Men's New Balance 101

Comments about Mens New Balance 101 Trail Running Shoe:

First off, if you are considering buying this shoe, you are most likely a minimalist runner who's vocabulary does not include pronation and supination control. The MT101's are just awesome! and WOW! I cannot believe that NB has out did themselves again with this shoe. Granted, they had some expert help from Runner Krupicka who as a minimalist ultra runner had allot of input on the design of this shoe. The shoe fit like a glove with plenty of toe room, snug at the heel and nice and felt really flat at the bottom. With a minimal heel rise, this shoe gave me great control when pushing hard down some pretty technical trails. The traction on the shoes were superb! After a number of rainy days in Seattle, I took the Mt101's out on some pretty muddy trails with little slipping. I found myself wanting to push harder down the trails as my feet felt that comfortable and secure inside these shoes. Size is true to fit and there is enough toebox room for foot swelling.

A++++ for NB for creating such a wonderful shoe.

Comments about Mens New Balance 101 Trail Running Shoe:

If you loved the NB100, you will be pleased with the update. Unlike many shoe updates, there were no major changes, which means with the 101 you get the same great results you got with the 100's, plus a few improvements. The toe box is wider, giving the toes more room to spread and flex naturally as they do when barefoot, and the construction has been improved in areas that were prone to blow-outs for high mileage runners on the 100's.

The order form suggests ordering up half a size, as have some customers, however these shoes were built for running sockless, and I've found that like the 100's, the fit is true to size if you are a sockless runner.

Until the NB Minimus trail shoe arrives next spring, the 101 is the best option for minimilast runners looking for that "medium ground" beween running barefoot and having the protection they need to run long and hard on race day.

Comments about Mens New Balance 101 Trail Running Shoe:

Can't do the beach as well as the vibram five fingers but they are way cooler, are not as light as the brooks racers but they are better insulated and your toes will not go numb in the winter months, they give trail runner support and are as light as it gets. if you dig the barefoot feel this is the best all around shoe i've ever run. best of all they don't spin marketing to charge a primium price for striping out the technology!!!

Comments about Mens New Balance 101 Trail Running Shoe:

These shoes are really great. Please note that they are really minimalist (well, the heel drop is a bit large, but other than that they are). Thus, if you're used to "regular" trail shoes, you'll want to slowly work these into your training, not just switch right over to them.

I have fairly wide feet, but bought them a half size up and that seemed to work out fine. They're super light (for a trail shoe), and a joy to run in.

The one bit of weirdness is that on downhill switchbacks at relatively high speed, your heel slips a bit to the side (meaning the lateral heel support is noticeably less than regular shoes). Not a problem, and happens only on fast twisty descents, just something to note. That's the price you pay for the minimalist approach (which is why I only gave it four stars... it's nearly perfect, but not all the way there).

I'll definitely be doing another pair of these when this pair wears out.

Comments about Mens New Balance 101 Trail Running Shoe:

These are excellent for those who are venturing into minimalist style running. They're not as minimal as vibrams, but that's what makes them great. They're lightweight, flexible, breathable and they provide just enough protection for your feet while still allowing you to feel the ground. I found them to be true to size, so if you like a snug fit, order your actual size. If you prefer a little bit of wiggle room, order the 1/2 size up. Also, for those who are just stepping into minimalist runs, start slowly and work your way up, just because you can run a marathon in a pair of 1226s doesn't mean you should try it in these, you'll be using muscles that aren't use to the work. Even though I avidly work my legs with heavy weights in the gym every week, my calves were tender after my initial 2.6 mile run. So be smart, listen to your body and be safe.

Comments about Mens New Balance 101 Trail Running Shoe:

The New Balance 101 is a fantastic trail shoe for those who have moved towards lowering their heel and into the minimalist realm. I have been enjoying these since they came out in early fall, and I am doing my entire trail running in these shoes. I do all of my interval training on a grassy field and these substitute for cross-country spikes very well. The soles provide good traction and flexibility but do not get all gummed up with mud, thus reducing any increase in weight as you hit muddier terrain. The stiff "rock-stop" forefoot provides an excellent platform for push-off on rocky or rutty conditions, and the mesh upper wicks moisture well reducing absorption of water in wet weather. I'll need to buy a few more pair to store away for future use. I even like the color; however, there are no other color choices. I do not recommend these shoes for those who have not successfully been weaning themselves away from over-engineered running shoes with lots of stability control, cushioning or a high heel-to-toe ratio.

Comments about Mens New Balance 101 Trail Running Shoe:

I use this shoe for racewalking. I have wide feet, it's hard to find low profile, light weight shoes, but these shoes did the trick. The nubs on the bottom do not hender walking on the street. Finally. :-)

Comments about Mens New Balance 101 Trail Running Shoe:

I have run in the MT100s for a while, and was waiting eagerly to get the 101s. They feel very similar, just a slightly more comfortable heel pocket - a little softer on the Achilles. They also seem a slightly wider in the forefoot. great trail shoe

Comments about Mens New Balance 101 Trail Running Shoe:

GREAT SHOES BUT BREAK THEM IN SLOWLY IF YOU ARE NOT A MINIMALIST RUNNER...

I have run over 300 miles in these so far and they have no evidence of wearing out. Just enough protection for your feet on rocky trails but still very low profile...rock plate takes away some of the 'feel' of the trail but minimal profile and cushioning helps to make up for that.

longest run: 15 miles

terrain: mud, trails, street and beach.....all smooth

Comments about Mens New Balance 101 Trail Running Shoe:

I had a pretty good experience with these shoes for a few months of fairly heavy trail running. I'm a 170 lb runner who strikes on the outer portion of the forefoot, though I don't wear through shoes too quickly. These shoes did not last 200 miles before tearing at the joint wear the fabric meets the last at the outer-forefoot. During a run, the fabric separated for four inches along this joint...ugly. I could not run in them. Highly disappointed because I've heard so many great things about the durability of this design.

Comments about Mens New Balance 101 Trail Running Shoe:

Liked them a lot

Comments about Mens New Balance 101 Trail Running Shoe:

The first time I used these shoes I jogged over to a track and did 4x400m intervals. The shoes felt very fast and light. They felt as light as toe shoes but with arch support. They seem to encourage proper running mechanics; quick, short strides. I've run 4 workouts in them so far and I'm planning to run 2 5k races in them this weekend. I'm excited about racing in them. In the best uses category I clicked trail running but this would be for a relatively smooth trail surface not a very rocky surface. There's not enough cushion on the bottom for a rocky trail.

Comments about Mens New Balance 101 Trail Running Shoe:

Wore them on race day in wet muddy conditions over dirt, gravel, exposed roots, and cobblestone. They are super light and the traction was just fine for these conditions. I was able to dodge exposed roots and ruts in the dirt (mud) trail with ease.

Comments about Mens New Balance 101 Trail Running Shoe:

I've only had these for 2 months but they've been great so far. I only run with them once or twice a week since they're more for trail running but they're really light. They don't have much forefoot cushioning so they might start to get uncomfortable on long runs but for 4-6 mile runs they're great. The rock stop soles are great. I've run over sharp rocks and twigs and don't feel a thing.

Comments about Mens New Balance 101 Trail Running Shoe:

Just ran the Dry Creek Half Marathon in Idaho which normally would have been amazing. These shoes made the trek incredibly difficult due to muddy conditions. The other athletes that came prepared with deep lugs had no trouble staying on the trail and climbing strong. However, I spun my "tires" like I was on ice. No traction in wet conditions.... a huge dissapointment that caused me to loose points in the series :-(

Comments about Mens New Balance 101 Trail Running Shoe:

My feet are flatter than flat. I have NO arch. I had experimented via CrossFit with minimalist running, but not seriously on trails, or roads. I got these shoes for Christmas & have been running in them regularly the past several months including sandy trails, rocky trails, blacktop roads for distances up to 5 miles. I'll say after my first 4 mile trail run, my calves were super sore the next day from my body being it's own shock absorber, but that is a me issue, not the shoe issue. These are great shoes & part of what I hope continues as a great minimalist movement, for purely selfish reasons, I like 'em.

Comments about Mens New Balance 101 Trail Running Shoe:

these are just as good as the vibram five fingers, if not better since you can where them anywhere without the questions and staring. i wear them for running and work.

Comments about Mens New Balance 101 Trail Running Shoe:

I ran 8 miles of rugged trails the first day out. Nice traction and wicked light weight. The next two days of running were 9 miles each day. I had few stingers from large rocks, but performed superbly as I avoided a larger snake in my path. Dang I hate snakes!

Comments about Mens New Balance 101 Trail Running Shoe:

These are the best minimal running shoes that I bought yet. So light weight you hardly remember you have them on. They also felt true to size and I didn't have to break them in at all. Awesome shoe.

Comments about Mens New Balance 101 Trail Running Shoe:

Use it for trail races. This is light and fast. Traction is OK ... some traction given up for lightweight which I'm good w. Was very happy w rock plate on bottom... Contrary to vibrams. It has a roomy footbed that gives it minimalist feel.

I didn't feel the rubbing that many spoke about at the small toe w out socks. Only small issue i felt was that the tongue slips w/o socks causing some bunching... it doesn't seem to happen w socks.

Have used on road and treadmill... surprised at how the quick feel transitioned over well.

I highly recommend!