Reviewed: New Balance Minimus Trail
The New Balance Minimus Trail follows the principle that the foot and body can deal with most things biomechanically and therefore only needs protection from the sticks and stones found underfoot on the trails. A Vibram outsole provides the durability and some rock protection, with 15mm EVA in the heel and 11mm in the forefoot providing some, if minimal comparatively to some, cushioning.
I’m not new to the idea of natural running, having tried and tested the Inov-8 f-lite 195 shoes and using the Saucony Peregrine as an everyday training trail shoe which also has a 4mm drop from heel to forefoot. Theoretically, then I should be strong enough to cope with the forefoot running caused by using a more natural shoe…theoretically.
First feel…slippers. Fitting firmly to my foot thanks to the rubber protecting my tarsal heads from an accidental bump on any rocks during a run and a soft upper for the rest of my foot. To run in, well, it gets me straight up on my forefoot on the treadmill using my joints (ankle, knee and hips) more to control the forces through my foot from landing and springing me forward into the next stride. They feel great. Low profile and responsive I feel as if my feet are on the ground, yet I am thankful for that little bit of cushioning and protection underfoot.
So that’s the treadmill test done, now into the real world and a run around the block in them. Not designed specifically for road (though there is a road version) the New Balance Minimus trail feels good, very good in fact, with my feet feeling free as there is no structure in the shoe trying to dictate what my feet should be doing, just how I like it. Again I am glad of the small amount of cushioning though I definitely think that an extended period on the road would leave my feet a little sore.
A proper test is now in order and its up onto Derwent Edge onto the rocky trails and softer peaty ground which should give the Minimus its chance to shine once more. Grippy on a variety of rocky, peaty and harder trail terrain I am confident in foot placement and enjoying the responsiveness of the shoe. A lesson quickly learnt is that stepping on pointy rocks in a shoe with as little cushioning and no rock plate as the Minimus results in pain, should have guessed that beforehand, but a steep learning curve means that route choice improves dramatically throughout the run – although I am amazed at how adaptable my feet are. Following Debs in her Inov8 X-Talon 190s she has deeper lugs to grip into the hill, yet my Minimus don’t let me down once and I follow wherever she goes, taking a little time due to my inexperience downhilling at speed on rocky technical terrain but having no complaints about the shoes, feeling secure and confident in my foot placement. After an hours running my legs still felt good and feet had no soreness despite having very little cushioning (compared to a traditional road or trail shoe) over the harder rocky terrain.
As it was dry I was unable to test the shoes on wet rock so will have to do another test and given the usual English weather I won’t have long to wait for an ideal opportunity.Overall a great shoe, fitting snugly yet not constrictive and providing a responsive and free feeling ride without compromising on comfort. Calves the next morning were a little tight and lots of stretching was required to loosen them off, yet that is what the Minimus is about, forefoot running and using the muscles to control what the foot is doing rather than relying on the structure of a shoe.
PS. Since writing this review I have run with this shoe following rain. In shallow mud they are still good, wet grass not bad either and on rock around the High Peak in the Peak District, well very good. Definitely not for use in heavy mud though…
To see all the New Balance Minimus Range of Trail and Road shoes, Click HERE
About Mark Smalley
Mark has worked at Accelerate since the beginning, is highly knowledgeable about running footwear and a regular runner, amongst other sports. He has recently completed a Degree in Management from Sheffield University.
Wednesday 7th of December 2011
