Trail-Running Shoes Buying Guide

Made for explosiveness and agility on the trail, the women's New Balance Minimus Trail running shoes are built to complement your natural movement, giving you a barefootlike feel with added response.
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Imported.
View all New Balance Women's Trail-Running ShoesBest Use | Trail Running |
---|---|
Trail-Running Shoe Type | Light-Trail |
Running Shoe Cushioning | Minimal 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) | 12.2 ounces |
Gender | Women's |
5 | 5.5 | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
U.S. Women's | 5 | 5.5 | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 |
UK | 3 | 3.5 | 4 | 4.5 | 5 | 5.5 | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 |
EU | 35 | 36 | 37 | 37.5 | 38 | 39 | 39.5 | 40 | 40.5 | 41.5 | 42 | 42.5 | 43.5 | 44 | 44.5 |
Foot Length (in.) | 8.5 | 8.7 | 8.9 | 9.1 | 9.3 | 9.4 | 9.6 | 9.8 | 10 | 10.2 | 10.4 | 10.6 | 10.8 | 11 | 11.2 |
Measurements are stated in inches.
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I have a similar sentiment to a lot of the other reviews - I was so excited to see that New Balance brought back the minimus trail and rushed to order one. It's a decent show in its own right but it's not the minimus trail. The sole is much too reinforced. Hopefully the next iteration is closer to the last because it was the best shoe I've ever had. Also, the lip on the heal is odd. I do appreciate having a mostly black color option.
I so wanted to like this shoe. The length, width, and material are fine. It's the sole that is the problem. It is to thick and way too squishy. I overpronate slightly which normally isn't a problem. With these shoes, because of the squishy, thick sole, I couldn't keep my ankles from really pronating inward to the point I couldn't keep good balance and was afraid if I did try to use them and took a misstep that I would sprain or break my ankle. Please just bring back the original Minimus 10 trail shoe. There is someone on Reddit developing a prototype barefoot shoe combining the MT10v2 and Merrell Trail Glove 1 . This is what people want.
Took these for a run in Mt Isa at the Telstra Hill where its pretty much dirt and desert. The terrain gets rough in certain parts of the track and i will say that the sole comfortably assisted the feel of all the nasty sharp rocks on some of the run. There's is some type of cushioning support to help impact blow at the outer heel of shoe. I found the amount of cushioning is perfect. I found the shoe quite stable and comfortable, i like the sole thickness. Can still get a feel of grooves on the road. I've never run a track without socks but with these i do so comfortably. Each to their own but I'm set on these for trail runs
I like these shoes for the trail!! Not too much cushion to make me unstable, but enough give in the sole so that my feet and lower legs have control on trail surfaces. Had to adjust to stretchy material on top, hope it lasts. Personally I could use alittle more arch for my high arches but I’m used to that. Longest runs so far 15 miles on sand and packed surfaces. Shorter runs of 5 miles several times a week on hard, rocky trails. I will buy again.
This is not the old style minimus. I had the trail and road versions as my primary shoes for 15 years. These have a much more cushioned sole that are angled like other reviewers said. I HATED them when I first tried them on. I wore them for a 2 mile run and hated them less. After 10 miles I finally started to like them. I realized that the annoying heel cushion was amazing after doing hill repeats. The cushion has broken in after about 15 miles of running and I now love them. I purchased the wide version and the toe box has plenty of room. The upper is a little stretchy, and the shoe doesn’t get overly snug after running a few miles. It’s a completely different shoe from the old minimus, but it is a great shoe once broken in.
Yikes. I have the older version of this shoe and have loved them to the point they are completely worn out. I was excited to see New Balance making this shoe again. Terrible, terrible redesign. Not a minimalist shoe at all, I have running shoes with less sole than these have. There is no flex in the sole of the shoe at all. The material on the top of the shoe is stretches so much that my feet slide around inside. It feels like an injury waiting to happen. Very disappointed and will be returning.
I have worn a few different versions of the New Balance minimalist shoes before, and loved them. I was curious about this one as it looked a little more built up. I needed more support after ankle fusion surgery, and this shoe is a prefect balance of minimalist with a little more stability. I got the purple fuchsia with black and ginger lemon colour way, and I love the look of it. A great shoe for a person entering the minimalist world, and a nice change for someone who already loves them.
I only run trails and this shoe feels pretty good. Doesn’t need much time to break in. Ran a long 1/2 marathon shortly after buying these. Good grip and enough cushion in the heel to lighten impact while letting my feet maintain control over rough and uneven surfaces. I like the center lace ups better than my old side bosa system. Not sure yet about the stretchy tops. I already bought a second pair. Fits true to size.
Although these Minimus Trail shoes are better than all the "Marshmallow" soled shoes being sold now,I miss the old trail shoes. I bought 5 pairs and have worn the soles off them, and I was hoping these would be the same. I am not a fan of the huge heel sole sticking out the back,but I sort of like the stretchy heel fabric. The Footbed itself is comfortable and they lace up nicely.
Nice comfortable kick around shoes .not much support I could not wear them to work in all day since I’m on my feet all day (hairstylist) but easy to get on and I have the bright purple pair I bought 4pairs of new balance that day and they all have different support ,I’ll definitely be staying with new balance for awhile. Only 4 stars since I feel they could have more arch support