NNormal now has three trail shoes: one for racing, one for mud, and one for big training weeks. Inov-8 has its best trail shoe yet. And Garmin launched both the Fenix 9 and the Enduro 4 this fall. Here is what matters and why.
Updated September 21, 2026.
Trail Shoes
NNormal Kjerag 02 and Kjerag Brut
The Kjerag 02 is NNormal's updated race shoe. It was tuned while Kilian Jornet trained for Western States in 2026. It keeps the X Pure foam and Vibram Megagrip sole from the first Kjerag. The changes are in the upper and the heel, based on feedback from long races. It is not a max-cushion shoe. It is fast and lets you feel the ground on rocky trails. For 50K to 100-mile races on dry, rocky trails, it is still one of the best picks.
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The Brut is a different shoe. It uses the same Kjerag base, but it is built for cold, wet, and muddy days. The 6.5mm lugs grip soft ground. The tongue is neoprene that sheds water, and the Matryx mesh drains fast and keeps out grit. Pick the Brut if you race in the Pacific Northwest, in muddy mountain races, or in the mountains after October. The choice is simple. Dry, rocky trails get the 02. Mud and cold get the Brut.
Buy on AmazonNNormal Cadi
The Cadi is NNormal's first max-cushion trail shoe. It is made for long miles on smoother trails. The foam is Xpure, with a 35mm heel and 29mm forefoot. It weighs 9.0 oz for men and 7.5 oz for women. The Kjerag 02 is for racing on rocky ground. The Cadi is for big training weeks and long races, when comfort matters more than feel. Think of it as a rival to the Hoka Speedgoat. Like the Speedgoat, it has a Vibram Megagrip sole that grips well on wet rock and roots. Now on Amazon.
Buy on AmazonInov-8 TrailFly Speed V2
Inov-8 gave the TrailFly Speed new POWERFLOW PRO foam and a G-GRIP rubber sole. Inov-8 says it grips wet ground 50% better than the V1. Reviews from March 2026 agreed the new foam feels bouncier. It has a low 4mm drop and a firm ride. That suits runners who want to feel the ground more than they want cushion. It is a good pick for rocky mountain races where every foot plant counts.
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The regular TrailFly V2 is the softer version of the Speed V2. It is made for high mileage, long races, and hard-packed trails where you want more padding for many hours. The V2 has a new upper that holds the middle of your foot better, plus stickier rubber. It comes in regular and wide widths. The Speed V2 has no wide option. If you run 70-plus miles a week or race over 50 miles on dry trails, the TrailFly V2 is the better everyday shoe.
Buy on AmazonGPS Watches
Garmin Fenix 9: Out Now
Garmin launched the Fenix 9 on August 25, 2026. The base model starts at $999.99. It has a brighter AMOLED screen and twice the storage of the Fenix 8, so you can load more maps. It comes in 43mm, 47mm, and 51mm sizes.
Read the listing closely. The base Fenix 9 has no solar and no inReach satellite messaging. Those come only on the Fenix 9 Pro, which starts at $1,099.99. The 47mm base model gets about 30 hours of GPS, which is tight for a slow 100-miler.
Garmin Enduro 4: Out Now
The Enduro 4 came out October 6, 2026 for $899.99. It replaces the Enduro 3. It weighs 66 grams. Garmin rates it at 80 hours of normal GPS, or 144 hours with lots of sun. For most ultra runners who want a Garmin, this is now the watch to look at first.
If you already own a Fenix 8 or Enduro 3, there's no rush to upgrade. Both still work well for ultras, and stores may cut their prices now.
See our full GPS watch comparison of the Fenix 9, Enduro 4, and COROS Vertix 2S. It also covers the spring 2026 COROS update that added Hill Alerts and race pacing that adjusts for terrain.
What to Buy Now vs. Wait On
Shoes: if you need a race shoe for dry, rocky trails, look at the NNormal Kjerag 02 and the Inov-8 TrailFly Speed V2. They are the two new race shoes for rough ground most worth a look. The Brut is a real mud and cold shoe, not just a new color. For big training weeks and long races on smoother trails, the NNormal Cadi is the biggest new max-cushion shoe this spring.
For watches: the new Garmins are out, so there's no reason to wait. Buy the one that fits your longest race.
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