Most people would say that a good pair of trail running shoes lasts 350 to 500 miles — so, of course, some lemons will barely reach 300 miles before blowing out, while some of the more solid pairs can reach 600 or 700 miles, especially on more forgiving terrain. NNormal, the shoe brand led by iconic ultrarunner Kilian Jornet, worked with more than 7,000 runners to test the durability and longevity of its bestselling shoe, the Tomir 02.

The research showed that the Tomir 02 averages more than 511 miles under standard trail conditions — surpassing expectations for most trail running brands. The calculating methodology, which includes terrain and weight variables, was validated by the Spanish IESE Business School, which has closely followed this examination.

The thousands of runners who were part of the research represented many different types of athletes. The 511-mile distance was calculated for runners weighing between 143 pounds and 176 pounds on moderate trail terrain. The evaluation assessed, in five different layers, the wear of the outsole, midsole and the upper, ensuring good levels of grip, cushioning and holding, respectively.

“We will use this data as a benchmark to improve the durability of the Tomir’s franchise, as we did previously with the Kjerag 01. We are focused on extending the life of our gear, and we are
investing lots of effort to reach this goal,” explains Sito Luis Salas, CEO of NNormal.

This fits with the stated mission of NNormal, which was launched in 2022 by Jornet and Spanish footwear company Camper. NNormal was created to further “timeless gear that’s functional, performance-oriented, and built to last.”

Every extra kilometer in a Tomir 02 means fewer discarded shoes, lower consumption, and a lighter environmental footprint, the company said in announcing the testing results. Through the Lifetime Repair Guarantee, NNormal offers free minor repairs on all their shoes, handled by expert local cobblers in the Vibram-certified network. Plus, the Vibram Resoling Program extends the life of well-worn shoes with Vibram’s high-performance Zegalite rubber.

“We want to be very honest on how we produce the equipment and on the role the company wants to play for the society and the environment,” said Jornet, who is unarguably one of the greatest mountain runners ever, with multiple victories at UTMB, Hardrock 100 and Zegama, as well as having won Western States. The Spaniard is married to another ultrarunning legend, Emelie Forsberg.

All the outdoor equipment from NNormal is designed in Mallorca, Spain, and tested in Norway, where Jornet and Forsberg currently reside.