NNormal, the trail running brand co-founded by Kilian Jornet and Camper in 2022, has expanded its lineup with the Cadi — a comfort-first trail shoe designed to make mountain running more accessible to a wider audience. Named after the Cadí mountain range in the Catalan Pyrenees, the shoe represents a deliberate departure from NNormal's racing-focused origins, offering maximum cushioning, a wider fit, and a higher stack height than anything the brand has previously produced. At $175, it slots into the lineup as an everyday trail trainer built for runners who prioritize comfort on longer efforts over outright speed, and it arrives at a moment when the trail running market is increasingly catering to athletes who want plush, protective footwear for time on their feet in the mountains.
The Cadi's midsole is the headline feature, utilizing a supercritical EVA foam that NNormal calls X Pure — a softer, more cushioned compound than the foam found in the brand's Kjerag and Tomir models. The stack height is the tallest in the NNormal range, with a 35mm heel and 29mm forefoot providing generous cushioning that absorbs the impact of rocky descents and extended time on trail without the harsh bottom-out that can plague lesser foams over distance. The 6mm drop encourages a natural stride pattern, while the foam's energy return, though not on par with the supercritical PEBA compounds found in road super shoes, is impressive for an EVA-based midsole and should satisfy runners who value a smooth, consistent ride over flashy responsiveness.
On the outsole, NNormal has partnered with Vibram to fit the Cadi with a Megagrip Litebase compound — the same trusted rubber used on many of the best trail shoes in the market. The lugs are moderate in depth and spacing, designed for versatility across easy to moderate terrain rather than the aggressive grip needed for technical mountain racing. In testing across packed dirt trails, gravel fire roads, and light scrambling sections, the traction proved reliable and confidence-inspiring without being overkill for the shoe's intended use case. The Litebase construction keeps the weight penalty of the full-rubber outsole to a minimum, contributing to an overall shoe weight of 270 grams that feels lighter on foot than the spec sheet might suggest.
The upper and fit represent perhaps the most significant departure from NNormal's existing models. The Cadi uses a lighter iteration of the Matryx material found across the brand's range, combined with a last that is inspired by the Kjerag but wider and more accommodating in the forefoot. Runners with broader feet or those whose feet swell during long ultras will appreciate the spacious toe box, which allows natural toe splay without feeling sloppy or imprecise. The heel cup is well-structured and locked our test feet in place during descents, while the tongue and collar padding are minimal but sufficient, adding comfort without unnecessary bulk or weight.
The Cadi fills an important gap in NNormal's lineup and positions the brand as more than just a performance-racing outfit. While Jornet's personal achievements and the Kjerag's racing credentials have defined the brand's identity, the reality is that most trail runners spend the majority of their time in comfortable, protective shoes rather than stripped-down racers. At $175, the Cadi is competitively priced against comparable shoes from Hoka, Salomon, and Brooks, and it offers a distinctly NNormal personality — minimal branding, thoughtful materials, and a design philosophy rooted in Jornet's belief that running in the mountains should be accessible to everyone. For runners looking to add a cushioned, wide-fitting trail shoe to their rotation, the Cadi deserves serious consideration.