REASONS TO BUY
Ultra lightweight
Spacious toe box
Secure-fitting midfoot
Incredibly sensitive
REASONS TO AVOID
Pricy
Less protective
Less equipped for long distances
Nnormal Kjerag - Women's Review
For middle-distance trail runs, this featherweight shoe is ready to take on technical terrain with its great traction, supreme sensitivity, and adequate protection
This lightweight shoe quickly became one of our testers' favorites because of its comfort, traction, and overall fit.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Our Verdict
Want a super comfy and minimalistic take on a trail runner without venturing into the world of barefoot shoes? You found it. The Nnormal Kjerag is a lightweight shoe unlike any other in our lineup. Its lack of insole provides the most intimate trail feel we have yet to experience, and its lay-flat, partially adhered tongue allows for a comfortable and personalized fit. Devoid of overlays, the Kjerag inspires peppy and nimble trail runs. Its 23.5mm heel stack height and lack of additional protections and supports might not suit all types of trail running, but if you want a svelte and sensitive shoe that will jumpstart your training runs, the Kjerag comes with some of our highest accolades.
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 This Product
Nnormal Kjerag - Women's | |||||
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| Awards |  |  | | |  |
| Price | $195 List Check Price at Backcountry | Check Price at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers | $190 List Check Price at Backcountry | Check Price at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers | $100 List $79.95 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | A lightweight and well-tractioned shoe that encourages peppy leg turnover and would make a great addition to your existing running shoe arsenal | This is our go-to recommendation for runners seeking a comfortable, well-tractioned shoe for short and long distances alike | A unisex shoe that offers superior performance across the board, boasting a protective yet sensitive ride with a grippy outsole and exceptional durability | Featuring an upgraded upper and a stable zero-drop design, this shoe is a dependable and comfortable trail running option, ensuring comfort even during extended runs | An affordable and functional trail shoe that is perfect for new runners, budget-conscious runners, any anyone looking to tackle moderate terrain |
| Rating Categories | Nnormal Kjerag - Wo... | Hoka Torrent 3 - Wo... | Salomon S/Lab Ultra... | Altra Lone Peak 8 -... | Brooks Divide 4 - W... |
| Foot Protection (25%) | |||||
| Traction (20%) | |||||
| Sensitivity (15%) | |||||
| Stability (15%) | |||||
| Comfort and Fit (15%) | |||||
| Weight (10%) | |||||
| Specs | Nnormal Kjerag - Wo... | Hoka Torrent 3 - Wo... | Salomon S/Lab Ultra... | Altra Lone Peak 8 -... | Brooks Divide 4 - W... |
| Sizes Available | 5.5 - 14.5 US (unisex) regular |
5 - 11 US regular |
4 - 14 US regular |
5.5 - 12 US regular and wide |
5 - 12 US regular |
| Measured Heel Stack Height | 23.5 mm | 26 mm | 27 mm | 23 mm | 29 mm |
| Measured Heel-to-Toe Drop | 8 mm | 5 mm | 8 mm | 0 mm | 8 mm |
| Rock Plate | No | No | Not disclosed | TPU | No |
| Measured Lug Depth | 3 mm | 4 mm | 3.5 mm | 3.2 mm | 3 mm |
| Measured Weight | 6.61 oz | 7.52 oz | 8.05 oz | 8.14 oz | 7.82 oz |
| Upper | Matryx jacquard/kevlar coated yarn | Mesh | Anti-Debris mesh with sockliner | Ripstop Mesh | Mesh |
| Midsole | EExpure foam | EVA | Energy Save PU foam with Profeel Film rock protection | Altra EGO | DNA Loft |
| Outsole | Vibram Litebase Megagrip | Rubber | Salomon Contagrip MA | MaxTrac | TrailTack rubber |
| Heel Tab Type | None | None | None | Finger loop | None |
Show full specification details ▼Hide full specification details ▲
Our Analysis and Test Results
This is a unisex shoe, and each women's size 6.5 (men's 5.5) weighs in at just 6.61 ounces, making the Nnormal Kjerag one of the lightest weight trail running shoes available today. With a measured heel-to-toe drop of 8mm (Nnormal claims 6mm; our measurements showed slightly more than that), and a 23.5mm total stack, this is the shoe for weight-conscious trail fiends who want to add some pep to their step.
Performance Comparison
If you are ready to take flight across middle-distance trails, this lightweight superstar of a shoe is one of the few we recommend for such a feat.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Foot Protection
As mentioned, the Kjerag demonstrates a minimal approach, and nowhere is it more obvious than in this metric. Yet somehow, the Kjerag also isn't the least protective trail running shoe in our roundup. Its toecap isn't super rugged, but it is more rigid than expected.
The lamination of the toe cap extends back a bit and wraps around the shoe for added protection from water and debris. The Kevlar-coated yarn is tightly woven in a Matryx pattern, which adds additional protection from the elements. During our water submergence test, our lead tester didn't feel water inside the shoe until after a second wave overtook it.
Despite being fully submerged, the upper lamination effect of the Kjerag is strong enough to deflect water, if only for a few seconds.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Because of how tightly woven the yarn is, water has a really hard time exiting the shoe after infiltrating, making the following few miles a bit soggy. However, when we experienced an unexpected downpour on one of our training runs, we were beyond pleased to remove our shoes afterward and find our socks only mildly sweat-soaked — the rain stayed out.
The thinner-than-average upper of the Kjerag did a surprisingly good job of protecting our feet during an unexpected summer downpour.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
The Kjerag doesn't have a rock plate, which is part of why it has such prime sensitivity. This does, however, reduce its scoring when it comes to protection. The outsole has a bit more flexibility than we are used to seeing in trail runners, and overall, this shoe offers less in terms of underfoot protection. Because of this, combined with its lack of insole, we don't wholeheartedly recommend the Kjerag as an ultra-distance shoe for rocky terrain. It has some protection, but if our runs extended beyond 15 miles, we typically craved a bit more protection and cushion.
The stack of the Kjerag isn't super high so without a rock plate and an insole, it offers incredible sensitivity with balanced yet minimal underfoot protection.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Traction
The outsole of the Kjerag is adorned with a Vibram Litebase Megagrip rubber, which is a fairly common textile in the world of trail shoes. This means that the traction is top-notch, though the lugs are slightly shorter than some of our spikier contenders.
We measured the lugs on the Kjerag at 3mm, which is plenty bitey for tackling your average trails. The lugs are shaped and patterned with grippy corners facing in all directions. The flexibility of the outsole, the grip and bite of the lugs, and the overall profile of the Kjerag are great when you want a peppy trail run with plenty of directional changes. While not the shoe we recommend for sloppy, muddy running, the traction of the Kjerag holds its own and helps secure its standing as a strong trail running shoe.
The Vibram outsole of the Kjerag doesn't stand out as exceptional in the world of trail shoes, but it provides great traction on a multitude of surfaces.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Sensitivity
The sensitivity of the Kjerag is, in our experience, unparalleled among our contenders. With a measured 23.5mm stack in the heel and 15.5mm at the forefoot, it sits a bit lower than average but not extremely so.
Nnormal chose to forgo an insole when constructing the Kjerag, allowing you to have a more intimate trail feel. In this situation, an insole is not missed at all — the lack of one actually enhances the comfort and sensitivity of the Kjerag, making it a win-win. Since the sensitivity is mostly allowed due to the Kjerag's lack of a rock plate and insole, keep in mind how sensitivity desires change as your distances do.
After cutting the Kjerag open, it becomes even more obvious how minimal the structure of its body is.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Our testers preferred the Kjerag for short to middle distances, knowing that super-sensitive shoes can make for sore feet following extreme mileage on rocky terrain. But if you want a responsive, svelte, and pace-pushing option that allows you to feel the trail beneath you and adapt with ease, this is a great shoe to consider.
We cannot help but gush over the sensitivity of the Kjerag. If you want a shoe that allows you to feel the trail beneath you but provides some protection and a hearty dose of energy return, this is our highest recommendation.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Stability
With a measured drop of 8mm (Nnormal claims 6mm) and relatively low profile, the Kjerag offers above-average stability. While other shoes, such as those with wider outsoles, can provide a bit more basic stability, the Kjerag holds its own in this metric.
For flying around hairpin turns on speedy, technical descents, this is a shoe you want in your corner. Its narrower-than-average midfoot hugs your foot shape, allowing you to be in total control. The weave of the Kevlar-coated yarn provides some lateral stability without being overbearing. The specific weave of the textiles and laminated strength around the eyelets secures the lateral edges of the shoe so that you never have to worry about it getting floppy as you run. Even after punishing this shoe with gritty miles, muddy trails, and plenty of water tests, the conforms-to-you upper still provided a snug fit.
The incredibly lightweight Kjerag has a tightly woven upper for support and protection, paired with nimble traction and flexibility for an intimate trail-feel.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
The Kjerag doesn't have any additional lateral supports, so bear this in mind if you want a shoe to aid in fatigue-induced overpronation. We wouldn't recommend this for runners seeking out shoes to aid in stability, especially laterally, but if you want something trustworthy with a beautiful combination of pep and stability, it's a fantastic option.
We know a thing or two about flying around tight corners on loose terrain. We felt confident, secure, and speedy in the all-new Kjerag
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Comfort and Fit
From the moment we slipped the NNormal Kjerag onto our feet, we knew we were in for a comfortable ride.
We immediately noticed that the Kjerag runs a bit long in the toe box, perhaps because it is a unisex shoe. We grew to appreciate the slight bit of extra length because it prevented us from pounding our toenails into the toe cap during descents. Many trail runners actually purchase their shoes a half size larger than they typically wear to avoid bruising their toenails on downhills.
The textiles and weave of the upper combine beautifully with a simple interior to make a shoe that never felt too rigid or gave us hotspots, even in the initial phases of our testing. This is one of the more flexible trail shoes we've tested, giving it a profile more akin to a responsive road shoe, a comfort feature we adore. This style may not appeal to you if you want a sturdier shoe that is more reminiscent of a hiking boot.
The weave of the yarn creates a comfortable and light-feeling upper, while the lace bed adds just enough support to feel secure on the move.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
The Kjerag does run fairly narrow, and as of now, there is not a wide option available. The upper has a way of conforming to your foot shape for added comfort, but wide-footed runners might find that the platform isn't wide enough. The toe box is comfortably spacious, offering room for toes to flex and splay without overdoing it. Width notwithstanding, as the shoe breaks in, you might feel a slight crease in the toebox; we could feel this at the bases of our big toes. We weren't ever bothered by this, but if you like the roof of your toe box to be a bit more ample, it is worth keeping this quirk in mind. Ultimately, our testers loved the comfort and fit of the Kjerag, but we acknowledge that it isn't what all trail runners might want. If you want a long-distance workhorse with plentiful cushion and some extra oomph to get the job done, we have better recommendations for you. If you want to add a comfortable and nimble shoe to your existing running kit, the Kjerag is worth considering.
The Kjerag doesn't have the protective features or cushion that incline us to recommend it to ultra-distance runners. But for shorter, peppier jaunts, this is a winning trail shoe.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Weight
With protective elements galore, trail running shoes aren't exactly known for being ultra lightweight. Until now, that is.
The Kjerag is the lightest weight standard trail running shoe we have tested to date, beating out our previous winner by more than an ounce. The scant weight that makes up the Kjerag is beautifully distributed, providing a near-weightless sensation. Of course, this shoe isn't the most protective or well-cushioned out there, so keep this in mind as you shop. If you are motivated by feather-weight gear and want enough protection and cushion to keep your feet comfy, the Kjerag might be your perfect match.
The levity of the Kjerag is unlike any other shoe we've tested.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Should You Buy the Nnormal Kjerag?
We had our doubts about the Kjerag since it is a first-edition shoe dropped by trail phenom Kilian Jornet. We are pleased to report that this shoe holds up the hype. While not the only shoe we recommend to trail enthusiasts, all of its elements come together to create a great option for middle-distance speed outings. The slender-ish body of the Kjerag won't appeal to all runners, and those in search of a super-plush and rugged shoe might find it to be lacking. But if you want a lightweight shoe that helps encourage leg turnover while flying around mountains, our trail nerds think you'll fall in love with the Kjerag just as we did.
The Kjerag feels inherently trustworthy because of its secure midfoot, toe box space, and grippy traction.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
What Other Trail Running Shoes Should You Consider?
If you want a sensitive shoe with more protection than the Nnormal Kjerag can offer, check out the alpine-ready La Sportiva Bushido II instead. The Bushido offers a bit more lateral structure, a rock plate, and a more rugged toe cap, making it a sensitive shoe that is equipped to handle burlier demands. If you like the idea of a more traditionally fitted shoe but want slightly more robust traction, check out the Saucony Peregrine 13. And finally, if you just can't stomach the price of Kjerag, which is super understandable, check out the more universally comfortable and lower-priced Brooks Divide 4.
—
Ally Arcuri
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