NNormal Cadi Review
The NNormal Cadi is the trail running shoe with the most underfoot protection and cushioning in the NNormal range of trail running shoes. Designed for use on hard-packed trails, it is cushioned and comfortable enough for road-to-trail use and versatile enough for some more broken terrain.
The midsole is softer than other NNormal trail shoes, as is the upper. The Cadi is designed to offer comfort from the moment you put your foot in them, yet still be a durable and serviceable trail running shoe that can be used for everyday runs, long runs and even ultras. The heel cup is generously padded at the top of the heel and around the cuff. The heel cup itself is firm, designed to hold the heel securely in the shoe and offer a stable ride at slower running paces. There is an insole which is glued to the base of the shoe to stop it from moving around when descending or running on broken ground.
This is worth mentioning as other NNormal trail running shoes, like the Kjerag and Kjerag Brute, don’t have an insole. The foot sits directly on the EVA strobel board. This gives the runner more ground feel and allows the foot to respond to the terrain more easily, giving the shoes a nimbler ride.
The NNormal Cadi is a different type of trail shoe. It is designed to offer more underfoot protection and a higher level of comfort on harder-packed terrain, so an insole has been added. Like the cuff of the Cadi, the tongue is also well padded. It is gusseted to help prevent debris from getting into the shoes. The laces thread through a tab to prevent the tongue from slipping to the side when running. There is also an extra lace hole that can be used to make the heel fit snugger or to butterfly lace the shoes.
There is more volume in the upper, and the fit is wider than other NNormal trail running shoes. I would describe the width as a wide fit, or 2E, but it is also roomy for a runner with a normal-width foot. This is to give the foot space to spread, function and expand during longer runs. The Kjerag and Kjerag Brute have more of a snug, racing-shoe type of fit, as they are designed for more broken ground where the foot might get pushed around inside the shoes, so a snugger fit is better.
The upper is a very soft and pliable construction that consists of a very fine abrasion-resistant outer and a softer, much smoother liner. The result is an upper that feels very soft and comfortable and moulds to the shape of the foot when the laces are pulled tight. The big toe line is straight, which allows a positive push-off and frees up the smaller toes to spread and function inside the shoes, allowing better foot function and improving balance. I find that trail running shoes with a straight big toe line make it easier to run up steep hills. Being able to spread and use my feet takes the pressure off my calves, and I find it easier to run over the top of the climb as my calves haven’t gone stiff and tight. The overlay that makes up the toe bumper is flexible and comfortable, offering enough toe protection for a trail running shoe designed for hard-packed trails and less aggressive terrain.
The foam used for the midsole is EExpure supercritical foam. The ride is initially firm but softens up after a few runs. It doesn’t have the bounce of the NNormal Tomir 2 (https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/nnormal-tomir-2-review/) midsole, which is a plus point for me, as this makes the Cadi feel smoother and more natural. I feel I can happily run along without the rebound of the midsole. This feels more natural and more like I am in control of the pace I am running at, which is ideal for easy runs. It also feels like you are more in contact with the ground. This more grounded feel makes you feel more stable.
Although the midsole has a solid, durable and protective feel, it doesn’t lack flexibility and is able to bend and twist to follow the contours of the terrain. This means the Cadi still feels comfortable on single-track paths or over farmers’ fields. The stack height is 35mm in the heel and 29mm in the forefoot, but it doesn’t feel that high on your feet. The Cadi has a broad base, and the grounded feel you get from the foam makes them feel stable. The 6mm heel-to-forefoot drop makes the Cadi a suitable option for a heel or midfoot striker. I am a midfoot striker and found it easy to land midfoot. There is no rocker in the midsole, so you get the natural feel of running without the shoe taking over and carrying you through the gait cycle.
The outsole is constructed from Vibram Megagrip with Litebase. Litebase means that the rubber the lugs are attached to is thin. This helps the shoes remain flexible and allows more ground feel. Megagrip provides good traction on wet and dry surfaces and is also durable enough for some tarmac use. Although Megagrip does make a bit of noise on the road that reminds me of running across the school yard in my football boots. The lugs themselves are 4mm in length and have a large surface area to offer good traction on firm surfaces. The lugs aren’t designed to bite into soft surfaces like mud, which means they ride nice and smoothly on hard-packed trails and tarmac but will struggle in deep mud.
The NNormal Cadi is surprisingly lightweight. They look like quite a bulky shoe but weigh only 270 grams in a men’s UK 8. On your feet they feel light and comfortable. The kind of shoe you would be happy to wear all day. NNormal trail running shoes are a similar length to Brooks, Saucony, 361, Altra and Topo. If you use Hoka, New Balance, Inov-8, Karhu or La Sportiva, then we would suggest trying half a UK size smaller in NNormal to get a similar length. For example, a UK 11 in NNormal is a similar length to a UK 11.5 in Hoka.
I have well over a hundred miles on my NNormal Cadis now. They aren’t designed as a fast shoe and are best kept for the long, slow plods or easy runs. Most of the runs I have used them for have been a mix of surfaces, from single-track trail through to disused railway lines and some tarmac. They are very comfortable, and I find them an easy shoe to run in. Easy-run days are usually the day after a quicker or harder session, so my legs are often tired and a bit stiff. I found that the Cadi offered enough cushioning and comfort for me to enjoy these runs.
On longer runs of two and a half hours plus, they remained comfortable and the feel of the midsole remained the same. This meant that I still had a stable, cushioned ride at the end of my run as my legs were getting tired.
In summary, the NNormal Cadi is a trail shoe that is best used for easier runs or long days out on less challenging trail terrain.
Alternatives to NNormal Cadi
OMM Ultra Shoe: A similar underfoot feel in that the midsole offers a good level of cushioning and protection but retains some feel for what you are standing on. The OMM Ultra Shoe has less volume in the toe box and a narrower base to the shoe which gives it a nimbler feel. The lugs are the same 4mm in length but bite better into soft ground so offer a higher level of traction on soft ground. Available in two widths. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/omm-ultra-shoe-review/
Mount to Coast H1: A more pointed toe box and narrower fit. The cushioning is much softer and the rocker carriers the foot through the gait cycle which gives a much more controlling feel to the ride. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/mount-to-coast-h1-review/
Topo Vista: A broad rounded toe box gives the feet the room to spread and function in the shoes. This is a bit more space than is available in the Cadi toe box. The Vista midsole is a lot stiffer which makes it only really suitable for hard packed trails. The lugs offer a bit more traction than the lugs on the Cadi due to the slightly longer length and the more aggressive shape. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/topo-athletic-vista-review/
Brooks Cascadia 20: A much narrower and more pointed toe box. Similarly firm feel to the ride. The lugs offer more traction on softer ground. Available in two width men’s and women’s. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/brooks-cascadia-20-review/
Scott Kinabalu Ultra: A more pointed toe box. The foam feels similarly firm. A lot less flex in the midsole with a rocker to carry the foot through the gait cycle. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/scott-kinabalu-ultra-review/
361 Futura 3: A much softer foam removes any feel for the ground. The traction is a lot better than expected. Rocker carries you through the gait cycle. Available in two width men’s and women’s. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/361-futura-3-review/
La Sportiva Prodigio Max: A similar firm responsive feel to the foam. The base of the shoe is as broad as the Cadi which gives the Prodigio Max a similar stable ride. The rocker carriers the foot through the gait cycle and the midsole is quite stiff which makes the Prodigio Max less versatile. Traction is at a similar level. The fit of the Prodigio is narrower than the Cadi. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/la-sportiva-prodigio-max-review/
Inov-8 TrailFly Max: A broad round toe box gives the feet the space to spread and function in the toe box. The ride is firm and responsive initially but, does get softer and is designed to absorb imperfections in the trail. Traction is a similar level. Available in two width men’s and women’s. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/inov-8-trailfly-max-review/
Hoka Mafate 5: Hoka’s Ultra shoe the Mafate 5 is a broader fit than most Hoka’s but not quite as roomy as the Cadi. The cushioning is softer and you are more aware of the stack height. The 6mm lugs offer a bit more traction in some situations but, the stiff midsole and lack of ground feel take some of that away. The rocker carriers the foot through the gait cycle. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/hoka-mafate-5-review/
VJ Ultra 3: A more rounded toe box gives the feet a bit more room to spread and function in the toe box. The foam is much softer with little feel for the ground. Traction is better on soft ground. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/vj-ultra-3-review/
Comments are closed here.