Minimal Trail Shoes New Balance 10v2 $110, Newbalance.com
Is it possible to make a minimally designed shoe lighter and better? Still über-flexible and low to the ground with a 4mm heel-toe offset, this version sports a revamped upper and ditches the heel counter of its predecessor. With just enough semi-soft foam cushioning and pods of Vibram outsole rubber, the 10v2 is a huge improvement. Testers loved the enhancements, especially in the upper, but most said the curved last and minimalist design make it suitable only for very efficient runners who are light on their feet.
6.1 oz, 5.2 oz / 4mm heel-toe drop
“The sole is lightweight, flexible and durable, and provides great traction, but offers little protection from small rocks or gravel.”
Minimal Racing Flats Mizuno EVO Levitas $110, Mizunousa.com
Mizuno went way outside the box in its first modern approach to minimalism. Named after the Latin word for “light,” the Levitas serves up a low-to-the-ground sensation that is much softer and more forgiving than many other zero-drop options. The ride, which is enhanced by a Wave plate in the forefoot, feels more like that of a responsive lightweight trainer than a barely there minimalist shoe, with slightly more cushioning and protection than other shoes this close to the ground. A few testers thought this shoe fit narrow in the mid-foot but also runs about a half-size large, given the ample width and length of the toe box.
6.1 oz, 5.1 oz / 0mm heel-toe drop
“The sole isn’t spongy but still softens concrete for a barefoot-on-grass feel.”
http://triathlon.competitor.com/2013/06/gear-tech/summer-running-shoe-review-for-triathletes_78725/5
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New Balance Minimus 10v2 Trail Review: A Sweeter-Fitting Trail Stomper
New Balance Minimus Zero Trail Lightning Review: Pretty But Painful
In the quest for the most extremely minimal running shoe, things are getting crazy. New Balance's latest entry is an absolute featherweight for… Read…
Last year when we reviewed New Balance's Minimus Trail Zeros, we were blown away by the lightness, but hated the fit. The Minimus 10v2 Trail is New Balance's slightly less minimal shoe for 2013, and while it isn't perfect, it's definitely a step in the right direction.
What Is It?
A minimal trail runner with a four millimeter drop (i.e. the heel is four millimeters higher than the toe) and a Vibram soul.
Who's It For?
Trail runners who require very little in the way of support or padding, and want to run with a natural gait. However, it's a little too cushy for die-hard minimal runners.
At 6.2 ounces the shoes are quite light for the amount of protection they provide. The upper is soft, flexible, breathes well, and actually looks very good. The interior is smooth enough that you can get away without wearing socks. Separate grids of Vibram rubber on the sole are laid into an EVA layer. This separation gives it a good amount of flexibility, though they're certainly more rigid than the Minimus Zeros. There are no gaps in the sole, so water and mud can't seep through from the bottom, which was a problem for the Zeros.
I tested these shoes over several long trail runs in Spain as well as a rather disgusting mud run in Colorado. They're comfortable, they dry quickly, and they provide a reasonable amount of protection from sharp rocks.
The Best Part
Merrell Road Glove 2 Review: Further Barefoot Refinement
Last year's Road Glove, with its spacious toe-box and foot-hugging upper, was our favorite minimal shoe for running. So, with the release of the … Read…
Our biggest problem with the Minimus Zero was that it had a narrow toe box, which prevented your toes from splaying out naturally when you run. Thankfully, New Balance has widened the box out in the 10v2. They're just way more comfortable to run in, though they still aren't as wide as the minimal shoes from Merrill.
SEXPAND
Tragic Flaw
For serious trail running, the tread just doesn't have nearly enough "bite." New Balance clearly wanted to keep the shoes flat and minimal, so it added depth to the tread by recessing it inward. There are four levels of depth in the tread, but really only one of those levels sticks out, and though it's Vibram, it's just not sharp enough to grab hold. I almost faceplanted a couple of times when scampering uphill on solid rock (which was bone dry, no less).
This Is Weird...
The lacing system still needs work. It's hard to figure out exactly why, but it's really difficult to get the shoes fitting just right. You definitely need to wear them looser than you'd expect in order to keep your forefoot from getting compressed. Once you get it dialed in, though, it does a pretty good job of staying there.
Test Notes
Because the tread isn't so sharp, these shoes actually work great for pavement. Silver lining!
Even on a hot day, they breathe very well.
If the shoes fill with water (or, in my case, mud) you pretty much have to invert them to clear the water out, as there isn't much in terms of drainage. The upshot is that water from damp trails won't seep in.
You definitely appreciate the lightness of these shoes on longer runs.
SEXPAND
Should You Buy It?
It depends on how intense the trails are that you plan to run, and how often you plan on running them. If you want to fly up steep, technical slopes, you should go with something grippier. However, if you just want one pair of shoes and plan on weaving back and forth between road and light trails, these are very nice. It was really only the difficult stuff where these shoes slipped up. Y'know, literally.
That said, we prefer our minimalist shoes to be a little more, well, minimal. We hope New Balance steals some of these updates and applies them to the next version of Minimus Zeros. [New Balance Men's / Women's]
New Balance Minimus 10v2 Trail Specs
Type: Trail running
Weight: 6.2oz
Drop: 4mm
Men's Sizes: 7 - 14 D and 2E
Women's Sizes: 5 - 12 B and D
Men's Colors: 3 options
Women's Colors: 3 options
Price: $110
http://gizmodo.com/new-balance-minimus-10v2-trail-review-a-sweeter-fittin-512931079
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Mizuno Wave Universe 5 Sneak Peek
February 23rd, 2013
The Wave Universe is a shoe that needs little introduction. Mizuno’s premier racing flat has always pushed the boundaries of running shoe weight, while offering resilient cushioning and impact protection. Considering its pedigree, we probably shouldn’t have been jumping out of our seats when we learned that the upcoming Universe 5 shaves almost a ridiculous 30% off the weight of its predecessor. But jump we did when we saw the shoe in person.
Mizuno lists the weight of a Men’s size 9 at just 2.8 oz, while a Women’s 7.5 is listed at 2.2 oz. If that doesn’t get you excited, we’re not sure what will.
What to Watch For
Lightweight Midsole: Previously introduced on the Wave Sayonara, the new U4ic midsole is 30% lighter than Mizuno’s AP+ compound, while offering a similar ride and feel.
New Lace Material: According to Mizuno, the laces are made of the material used to make fuses on dynamite, a strong and lightweight material sure to provide an ‘explosive’ run.
High Traction Outsole: Mizuno’s G3 Sole ensures optimal grip on the road for confidence while racing.
Women’s Sizes: Though the Men’s and Women’s models look identical, Mizuno introduces gender specific sizes of the Universe for the first time.
MSRP $125.00 Release Date July 2013
Men’s Color White/Surf the Web/Vibrant Orange Mizuno Wave Universe 5
Women’s Color White/Surf the Web/Vibrant Orange Mizuno Wave Universe 5
http://blog.runningwarehouse.com/rs/mizuno-wave-universe-5-sneak-peek/
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