Stores
Stories / November 2024
Kboix 01:
From Prototype to Product
150 people, one shared vision: that’s how the Kboix 01 was perfected
The NNormal Kboix 01 is a modular, multi-sport shoe designed with three interchangeable midsoles to adapt to various terrains, intensities, and body types.
But its construction isn’t the only thing that makes it special. The Kboix 01 was developed in collaboration with 150 members of the NNormal community, whose feedback was crucial in fine-tuning the final prototype.
A year after this process, known as the Kboix Experience, the Kboix 01 has moved from prototype to reality. In just a few days, it will be available on the NNormal website in a limited number of units. If you want to be the first to know, subscribe by clicking the button below.
NNormal Community Feedback
“With the Reactive midsole of the Kboix 01, I feel almost as confident running fast as with the Kjerag. The sole is wider, more stable and at the same time offers more cushioning, is less demanding and provides additional protection for the sole. The biggest advantage is that by changing the midsole, you get a totally different shoe, softer and better suited to long training runs under load or even as a trekking shoe for 8-9 hour days without foot discomfort.”
— Antton Guaresti (Spain)
“The modular design of the Kboix 01 has been a game changer in my racing on hilly terrain such as Durmitor, Chamonix and the Dolomites. I love the ability to change midsoles depending on training and terrain. For rocky trails, I rely on the reactive midsole to handle the rough surfaces, providing stability and responsiveness. On softer, longer runs, the cushioned midsole alleviates impact, making a real difference to my endurance. The grip is fantastic on wet and slippery rocks, giving me confidence in tricky conditions.”
— Marija Kostic (Serbia)
“I’ve mainly used the NNormal Kboix 01 for trail running, in training, competitions, and even for hiking in the mountains. It makes packing for trips a lot easier as it lets me bring just one shoe with two different insoles instead of two separate pairs. For example, for a race weekend involving a Vertical Kilometre (VK) and a longer race, I only needed the Kb 2 Reactive and Kb 3 Bounce insoles instead of two pairs of shoes. I love how it performs on technical, rocky, wet trails as well as smooth, dry paths. It makes answering ‘Which shoe should I wear?’ much simpler.”
— Eduarda Leitão (Portugal)
“With the Kboix 01 I have mainly run on rocky and technical trails, and on small summits, such as the Aravis mountain range in France. I've also done some hiking and trekking. What's great about the Kboix is that, depending on how you feel or the condition of your feet, you could choose a soft or firm midsole without needing to change shoes. They differ from other trail shoes in their grip and versatility. And if you're more inclined toward hiking or fast hiking, they're lighter than regular hiking shoes.”
— Pierrick Aubert (France)
“I have tested the Kboix 01s on asphalt, trails and variable terrain with roots and rocks, including very technical, steep, water and rocky areas. Overall, the grip has been stable and fantastic, even on challenging surfaces. In the mountains I’ve used all three midsoles and all three provided excellent traction. With the soft midsole of the Kboix 01, I felt less pressure on my knees.”
— Irene Meliciani (Italy)
“I was able to test them on asphalt, mud, broken terrain, rivers... and the sole worked very well. In addition, the possibility of choosing the midsole means that I have been able to adapt to each of the difficulties. Unlike other shoes, I would highlight its cushioning, as it has a lot of travel and gives a great feeling of comfort, with the difference that being modular, in just a few seconds I could have a reactive shoe. It’s amazing how many intervals I’ve run with these Kboix 01!”.
— Daniel Fernández (Spain)
Photo: Ben Gilbert
“The modular design is a standout feature. During a trip from Jura to Annecy and Chamonix, the interchangeable midsoles adapted to each terrain: the Bounce midsole provided excellent grip and comfort on the Jura forest trails and the rocky, muddy paths of Annecy. In Chamonix, I switched to the Soft midsole for longer runs, providing great support on both runnable and technical trails. Even in the early snow, the Kboix 01's grip was so good that I never needed crampons.”
— Olivier Parent (France)
Closing & Community Invite
After months of testing on the feet of some NNormal community members, the NNormal Kboix 01 is now available for anyone eager to try it and benefit from its innovative design.
If you’d like to learn more about the modular design of the Kboix 01, understand the difference between its interchangeable midsoles, and be among the first to purchase it when it’s released, subscribe by clicking the button below.
Kboix01
The shoe, reinvented
Share with a friend
Your NNormal shoes come with a free gift!