Men's New Balance Minimus 1010 Trail

Comments about Mens New Balance Minimus 1010 Trail Running Shoe:

I have bought all the minimal shoes from New Balance, this one I bought specifically for the rocky, loose gravel, and hidden rock trails that predominate the mountains and desert around Las Vegas. I am not crazy about the 110, especially the 2 layer material on top, seems to let in the sand. The 1010 is better in that regard and seems to have a little more protection underfoot. The rock guard works well, but may be better if it were constructed out of carbon fiber, if that's possible. I have only run them twice, but look forward to trying them on longer (10 miles or more) soon. One other thing, if you like a roomy forefoot, this shoe has the most room of all the minimal shoes from New Balance or any minimal shoe I have run in.

Comments about Mens New Balance Minimus 1010 Trail Running Shoe:

I was looking for good minimus trail shoes and after trying out a number of them, I settled for the New Balance Minimus 1010. Needless to say, I am very happy with my purchase. Although my foot width is a size D, my feet tend to spread a bit, but the construction of the New Balance shoe tended to compensate for this making it comfortable to wear. The length of the shoe tend to be a bit small so as a precautionary note, order a half size up from your normal shoes size.
I have participated in many trail runs, and the shoes have held up to my expectations. They have good grip going both uphill and downhill as well as over mixed terrain (mud, rocky soil, etc.). The bottom soles have good "rock block" protection yet still providing enough sensitivity to feel the earth below your feet. I pulled out a 1 inch thorn imbedded deep in the bottom of my shoe. Never realized the thorn was there till after the race. Overall, I would recommend these shoes without reservations.

Comments about Mens New Balance Minimus 1010 Trail Running Shoe:

I live in Boulder, CO, and regularly take to the trails for my runs. After buying the 110's––since they ripped on my first run––I opted for the (seemingly) more durable shoe material. The shoes felt great on the trail, but they failed to hold up on the terrain. After approx. 10 runs the tread began to peel on both shoes. This was easily remedied this with a little gorilla glue. Soon after I fixed this ailment, I was faced with an issue that could not be fixed: the sidewall of the shoe had ripped in between the laces and sole.

Needless to say, these shoes are not a good fit for any runner who is looking for a good trail shoe (i.e., one that can withstand heavy lateral movement, brushing rocks, etc.). Consider what you are using these for before you buy. Good for walking/jogging trails; not good for rocky hiking trails.