I bought Kilian Jornet's shoes that WON UTMB! Review of the NNormal Kjerag Trail Running Shoes
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- čas přidán 2. 06. 2024
- Kilian left his long term sponsor to help set up this new company NNormal and this is their first product to launch.. the Kjerag. Today we take the shoe out in Epping Forrest, London to chat all about it, the company and my first impressions. Then after logging some more K's, it's time to have more of a deep dive. Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
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What’s the best trail shoe you’ve ever ran in??
Hoka Zinal 👍
For ultras: the Salomon s/lab ultra versions.
For shorter, muddier: Salomon s/lab sense 8 SG.
And I’ve tried Hoka SG, several La Sportiva and Inov-8, Nike as well as loads of Salomons.
Currently my fav is the Kjerag, but have to get more miles in it - but not that easy not with al the snow.
Right now, the Saucony Xodus Ultra. Pretty much can do it all very well. Not the lightest, fastest, most robust, most nimble, most comfortable, etc. but it's up there in each of these metrics and is the best all-round trail running shoe for me.
I also really like the Hoka Mafate Speed 4, the inov-8 TrailFly Ultra G 280, Hoka Speedgoat 5, and the Speedland SL:HSV amongst the trail shoes I've tried this year.
I managed to get hold of a pair of Salomon S/Lab Genesis and I have loved them. Completed a 115km ultra and didn't have any issues
Speedgoat
when Ben suggests that he can wear the shoe out to dinner, I feel like that's when we really needed a Sarah reaction cam
Love you guys! Great video and amazing commitment as always in getting it done 💪
Good to hear about these Ben. Will be really interesting to see if these take off. My favourite shoe has to be the Brooks Caldera 5
'Got about 20km to do today" - You say it like its nothing lol - You are an inspiration Ben :) Love from NZ
I e found the Evadict race-light the best I have tried for both UK running (mud, coastal boulders, and loose shale in the mountains in Slovenia). Both good grip & traction and longer 5mm lug depth. Dyneema upper for lightweight strength. It has a speed/ rock plate so is fast but comfortable over rocks. Just under £90 at Decathlon
Hoka Torrent does it for me without breaking the bank. Cool seeing you in Jeff’s UTMB vid.
Yes.. Sarah and me are watching it later today. His videos are epic!
Torrent 2 is my favourite trail shoe ever. Just changed to Kjerag though and I think it’s up to par.
Merrell Long Sky 1. Light and low with great Vibram outsole. Lovely.
That waterproof Nnormal Tomir does look interesting for UK winter running
Great review!!! I run in the Hoka Speedgoat, now version 5!
Already have it!! and also water proof tomir version. love them. Remember half size down.
Brillant! Great info. Thanks 🙏
This Friday evening I get use of the Black Friday deals on your merch and I bought 3 of your running shirts and a hoody.
I’m so excited to get a hold of it because it looks like it have a very high quality when you wear it in your videos 🔥🔥🔥🔥😃😃😃😃
I’m pretty new to your channel Ben and I like your content and art of talking in front of the camera very much 🙏😃🔥
I fired up to see you crushing the Valencia Marathon 💪💪💪 I think you will do because you train like a man possessed 🔥🔥🔥 Keep Hammering
Ps: It’s raining here in Germany too 😁🤷♂️
In my opinion it makes the training even more exciting 🥰
We have to run in the rain all the time in the UK! Thank you for the kind support. Your order should be in the post today for you. Let us know you get it ok and what you think 🙌🙌 have a lovely week!
Servus from Salzburg Austria!
Definitely keen to try them if I'm ever near a store that stocks them (can't order shoes online due to having special feet 😀). I have the Vibram litebase megagrip on my Scarpa Spin Ultras which I'm coming up to 1000kms in and retiring, I have a new pair I'm breaking in, so I can vouch for the durability of the outsole rubber, find these shoes great for the mountainous terrain that I run in. Also keen to try the Tomir for a bit more underfoot protection as without a rockplate I'm not sure the Kjerag will offer enough protection for the trails I run on.
Just had my first hit out in Saucony Peregrine 12s which left me underwhelmed, preferred my old version 10s as the fit in the new model has a bit too much volume and a poorer lockdown for my low volume feet despite going down a 1/2 size, mid-sole was also disappointing as I was expecting an improvement from the 10s... this is what seems to happen when I order something online even when it's only a small update to a shoe I'm happy with!
Main shoe for years, Clifton’s.
Tried the Tomir. Stiff, heavy, bland. Months later, just got these. Love them! Something to be said for a light, agile shoe with great ground feel and precise fit, compared to my years in a cushioned Clifton. Not sure about not having an insole yet.
Also, I sized down 1/2 a size.
All my runs are on concrete trails as well. I’m hoping for a road version one day!
I bought the Nnormal Tomir instead and apart from wishing I had bought a half size down, I am absolutely loving them.
I agree, I will go down a size next pair.
Being more of a road runner, my Saucony Peregrine's have got plenty of miles in them. Great review/video/editing as per usual.
I have a pair of Nnormal Kjerag in the new white. I sized down from a 9 to an 8. The new white colour was a concern but they clean up fine, they also dry out very quickly. Love them
Love the editing on this video!
Thank you Joe!
Hi Ben, great job with the review. I watch and read a lot of running shoe reviews for 2022 but I’m yet to see one which includes the best eco friendly shoes. We take a lot of care purchasing clothing from eco friendly brands but why is it a lot of reviewers do not include this very important topic?
I see’s new Ben Parkes video, I watch Ben Parkes video!!! 🎉🎉🎉
Rocking Inov8 Trailfly 270’s or Inov8 XTalons for really muddy and wet conditions. Never let me down so far.
These Nnormal shoes do look interesting though. Sole looks great.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts! I'm really excited to try these our. Will you be getting the Tomir too?
Possibly.. if this video does well and the interest is there, then we might get it in to test!
Hi - Ever review any Brooks shoes or do you not get on with them? Also, be interested to hear your views on warming up distances people should run pre-race and what’s the sweetspot WU distance that will most help with the actual race
Looks and seems like a great shoe! I would love to buy a pair. I wonder how they compare to my other favorite shoes, the adidas TERREX Speed Ultra. Great review Ben!
I love the speed ultra too, feels less that 8mm drop to me which I appreciate.
You are absolutely perfect in all your videos👍!!! Love them all, with a lot of informations about the shoes you try and race. In these Kjerag the size are true?
I've actually had issues with hot spots in these shoes. I did about 22km and very nearly had blisters at the end. I don't understand how no insoles could lead to fewer blisters?! Your foot is essentially right up against the midsole, and it's a high friction material, so if your foot is moving against it for a long period it's going to cause hot spots and blisters.
I wonder if anyone else has had similar issues?
Other than that I quite like them. They're lightweight and the cushioning is quite firm. Grip is good but I don't think will do very well in muddy conditions.
PS I don't agree with going a full size down. I got my normal size, and it's fine. I absolutely could have gone a half size down, but I like a bit of extra room. I don't think a full size down would be comfortable for me.
Environmentally friendly, wide toe box, and lightweight. The holy trinity.
I really like my Kjerag’s also. Races a 24k in them around a month ago. My Salomon size is 42 2/3 and 42 is perfect for me for the NNormal ones.
I also feel that they are light and fast shoes, a real better version of Salomon s/lab ultra 3 for instance.
I've had a few runs in my Kjerags now, and there's a lot to love! As you say, the lightness, the grip, the nimble feeling... Certainly on shorter runs, it is a winner! Even though it is really responsive, it does give a little bounce-back and feels zippy.
You mentioned that it was hard to put on - I find that the "midfoot sock" that is attached to the tongue is a bit restrictive for me. I don't think I have a particularly high volume foot (pretty average, I think), but even though the shoe fit well in terms of the last, I need to really adjust and lace the shoe up just so for it to not feel too tight. Not a problem for any run up to an hour, but longer than that, and I start feeling a bit uncomfortable. Maybe it will loosen up as I put more miles in them... But - mostly an epic shoe! As you say, just feels like they're not there, they just work.
Can you please tell if you bought it true to size , like I use Salomon US 9 should I go for same size in nnormal???
@@maverickmukul5756 I think they run a bit small. I'd size up half a size...
@@larslairdben said he went 1.5 size down, another comment says 1 size down, another says half size down and you say to half size up. to get these i need to buy from abroad,pay shipping and custom duty and i don't even know which size to get. final decision, i'm not risking it 😅
Hi Ben, I reviewed the Tomir and found it to be a great shoe, similar to the Kjerag but with a slightly deeper stack height, making it more of an everyday trainer. Again, firm midsole, but I think it responded better to running on hard standing than your Kjerag. Thanks Rob
Thanks Rob. Will check out your video!
I have the tomir waterproof and have covered nearly 1000km in six months they have been very good I only run trail and min runs of 16km I highly recommend them . I think Robs spot on 👍
Hope i will get to run in these sometime in the future..
Kilian is a total trail hero - GOAT for trails I reckon
I don’t think there is anyone who comes close in the trail world! 🐐
@@BenParkes I looked back at videos of Kilian from years ago and he’s just being playful in his running, it’s something else. Watching him in races now there is so much control …UTMB was a great example of that I think.
So.., did you like it? Amazing to think he ran the whole UTMB in those and won. He must have incredible strong feet.
The correct pronunciation is right there on their website...
Hi Ben! Compared using 44eu in NIke or Salomon, this how you will say will fit right, 43 or 43.5? Thanks
Love your stuff, bought your London marathon plan.........but, there is one thing that I cannot let go, .....Epping is ESSEX. DEF ESSEX (I'm as Essex boy) .
Otherwise your Norwegian ...it's ok ( I'm also half Norwegian)
Kilian is the ultimate trail runner for me!
Hope UTMB training is going well!
Would be good for a future Episode all about waterproofs (for mandatory gear) - especially trousers! Some look like parachute trousers... some don't have zips... weight... fabrics … absolute minefield!
Would love to see a practical test of these on the tops somewhere, peaks/lakes/wales in some bogs and scrambles?
didnt run in them yet, but sizing seems to be 1/2 to 1 EU-size down, if you want slightly more cushion just take normal size and pop in an insole.
To me they feel similar to the adidas speed ultra, which I still enjoy too as faster trail shoes that can bring you up to 40-50 km easily. The adidas speed ultra have a different profile and are slightly heavier, maybe a bit more bouncy as well due the boost midsole.
Thanks for this Ben - I don’t suppose that many are going to get sent out free to other testers so it’s good you do what you do!
I bought the S/LAB Pulsar SG a couple of months ago (I think another Kilian shoe before NNormal) - I wonder how they compare?
I’ve also got the Pulsar SG and for me the Kjerag works way better. I feel that the Kjerag is more stable , but might be because the Pulsar SG has a bit higher stack. Also Kjerag is a bit wider under the mid-foot. Grip-wise the Kjerag is a winner.
From what I’ve read the pulsar is very close, but it’s not a shoe I’ve ever used.. so can’t comment from experience. Generally people seem to prefer the nnormal shoe though!
The footprint (view from the bottom) looks like its very narrow in the arch just like the original Pulsar was. I had the Pulsar and found the narrowness in the arch downright uncomfortable especially on cambered trails. Do these seem as narrow in the arch as they appear?
I didn’t notice them being particularly narrow Darren
I’ve ordered the NNormal Tomir as soon as they got out. But unfortunately they have too much room in the front foot for my foot shape, and the mid sole is has hard as concrete (I’m usually a Hoka speedgoat kind of guy) so had to return. Being in the UK that’s a massive problem, since returning is from your own pocket. Paid £18.5 to return via Royal Mail, the shoes got to Madrid, Spain on the 28th of October but they haven’t arrived to camper/ NNormal headquarters in Barcelona yet (today is 2/12/22), they are just stuck in Madrid!!!
I lived in Barcelona in the past and it is well known that the Spanish post office with regards to international parcels is pretty awful, but I never thought it would be that bad.
So my advise, if you are in the UK and you always like to try different sizing before making a purchase is to stay away from NNormal until they have a distributor in the UK.
Glad to hear I am not the only one to have had a similar experience, parcel spent about a month stuck in Spanish customs in Barcelona which was quite stressful not knowing what was happening with the return. Just to reiterate for UK buyers return shipping is not free and cost me £18 odd as well (luckily PayPal paid £15 but that service has since discontinued). As for the Tomir, I went a half size down having bought two pairs to try, front toe box has too much material but good fit in the mid foot and heel. Grip is excellent which is a big plus and personally I like the ride although firm. Fingers crossed the durability will last - time will tell!
Hey Archie, did your returned shoes make it to Barcelona?
Hey @@pedrocarvalho4266, yes I my return went from uk to south of France to Barcelona, and that’s where it got stuck. It didn’t go through Madrid for me.
Had a similar experience with returns. Correos said they tried to deliver but no one there. Contacted Normal and they just said it’s not their problem! Post office was 5k away from Camper but wouldn’t try redelivery unless contacted by Camper/Normal. Sent pics of all correspondence to Normal but heard nothing. Got £150 is Normal goods stuck in a Spanish post office! Wanted to support the brand but it’s back to Salomon for the time being. Got some size 10 kerags which are too big but not going to risk a return again!!
Sounds very comparable to Inov-8’s Terra Ultra G270. Not a lot of cushion, great grip, and connection to the ground.
What running shorts where you wearing in the video thanks
…if I had a nickel for every time I have seen Ben’s hair in a video…, I might have 25 cents ..
Good stuff.. great video
Haha.. my hair is a rare sight! 👀
The KJERAG (sche•rak) is an awesome shoe. Mine arrived last week (review on my channel) and they feel great! They could do with more grip for our winter but not bad, the midsole though is springy and wants to go fast. Cheers for the review @Ben Parkes
Will check out your video. Glad to hear you’re liking them too!
Thanks! I was looking for pronunciation too!
Kilian is amazing
Epping Forest isn't in North London lol!
Have you tested a pair of Nordas’ keen to hear how Nnormal fairs against them ?
I haven’t Rory I’m afraid.
Don’t you mean “the shoes he wore when he won UTMB”? 👌
thx🏃♂
they're the same size as other shoes but without an insole
A full shoe size down is *nuts*. Looked on their website and that's not made clear at all!
Yeah.. judging by other comments on the video from other people who’ve used it people need at least 1/2 a size down, some a full size. I’ve never seen a manufacturer state sizing information changes though, they would always believe their product is perfect! Most retailers would though.. but don’t think this will get sold anywhere other than direct to consumer via their own website. At least you know now!
@@BenParkes the waterproof boot looks gorgeous, I'm sorely tempted
Great shoes super nimble
Bizarre how the sizing can be so off standard in some brands.
If anybody with a first-hand experience could share thoughts on how Kjerag's fit compares to S/lab Pulsar, Pulsar SG, Sense 8, it would be greatly appreciated.
I can’t run though the bogs of Epping forest, you can’t even hike though them without sliding around like crazy. The damn clay has a habit of ripping your shoe off your foot too. !
Looks like a S/Lab Pulsar copy..🧐
it is not the shoes ,it is the guy. he would do it on any other shoes.
Remember to click the like button guys! I did my part!
Kilian gagnerait avec n'importe quelle chaussure.
Yes!
I feel Emelie Forsberg doesn’t get enough credit here.
What do you mean?
Favorite athlete (golf)? 🏌️♂️
🐯
I think it's fairer to say Killian Jornet won UTMB...and he probably could have done it in plimsols
Ha, I’d agree!!
$195 seems way to much for a average light weight shoe without much cushioning or carbon plate.
It’s more Kilian who won UTMB, it shows how shoes are not so important 😅
Except Kilian can win in any shoes!
they look very "pointy" .. probably not for me
200 DOLLARS FOR THAT SHOE? Won't turn you into KILLIAN.
If those shoes disagree with the fact that the earth is flat, I will not buy them.
Ha ha . You know when you're out skiing and you fall, what makes you face plant?
@@61js Show me a photo - not an image, of the earth as a globe and I will give you an answer.
NO ! Kilian Jornet won the UTMB.
You're welcome.
Nnormal shoes are junk. The soles of both types came loose within 50 miles. The company said they were under warranty and to send them back for a full refund. They just kept the shoes without the refund. First they said there was a delay in it, then they said they said that it was not guaranteed that they would issue a refund. They just kept my shoes and quit replying to my emails.
why you speak only with your tongue?? your lips stay the same shape.. is that genetic??
Sorry Ben I normally really like your videos but this one is just awful framing and clickbait. The shoes did not win UTMB - Killian did. A combination of athleticism, talent, training, diet, hydration, nutrition, S&C, support, inspiration, luck and many other factors. Gear played a part for sure but we musn't perpetuate the deceptive problem of gear lust in the running community - and the title and thumbnail of this video sadly do that imo.
I think Killian could win UTMB in flip flops
I don't think he meant it in the literal sense.
Sense of humour?
Obviously I disagree with you 🙂 the shoes are all part of it and generally people like to know what gear athletes use as part of their set up.. especially when they are such a big part of that gears production. What racket Roger Federer used when he won Wimbledon, what clubs Tiger played with when he won the masters, what car Lewis Hamilton drive to a world championship.. we all know the greats could use pretty much anything, but generally the gear performs well and helps them on their way to greatness. After most running races you get podiums and rankings for all the shoes used.. at UTMB there were people on course noting all the brands of shoes used and where they placed.. if no gear was ever put in the spotlight, professional sport wouldn’t even exist. Sorry you didn’t like the video. Always happy to chat about what people like/dislike, but with this one I liked the naming and don’t feel it’s clickbait at all.. clickbait encourages dishonest clicks.. all this does is state a fact and goes into a deep dive about the product and what it’s done. As I said in the video Kilian is probably my favourite ever runner, I know all about him in great deal and have the upmost respect for his incredible achievements.. but like most people I enjoy learning all about his set up, whether it be the diet that won UTMB, the hydration that won UTMB, the training that won UTMB.. this was just the shoes that won UTMB. All the best
@@BenParkes Thanks for taking the time to reply. 👍
kjerag. i won my first race in it without breaking it in
Would love to see a practical test of these on the tops somewhere, peaks/lakes/wales in some bogs and scrambles?