New Balance Minimus: Barefoot With A Twist

Barefoot Shoes, feature 2, Fitness Shoes, Running Shoes - By Ed Forteau on Wednesday, November 9, 2011 - 15:30

Barefoot shoes are the new "it shoes."  The market was pretty well established before New Balance entered it. With the bar set high with the likes of Vibram FiveFingers and Merrell Barefoot, New Balance carved out a unique place for itself with their Minimus Shoes.

The New Balance Minimus is a hybrid minimalist shoe.  It is ultra light, has reduced padding in the sole, but unlike other barefoot style shoes, provides the type of support you would find in a high quality running shoe (while remaining true to the barefoot philosophy)...with a slightly raised heel.

The Minimus is designed for running, but also is a surprisingly comfortable walking shoe for those who want to feel the ground beneath their feet.

With a wide toe box, you have the freedom you would expect from a barefoot shoe.  The sides of the shoe hug your feet, and the tapered heel holds your foot in-place.

The combination of these three elements gives you a level of support you just don't find in other mininalist footwear.

Of the barefoot shoes I've worn so far, the Minimus is the best looking.  The first time I wore them in public, I got lots of compliments.

The Minimus comes in 4 main styles: The Trail, The Life, and Cross Trainer, and The Road.

The Trail comes in two models, the 10 and 20.  It is a lace-up barefoot shoe, but also hugs your feet.  Both models come with a fitted upper, and are designed to be worn with or without socks.

The Life is a slip-on minimalist shoe which also can be worn with or without socks. They are very light, and have more of a casual feel to them than The Trail.

The Cross Trainer provides additional stability, while being a very lightweight shoe. This shoe is the most versatile of the line. The Cross Trainer is a great road running/walking shoe, and is also ideal in the gym.

The Road is just as the name implies...it is designed to be a road running shoe.  Like the other models, the Road is very lightweight.  The Road provides the type of support you would find in a traditional high-end running shoe, but maintains the barefoot feel of the road beneath your feet.

Minimus shoes run slightly small, so you should order them in a heel size larger than what you normally wear (even if you plan to wear them without socks).

This is a fantastic shoe, and is perfect for the first-time barefoot runner (or walker). It does not have the unique/funky look of Vibram FiveFingers, but it is a very attractive shoe that will have people asking you, "what kind of shoes are those?"

You can purchase the New Balance Minimus online from our favorite retailer, Footwearetc.com

Exclusive Discount: Use the above link, and save an additional $20 on any purchase of $100 or more.