NNormal Tomir 2.0 introduction:
Theo: The Tomir 2.0 is my second pair of shoes from NNormal. The first was the Kjerag. Low-stacked, super light and lacking in cushion. On the other hand, the Tomir 2.0 is the opposite philosophy. A long-distance shoe with a big stack and a highly cushioned upper.
How does the Tomir 2.0 compare to the Kjerag and how does it fulfil its role in the NNormal line as a cushioned, distance trainer?
NNormal Tomir 2.0 upper:
Theo: Upon sliding inside the Tomir 2.0 for the first time, I found it to be a very welcoming shoe. There is plenty of foam around the heel which surrounds the ankle and consequently adds to comfort. Furthermore, the tongue has been padded cleverly to reduce pressure from the laces. However, NNormal, in my experience, has an issue with sizing both here and in the Kjerag. Both come up larger than the size they claim. That said, I am not unhappy with this as I find it is accommodating after my feet have swollen from several hours in the mountains.
Across the upper, the light mesh seems to be very durable. During my testing time, I ran in rocky and muddy terrain and the shoes came out unscathed. On the other hand, I did not find the toe protection to be optimal. If you stub your toe on a rock, you will feel it! Furthermore, the material is not the most comfortable. In fact, it has a rather plastic feel to it. This causes two issues for me. Firstly, it is not particularly breathable. More seriously, when I was climbing in the Tomir 2.0, I found the mesh rubbing my foot where it flexes and folds at the toe joints. This is a really unpleasant sensation. Thankfully, as a midfoot striker, I do not feel it downhill or on the flat. However, I imagine that a forefoot striker would feel this almost constantly. That said, while unpleasant, I did not suffer any broken skin or blisters on the run.
Another peculiarity of the Tomir 2.0 is the lace set up. Instead of being directly on the foot, they have been slightly shifted inside the shoe. Initially, I was a little sceptical about this. After testing, I recognise that this system actually works well for me. That said, the laces are too long and there is no lace storage system which is a real shame.
NNormal Tomir 2.0 midsole:
Theo: For me, the midsole on the Tomir 2.0 is a real success due to its versatility. Overall, I can see it working for the majority of runners. NNormal have found a good balance between fitness and cushion. They have a real precision on the trails despite their stack height and are a pleasure to run. Nonetheless, they are not particularly bouncy or dynamic, but they are not made for this kind of feeling. They are made for “slow” paces on trails and defeating any type of condition in comfort while leaving some ground feel. Furthermore, the rocker really helps roll through the stride and make getting into a flow a lot easier. That said, I would not recommend these to people who are looking for minimalism or an ultra-cushioned feel.
On viewing the midsole, I was a little worried by the seam between the midsole and upper. I was worried about ripping it with rocks. However, after my time in the shoe, I have not seen any wear here. To sum up, the Tomir 2.0 midsole will be a great fit for the majority of runners on the trail. Precision even with a high stack, cushion in the heel for downhill sections and a smooth rocker. All these combine to make a very pleasant ride. To give a comparison, I would say it feels like a more cushioned EVADICT MT Cushion 2.
NNormal Tomir 2.0 outsole:
Theo: There is nothing much to report here outside the perfect performance. With the Kjerag, the outsole was a little bit of a let down in damp conditions. However, with the Tomir 2.0, I suffered no fear of slipping or sliding.
Underfoot, the lugs are a unique combination of bars and circles. They have a good depth and despite this, they are not obtrusive on tarmac or more packed trails. On the other hand, when on technical terrain, they grip the ground perfectly. Furthermore, the Vibram outsoles ensures a great durability. After putting hours in the shoe over several types of terrain, I am yet to find any wear. In fact, it still looks as good as new!
NNormal Tomir 2.0 conclusion:
Theo: Overall, the greatest strength of these shoes are their universality. Everyone will be able to lace up and run in the Tomir 2.0. Well, nearly everyone, forefoot strikers beware of the rough fold. I did not find them to be a heavy shoe and I enjoyed them on every type of trail I tried.
If you are considering buying a daily trail shoe, invest in this. It offers comfort, durability and dependability. However, if you are looking for a racing shoe, don’t pick the Tomir 2.0. They lack dynamism but this is something the 3.0 may fix.
That said, they have easily become one of my favourite shoes to run in when I have a long run or even a daily jaunt around the house