ReviewNormal Kjerag 02

As runners, and especially as trail and ultra runners, we are constantly looking for shoes that not only fit well and are durable, but where some of us also consider the sustainability of the product. So when NNormal released an updated version of their Kjerag model, I was incredibly excited.

I ran about 1900 km in version 01, had them resoled twice, and even now I still grab them for easy, short runs. But can version 02 match the performance of the previous model?

We are talking about the Kjerag 02 here (in the middle). The successor to the Kjerag 01. The Kjerag Brut is a version for heavy mud, with extra knobs.

The first thing I noticed when I took them out of the box was the extra stack and cushioning — a significant change from version 01. The tongue has also been completely redesigned, featuring a softer material that provides a more sock-like, snug fit. The tongue is fully gusseted (secured at the sides).

During the first run, the new midsole used by NNormal immediately stood out: a strong combination of comfort and responsiveness. It features an EExpure+ TPEE supercritical foam that provides improved cushioning and durability. I could mention all sorts of percentages here, but those can simply be found on their website if you find that interesting. The outsole is a 3.5 mm Vibram Megagrip, although I had my pair resoled with Vibram Litebase after 850 km.

To really put the shoe to the test, I trained in Norway for fifteen days. I used them in rain, mud, transitioning from road to trail, scrambling in the mountains, on gravel roads, and on technical rocky terrain.

The shoe could handle everything I put into it. They really came into their own, especially during steep descents on wet, technical rocky trails. The cushioning was sufficient to protect my feet during long mountain days of five to six hours, while the shoe simultaneously remained agile enough to maintain confidence when placing my feet on technical terrain.

As winter approached, I had to deal with a lot of rain and, consequently, wet, muddy sections. I also added training sessions where I had to connect stretches of asphalt with trails. The transition from mountain paths to, for example, 17 km of asphalt and back to trails felt seamless. The shoe's rocker design helps you run smoothly and relatively fast over asphalt, allowing you to cover long distances over varied terrain. I completed this training block with 175 km and over 7,800 meters of elevation gain. The shoes performed perfectly.

For me, durability is one of the most important factors when buying shoes these days. As someone who runs more than 5,000 km a year, and given the cost of running shoes, I look at this increasingly critically. If a shoe costing €190 only lasts 600 km, I personally do not consider that good sustainability.

NNormal's mission is to make products that last an extremely long time. They have set up programs to repair problems for free and encourage shoe resoling to get even more mileage out of them.

The midsole still offers a lot of comfort and resilience, even after 900 km. The upper shows no above-average wear. And the Vibram outsole is simply one of the most durable available. My current pair is now at 900 km, including a resoling, and I expect to get another 600–800 km out of them. There are very few shoes on the market that can match this.

In short: the NNormal Kjerag 2 is a great shoe for everything from tempo training to long runs, races, and technical mountain adventures. For the price you pay, you actually get more than your money's worth. Not only do you get a durable, lightweight, and fast shoe that handles various terrains, but you also contribute to more sustainable product choices.