Trail-Running Shoes Buying Guide

Made for explosiveness and agility on the trail, the men's New Balance Minimus trail-running shoes are built to complement your natural movement and help drive you forward.
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Imported.
View all New Balance Men's Trail-Running ShoesBest Use | Trail Running |
---|---|
Trail-Running Shoe Type | Light-Trail |
Running Shoe Cushioning | Moderate Cushion |
Heel-to-Toe Drop (mm) | 4 |
Heel Stack Height (mm) | 24.5 |
Forefoot Stack Height (mm) | 20.5 |
Footwear Height | Ankle |
Footwear Closure | Lace-up |
Upper | Textile |
Midsole | Fuelcell foam |
Outsole | AT Tread rubber |
Rock Plate | No |
Weight (Pair) | 15.8 ounces |
Gender | Men's |
6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 12.5 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 15 Wide | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
U.S. Men's | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 12.5 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 15 Wide |
UK | 5.5 | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 12.5 | 13.5 | 14.5 | 14.5 |
EU | 38.5 | 39.5 | 40 | 40.5 | 41.5 | 42 | 42.5 | 43 | 44 | 45.5 | 45 | 45.5 | 46.5 | 47 | 47.5 | 49 | 50 | 50 |
Foot Length (in.) | 9.4 | 9.6 | 9.8 | 10 | 10.2 | 10.4 | 10.6 | 10.8 | 11 | 11.2 | 11.4 | 11.6 | 11.8 | 12 | 12.2 | 12.6 | 13 | 13 |
Measurements are stated in inches.
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Just finished the West Coast Trail wearing these. Finally found a shoes to replace my Altras. Super comfortable, super light, still agile. They dry out extremely fast, great grip, held up well in constant rain and mud. They are definitely NOT barefoot shoes, which is why you see some bad reviews. They are a super light weight trail runner. They have enough cushioning to protect from rocks and roots, but you can still feel the ground as you're walking. I have wide feet, and the wide sizes saved me. One of the few shoes that comes in my size. My new favorite hiking shoe.
NB minimus Trail, saw the trainers at the px on jblm and had to have the trails. Bought a set for pt and now they are just my everyday shoes as well and gym shoes. They are more sturdy then my nike free runs and are well built. I like them alot.
I have been wearing New Balance Minimus for 15 years. Best training and CrossFit shoes on the market! I like the new Minimus Trail. However, I would make the following suggestion: The foam construction on the heel is not rigid enough. It allows the heel of the foot to move vertically when sprinting or driving off the front of the foot to the point that it almost slips out of the shoe. I would recommend using more rigid material. Additionally, while the new laces prevent untying during activity (great design), they have always been too long on the Minimus shoes. Within a few days, I find myself double-knotting them. Perhaps consider shortening the laces 2 inches.
These are not the Minimus of old. The toe box is narrow, no room to spread your toes. They are not zero-drop, the 2-part sole is a bit weird. There's little ground feel. I've had these through several iterations, and liked them all. My last pair wore out awhile ago (the 10v1 reboot), and then New Balance just cancelled them. I wish I had bought multiple pairs. I was very excited when these came out, and ordered a pair. When they arrived, they were clearly too small (and I already sized up to a 14 in the last iterations). I returned them and got 15s, which are long enough but seem too wide. Not a lot of support, my feet move around in them even when laced up tight. I've worn them some and cannot return them, but I'm definitely disappointed. I thought my favorite shoe was back, but sadly, this version is not it.
The best tennis shoes for those who have Haglund deformity, a condition where a bony bump forms on the back of the heel bone (calcaneus), where the Achilles tendon attaches. Tried many other shoe models from New Balance and other orthopedic recommended brands. The Minimus Trail was the only one that provided me relief from heel pain while allowing me to go back to trail running. The very soft heel material really offer minimum pressure on that area - does not rub on the heel/Achilles tendon. I literally bought three pairs, two 8 wide for trail running and one 8.5 wide for day to day use. I'm 5'9, 159 lbs.
I am so disappointed with the newly-designed Minimus trail runners! The original design were my favorite shoe, which I had hiked the John Muir Trail in and worn on many other Sierra backpacking trips. I figured I would try out the new ones, but they have so much more padding, and the sole sticks out from the edges so far that they trip me up. And most sadly, they no longer wrap around and hug my insole like the old shoes. Please, please, please go back to the old design! Or tell me where I can find some new old stock of those fabulous shoes. I have tried all brands of so-called barefoot runners, and, until this redesign, New Balance was hands-down the winner. Now you have lost me.
It's the best fitting New Balance shoe I've ever owned, but it is not the Minimus of old. The sole is too heavy and almost 2 centimeters longer at 9 1/2 size. It is also wider and thicker. These are my archery shoes and I want to feel the ground through the shoe like I could with the old Minimus. Time will tell if I grow to like them.
All shoes are being made with cheap materials & plastics now. And they want you to pay the same cost for shoes that don't meet the satisfaction. They make a cheap shoe, but charge you a like crazy. What a waste. NB has definitely lowered their standards, their just making anything and selling it.
I can't feel the ground and the shoe lacks adequate traction on smooth surfaces. Makes this shoe dangerous for me. However, this shoe is probably a soccer mom's dream come true, as it is very comfortable and stylish... Think of a Croc with nice laces.
I got these for easeful transition from water (river) to land. These are very uncomfortable. They also have me a callous which never has happened before.