My New Shoes, New Balance Minimus Road
I needed a new pair of running shoes. I know I bought a pair of New Balance MR1226 last August but given that I leave those at work for my lunchtime workouts I’ve been in need of a pair of running shoes for home use. Well, after much debate I picked up a new pair of running shoes yesterday … the New Balance Minimus Road.
I know I already own a pair of minimal shoes, the Vibram Five Fingers (VFF) KSO, but I’ve posted a few times already how my feet hate running in VFF.
The difference between VFF KSO and the New Balance Minimus Road in terms of support is actually quite significant. The VFF KSO have ~3.5 mm of cushion and 0 mm heel-toe drop, you’re essentially running barefoot, which is the point. With that tiny amount of cushioning my feet revolt and decide to throw quite a few blisters at me making it extremely difficult to walk let alone run. Being a heavy runner it’s really important that I don’t anger my already beat up feet.
The Minimus on the other hand have 11.3 mm of cushion in the toe and 15.3 mm of cushion in the heel with a 4 mm heel-toe drop. This allows you a minimal amount of cushion to comfortably run yet not so much that your stride and feel suffer.
To compare the numbers with your typical running shoe you get ~24.5 mm of cushion in the toe and ~37 mm of cushion in the heel leading to a 12.5 mm heel-toe drop. This not only has huge impact on your stride causing you to heel strike but means you don’t feel anything while you run.
Like with my VFF, I decided to run without socks! The inside of the Minimus are nearly seamless … I say nearly because the first thing I felt was the tag on the inside. I know they tried to hard to make it flush but the material is different and I felt it. Not so much that it stopped me from running without socks but it’s annoying.
Sexy legs ahe? Yea, I know hairy too … anyhow.
My first run in the Miniums felt great, amazing actually. I didn’t have any hotspots (like with my VFF), I didn’t have any post run ankle pains (like with my VFF), and after running ~4 miles I felt like I could keep running (unlike with my VFF). The shoes were super light and didn’t feel like I was wearing any which was pretty cool.
About the only thing that wasn’t perfect about my first run with the MInimus was that my achilles area was red and agitated from running sockless. I think I may have to tie the laces a bit tighter the next time I run, I’ll keep you updated. I really enjoyed running without socks so I want to either train my feet into it or figure out the right tension to prevent that agitation.
Another thing I was kinda bummed about … I wasn’t able to get the Minimus in the Red/Black I initially wanted them in. What can I say, it’s my power color … for some reason they didn’t get a drop of the Red in my size. I think the Blue/Yellow will grow on me in time.
A final thing I wanted to register a complaint about, for some reason New Balance isn’t going to be carrying the Minimus Life for Men in my local store (Oak Brook Illinois). I have to ask why not? Come on, are women the only target for this shoe?
After reading this great review of the Minimus Life over at Birthday Shoes I have to think that maybe you got your demographics wrong. To prove you wrong I’d be happy to do a review and giveaway to gauge the response, just toss me a e-mail to set it up 
Look for ongoing updates on my Minimus Road experiences in my upcoming triathlon training and other races, the next of which is the Chicago Shamrock Shuffle 8k on April 10th.
Thanks for the review – I’m intrigued by the Minimus Life more than the Road, but wanted to hear some more reviews before even thinking of switching from my VFF’s.
Glad you found a winner – hope they continue to be good for your running!
rustypants´s last [type] ..Where I’d Rather Be…
Great review! I hope you’re able to keep wearing them without socks.
Jess @ Fit Chick in the City´s last [type] ..First Strides
Very cool!
I finished reading Born to Run a few weeks ago…it made me want to throw out my Saucony’s and start running on old tires
Great review! I just picked up my NB Minimus Road shoes on Friday 3/25, ran a 4-mile road race in them on Saturday 3/26 – and as you said – no hot spots, no blistering – and just felt FAST! Ran a 2 mile road race on Sunday 3/27 in them as well, and same thing! I have had similar experiences to you with my VFF Bikilas, where I love them for my workout DVDs and for just about anything but running – I actually like them for running, but don’t like the dropped metatarsal and sore top of foot I get from them… I LOVE my NB MINIMUS ROADS!
Janine´s last [type] ..New Balance Minimus Road – A Review
I had been wondering about running in these without socks. I bought mine on March 28, and ran about 5 miles in them yesterday. My issue is that they do not come in 2E or 4E yet, so they are definitely tight for me.
So, today went out for an easy 2.5 miles without socks just to see how it would go. Made a big difference on feel. Felt slightly tight still, but much better. I could feel a little bit on top in the tongue area, but nothing major. Not sure I like the slightly slimy feel of my feet when they sweat, but I am going to keep trying without the socks.
Thanks for your post.
I’ve been running in them since day 1 without socks. I debated back and forth but decided to continue the “minimal” approach like with my VFF an go sockless. Except for the first day redness on my heal because I didn’t tighten them enough I love it. I don’t think the sweat is really that different for me than if I had worn socks but over time they may smell more. Given how much I’ll be running though I’ll likely replace them at least once this season.
I usually wear a 4E but since I’ve lost weight I’m in a 2E now so I was worried that they didn’t have wide. BUT because the toe box is wider by design they fit really well. Maybe they aren’t as wide as they were designed to be but they work well for me.