Made to last, the NNormal Tomir 2.0 claims to be even more durable than its 1.0 predecessor with extra comfort to get you through those long miles. Considering the brand is the brainchild of mountain goat and trail running superstar Kilian Jornet I expected these top-level trail running shoes to be able to handle highly technical terrain and have an impressive shelf life.
And I wasn’t disappointed on that front. These are about as robust a pair of trail shoes as I’ve ever seen and have a spider-like grip to multiple types of terrain. But could they also bring improved comfort, particularly given the narrow geometry of the 1.0?
Tested on the lumpy trails of middle England I found the Tomir 2.0 was something of a grower. Initially they felt more akin to a hard pair of walking shoes, but I grew to appreciate their traction and surprising bounce. However, despite the redesign of the midsole there was no avoiding the continued narrow fit. Did this rule out the Tomir 2.0 as an ultra-performing trail shoe? Here’s my verdict…
Pros
- Amazing traction on all terrain
- Excellent durability
- Convenient anti-slip laces
Cons
- Narrow fit
- Heavy outer sole
| Women’s sizes (UK) | 4 to 13 |
| Men’s sizes (UK) | 4 to 13 |
| Waterproof version | No (but there is a Tomir waterproof boot) |
| Weight | 288g |
| Drop | 8mm |
| Stack height | 31/23mm |
| Lugs | 5mm |
Upper
First off, these shoes are not going to win a beauty contest. Although they have a cool contour design on the upper, the rather bulky sole with a zig-zag design around its perimeter makes them look quite unsightly.
The upper is light across the mid and fore foot, but its tight-mesh Ripstop TPE material makes it impressively water-resistant when running through wet grassy fields and puddles. By comparison, the back of the upper has thicker padding around the ankles and heels in a u-shaped design, to create a locked in feeling. This would be advantageous when running down steep scree paths in the mountains.
The tongue has been widened, but is still incredibly lightweight, and is attached via a small piece of mesh on either side, enabling great breathability. Personally, I hate a thick, fat tongue on a trail shoe and NNormal are not afraid to keep theirs minimalist.
Midsole
This is where there was more of a mixed bag. As soon as I slipped on the Tomir 2.0 my foot felt constrained and I felt the weight of the shoe. I’m more of a 4mm drop girl so I did struggle with 8mm drop, and this was compounded by the very narrow fit around the toes.
The midsole of the 2.0 has been widened by 4mm and 7mm on either side of the arch, in response to user feedback on the Tomir 1.0. But the toe box remains narrow particularly for women who tend to have a wider forefront than men. For runs up to 20km this was not an issue but rubbing on the inside of the big toe meant these could never been an ultra-distance shoe for me.
Despite the initial clunky feeling after a few runs I was pleasantly surprised by the responsiveness of the shoe which has improved with the inclusion of the high-rebound EExpure midsole and a more efficient rocker. Running felt comfortable, light and easy, even on the road, and my feet never got sore when running on asphalt.
Outsole
There is no denying these shoes are durable. You only need to look at them to see the outsole is different to any other type of trail shoe. Tapping the outsole is like knocking on a piece of wood. After a month of running roads and trails they didn’t have a single mark or dent on them.
The 5mm lugs have remarkable traction whether running across muddy fields, scrambling up rocky paths or hammering along a wet and slippery pavement. The shape of the Vibram Traction Lug gives them increased grip but also flexibility. The central channel of smaller round lugs hugs the ground whilst the longer rectangular lugs around the edge of the sole respond to twists and turns.
Features
It seems such a simple thing but the best upgrade on the 2.0 is the anti-slip fabric laces. It baffles me that not all shoes have these. Having to stop mid race to retie your shoe is so frustrating. Anti-slip laces are amazing. The perforated design means they do not come undone and double knots are a thing of the past. Please can we consign all other laces to the dustbin!
Sustainability
The sole is 100 per cent rubber whilst the upper is 100 per cent plastic made from a mix of polyester, nylon and TPE. Whilst not necessarily made from sustainable materials NNormal’s USP is durability.
Their shoes are made to withstand thousands of miles, and there is a limited range of models, because the company wants runners to buy fewer shoes. Less consumption means less carbon footprint. This goes against the business model of pretty much every shoe or sportswear brand out there.
Via its No Trace Program NNormal will repair and recycle gear from any brand although it is not clear what happens to parts that cannot be given a new life.
How we tested
I’m an ultra-runner and running coach and I tested the Tomir 2.0 on my home turf of Leicestershire. I tend to go for long easy runs through grassy, muddy fields and along the tow path. I wore the shoes for a month on all my trail runs up to 20km, during my coaching sessions which took place on playing fields and roads, and on my daily dog walks through the cow fields.
Verdict
NNormal claims these are a supportive shoe that are not bulky or stiff. Whilst this is true up to a point, they are a relatively heavy trail shoe that take a while to break in. When it comes to the durability stakes however, these are bang on the money and will no doubt last for years. The narrow fit will not suit all runners, but overall, the impressive traction makes these the perfect pair for gnarly trails with enough cushioning and bounce for stretches of road.
About the author
Lily Canter is a freelance journalist and running coach (among a myriad of other jobs, including competitive ultra running) who contributes to LFTO with expert coaching advice and granularly detailed gear reviews. She also founded women’s running club Great Bowden Runners. As a qualified England Athletics running coach, Lily loves nothing more than seeing women achieving their running goals.