New Balance Men's MT10 Minimus Trail Running Shoe
Click Here For Most Helpful Customer Reviews >>
I am currently stationed in Afghanistan for a deployment for the U.S. Army and had brought my 5 fingers to run around in. The army has taken a personal issue with the 5 fingers and is actually changing it's dress code for uniforms to include the exclusion of the 5 finger shoe. So I had to find a new shoe to wear in order to continue running around in my P.T.'s. I came across these in my search for a minimalist shoe and I can say that I'm pretty much happy with this shoe and will suggest for my fellow army brethren who run in minimalist shoes to buy these, especially here in Afghanistan where the roads we run on tend to be a bit rocky.
Best Deals on New Balance Men's MT10v1 Minimus Trail Running Shoe
Okay, first gonna lay out my running experience so you can judge what i write: i run about 40-50 miles a week, 50% barefoot in deep sand on the beach and the other 50% in merrell trail gloves. i bought these shoes to have something with just a little more sole for running on roads and more rigorous trails. i live on a coastal plain with no elevation changes, but run in the appalachian mountains about 3 times a month, usually on the appalachian trail of PA or surrounding foothills.
now, since i've gotten these shoes they've become my go-to shoe for the rockiest of trails. they offer just a bit more protection than the merrell trail glvoes, but still offer excellent ground feel and little sole. the 4mm raised heel is not very noticeable on trails, though it is extremely noticeable on flat roads and surfaces. overall, i do not use these on flat surfaces but definitely will go to them first for any type of large elevation change trails. my merrell's are my favorite shoe by far, but they lack a bit on extremely rugged and rocky trails when you are tired because any small rock you do not see you will feel, hard. the nbmt10 offers just a bit more protection, enough to make it noticeable.
if you decide to get these (mt10's) over the mt20's, be aware that there is a reason New Balance put out a new model of their champion minimalist shoe very shortly after it's release. namely, there is an asymmetry between the left and the right shoes. the band that stretches across the toe of the shoes comes across my feet at different points. on my left, it hits high, pulling my pinky toe in at an alarmingly uncomfortable angle. on the right, it's perfect. i googled around reviews of the mt10 and found others with the same problem, and even a blog that showed how to fix this. and ya know what? it's easy to fix. i simply cut the band at the pressure point to release the pressure, and now i have a perfectly excellent pair of shoes.
i recommend these shoes to anyone looking for a minimalist shoe for the trail, but realize that if you REALLY want a near-barefoot experience you should turn to the vibram's or to merrell trail gloves...or go barefoot :P
and if you're looking for a pair of road shoes, don't get these (as i did) for the road...wait til spring for the merrell road glove or the new line of New Balance shoes that will feature zero-drop on the heels!!
Honest reviews on New Balance Men's MT10v1 Minimus Trail Running Shoe
Since my wife and I travel Internationally a lot I needed a travel shoe that would not take up most of the carry-on luggage (only luggage we take). I am 61 years old and did not want to try "Five-fingers" because they look dumb. I tried a couple of barefoot shoes on and the Minimus Trail was the perfect fit. I walked the neighborhood to break them in. Then I hiked a couple of the steep mountains with sharp rocks around the Phoenix, AZ area.
I loved them. Next I took them backpacking down into the Grand Canyon (on my ninth trip). I loved them. Used them for water crossing, rock-climbs, and of course the main trail. Much of the hike out of Havasu Falls is river rocks. Walking on them with the Minimus was like having my feet massaged.
In all the hikes I have taken, I got one minimal rock bruise. I was warned by the shoe salesman that I would be in danger of rolling my ankle. I have not done so one time although I have several times in other shoes. My only complaint (thus only 4 stars)is that the soles do not wear as well as I had hoped. I think part of it is walking on streets during break-in. The rest of the shoe is quite rugged.
My next pair of shoes was the Minimus Life. Absolutely LOVE them. Like wearing a house slipper. They have virtually no lateral support so are not a good trail shoe but I have used it for trail hikes anyway. They are great but you have to use more caution on the rocks since there is little support.
Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for New Balance Men's MT10v1 Minimus Trail Running Shoe
I've got a black/orange pair of these from 2011 I think that I LOVE. Saw these on sale and figured I couldn't go wrong. Sadly I was very wrong. The bit that goes over the toe is much tighter/ less flexible so it feels tight across the top of my foot no matter how loose I make the laces. The worst part though is the bak eof the ankle. On the old model the ribbing around the heal was soft and flexible and there is a low spot wear the tendon is. On this it's much more rigid, no notch and it actually leans inward. This shoe swallows ankle socks and rubs a hole in my ankle after like 10 minutes of walking. Tiny but awful changes really ruined it.
