The NNormal Kjerag 2.0 is a trail racing (and training) shoe from NNormal — a collaboration between mountain-running G.O.A.T Kilian Jornet and family-owned Spanish footwear company Camper. Version two brings a new midsole compound, EExpure+, which promises a softer, more propulsive ride than its predecessor. You’ll also get an additional 2.5 mm of stack height throughout, plus major updates to the upper to counteract any added weight from the slightly more cushioned build. With the Kjerag 02, NNormal seem to be walking a tightrope: make the shoe more approachable, but don’t alienate the loyalists who loved v1 for its ground feel and precision. In this review, I put the NNormal Kjerag 2.0 through its paces to find out whether they’ve pulled it off. The TLDR? They have. This is, without a doubt, one of the best all-round trail running shoes of 2025 — and possibly my favourite trail runner to date.

NNormal Kjerag 02 Review: Key Specs

Stack Height: 26mm / 20mm
Heel-to-Toe Drop: 6mm
Upper: Matryx Light Jacquard
Weight: 240g (UK 8.5)
Midsole: TPE-based EExpure+
Outsole: Vibram Megagrip Litebase
Lug Length: 3.5mm
Rock Plate: None

How I Tested the NNormal Kjerag 02

Before writing a review, I aim to clock at least 50 km — enough to properly understand a shoe’s character. So far, I’ve logged 117.5 km (~73 miles) in the Kjerag 02 across varied terrain:

• Sharp, technical climbs
• Ankle-twisting descents
• Smooth double-track
• Uncharacteristically dry Peak District moorland
• Asphalt

What’s New in the NNormal Kjerag 02?

The Kjerag 02 brings meaningful changes in three key areas:

• Midsole: Softer, bouncier EExpure+ foam
• Stack height: Raised by 2.5 mm (heel now ~26 mm, forefoot ~20 mm)
• Upper: New Matryx® Light Jacquard for improved breathability, stretch, and comfort

What’s untouched? The outsole — and that’s a smart move. The Vibram Megagrip Litebase with 3.5 mm directional lugs remains one of the grippiest and most confidence-inspiring on the market. Additionally, there’s still no insole — a move from Kilian and the team to increase ground connection, propulsion, and, interestingly, reduce the likelihood of blisters forming from foot slippage.

While there’s a number of key changes, the Kjerag 02 retains much of the original’s DNA.

Upper: A More Forgiving Fit

The upper on the original Kjerag was extremely durable thanks to its double-layered Matryx Jacquard. There was a trade-off, however. It was a bit stiff, structured, warm, and sweat-trapping. The Kjerag 02 replaces it with Matryx® Light, a thinner, more breathable woven upper that finally gives a little when your feet start swelling on long runs. Gone too is the rigid, short, origami-like tongue. It’s now a knit wrap-style design that feels like it moulds around the midfoot with no hotspots or weird pressure. Sometimes these knit-style tongues fix one issue and create another — lace bite. But the Kjerag 02 avoids this through its diagonal lacing. Sometimes, one of the only things I notice from a shoe is its tongue. Thanks to the thin, comfortable, form-fitting, minimalist one used in the Kjerag 02, it’s not something I’ve ever noticed.

It’s still a race-ready upper — but one you can actually live with.

Midsole & Ride: EExpure+ Foam, Refined

The Kjerag 2.0’s EExpure+ foam is springy, bouncy, propulsive — pick whichever adjective you prefer. It’s not super soft like a New Balance 1080, but it’s certainly a pleasant feeling stepping into these shoes, and one that remains so as the miles and hours tick away.

It’s the first time I’ve had that “woah!” feeling in a trail shoe. The bouncy-goodness I’d experienced in a plethora of road shoes had finally come to trail. That’s not for a lack of trying, either. I’ve put considerable mileage in the Altra Mont Blanc Carbon, a shoe that not only includes a blend of foams — one being PEBA — but, as the name suggests, also features a carbon-fibre plate. Don’t get me wrong, I love the Altra. It’s one of my favourite trail running shoes. But even with all that tech, it doesn’t come close to the Kjerag 02 in propulsion.

Fans of version one might fear that NNormal have succumbed to the industry-wide trend of adding more stack for the sake of it. But that’s not how I see things. I liked the feel of the original Kjerag, but there was no way I was running far in it. The new EExpure+ foam and the additional 2.5mm throughout somehow perfectly balances keeping the responsive, close-to-the-ground feel of the original, while providing more than enough underfoot protection for even the most pampered feet (mine) to run far in them.

If you like precision, fast turnover, and ground feel — without unnecessarily beating up your feet — you’ll like what NNormal have done here.

Outsole & Traction: Can It Handle the Mud?

The Vibram Megagrip Litebase outsole remains unchanged, and it’s clear to see why. Despite the lugs being the shallowest of those I’ve tried, coming in at just 3.5mm, their rhomboidal pattern and directional placement make them highly effective. Not just on rocky, technical terrain, either. We’ll get into the nitty gritty of how I’ve used the Kjerag 02 later in the article. But suffice it to say, I’ve been super impressed with how they’ve performed across mixed terrain. Sure, they’re unlikely to see you through patches of thick mud. But that’s what the Kjerag Brut (and hopefully Kjerag 2.0 Brut) are for.

• 3.5 mm directional lugs
• Litebase rubber shaves weight without sacrificing grip or longevity
• Predictable traction even on wet, angled stone and exposed ridgelines
• Performs better-than-expected on mixed terrain

If you’re new to trail, Vibram Megagrip is essentially the holy grail of rubber compounds, while Vibram’s Litebase tech shreds roughly 30% of the outsole weight by slimming the rubber by 50%. However, other factors, such as lug-depth and lug-pattern, make a difference to the performance of a shoe. So while it’s typically a great sign if a shoe utilises Vibram Megagrip, it’s not a guarantee of performance.

Of course, the 3.5mm directional lugs of the Kjerag 02 have been designed well. We know this because it’s one of the standout features of the first version, and it’s unchanged here.

In this case, NNormal opted for 3.5mm lugs arranged in a directional, rhomboid pattern — denser under the forefoot for grip and propulsion, spaced more widely at the heel for controlled braking. Essentially, this means solid toe-off traction when climbing and consistent braking when descending. As we touched on earlier, there’s been no changes to the outsole from the original Kjerag. That’s simply because it worked so well.

Fit & Feel: Still a Race Fit, But Easier to Live With

The Kjerag 2.0 has a slightly more forgiving fit than the original. That might simply be down to the improved (thinner, less restrictive) upper being more pliable than v1. The new upper adds a bit of room in the toe box and improves lockdown through the midfoot. That said, it’s still a performance-oriented fit.

Durability: Built for Races or the Long Haul?

After 112.4 km (~69.8 miles) of varied terrain, the Kjerag 02 are holding up perfectly. There are no visible signs of wear and feel just as good, if not a little better, as they did out the box. Of course, my pair is still in its infancy, and I’d be seriously disappointed if that wasn’t the case (though let’s be honest, it isn’t always).

While I can’t personally comment any further on their durability (though I’ll be sure to update as the miles tick over), what I can say is NNormal are committed to — in fact the company is built on and embeds it throughout the organisation — sustainability. Jornet even has his own foundation dedicated to raising awareness of and tackling climate change, so we’re unlikely to see a company he’s heavily affiliated with cooking up an Adios Pro Evo-type shoe that’s only really at its best for one marathon distance. If the Kjerag 01 is anything to go by, the Kjerag 02 is likely to see some big numbers before it needs replacing.

The only question mark is whether the upper, which has been trimmed to a single-layer Matryx jacquard, is going to be the point of failure for the Kjerag 02. The original Kjerag had an extremely durable upper, but people complained of breathability and comfort issues.

I plan to see just how far I can push the Kjerag 02. Not for science, really, but because I really enjoy the feel of them. I hope to clock at least 1000 km in them, and will update (if not post a follow-up review) if and when that time comes.

First Impressions: “Now We’re Talking”

This isn’t my first rodeo with NNormal, though previous rides were admittedly short-lived. Last year, I purchased NNormal’s most cushioned shoe, the Tomir 2.0, in an effort to introduce a bit of trail running. They were great shoes. Plenty of cushion, a grippy Vibram Megagrip outsole with 5mm lugs — enough for all but the boggiest of bogs. And, unlike many of the trail shoes I’d seen, they actually looked pretty cool, too. But, unfortunately, trail running didn’t immediately resonate with me. Instead of being coated in dirt, the Tomir’s sat gathering dust before finding their way to a new home.

Then, at the start of 2025, I gave trail running another go. I’d been logging more elevation on the roads and finally felt prepared to tackle the more undulating terrain typical of trail. This time, I quickly fell in love with it. Unsurprising, really, considering my recent background as a climber and past life as a hiking weekend-warrior. The outdoors, nature, away from it all, was where I felt most at home. It was odd, then, that I had for so long developed a preference for running the pavements adjacent to busy roads where the air was most polluted. I think before I could truly enjoy trail running, I needed to lose a bit of ego. Needed to accept that I wouldn’t be putting down the same, distinctly bang average, paces on the harsher, hillier, squishier terrain.

Having enjoyed the feel of the Tomir 2.0 but reluctant to pay full retail for it a second time, I thought I’d give NNormal’s other shoe — the original Kjerag — a go. Despite being shockingly light and having an energetic midsole, I already had a couple of low-stack options in my increasingly-larger trail shoe collection — namely the Norda 002 and Altra Lone Peak 9+. I didn’t need another low-stack shoe. Particularly as, at the time, I was on the hunt for something with a chunkier midsole to see me through ultra training. So despite really enjoying them on the brief outings we had, they had to go back. As you can probably see, impulse purchasing is not one of my strong suits.

Some months later I read about the upcoming release of the NNormal Kjerag 02. It promised a softer, more propulsive foam. More importantly, there was going to be a touch more of it. Although brief, those stints with the Tomir 2.0 and Kjerag were enough to pique my interest in an updated version of the latter. I kept an eye out, finding it had released slightly early at Out & Back — an independent running store based in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Much like the first, the Kjerag 02 have a snug race-fit to them. They do feel slightly wider than the original, but that could be due to the more pliable single layer Matryx Light upper. Race fits are no issue for my narrow feet, but wide-footed folks might struggle. If that’s you, I’d definitely suggest finding a store to try them on (or at least one with a good return policy). An anatomically-shaped Topo Athletic this is not.

Another familiarity is the weight. Or distinct lack of it, really. I’d reluctantly accepted that trail running shoes were nearly-always going to be heavy boys. They need to be, right? They need significantly heftier outsoles. Thick, sticky rubber. Big lugs. A light trail shoe probably means an incapable one. Or does it? Nnormal, with both the first and second version of the Kjerag, show what’s possible with clever design and technologies like Vibram Litebase.

One update that immediately stands out is the tongue. They’ve ditched the stiff, short, origami-shaped one for a simple but highly-effective stretchy knit. If you read my review of the Puma MagMax, you’ll know I’m a big fan of these. This one’s stretchability is on par with the Puma. It can be pulled in any direction to find the perfect placement, delicately cuddling the foot. It’s light and soft, making it undetectable as you run. It’s a significant improvement on the original Kjerag’s tongue. I’m assuming issues with this were picked up quite quickly, as the Kjerag Brut seems to have changed to a stretchy knit, too. It’s probably best described as the antithesis of v1’s tongue.

Then there’s the midsole. NNormal claim EExpure+ offers 45% more energy return than EExpure. Without the machinery, I can’t confirm whether this is true or not. But it definitely feels on point. It’s the first trail running shoe that’s delivered that road running shoe fun. This new midsole feels softer than the last, too. And the small but welcome addition of an extra 2.5mm of stack height throughout helps you feel that added rebound. It’s a bouncy number. Full of life. A breath-of-fresh-air compared to the fit-for-purpose but somewhat-dull midsoles I’ve become accustomed to. NNormal have cooked up a storm with the Kjerag 02. Those were the first impressions, anyway. But how have they performed since?

Gritty Verdict: Is the Kjerag 02 the Best All-Round Trail Running Shoe of 2025?

The title of this section has a touch of clickbait, and for two reasons. First — and perhaps too honestly — it helps this review rank, because people really are Googling “the best trail running shoes of 2025.” Second, the Kjerag 02 is one of the best trail running shoes of 2025… for me.

I don’t like to throw around absolutes like “this is the best trail running shoe of 2025 — you have to try it,” because such a thing doesn’t exist. It can’t. Not on the road, and definitely not on the trail. The terrain’s too varied, and so are we — different bodies, preferences, biomechanics. What’s gold for one runner might be a disaster for another. Or, as the saying goes, ‘one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.’

But here’s why I rate it so highly.

The NNormal Kjerag 02 bridges a gap I once thought impossible. When I moved from tarmac to trail, the hardest adjustment (beyond the elevation and technical terrain) was the shoes. It’s not that trail shoes are bad — they just have a different set of priorities.

Lately, road shoes have gone two ways: either hyper-energetic, carbon-fuelled bounce machines, or skyscraper-like monstrosities that put a mile between you and the ground. That might sound like criticism, but it’s not. I’ve loved most of the new tech in road shoes — it’s probably the reason I’ve stuck with the sport this long. But it also made the transition to trail harder. Compared to their road counterparts, the typically firmer, lower-stacked, far-less playful trail shoes sometimes felt disappointing.

Of course, it makes sense. On trail, you’re often running on soft, forgiving ground, so a super-soft midsole just disappears into the dirt. Energy return doesn’t mean much when there’s nothing solid to rebound from. And giant stack heights? Often unnecessary, sometimes unsafe. When brands like Hoka roll them out (see the Mafate X), they’re usually aimed at tame, cruiser-friendly trails — the kind you could probably run in your road shoes anyway.

Trail shoes are built for different demands: grip, ground feel, and comfort. The priorities are different, and rightly so.

Here’s a potentially contentious point: there’s also less need for the shoe to be “fun” when the activity itself already is. Trail running’s varied, immersive, unpredictable nature doesn’t need the same injection of excitement that road running sometimes does. Road miles can be monotonous, so you lean on the shoe for a spark. Trails provide that spark themselves.

That’s not to say I don’t enjoy running on the road — I do. Tarmac has its place. But it’s definitely more fun when the shoes are… well, fun.

So, while I’ve certainly enjoyed many of the trail shoes I’ve so far tested, my choice of which to wear has generally come down to which one is more capable for the type of terrain I’m running on on that particular day. A shoe’s ‘fun-ness’ has never been a deciding factor. But then came the NNormal Kjerag 02. It whispers, in Kilian Jornet’s accent, “Why choose, when you can have both?”

With its updated EExpure+ midsole, the Kjerag 02 delivers an energetic ride. Like all superfoams, its full effect shows on harder surfaces, but it still gives something extra on softer ground thanks to a firmness that — in my view — is perfectly balanced. It feels slightly softer than its predecessor (perhaps due to the added stack), but it remains firm enough to work well across a wide range of surfaces.

One of the biggest surprises is just how comfortable the Kjerag 02 is over long distances. I’ve grown used to relying on big-stack monsters for long runs, and even with the extra 2.5 mm, I was sure its 26/20 mm stack — fairly minimal by today’s standards — would keep it in the “short, sharp effort” category. Not the case. In the build-up to the Ladybower 54K (which I sadly had to pull out of due to illness), I ran a 36 km long run over technical ground, moorland, and easier paths, and had zero issues with my feet. Had I lined up for Ladybower — and had the weather played nice — these would’ve been my top pick.

Speaking of weather, it’s worth noting we’ve had an unusually dry summer. The Kjerag 02’s 3.5 mm lugs wouldn’t be my first choice after a long stretch of wet weather. For boggy, churned-up moorland I’d turn to something more purpose-built, like the INOV8 Trailtalon Zero. That said, on the wet days I have taken the Kjerag out, the lugs have impressed.

The grip is dependable on most wet terrain — I just wouldn’t pick them for full-on bog-trotting. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for a ‘Brut’ edition like we saw with v1 (which swaps the 3.5mm lugs for 6.5mm ones). On the flip side, because of the EExpure+ midsole and shallower lugs, they’re easily one of the best road-to-trail performers I’ve used. I’ve pre-ordered the Mount to Coast H1s (a specialised road-to-trail shoe) and I’m keen to see how the two compare.

In NNormal’s line-up, the Kjerag is pitched as the race-day/performance shoe, with the Tomir sitting in the more cushioned, training-focused category. But after 117.5 km in them, I’d call the Kjerag 02 a genuine all-rounder. It’s built to last, and you don’t need to “save” them for race day.

It’s the one trail shoe I actually want to reach for every time I head out the door. If it’s soaked and boggy, I’ll pick something else. Otherwise, it’s the Kjerag 02 all day, every day. It’ll see you through the training block, race day, and the next block after that. It’s a shoe that doesn’t make me choose between practical and fun. It gives me both. And that, for me, makes it one hell of a trail shoe.

Yes — the best I’ve tried. Period.

Kjerag 1 vs Kjerag 2: Should You Upgrade?

If you liked v1, you’ll likely love v2. Sure, it does go up in stack height. So if you’re after a more minimalist shoe, that might be a negative. But this certainly ride like a max-cushion shoe, even if it is capable of going all day. If v1 felt a bit too punishing or tight? v2 might have solved your biggest gripe.

The 2.0 manages to add comfort, breathability, and a smoother ride without killing what made the original good — namely, its precision, light weight, and serious grip.

Retailers

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Other Articles You Might Be Interested In

• If you’re looking for something with less stack and deeper lugs than the NNormal Kjerag 02, why not check out our recent review of the INOV8 Trailtalon Zero?
• Want to compare the NNormal Kjerag 02 with another technical trail racer? Read our full review of the Salomon S/LAB Pulsar 4.
• Need some gear to go with the shoes? Harrier’s our top pick for quality gear that won’t break the bank.
• An overlooked part of every runner’s wardrobe. If you’re spending hours on the trail, skip the chafe and blisters with Runderwear.
• See what other trail running gear we rate highly in our 2025 gear roundup.
• See which trail running shoes made our best trail running shoes (2025) list and whether the NNormal Kjerag 02 is one of them.