New BalanceMen's MT10V1 Minimus Trail Running Shoe

Old news, but had to review.Best d@mned shoe they've ever made and discontinued them (!!!)Would have been 5 stars (at the time)1 star today for bringing them back.

These are not my favorite minimalist shoes I've ever had, but they seem like they will be dependable shoes after putting more than 20 miles on them -- my last run being 6 miles. I had previously worn the NB MT20OR back in the day and they worked out very well. I am 6'1" and 200 lbs so I punish my shoes with each step.My all-time favorite minimalist shoe was the original Merrell Trail Glove -- owned several pairs of them. All of the subsequent models have been disappointing in comparison. However, the Trail Gloves were not good for me in the rain. So I always used my NB MT20ORs when it rained instead of the Merrells.I usually wear these shoes with no socks but occasionally wear thin sock liners. I have not had any blisters with up to 6 miles, but I've had a couple of hot spots that may have developed into blisters after a few more miles.This pair was a little bit tight but the size is mostly accurate for me. The sides are not too rigid so even though the toe box is not very large, my feet splay some.The weight is nice and light. They are airy too so my feet do not get TOO sweaty. My old NB MT20ORs developed a smell so bad I had to keep them in the garage. I washed them a couple of times, and they held up well.There is a little bit of arch support which I do not like. It is more of an irritation, knowing their there, than a pain. They are fine to run in since I am on the balls of my feet, but I will not be wearing them to walk around in.I wear these mostly on streets and sidewalks where they are pretty good. I have bruised the bottom of my foot from stepping on a stone before with the NB MT20OR's, but my feet are VERY tender. I've also done this with the Merrells and other shoes.I don't wear these everyday. I like to switch between shoes on different days. I have also run in INOV-8s and Skoras. Both of which I have liked a lot. I occasionally still wear my Vibram Five Fingers but only when running on a track or grassy area -- my feet are much too tender to wear these on the road even though I have put several miles on them doing so, but now I've learned my lesson. I would really like it if Merrell brought back a Trail Glove that was like the original, especially without the arch support they like to put in their shoes now. I ran two marathons and many 1/2's with the Trail Gloves (they just weren't very good in the rain).Hopefully, this will help someone decide if this is the shoe for them. I read a lot of reviews each time I decide to change shoes.Just remember if you are just getting started running in minimalist shoes, start out slowly and keep good form. These shoes are not as forgiving as running on the typical mattress shoes. However, after you get past the soreness and good form is a habit, you will not have leg, joint, toenail, etc. problems -- at least that was my case.

My favorite all around shoe. Light weight. Good fit for narrow foot. Great for hiking and training

I've been flat-footed my entire life and suffered through years of people telling me I should get inserts and orthotics and highly cushioned shoes blah blah blah. These shoes are the best shoe I've come across, and I've tried a lot of them, to include my fair number of toe shoes. I have extremely wide feet due to my collapsed arches (when I say collapsed, I mean when I get out of the pool, I leave rectangles with toes on the concrete, not footprints), and these fit PERFECTLY. The toe box is nice and wide, and not a weird (probably normal for most people) angle - it's mostly straight, so my toes have plenty of room to spread out and work, instead of rub against each other. This is my second pair, and I can honestly say my first pair lasted about 2.5 years before I should have replaced them, but instead kept running them until you could see daylight through the soles. I've worn them hiking, mountain biking, into rivers/ponds/lakes, bouldering, running, and to the gym all with no problems (except for on occasion I have had a stick jab me pretty good - never enough to break through the sole, but you definitely notice things most shoes hide). The only thing they can't protect you from, and this only applies out west (I had this issue in both Idaho and New Mexico) is "goat heads" on the trail/road/etc. If you've lived out west, you know what a goat head is, and it's not uncommon for them to make it through the soles of these shoes and give you a little sting on the bottom of your foot. It's even easier for them to really get you through the mesh upper of the shoes - goat heads go through that with no issues at all.All in all, these shoes are great, to include if you have collapsed arches. They do allow the muscles in your feet to really work so your feet may be tired more often than you think, but some work with a lacrosse ball will have you back on track. Definitely recommend these.

Good: These shoes appear to have a better overall quality than the newer MT10V2. They are slightly heavier, but appear to be more durable. I've taken them on several 3.5 mile runs, and the support is night and day when compared to the newer version. Maybe it is just because there is more padding in the upper mesh on the V1 versus V2 (Yes, I know the padding is still not a whole lot, but if you look at the interior of the V1 vs V2 you will know what I am talking about) Ventilation was said to be a problem with this model, but I strongly disagree. If you run a lot, you know your feet are going to sweat when you run. I am shocked at how much more I like these over the V2.Bad: The soles look to be wearing fast, and I am most likely going to have to rely on a different shoe for longer run days. I would not recommend this shoe as an everyday runner. If you run half the time, and work out the other half these shoes are great. If you are looking for a "do it all" shoe, I would recommend looking at any of the New Balance Shoes with the RevLite. I had a pair of 3090s that were amazing, but I wanted a lighter shoe - Yes, lighter than a 3090 (186 grams vs 175 grams).Ugly: New Balance really needs to give their consumers a clear understand of what shoe is for what. Maybe I haven't spent enough time on their website, but there is the MT10V1, MT10V2, MT20, etc... The list goes on and one. Maybe the different nomenclatures have to do with the drop. I just wish it was a little more clear for someone who doesn't want to spend hours looking at shoes.Final Notes: I can't give this shoe Five Stars, because it doesn't do everything. It does, however, do a LOT of what I want it to do. Ultimately, you will have to make your own decision.