Unveiled during UTMB week 2026 in Chamonix, the NNormal Modular Trail Vest has just hit the shelves and is already stocked by several French online stores. The pitch: replace two or three different vests with just one, thanks to a 4-litre waterproof rear pocket that clips on and comes off in seconds. RunMorph went through the first real-world feedback to find out whether the concept actually holds up.
NNormal Modular Trail Vest: 8 litres claimed, 12 litres in reality with the removable pocket
8.1/10
The bottom line in 3 sentences
8.1/10
RunMorph score based on 3 independent user reports and the manufacturer's data
For
- One vest for training, racing and long days out
- 142 grams in the 8-litre setup
- Waterproof 4-litre modular pocket that comes off in seconds
Against
- No hydration bladder, only soft flasks up front
- Shallow top pocket according to one tester
- Still unclear whether the modular pocket and a pole quiver can be used together
NNormal Modular Trail Vest: the only truly modular trail vest on the market
RunMorph's advice: if you already switch between a small training vest and a big ultra vest, the Modular Trail Vest can replace both. If you almost always run light, a fixed 5 to 6 litre vest will be simpler and cheaper.
NNormal, the brand co-founded by Kilian Jornet and Camper, unveiled the Modular Trail Vest during UTMB week 2026 in Chamonix, alongside the NN202 shoes. The vest is already on sale and available from several French retailers.
What sets it apart: a capacity that ranges from 8 to 12 litres thanks to a removable 4-litre pocket that clips onto the back of the vest. The attachment system relies on two clips at the top and two elastic compression straps at the bottom, adjustable on the move to pull the pocket snug against your back. The brand's idea is simple: one vest for training, racing and long outings, instead of owning two or three different ones.
Full specs
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| Price | 170 euros |
| Base capacity | 8 litres |
| Maximum capacity | 12 litres with the modular pocket |
| Weight | 142 grams in the 8-litre setup |
| Modular pocket | 4 litres, removable and waterproof |
| Pocket attachment | 2 top clips and 2 elastic compression straps |
| Pole attachment | Yes, rear loops for a quiver sold separately |
| Flask holders | Yes, 2 soft flasks included up front |
| Hydration bladder | Not supported |
| Tunnel pocket | No |
| Front storage | 2 flasks, 2 large pockets, 3 zipped pockets, 1 small stash pocket |
| Material | Ultralight, breathable fabric with a close-to-body fit |
| Availability | Already on sale at several French retailers |
What NNormal claims vs what users actually find
| Point | NNormal's claim | Real-world finding |
|---|---|---|
| Stability, no bounce | Stable, bounce-free fit on every type of terrain | Confirmed by a US tester even with 2 full flasks loaded up front, thanks to 3 sternum straps |
| Top pocket | Handy extra storage in the 8-litre setup | The same tester reports a pocket that is not full depth, so an item like a compact camera can ride up and feel like it is jiggling around |
| Modular pocket and quiver compatibility | Both accessories can be added to the base vest | A specialist outdoor outlet raised doubts about using both at once; an earlier demo video suggests it is possible, but no tester has confirmed it in real conditions so far |
| Weight | Ultralight vest | 142 grams confirmed in the 8-litre setup by the spec sheet of French retailer i-Run, in line with the manufacturer's claim |
Who is this vest for?
The runner who already owns two or three different vests
This is the number one target. If you juggle a small 5-litre vest for training and a 12-litre model for ultras, the Modular Trail Vest can replace both in one go thanks to its removable pocket.
The trail runner heading out on multi-day missions or winter outings
The waterproof 4-litre modular pocket lets you carry a light puffy, a rain kit or extra food without switching vests.
The runner who prefers a bladder to flasks
Heads up: this model has no slot for a hydration bladder. If you are attached to that setup, look at another vest in the NNormal range or from a competing brand.
The modular system in detail: how it works
The base vest weighs 142 grams for 8 litres of storage, split between 2 soft flasks up front (supplied with the vest), 2 large pockets, 3 zipped pockets and one extra small stash pocket. To go up to 12 litres, you just clip the 4-litre modular pocket onto the back: 2 clips at the top secure it in seconds, then 2 elastic compression straps cinch it against your back to stop any sloshing around.
This extra pocket is also waterproof, which keeps part of your gear safe from rain and moisture without an additional dry bag. According to a US tester who has been using the vest for several months, this setup alone covers most use cases: summer runs with just the flasks and a windbreaker, mountain days with more food and layers, and big missions with the modular pocket plus, if needed, a pole quiver sold separately.
The first real flaw: an unresolved question about poles and the modular pocket together
A specialist outdoor outlet asked a simple question: do the modular pocket and the pole quiver use the same rear attachment system, which would stop you from carrying both at the same time? An earlier presentation video suggests they do not, but no tester had confirmed this in real use at the time this article was published.
In practice, if you were planning to use this vest for a UTMB-style ultra, where poles and extra storage are often needed at the same time, this point is worth checking before you buy, for example in a store or directly with NNormal.
The second flaw: a top pocket that lacks depth
In a full review of the vest, a US tester points out that the top-loading pocket only goes halfway down the pack instead of all the way to the bottom. The result: items stored in it, like a compact camera, can ride up and move around instead of staying locked in place. The tester does note that this half depth makes it easy to grab what is inside without digging all the way down, a trade-off with as many upsides as limits.
Out on the trail: what the first reports say
French outlet Le Comparatif du Trail points out that, as far as it knows, this is the only truly modular trail pack on the market, and compares the approach with what NNormal already did with the Kboix shoe and its removable components. The site also confirms immediate availability at several French retailers.
An American tester writing for an alpine-focused outdoor site has been using the vest for several months and describes it as suited to the vast majority of his outings, from summer training to winter missions with the modular pocket added. His only real complaint concerns the depth of the top pocket.
A specialist outdoor gear outlet takes a more cautious line: without having tested the vest itself at the time of publication, it flags a grey area around using the modular pocket and a pole quiver simultaneously, something RunMorph recommends checking before you spend your money if you plan to race big events with poles.
NNormal Modular Trail Vest vs NNormal Race Vest 5L
| Criterion | Race Vest 5L | Modular Trail Vest |
|---|---|---|
| Price | not disclosed on a like-for-like basis | 170 euros |
| Capacity | 5 litres, fixed | 8 to 12 litres, adjustable |
| Weight | 174 grams | 142 grams in the 8-litre setup |
| Positioning | Pure race vest, fixed capacity | All-round vest for training, racing and ultras |
NNormal Modular Trail Vest vs Salomon ADV Skin 12 and Black Diamond Distance 15
| Criterion | NNormal Modular Trail Vest | Salomon ADV Skin 12 | Black Diamond Distance 15 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 8 to 12 litres, adjustable | 12 litres, fixed | 15 litres, fixed |
| Weight | roughly 142 to 146 grams | heavier, long-standing long-distance line | 330 grams |
| Standout feature | Adjustable capacity via a removable waterproof pocket | Highly refined front storage, the long-time benchmark | Vest-style harness for 50-120 kilometre ultras |
Up against fixed-capacity vests like the Salomon ADV Skin 12 or the Black Diamond Distance 15, the NNormal Modular Trail Vest has a unique selling point: instead of picking one fixed capacity sized for the worst-case scenario, it adapts outing by outing. The trade-off is no hydration bladder and a design that is still young, without several seasons of large-scale user feedback behind it.
Pros
- One vest for most uses, from training to ultras
- 142 grams in the base setup, very light for the versatility on offer
- Waterproof 4-litre modular pocket that clips on and off in seconds
- Designed with input from Kilian Jornet
Cons
- No hydration bladder, only soft flasks
- Half-depth top pocket according to one tester
- Using the modular pocket and a pole quiver together not confirmed in real use
- Still a young product, little hindsight on long-term durability
Want a training plan built for your next trail race, whatever gear you carry? RunMorph helps you put your prep together.
Discover the RunMorph plansOur take from the trail
The NNormal Modular Trail Vest delivers on a rare promise in a trail vest market where, as one tester rightly notes, most models now look very much alike. The modular pocket system is not just a marketing gimmick: it genuinely changes how you use the vest, letting you keep one single vest from an easy training run to a heavily loaded winter outing. The two reservations identified, the half-depth top pocket and the uncertainty about poles and the modular pocket at the same time, do not undermine the concept, but they are worth checking before buying for a big goal race like an ultra.
RunMorph Coach verdict
Final score
8.1/10
The most original concept in the trail vest market right now, backed by execution that already looks solid according to the first reports. The score would be higher with a hydration bladder option and a clear confirmation that it works with a pole quiver at the same time.
Key takeaways for your training
- The 8-litre base vest covers most training runs and short to mid-distance races.
- Add the 4-litre modular pocket as soon as you head out for more than 4 to 5 hours or in winter conditions.
- If you use poles for big races, check in store that they work alongside the modular pocket before buying.
- Plan on hydrating with flasks: this vest has no slot for a hydration bladder.
- At 142 grams in the base setup, it is a serious contender if you want to carry lighter without piling up vests.
FAQ
How much does the NNormal Modular Trail Vest cost?
The vest sells for 170 euros in France.
What is the capacity of the NNormal Modular Trail Vest?
The base capacity is 8 litres, expandable to 12 litres with a removable 4-litre pocket.
Does the NNormal Modular Trail Vest take a hydration bladder?
No, this model has no slot for a hydration bladder. Hydration comes from 2 soft flasks supplied up front.
Can you carry the modular pocket and a pole quiver at the same time?
That is still to be confirmed. A presentation video suggests it is possible, but no independent tester had validated this combined use in real conditions at the time this article was published.