New Balance Women's WR10 Minimus Running-W Shoe

I wear these shoes for road runs, 2-5 miles. They provide good support and don't absorb a lot of my energy. The fit is true to size and there is plenty of toe room. These are also the first pair of New Balances I have ever owned that did not give me horrible blisters. I have owned a few other pairs of "minimal" (not barefoot) shoes in the past, and these provide the most arch support and least energy absorption of them all.I am giving these 4 stars because of their appearance. Aesthetically, they leave much to be desired and resemble the look of "Sketchers Shape-Ups" or whatever those weird shoes are called.

I've been running occasionally for almost a decade now, but before I got these shoes, I frequently experienced shin splints, sore knees, and pain in the balls of my feet. The pain was only while I was running, which meant I didn't want to run and when I did, I couldn't go more than a mile without having to stop to walk and stretch.I've run in several types of running shoes, including cheapo discount shoes and $120 running shoes that were supposedly fit for my feet/arch, and nothing seemed to work. About a year ago I bought a pair of Minimus trail running shoes, which were a vast improvement for the pain, but the total lack of cushion (they were designed for running on dirt, after all) fatigued my legs too quickly from the constant energy absorption caused by running on asphalt.And then I found these. Minimus style for my aches and pains, with just enough cushion to make road running comfortable. I can now run without stopping to walk! The shoes are incredibly lightweight, so my legs don't tire. I did get blisters on my heels the first time I wore them, but that's merely a flesh wound compared to the deeper issues I'd had with other shoes.I threw my $120 pair of Mizunos in the trash and ordered 2 more pairs of these. And I'm never looking back!Note: Something not noted on this website is that these are made in China, if that's the sort of thing that gets your goat. The quality seems to be fine to me.

I got these because I was trying to fix my gait because I had chronic Achilles tendon problems. I eventually saw a doctor for the issue, who told me to never, ever try a minimalist shoe again. Now I wear Asics with a very large amount of heel padding, and my Achilles tendons are fine. This could all be due to mechanical issues with how I run, but running in these was painful for me.

I love these shoes so much more than I have ever loved any pair of tennis shoes... I have suffered from intermittent foot, ankle, IT, and hip pain while running for years. The pain would be unbearable both during the run and for days afterward, and eventually I would be forced to quit running any distances longer than a mile or two. That was before this shoe... Now I have had absolutely NO pain during or after running since purchasing my first pair a couple months ago (these are actually my second pair, I plan on buying one of each color). I have worn them to work several times and my feet feel great even after a 12 hour day. I'm also an avid CrossFit goer, and let me just say these shoes are PERFECT for any WOD. They are supportive enough to do sprints and box jumps, yet flat and solid enough to wear for lifting days. This shoe is lightweight, flexible, and the heal to toe drop is only 4mm, compared to the average 10-12mm of regular tennis shoes.For years, I have basically only worn flip flops or classic slip on Vans if I wasn't wearing a tennis shoe for working out/hiking. So, I might have been a little more prepared for such a minimal shoe to begin with. I can't say everyone will as easily adapt to this kind of shoe as I have. But if you're the kind of person who's always barefoot in the house and wears flip flops all summer long, I would almost guarantee that this shoe will be perfect for you.they're freaking cute, too :P

The unique shoes have made a HUGE difference in the speed and quality of my running. Don't let their nonchalant appearance fool you. These are the real deal. The padding is enough to keep you from the road. The arch support is surprisingly great, and the wide toe box is fantastic for dealing with your feet when they swell from running, but not so big that the shoes feel loose or floppy. The heel is appropriately snug. No blister-makers here.I recently tried to run in a traditional pair of running shoes and stopped in less than 50 feet. All of the old back, hip, and knee pain came back immediately in the old shoe, and I don't have that experience at *all* in these shoes.Why it works: traditional running shoes have a heel in them, which cock your hips forward at an angle, just like wearing high heels. That actually displaces the burden of running from your glutes (your power muscle) to your quads and other muscles, which is why you may tire so quickly when you run. The New Balance Minimus is practically flat, which engages your muscles in a holistic way, they way your leg is supposed to work.Be warned, you do need to heed the warning to not run long distances with these at first. You'll have achy calves, because they're finally being used when they run. Trust me, you can't imagine running another way after this.Total kudos and thanks to the staff at New Balance for making this shoe. Love. It.