NNormal, the trail running brand co-founded by Kilian Jornet and Camper in 2022, has expanded its lineup with the Cadi—a comfort-focused trail shoe designed to make mountain running accessible to a broader audience. Named after the Serra del Cadí, the Catalan mountain range where Jornet grew up, the Cadi represents a deliberate shift from the brand's technically oriented race shoes like the Kjerag 2 and Tomir 2 toward a more welcoming, everyday trail option. At 270 grams and priced at an accessible point for the premium trail market, the Cadi aims to be the shoe that gets more people onto trails without demanding refined technique or a specific fitness level.
The midsole is the Cadi's standout feature, utilizing NNormal's supercritical EVA foam in a softer compound than what you'll find in the brand's race-oriented models. With 35mm of stack under the heel and 29mm under the forefoot, the 6mm drop hits a comfortable middle ground that provides protective cushioning for longer days without the unstable, stilted feeling that can plague high-stack trail shoes. The ride is smooth and forgiving across a range of paces, absorbing roots and rocks with a plush compliance that will be particularly appreciated by runners transitioning from road shoes to trail. It is not the lightest or most responsive option in its class, but that is explicitly not the point—the Cadi prioritizes comfort and protection over race-day performance.
Underfoot, the Vibram Megagrip outsole delivers reliable traction across dry and moderately wet terrain, with a lug pattern designed for the kind of groomed trails and fire roads where most recreational trail runners spend their time. The grip is confident on hard-packed dirt and light gravel, though more aggressive mountain terrain may call for the deeper lugs found on the Tomir 2 or competing shoes from Salomon and Hoka. For its intended purpose—easy to moderate trails, longer slow runs, and everyday trail adventures—the Cadi's outsole performs admirably, and the Megagrip compound's durability means it should hold up well over hundreds of miles of regular use.
The upper is where NNormal's commitment to a wider audience becomes most apparent. The Cadi features a generous, accommodating fit with a spacious toe box that allows natural foot splay, departing from the snugger, more locked-down fit of performance trail shoes. The mesh is breathable enough for warm-weather runs while providing adequate protection against trail debris, and the overall construction feels robust without being heavy or cumbersome. A reinforced toe bumper provides protection against rocks and roots, while the padded collar and tongue add comfort for longer outings. The shoe fits true to size for most runners, though those with narrower feet may want to try before they buy.
In a market increasingly dominated by maximalist stack heights and carbon plates, the NNormal Cadi is a refreshing reminder that not every trail shoe needs to be an elite racing tool. It excels at what it sets out to do: provide a comfortable, confidence-inspiring platform for runners who want to explore trails without overthinking their footwear choice. For Jornet, whose name is synonymous with extreme mountain performance, the Cadi represents a meaningful step toward democratizing the sport he loves—making the mountains accessible to everyone, one comfortable step at a time. At its price point, with the build quality and design philosophy NNormal has established, the Cadi deserves a place on the shortlist for any runner looking to add a reliable trail shoe to their rotation.