Trail running shoe made for any adventure from the startup partnership between Kilian Jornet and Camper
Comes in a trio of models (baseline, waterproof, and mid waterproof)
Features Vibram Megagrip + Litebase outsole
Available for pre-order on October 5 (base model is 15o€/$150)
Just last month, Nnormal, the new outdoor brand spearheaded by Kilian Jornet and Camper, brought its debut product into the public eye with the Kjerag, a performance trail running shoe. That shoe– which should be available quite soon– was worn by Jornet for his record-breaking UTMB performance in August, so… it seems to work just fine on the trails. That said, Jornet could probably win UTMB in a pair of Yeezy slides, so parse that information however you wish.
Most running start-ups drop one shoe, wait and see how it does, then roll out some other models (see: Atreyu, Speedland, Norda, Tracksmith, etc.). To announce one shoe and then follow up with another range of offerings isn’t that normal. But apparently it is Nnormal, because the brand just announced its Tomir line, a trio of running shoes created for any adventure. Named after a mountain on the Spanish island of Mallorca, the Tomir is created for comfort, outstanding grip, and next-level cushioning.
Much like other popular trail shoes that come in a few different variations (i.e. Hoka Speedgoat, Speedgoat Mid GTX, EVO Speedgoat), the Tomir also comes in three models: Tomir, Tomir Waterproof, and Tomir Boot Waterproof.
The baseline Tomir is a standard-cut trail running and outdoor activity shoe, made for all trail endeavors. The Tomir Waterproof is just a waterproof version of that shoe, and the Tomir Boot Waterproof is a higher ankle-cut boot made for extra support while hiking.
Sounds like Nnormal has all its bases covered regarding use-case on trails, but does the construction and quality add up to make this a premier trail offering? Let’s find out.
True to their word, the technologies in the Tomir are top-of-the-line, going head-to-head with some of our favorite shoes in the trail running scene.
For starters, the Tomir features a Vibram Megagrip + Litebase outsole, which is really one of the best outsoles that money can buy. It’s found on some of our favorite trail shoes at the moment, so we have no doubt that it’ll perform the same here. The 5mm lugs are also sufficient to handle pretty much any terrain.
Nnormal has made it a point to focus on the long tail of sustainability. That is, making products that last longer, thereby needing less replacement, and as a result, less waste. One way they’re tackling this is through the durable upper, made of a unique blend of monofilament polyester and TPE. The combination of those elements makes the Tomir resistant to snags and abrasion. Another interesting feature of the upper is that it’s craft-stitched into the midsole, providing an extra layer of durability.
The midsole is standard EVA, which is pretty common on the trails. Moving beyond EVA to supercritical or Pebax foams has yielded mix results (great in the Hoka Tecton X, unstable as hell in the Saucony Endorphin Edge), so staying in the EVA zone is the safest bet here.
On the waterproof models, Nnormal forgoes the standard American staple Gore-Tex and opts for the European waterproofing of Sympatex, which works with brands ranging from On to Salomon. The membrane used on the Tomir is 100% waterproof, 100% windproof, breathable, and durable. It’s also bluesign®-certified, recyclable, and free of harmful PTFEs and PFCs.
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We never really published our first thoughts on the Kjerag, but if you throw Kilian’s input into footwear that’s backed and developed by Camper money, our feet start itching for some trails.
It’s a good sign that Nnormal isn’t cutting any corners here and going with some of our favorite materials. Clearly, durability is a focus of Nnormal, as the construction and design elements of the Tomir reflect that.
If I’m being real, at first glance, I thought this was a Norda model. The overall look and feel of the shoe remind us of the Norda 001, even down to the topographic details of the upper, which we saw in the Ray Zahab version of the shoe. Speaking of the upper, the TPE-infused material in the Tomir and the focus on durability also reminds us of Dyneema, which is used in all Norda models, as well as the Speedland SL:HSV. However, one of our big hang-ups with Dyneema was the breathability of Dyneema (or lack thereof), so here’s hoping the Tomir manages to keep the feet a little cooler. Norda also uses the same Vibram combination outsole, which is a good thing for both shoes. And one final similarity– it doesn’t help that both brands share the same first syllable in their names.
That said, a comparison to Norda isn’t a bad thing. Their shoes are virtually indestructible, and overall, we’ve only had good experiences with brands that focus on the long end of sustainability by creating quality products.
We also trust that Kilian wouldn’t wear a shitty product on his feet. I mean, Salomon has always made exceptional gear, and he left that long-term relationship to start Nnormal, so we’d assume he’s not settling for anything less than the best.
Our samples don’t come in for a bit yet, but you can be sure we’ll give you our full feedback once we’re able to do so.
Either way, we’re excited to see if Nnormal can make a splash in the trail running scene, because they’re certainly trying to do so with their inaugural line of shoes.
Does this win we’ll be winning UTMB? Probably not, but then again, we’re just a bunch of normie roadies. So I guess the shoe really is meant for us.
You can pre-order the Tomir line on October 5th (sorry, don’t have a price on these yet) by using the shop link below.
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When are you all going to put these on and review them??!! Seem like all three of these would be essential ones to try – since they’re almost impossible to find a stores, I think I speak for many of us when I say we hope we get your thoughts on them soon. Thanks!
Should be in the next month or so, they didn’t have any pairs for seeding at the launch