Comments on: New Balance Minimus: High Resolution Photos

By: Steven

Steven — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

My primary interest is the Minimus Trail. I don't like the look of the outsole/tread. It doesn't look like it will have any traction (grass, scree, hard-pack soil, etc.) and so won't meet the important requirement of being functional in use as well as fit. Other than that, the shoe looks good from the pictures (especially the forefoot), though they leave me worried about the fit of the heel cup also.

By: Radicalsenseofhope

Radicalsenseofhope — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Drool.

By: Adammbsmith

Adammbsmith — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

While I love Vibram Five Fingers, I'm not a fan of minimalist shoes. After all, what's the point of going barefoot if you can't wiggle your toes?

By: Bartali

Bartali — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

In reply to Pete Larson.

There isn't any other 4mm drop well cushioned shoes bar the Kinvara is there ? The Asics Piranha has a 4mm drop, but that's not as cushioned as the Kinvara.

Anyhoo, re the Minimus - I'd be very worried about the durability of that sole in the road version

By: Thomas

Thomas — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Does not look that "minimalist" to me !

By: Joe Maller

Joe Maller — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

The road shoe has sort of an orthopedic look to it. It best fits my normal usage but is my least favorite visually.

By: Briderdt

Briderdt — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Ugh! $100!?!? Yeah, make a shoe with LESS material, and make it cost more... R&D? You mean paying some one to do online searches? Ridiculous.

That said... Interesting color selection on that second Road model. A nod to the Nike Lunar, maybe? (duh!) I like the Trail and Walking, though with the latter I hope that elastic band can be replaced with a lace.

By: Pete Larson

Pete Larson — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

In reply to Thomas.

That's the thing - despite the heavy marketing, these shoes aren't really
pushing the envelope all that much. There are plenty of 4mm drop, cushioned
options out there right now, and 2011 is going to see a lot of zero drop
shoes arrive, as well as some additional shoes in the same range as the
Minimus line. Of the three, I'd say the trail shoe seems to be the most
innovative, but then I haven't seen any of them in person.

By: Zach

Zach — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Maybe it’s just me, but the sole looks thicker than the original photo releases.

See:
http://counterkicks.com/wp-con…
http://counterkicks.com/wp-con…

By: Bartali

Bartali — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

In reply to Pete Larson.

Well the Wave Universe, like the Piranha certainly doesn't have as much cushioning as the Kinvara. The Kinvara has a whopping 14mm high forefoot, which I thought was high until I just looked at the Newtons ! Shame Nike don't publish their heel/toe heights.

I wonder if having such a thick sole/more cushioning in a minimal shoe is a bad thing ? If having a low heel/toe drop is cancelled out by having a high platform to wobble along on.

By: Pete Larson

Pete Larson — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

In reply to elaine!.

Vibram made the sole for the Trail Minimus.

By: Pete Larson

Pete Larson — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

In reply to Joe Maller.

I was thinking the same thing - sort of Sketchers Shape Up like.