For quite some time now, running shoes have been built with a large and clunky heel with a 12mm drop from heel to toe. This heel provides extra cushioning for heel strikers but it also forces the runner to heel strike. However, the heel of your foot was never meant to be a shock absorber. The more you strike on your heel, the more damage you can do to your body and the more cushioning you begin to need in a shoe. When you take your shoes off and run across the grass or sidewalk, do you strike your heel? If you do you'll know right away that you shouldn't. This observation was the starting point for the New Balance barefoot or good form running shoe.
The Minimus is designed to be a "minimal" shoe in order to mimic running with nothing on your feet. With this shoe you strike the ground with the midfoot instead of the heel. Because of this, you will need to ease yourself into running in this shoe. The first week, do 10% of your running each day in this shoe and make sure to stretch your calves out after your run. If you've never run barefoot before, chances are your calf muscles are short and will need to be built up a bit before you can do your entire run in the MInimus shoe. Slowly adding in more barefoot running to your workout will strengthen those muscles.
Now for the specs: the Minimus has a 4mm drop from heel to toe offering a barefoot feel to the shoe. In order to make the shoe as minimal as possible, the Minimus has a welded, seamless upper that creates a blister-free shoe that can be worn without socks. The hexagonal tread on the midsole of the foot cuts down on the weight of the shoe and creates a more flexible feel. New Balance also created a brand new last for this shoe, designed to be wider in the forefoot of the shoe to accommodate the foot as it spreads out upon impact with the ground.
The New Balance Minimus shoe comes in four distinct styles: the trail shoe, road shoe, walking/recovery shoe, and the new cross-trainer. The walking/recovery shoe is the lightest weight of the four shoes and was designed as a slip on walking shoe for use after a race. The new cross-trainer was designed for the weight-lifting athlete who requires a minimal drop from heel to toe but can also double as a road running shoe.
In the Spring of 2012 New Balance will be releasing the new Minimus with a 0mm drop from heel to toe and a new collection of walking/recovery Minimus shoes.
Corrine Hendrickson - An avid researcher and Literature major, Corrine's writing focuses on health, cooking, and crafting.
