Our reviews are 100% organic. We do not accept payment for reviews or bundle with advertising budgets. In most cases, the brand is providing the product to our reviewers free of charge. NNormal, the brand founded by Kilian Jornet and footwear company Camper in 2022, has finally had a full production and feedback cycle for its shoe development process. Lessons learned from that timeframe are incorporated into an updated version of the Tomir model, an all-purpose trail running shoe designed for everyday training as well as high-level race performance. Primary improvements to the shoe are focused on increased durability, enhanced midsole performance, and improved overall comfort. The most extensive changes are centered around the midsole, but the Tomir 2.0 includes updates from top to bottom.
The uppers of the Tomir 2.0 feature a new ripstop mesh that is a blend of polyester monofilament and highly resilient TPE which is quick-drying and maintains great breathability. A thoughtful construction detail is the use of durable nylon threading sewn around the entire perimeter of the upper to prevent delamination from the midsole platform. The shoes retain the same curved lacing system as the original, and do an impressive job of staying securely in place around the heel collar without gapping or any sort of gaiter material. The upper margin of the tongue has a slight lateral extension into the heel collar to help keep rocks and dirt from entering through the top of the shoe.
Lateral view
Medial view
Where the original Tomir had a relatively narrow last and midsole platform, the 2.0 version has a significant increase in its overall width—expanded by 4mm in the midfoot and 7mm in the rearfoot—that accommodates a wider range of users as well as increasing ground stability. Midsole heights were increased by 2mm in the heel and forefoot, maintaining the original 8mm drop of the original, and the geometry has a more pronounced curvature in the forefoot to enhance forward propulsion. The key upgrade here is the integration of a newly developed supercritical foam called EExpure, which has significantly superior resilience, cushioning and energy return compared to the EVA of the original Tomir. This compound is also infused with CO2 gas, making the overall structure lighter. The Tomir 2.0 is only 4g heavier than the original version, despite substantial increases in the volume of midsole compound used.
Updates are also seen on the tread of the Tomir 2.0, which, at first glance, does not look dramatically different than the original, with a full-length layer of Vibram Megagrip Litebase compound and an aggressive 5mm lug pattern. A closer look reveals that the outsole also incorporates a relatively recent new Vibram Traction Lug system that slightly tweaks the shape of each individual lug and incorporates “microtechnology”—a fancy way of saying lots of very tiny lugs—to increase the overall surface area with minimal added volume. Vibram claims that the Traction Lug system increases traction up to 25% compared to the same compound without it. One pleasant surprise in our testing is that even with relatively tall lugs, the outsole rolled quite smoothly on short (1–2 mile) stretches of asphalt on our road-to-trail outings. Its overall grip in wet and dry conditions is outstanding, enabling us to run with confidence on varied terrain.
Close up of Traction Lug technology
The combination of nitrogen-infused midsole compound with larger volume and a more aggressive forefoot rocker produce a really pleasant overall ride quality that excels in a number of conditions. The Tomir 2.0 feels equally capable of dancing through rough scree, trudging through sloppy mud and accelerating over flatter or smoother ground. We’ve worn these shoes on efforts extending 4–5 hours, and the level of cushioning at the end of the run feels comparable to the early miles. Some shoes are clearly more suited to podium-chasing speedsters or back-of-pack grinders, but the Tomir 2.0 feels suitable for both of these groups. The NNormal Tomir 2.0 is available in unisex sizing with four color options at www.nnormal.com.
Features and Specs:
- Weight (oz): 10.1, unisex size men’s 8.5/women’s 9.5
- Stack Height (heel/toe, in mm) 33/25
- Heel-toe drop (mm): 8mm
- Upper: Ripstop TPE craft-stitched onto midsole
- Asymmetric lacing system
- Midsole: EExpure CO2-infused supercritical foam
- Outsole: Vibram Litebase with 5mm lugs
- Vibram Traction Lug microtechnology
- MSRP: $170