and talus, we'd recommend the Ultra 3.

While featuring a less substantial upper than other shoes, the precision of the Nnormal Kjerag kept our feet feeling fresh even after many miles of testing.
Credit: Matthew Richardson

Traction


The Vibram Litebase outsole takes some getting used to due to the hardness of this particular rubber. Luckily, though, it breaks in over time. The benefit of hard rubber is that it's great in dry terrain. It runs excellently on hardpack and dry rocks, offering increased confidence on technical terrain. For scrambling or technical vertical terrain, you'll want something softer.


Another benefit of Vibram Litebase is dusty trails adhere less to the rubber, so when it is damp, you'll have less dirt/dust stuck to the bottom of your shoe. The downside is that in proper wet conditions, you have significantly less traction, and the already minimal lugs won't add much to the mix. Don't expect to use the Kjerag with much happiness in snow or mud.

Traction Ratings Across Various Surfaces
ProductLoose TrailMudSlick Rock
Best555
Average3.32.73.2
Nnormal Kjerag323
Worst111
Though the Kjerag offers solid traction on hardpacked trail, if your route frequently takes you across wet or sloppy surfaces, this shoe is not the one we would recommend.

The 3.0 mm lugs on the Kjerag fit perfectly with the style and weight class of the shoe but require constant forefoot pressure. More relaxed shoes with larger lugs require less forefoot pressure and can catch and propel you forward. If you aren't running on your forefoot, the Kjerag will not feel like it has good traction. As soon as you fatigue, you will start to slip as your weight shifts from your forefoot. This is another reason why this shoe is for advanced runners, especially if you plan to use it for long distances or technical terrain. It's important to keep in mind that body position and foot placement are the best solutions for dealing with traction, and the lugs come second. This doesn't mean there isn't a time and place for larger lugs, but with a shoe this lightweight, you should be able to feel comfortable on a variety of terrain types.

nnormal kjerag - vibram litebase outsole is great for challenging terrain on dry...
Vibram Litebase outsole is great for challenging terrain on dry surfaces. The small lugs reduce weight and mean that your body position is what will determine traction on more technical trails.
Credit: Matthew Richardson

Sensitivity


The super dense Vibram Litebase outsole reduces sensitivity, but there is still plenty of ground feel to run fast and feel confident in your foot placements. If this shoe was any softer, it would lose a lot of its technicality. If you're doing lots of hiking or easy running, you may find the Kjerag a bit harsher than your needs.


While you can't feel every pebble underneath your foot, there is easily enough feedback to the brain for you to feel confident in pinpoint steps. The lower stack (we measured 25 mm under the heel and 17 mm under the forefoot) keeps the Kjerag feeling nimble and highly accurate. We found the sensitivity and stability to blend nicely together, and while neither scores at the top of the list, it's a great blend of sensitivity and speed.

nnormal kjerag - a cross-section of the nnormal kjerag shows this shoe's short stack...
A cross-section of the Nnormal Kjerag shows this shoe's short stack height. However, the stiff Vibram Litebase outsole cuts down on what could otherwise be a very (perhaps overly) sensitive feel.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Stability


With a minimal stack and heel drop, this is one of the more stable shoes in our lineup. However, due to its slender nature and aggressive design, the Kjerag feels less stable than others that offer specific stability features.


A lot of the stability you feel (or don't) in this shoe will be derived from your muscles — so don't expect it to feel like a wide platform. This shoe's rubber is so stiff a lot of the stability is derived from the outsole. This, combined with the dense foam, makes the Kjerag feel stable on a wide variety of surfaces.

nnormal kjerag - with a lower stack, cushioning, and drop, the nnormal kjerag is one...
With a lower stack, cushioning, and drop, the Nnormal Kjerag is one of the more stable platforms in our test group and is great for running fast on technical terrain.
Credit: Matthew Richardson

Comfort and Fit


At first, we found the upper platform to be tight in the midfoot, but after putting some miles in, our complaints subsided, and we find this a defining feature of the Kjerag. Your arches are supported, allowing the upper to have a more relaxed fit. This provides technical performance without the snugness of knit uppers. Once the upper got wet, sweaty, and dirty, the material broke in, conforming to our feet. There is no tongue padding, but the simple leather-esque material feels great and breaks in similarly to the rest of the shoe. We are big fans of the lack of insole, which prevents dirt and debris from hiding underneath the liner.


The EExpure midsole is where the Kjerag shines, offering subtle give with great energy return. Combine that with a crazy light design, and these are guaranteed to make your legs feel lively and fresh. The measured heel-toe drop of 8 mm (Nnormal claims 8 mm) is in our preferred range for pure running; this is supportive on the downhills but doesn't reduce liveliness on the uphills. Our lead tester prefers this model for his speed and high-tempo days more than any other in our lineup due to this blend of comfort and weight. That said, we'd have a hard time recommending it for anything over 50 miles due to the dense compound. If you are planning on doing long ultras (50+ miles), we'd reserve this shoe for the most competitive runners.

nnormal kjerag - the nnormal kjerag is right at home in the mountains of colorado...
The Nnormal Kjerag is right at home in the mountains of Colorado which feature hardpack, technical terrain, and lots of vertical.
Credit: Matthew Richardson

Weight


This is the lightest pair of trail runners we've ever tested. Nnormal has created something that's incredibly fast but doesn't beat you up as much as you would expect. At a mere 8.05 ounces per shoe (US size 10.5M/11.5W), this is one of the lightest shoes on the market while still offering exceptional durability.


The upper is well made, and we had no signs of wear after many miles of use. This shoe will feel familiar to most runners who have tried lightweight designs in the past. But the compressive foam is more comfortable on longer distances than what we've experienced before. We have difficulty recommending this as a daily trainer due to how light it is. While the cushioning is great, there is a point where the minimal design does lead to fatigue and stress. We'd recommend pairing this model with something that offers more cushioning. Between those two, you should be set for almost anything.

nnormal kjerag - the nnormal kjerag offers a good blend of sensitivity that allows...
The Nnormal Kjerag offers a good blend of sensitivity that allows for precision at speed but doesn't sacrifice long-distance performance and comfort.
Credit: Matthew Richardson

Should You Buy the Nnormal Kjerag?


If you're an advanced runner looking to add a race/tempo shoe to your quiver, we don't think you'll be disappointed. While expensive, we are very impressed with the durability of this shoe thus far. We'd recommend supplementing the Kjerag with a heavier trainer for added cushioning on easy days. The ultralight design, while cushioned, does tend to beat you up if you aren't running with focused or fresh legs.

What Other Trail Running Shoes Should You Consider?


For a tighter-fitting upper and heavier design with similar technical performance, we'd recommend the Salomon S/Lab Ultra 3. While they are similar shoes, we find the Ultra 3 best for more extended time on technical terrain, whereas the Kjerag is best suited for fast running with technical terrain mixed in. If you plan on hiking technical peaks and ridgelines, you may find the Kjerag too light for your efforts.

Matthew Richardson