UKC

ive uncovered a supply of NB minimus shoes at about 40% of retail, so have grabbed a few pairs.

just wondering how others have found them, in order to gain a bit of perspective on how they feel to me.

im not into the natural running thing - i already run about in bare feet so dont need to be sold special shoes for it - but have been using one pair in the gym where they feel very good for lifting.

the main pair im running in are the 1010/amps as they are not all that minimal as far as i can tell. 50% of the running i do is light stuff (20kms on gravel/flat trails whilst the rest is with a heavy pack for which i wouldnt dream of doing in minimal shoes).

anyone else use these shoes with an opinion to give?
is the 101o/amp just a gimmick for those who cant decide on either minimal or regular shoes?
have i been conned?

In reply to ice.solo:

Well check out this review: http://www.irunfar.com/2012/08/new-balance-mt1010-review.html

Appears they're really comfy but upper falls apart after a few hundred miles (or sooner depending on the trail), so it's good that you grabbed a few spare pairs. NB seem to have fixed this in their V2 upgrade, out July in the US and hopefully soon after in UK: http://runtramp.com/new-balance-mt1010-v2-preview/

If anyone has any thoughts on the following: I'm after a long distance trail shoe myself but am having trouble finding a right fit. I bought a pair of asics fuji racer's which where an excellent, snug fit until where my big toe hugs the far side of the shoe - that end became very uncomfortable so I had to give the shoes away (they're fantastic btw and quite cheap - consider sealing up the draining holes in the sole with some liquid shoe rubber though). My big toe is relatively long ( almost half an inch longer than the next toe) which means that I need some width in that area, but the rest of my foot is rather narrow, and roomier toe box usually comes with a wider shoe overall.

One possible solution I read about is to hold the toe box of the shoe close to a flame and, with a spoon, carefully push it from the inside out to widen the fit exactly where you need a bit of extra space. However this is a perilous endeavour that I;d rather avoid.

I reckon NB has a bit roomier toe boxes so I'm definitely going to try a pair. Other options are a pair of Salomon's from the s-lab series, maybe the new Mantra. Or a pair of Innov-8s, Montrails, the new Haglofs? Any recommendations?

Are they the fabric ones? I was a big of their second cousin the NB101. It's a great all-rounder for bread and butter trail runs and doesn't mind straying into fell territory. But I'm just not getting the lifespan. Current pair ready for the bin after 4 months and maybe 250 miles tops. I had the first pair replaced under warranty, but I think it's just one of those things. The upper's gone in several places and there's a big rip along the instep. I have another pair, but ready to try something else soon I think.

In reply to ice.solo: I like them. Light, not too much padding, comfy. I've got the 2nd generation trail ones and they definitely don't look/feel like they will last that long compared to other trainers. Think they have 4mm drop which feels fine to me.

R

In reply to ice.solo:

cool. thanks all. good to hear everything.

ive taken them for a bit of a run (2 x 20kms and about 5kms, plus a bit of town use) and tho needing a bit of adjustment (i was wearing sportiva crosslites before) they are ok.
feel very good around the toes.

will be interested to see how they wear.

In reply to ice.solo:



Maybe you should of tried them out before you brought several pairs.............

In reply to Hirosim:

cheap, light shoes with vibram rubber soles. they have lots of uses earmarked for them other than running.