NNormal Kjerag 2 Review | Worth It In 2025?
In this article, I’m going to share my HONEST NNormal Kjerag 02 review after running over 60 trail miles on everything from wet gravel to flat packed dirt trails for anyone wondering whether they’re truly WORTH IT in 2025.
Unlike the “sponsored” reviews out there, I bought the NNormal Kjerag 02 with my own money, paid full retail, and tested them in the summer heat of 90°F down to 40°F cold mornings.
I’ll be sharing my critical scoring with 11 years of experience as a professional trail runner, and outdoors enthusiast. The same testing approach I’ve used for over 50 trail shoes in the past 3 years alone.
I’ll also be directly comparing the Kjerag 02 to the Hoka Mafate X, Salomon Speedcross 6, Hoka Mafate 5, and the Salomon Sense Ride 5.
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NNormal Kjerag 02 Review In Short
Finally a trail running shoe that doesn’t have over the top cushion like the Hoka Challenger 8, however great trail feel and cushion that does more than enough.
The Kjerag comes with a neutral 6mm heel to toe drop, with excellent heel and fore foot cushioning as well as a nice snappy ride without the instability of a massive cushioned shoe.
The Vibram Megagrip outsole with 3.5 mm lugs performs exceptionally well in all types of terrain including but not limited to wet granite, gravel, hard packed dirt trails, sandstone, sleet and much more. The lugs bite into the trails with great grip especially on some of the rougher trails New Hampshire has to offer.
Comfort-wise the Kjerag does not skimp out, we measured the heel stack at 26 mm. While it is impressively stiff the medium sized stack height really rebounds well without a topple over effect.
The tongue design is very unique, it is gusseted with a mesh-like membrane that is very pliable. The upper of the shoe really hugs your foot and fights against any sort of instability on the trail.
Overall, the NNormal really knocked it out of the park with the Kjerag 02, currently rated as our best trail shoe of 2025.
NNormal Kjerag 2 Pros & Cons
NNormal Kjerag 02 Price and Where to Buy
The current retail price for the Kjerag 2 sits at $195 on Rei.com, a great value for the performance.
Order Here for the LOWEST PRICE AVAILABLE (Do NOT pay retail):
Comfort & Fit
For all the wide foot trail runners out there beware because the NNormal Kjerag runs quite narrow. I tested out at men’s size 10.5 regular and they fit mildly tight however, after breaking them in for my first trail run they fit exceptionally well.
Unfortunately they do not come in a wide size. The toe box does have plenty of room, which we measured at 3.2 inches. The majority of the narrowness of this shoe is in the mid foot.
The midsole is nice and well cushioned however it is not overly squishy, or compressive resulting in a top over effectively when tackling technical trails. The TPEE Foam is bouncy but not unstable.
I felt my feet were able to slink into the midsole slightly however, there wasn’t an over compressive effect so many maximalist trail shoes tend to do.
One of the best features is the mesh-like tongue that the Kjerag 02 incorporates. At first it begins to get squished down over the top of your foot when you initially put the shoes on. Once you pull the tongue up and fasten the laces over it’s a nice relieving effect.
The impact absorption was quite impressive. While the stack height isn’t extremely high, the midsole really absorbs shock efficiently. Also, the Kjerag 02 still has a great ground feel effect.
The Matryx upper is a feature we have previously reviewed in our hiking boots such as the Solomon X Ultra 5 . However no other Trail shoe as Incorporated The Matrix upper into their rotation as of yet until the Kjerag 02.
The Supercritical PPE insole is quite welcoming and well padded. I felt like my toes were able to ease into the midsole without overcompression. While running, I really felt the cushioning gave me a soft landing without being too firm just like the Brooks Cascadia 18.
This shoe also has a rockered sole which improved my stride efficiency as well as energy return. While it was not as noticeable as the Hoka shoes, I definitely felt that forward propulsion of my foot with each toe-off.
NNormal really struck the perfect balance between being soft, but not sloppy.
Comfort & Fit Score: 9/10 (20%)
Traction
The Kjerag 02 incorporates the Vibram Megagrip litebase. Giving you the grip you need with an even LIGHTER outsole.
The grip we tested on wet granite, slate, root-covered trails, packed clay, loose sand, and boulder fields. The grip is just as sticky as the Salomon Speedcross 6, but less braking traction than the Speedgoat 5.
Uneven technical terrain is where the Kjerag 02 really kicks it into high gear. While testing on boulder fields I felt very agile without a slip, the bite was excellent giving me more confidence on the trail than other shoes during testing.
The 3.5 mm lugs are double-rhomboid shaped in the middle of the forefoot, giving more bite and contact with the surface during my push off phase.
The medial and lateral lugs of the shoe are single rhomboid shaped which give aggressive bite without being overly bulky.
Descending down loose scree I felt the forefoot lugs really helped with braking power as your forefoot is the first to contact the ground while going downhill.
NNormal really stepped up their game while making the outsole lighter,yet capable of any difficult technical terrain. I really feel the Vibram litebase performance was outstanding, giving locked-in grip for the most aggressive trail runners.
Currently, the Kjerga 02 is tied for the best traction out of our trail runner collection.
Traction Score: 9/10 (20%)
Stability & Support
The platform of the Kerag 02 I felt was more narrow in the midfoot, however wide enough in the forefoot and rearfoot for heel strikers to achieve a nice wide landing platform, however, not the best for midfoot strikers.
We measured the drop at 6mm, just as advertised. The drop is closer to neutral, but not as aggressive as the Altra Lone Peak 9+. The cushioning is supportive enough for very good comfort levels, while not taking away from the ground-feel connection or sensitivity of the trail.
The torsional rigidity and heel counter stiffness were both excellent during testing. The heel cup is nice and steep, keeping my hindfoot locked in without any slipping.
On off-camber trails, the torsional rigidity really came in handy resisting any ankle rolls or sprains. The Matryx upper is a real game changer for a better secure run.
The Kjerag doesn’t use an internal shank or chassis system for support. Honestly, I didn’t feel like it needed one. A lot of brands, like Hoka with the Mafate X, add those features to control the instability of an over-plush midsole. The Kjerag 02 just doesn’t have that issue.
Stability & Support Score: 8.5/10 (20%)
Weight
Be ready to be surprised here, we weighed the Kjerag 02 in at 9 ounces.
While it is one of the lightest trail runners out there, it has a dynamic rocker that makes the shoe feel even more nimble than the scale suggests while on the trail.
The lower weight accentuated my agility on climbs, where I could pick up my cadence as needed.
The distribution of the weight throughout the shoe is something I couldn’t pass up either.
While more protected shoes like the Atlra Olympus 6 are more top heavy, the Kjerag really has bulletproof protection without too much weight or bulkiness in any specific section of the shoe.
Weight Score : 9/10 (15%)
How’s The Overall Protection Of The Kjerag 02?
The Kjerag features a protective rubber toe cap that expands over the front of the toe box serving as an adequate barrier against sharp edges or debris.
When I hit sharp granite head-on, the rock plate spread the impact so well it basically disappeared under my foot.
The reinforced Matryx upper is strong like kevlar and really acts like Mithril armor like Frodo had in Lord Of The Rings. Strong enough to stave off any abrasions or scrapes but still flexible and not overly rigid.
The Kjerag 02 really comes reinforced to tackle challenging trails without putting your foot or ankles at risk.
Overall Protection Score: 9/10 (10%)
Durability
I was very impressed with the Kjerag’s ability to take the abuse through 60 miles without loss of its integrity.
The combined Matryx and mesh upper really is resistant to any fraying or scruffing. Although a majority of the shoe is welded and not traditionally stitched, it has held up admirability well.
The Vibram outsole hasn’t lost its bite or started to flatten out. Just note that the shallower lugs may wear down faster than a standard 5mm design.
I am a little apprehensive about the welded overlay between the upper and the protective rubber toe cap. These areas are very prone to delamination. I haven’t experienced this as of yet, but will update with any new insights.
Overall, the Kjerag 02 is built to last with quality materials.
Durability Score: 8.5/10 (10%)
Is The NNormal Kjerag 02 Worth It?
If you are an advanced trail runner looking to up your game, the Kjerag 02 is totally worth it. For $195 you get excellent performance around the board with a shoe that will LAST.
This shoe is made specifically for technical terrain and serious trail runners who can control their form over long distances and get the most out of this shoe.
Price wise, they are priced very fairly, for everything you get out of them. They are also $100 cheaper than the Norda 001 which are made for the same class of runners.
For $195, the Kjerag 02 delivers a package that’s hard to beat.
What Other Trail Running Shoes Should You Consider?
If you are looking for a more comfortable shoe that can handle technical terrain check out the Hoka Stinson 7. The Merrell Agility Peak 5 and Salmon Sense Ride 5 is also a good choice for more budget conscious runners.
Value Score: 4.5/5 (5%)
Scoring Breakdown
Comfort & Fit (20%): 9/10
Traction (20%): 9/10
Stability & Support (20%): 8.5/10
Weight (15%): 9/10
Overall Protection (10%): 9/10
Durability (10%): 8.5/10
Value (5%): 4.5/5
Total Weighted Score:
1.80 + 1.80 + 1.70 + 1.35 + 0.90 + 0.85 + 0.45 = 8.85 / 10
Our Rating:
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the NNormal fit Kjerag true to size?
Yes, the Kjerag fits true to size. I tested a size men’s 10.5 and fit well without issue.
When was the NNormal Kjerag 02 released?
The NNormal Kjerag 02 was released on July 15th, 2025. We have been testing them since the release date.
Do NNormal shoes run narrow?
Yes, NNormal shoes run slightly narrow, in the mid foot especially.
What’s the difference between the NNormal Kjerag and Kjerag 02?
The NNormal 02 features more cushioning as well as a higher stack height. The 02 weighs slightly more and has a lighter, more breathable upper.
How We Tested and Our Methodology
I personally have tested the NNormal Kjerag 02 since their release this year in 2025, with the sole intent of giving you the most unbiased review possible. Mountaineer Journey is a 100% independent publisher with years of testing and reviewing outdoor equipment.
Over the past 15+ years, I’ve logged thousands of trail miles across everything from technical boulder runs to slate covered trails.
This deep experience allowed me to create an OBJECTIVE scoring system for all trail shoes for the most unbiased scores possible.
This kind of hands-on experience helps me evaluate how a trail running shoe truly performs—whether it’s truly stable, grips well on varied surfaces, and holds up over time under real mileage.
We currently pay for the products we test ourselves; no company or manufacturer pays us to sway our opinions or decisions.
Our Founder Tyler has over 15+ years of experience in the outdoors, including Hiking, Trekking, Mountaineering, Survival Skills, and much more. Tyler also serves as a Mountain Guide.
