NNormal Cadi: the full RunMorph review

NNormal built its reputation on two demanding shoes: the Kjerag for speed and the Tomir for technical protection. With the Cadi, the brand founded by Kilian Jornet goes after a different crowd. No more unapologetic elitism: this is a 150-euro shoe designed for long distances and for runners who have never chased a podium. Does it deliver on the trail?

NNormal Cadi: the shoe that fills the gap between the Kjerag and the Tomir

Since its launch in 2022, NNormal has built its trail lineup around two opposite poles. The Kjerag targets performance on short, technical trails, cut for runners already sold on mountain running. The Tomir bets on protection and stability for demanding terrain. Between the two, there was a blind spot: no shoe in the range was designed for pure comfort over long hours. The Cadi plugs that hole, with a 35 mm heel stack, 2 mm more than the Tomir 2.0 and 9 mm more than the Kjerag 02.

The name isn't random: the Serra del Cadí, a Catalan range in the Pyrenees, is where Kilian Jornet ran his first kilometres. NNormal openly says it wants this model to bring trail running to a wider audience, less technical and less demanding than the rest of the lineup. Priced at 150 euros, the Cadi explicitly targets occasional runners and heavier builds, a positioning the brand had never owned this clearly before.

Cadi spec sheet: the maximalist made in the Pyrenees

NNormal Cadi: what the brand claims vs what was measured

On paper, the Cadi weighs 270 grams in EU 42, a figure repeated across all of NNormal's official communication. Independent measurements tell a slightly different story. The tester from the French site Le Comparatif du Trail, who ran in the pair for several weeks, got 280 grams on his own scale. u-Trail, for its part, puts the real weight at around 290 grams. The gap is nothing scandalous, 10 to 20 grams depending on the source, so up to 7% over the claim, but it deserves a mention: a shoe sold on relative lightness has to own its real grams.

Eexpure Supercritical: the foam that moves the Cadi into a new tier at NNormal

The midsole uses a new version of the in-house foam, Eexpure Supercritical. Unlike the standard Eexpure found in the Kjerag and the Tomir, this variant is made by CO2 injection, which makes it less dense and softer underfoot. NNormal adds an ETPU sockliner, a first in its trail lineup since neither the Kjerag 02 nor the Tomir 2.0 has one. The result, confirmed by independent tests, is cushioning that's noticeably plusher than the rest of the range, without sliding into the floaty feel of an oversized midsole like a Hoka Mafate 5 or an Asics Trabuco Max 5.

RunMorph's advice: the Cadi suits a long-distance build-up on runnable terrain, but keep in mind it isn't a technical mountain shoe. For high mountains or leg-breaking trails, the Tomir 2 or the Hoka Speedgoat 7 remain safer picks.

© NNormal, official photo used for editorial purposes

The Cadi's fit: the roomiest in the NNormal range

When it comes to fit, the Cadi is unanimously described as the most accommodating NNormal. The toe box gains volume, in both width and height, compared with the Tomir 2 and the Kjerag 02. That extra vertical room at the forefoot, a criterion often ignored on spec sheets even though it directly drives your size choice, pays off especially for feet that swell after several hours of effort, a common thing in ultra-trail. The heel gets the same treatment, with a slightly flared counter that leaves more room for the Achilles tendon. Midfoot lockdown, however, is looser than on the brand's other models, a point that comes up in several tests and partly explains the stability reservations covered further down.

On materials, NNormal skipped the Matryx fabric reserved for the Kjerag 02 and the Kjerag Brut in favour of a synthetic mesh called Sincetech, paired with thicker internal foam padding. The trade-off makes sense at 150 euros: durability stays decent according to independent tests, with just a few wear marks at the forefoot creases after several runs, but breathability and drying are clearly behind the more technical uppers in the rest of the lineup.

The field test: between gravel roads and runnable trails

Independent tests agree on one point: the Cadi is at home as long as the ground stays firm. On forest tracks, gravel roads and even short stretches of tarmac, the heel-to-toe transition is smooth and the shoe handles long easy runs as well as three- to four-hour hike-and-run outings. One tester also notes that the shoe stays usable at quicker paces, over training runs of around 15 to 20 km, thanks to a reasonable weight for such a thick midsole.

Opinions split sharply, however, on grip. The Comparatif du Trail tester, after several runs in varied conditions, rates the grip frankly average on rocky ground and points to traction that slips away on greasy, muddy side slopes, especially in woodland on dead leaves. u-Trail reaches a similar conclusion: good adhesion on rock and hard surfaces thanks to the Vibram, but clear limits as soon as the terrain turns greasy. On the other side, the Running Attitude test describes excellent grip even on wet or technical terrain, driven by 4 mm lugs said to inspire real confidence. This split isn't anecdotal: it suggests that the behaviour of the Vibram Megagrip outsole, the standard version rather than Litebase, varies a lot depending on the type of mud you hit. At RunMorph, we lean toward caution on soft and greasy ground, in line with most independent feedback, while acknowledging that your experience may vary with local conditions.

At what pace it works, at what pace it falls apart

Easy runs and aerobic base: this is the Cadi's home turf. The thick, progressive cushioning soaks up impacts well on two- to two-and-a-half-hour runs, without excessive fatigue underfoot.

Long run: a positive verdict as long as the course stays runnable. Over three to four hours of effort, the firmness of the Eexpure Supercritical foam avoids the early bottoming out you see with softer foams.

Marathon pace on runnable trail: the shoe keeps up without trouble thanks to its reasonable weight for the category, even though it has no plate or dedicated propulsion tech.

Threshold and half marathon pace on technical trail: this is where it falls apart. The lack of connection between upper and sole hurts foot precision at high intensity on rough ground.

Short intervals: not recommended. The Cadi has neither the responsiveness nor the lateral stability needed for high-intensity work on unstable terrain.

Major flaw: grip that gives way as soon as the ground turns greasy

This is the most documented point across independent tests. NNormal deliberately left the central zone of the Vibram Megagrip outsole smooth, a choice that directly echoes the Kjerag 02's design. On dry tracks, this setup causes no trouble at all. As soon as the ground gets soft or waterlogged, especially on muddy side slopes and leaf-covered woodland trails, two independent testers (Le Comparatif du Trail and u-Trail) report a clear loss of traction, with a shoe that tends to slip away just as your foot lands. For a runner who alternates between damp forest and soaked trails for a good part of the year, this flaw has a real impact: keep the Cadi for dry-weather runs or well-drained terrain.

Major flaw: stability falls short on technical sections

The second weak spot comes down to the shoe's very build. Its flared platform and 35 mm heel stack, the highest NNormal has ever offered, make it less agile once the terrain gets tricky. Several testers describe a tendency to twist slightly when your foot lands in a hole or on a root, especially on big descents. The looser midfoot lockdown, already mentioned in the fit section, amplifies that feeling on technical singletrack. Nothing dramatic compared with other maximalist shoes on the market, but a real step back from the Tomir 2, which is more stable on this kind of terrain thanks to a narrower platform and a stiffer chassis.

Cadi vs Tomir 2 and Kjerag 02: the comparison within the NNormal range

The simple read: the Cadi replaces neither the Kjerag nor the Tomir, it opens a third segment. A runner chasing performance on short trails sticks with the Kjerag. A runner tackling technical mountains sticks with the Tomir. The Cadi is for the one who wants to eat up kilometres on runnable terrain without worrying about how technical the course is, or who is discovering the brand and wants the most comfortable option to start with.

Cadi vs Salomon Ultra Glide 4 and Hoka Mafate 5: the comparison against the ultra benchmarks

Against the established ultra-distance benchmarks, the Cadi sits a notch lower on stack and on price, and owns it. It doesn't try to compete on the most demanding terrain: neither its cushioning nor its outsole aims for the level of protection of an Ultra Glide 4 or a Mafate 5 over 100 miles in high mountains. On a runnable ultra or a first big long trail, though, it offers a comfort-to-price balance that neither rival matches at this price.

NNormal Cadi pros and cons

Durability and cost per kilometre: does the Cadi go the distance?

NNormal built its reputation on durability, with a repair programme that covers its entire lineup. Independent tests confirm the Cadi follows the same logic: the Sincetech mesh holds up well to rubbing against rocks and roots, with only surface wear at the forefoot creases after several runs. Assuming a reasonable lifespan of 600 kilometres for a shoe with this kind of cushioning, the cost per kilometre comes out at around 25 cents, against 30 to 33 cents for a Salomon Ultra Glide 4 on the same basis. A gap that strengthens the value argument, as long as you use the shoe for what it was built for.

© NNormal, official photo used for editorial purposes

Our field verdict: who is the Cadi for?

The Cadi is aimed first and foremost at two profiles. On one side, the runner preparing a first ultra-trail on a mostly runnable course, or who already strings together long runs and wants a shoe that protects the feet without smothering them under a pointless technical plate. On the other, the runner discovering the NNormal world who isn't ready to spend 220 euros on a Kjerag 02 built for pure performance. On the flip side, a trail runner who mostly runs in damp mid-mountain terrain, or who wants a versatile shoe that handles both runnable and technical ground, will find a better fit with the Tomir 2 or an Asics Trabuco Max 5.

RunMorph Coach's verdict

The NNormal Cadi pulls off what it set out to do: be the most comfortable and most accessible shoe in the NNormal lineup, without sacrificing the build quality the brand is known for. The flip side is just as clear: grip that gives way as soon as the terrain deteriorates, and stability that doesn't meet the brand's standards on technical sections. With a score of 7.8/10, it lands among the good products that are limited to a specific use: long distance on runnable terrain, not technical mountains. At 150 euros, it's still one of the best entry points on the market to get a taste of maximalist comfort without breaking the bank.

Key takeaways for your training

• 270 g claimed, 280 to 290 g measured: a 10 to 20 g gap to factor in if weight is a deciding criterion.
• 35 mm heel stack: the highest NNormal has ever offered, ideal for soaking up long distances.
• Keep the grip for dry days: avoid greasy, muddy trails, where the standard Vibram outsole shows its limits.
• 150 euros: about 30 to 50 euros below established ultra benchmarks like the Ultra Glide 4 or the Mafate 5.
• 600 km estimated lifespan: a cost per kilometre of around 25 cents, among the lowest in its category.

FAQ

Is the NNormal Cadi suitable for trail beginners?

Yes. With its generous 35 mm of heel cushioning and roomy fit, the Cadi is explicitly positioned by NNormal as the most accessible shoe in its lineup, at 150 euros against 220 euros and up for the Kjerag 02.

What is the real weight of the NNormal Cadi?

NNormal claims 270 grams in EU 42. Independent tests measure between 280 and 290 grams, a gap of up to 7%.

Does the NNormal Cadi hold up on wet ground?

That's the weak spot identified by at least two out of three independent tests: the Vibram Megagrip outsole, with its 4 mm lugs and wide smooth central zone, loses effectiveness as soon as the ground turns greasy or muddy.

What's the difference between the NNormal Cadi and the Tomir 2?

The Cadi offers 2 mm more heel stack (35 mm against 33 mm) and a roomier fit, but the Tomir 2 keeps better stability on technical sections thanks to a less flared platform.

Is the NNormal Cadi suited to ultra-trail?

Yes, as long as the course stays mostly runnable. From 50 to 60 km formats up to 100 miles on tracks and non-technical trails, it's the best-suited model in the NNormal range. On a very technical high-mountain ultra, the Tomir 2 remains the safer choice.