New Balance Minimus Zero Trail Lightning Review: Pretty But Painful

In the adventure for the a lot of acutely basal active shoe, things are accepting crazy. New Balance's latest access is an complete agile for aisle running. But does it accept what it takes to be the best?

What Is It?

New Balance's MT00, a rubber, sock-optional barefoot-style active shoe.

Who's it For?

Barefoot aisle runners who wish some aegis for their soles and don't wish the awe-inspiring toe-shoe look.

Design

The high is a beat fabricated of a light, breathable cobweb that's bound abundant to accumulate out sand. The footstep is a aggregate of firm, impact-resistant Vibram elastic and a lighter elastic to authority it together. The shoes dissuade you from heel arresting because they are a aught bead style, which agency the forefoot and the heel are on an even plane.

Using It

The aboriginal affair you'll apprehension is how crazily ablaze and adjustable these are. Then, you'll apprehension how attenuated they are at the toes. During ablaze aisle runs and artery runs on wet concrete, slippage was never an issue, but every now and again a bedrock would be in just the appropriate abode to bore the basal in amid the elastic lugs, and ho man, it absolutely hurts. Some of the little gaps action no protection, and cushioning is all but non-existent.

The Best Part

The lightness. At 4.4 ounces (124 grams), the aberration in weight amid cutting them and a bald basal is hardly noticeable. Incredible!

Tragic Flaw

That attenuated toe box. A key basic to barefoot active is absolution your toes ample out naturally. It gives you a nice solid abject and allows little adjustments to the active surface. This toe box basically defeats the purpose.

This Is Weird...

If you footfall on clammy ground, the baptize instantly seeps through the absorptive basal and soaks your foot. They don't lose grip, but it's uncomfortable, and it's a connected problem. They're for a trail, remember?

Test Notes

The softer elastic is acutely cutting down faster than the harder Vibram rubber. It will not last.

The laces tend to slip. They get bound in one abode and apart in another. Way too abounding re-ties, even if double-knotted.The central of the high is not decidedly smooth. It chafes during sockless running.Cleaning dog bits out of these things is a astounding affliction in the ass. It sticks amid the lugs, and in fact squishes up under them. You appealing abundant charge a hose.A basal abrasion occurred on the final run. It absolutely hurt. Now, it could accept happened with any shoe, but the attenuated toe box and the bound lacing absolutely contributed. Should You Buy It?

Unless you accept acutely attenuated feet, no. If you wish to try barefoot running, absolution your forefoot ample out by itself is a key component, and New Balance adulterated it. Along with the accessible sole and ambiguous materials, it's abundant to be a deal-breaker. This is an avant-garde product, but it still feels like a beta. For now, try the Merrells, and accumulate an eye on what New Balance changes for next year's model.

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New Balance Minimus Aught Aisle Specs

Type: Aisle running

Weight: 4.4oz
Drop: 0mm
Men's Sizes: 7 - 15
Women's Sizes: 5 - 11
Men's Colors: 7 options
Women's Colors: 7 options
Price: $110 (retail)
Giz Rank: 3.0 Stars

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