Facts
Road
Shoes best for road, track and light gravel. See the best road shoes.
Trail
Shoes best for trail, off road, mountains and other unstable surfaces. See the best trail shoes.
Good to know
As long as you stick to the road or path, and if you want just one running shoe, buy a road running shoe.
Neutral / cushion / high arch
Shoes for runners who does not need any additional arch support (Around 50% of runners). Best for people with high or medium high arches. See the best neutral shoes.
Stability / overpronation / normal arch
Shoes for runners who needs arch support (Around 45% of runners). Best for runners with a normal arch. See the best stability shoes.
Motion control / severe overproanation / flat feet
Shoes for runners who needs a lot of arch support. Best for runners with flat feet. See the best motion control shoes.
Good to know
- Rule of thumb: If in doubt, buy neutral shoes to avoid injuries.
- More about arch support in this video.
- Find your arch type by following steps from this video.
Daily running
Cushioned shoes for your daily easy running. Great comfort. See best shoes for daily running.
Competition
Lightweight shoes good for races, interval training, tempo runs and fartlek. Here are the best competition running shoes.
Good to know
If you want just one pair of shoes, buy a shoe for daily running.
The height difference from the heel to the forefoot, also known as heel drop, toe spring, heel to toe spring or simply drop.
There are many opinions about what a good heel drop is. We do not recommend any in particular. Lean more in this video.
Summary
We spent 6.9 hours reading reviews from experts and users. In summary, this is what training geeks think:
6 reasons to buy
- A considerable number of users admired the versatility of the Minimus 40 Trainer; it worked well for all aspects of CrossFit WODs, HIIT workouts, and Bootcamp training.
- Many reviewers agreed that this workout shoe provided the right amount of cushioning for high-impact activities, as well as firmness for weightlifting.
- The lightweight construction of the product gained the favor of many wearers.
- Some users valued the flexibility of both the upper and the sole unit.
- The shoe performed well during quick lateral movements, according to a handful of users.
- Several athletes appreciated the breathability of the upper unit in hot environments.
4 reasons not to buy
- Some buyers observed that this training shoe ran about half-a-size long.
- Both width options fit narrower than most wearers expected.
- Several athletes found that the platform lacked stability for heavy weightlifting.
- A few users reported that the rubber on the outsole started peeling off after moderate use.
Bottom line
The New Balance Minimus 40 Trainer was able to impress a significant number of training enthusiasts. This workout shoe walked a fine line between the various aspects of cross-training. Lightweight and flexible, yet sturdy and supportive, it provided an easy switch between training, weightlifting, and running. On the flip side, a lot of buyers faced inconsistencies in the size and fit of the trainer. Other drawbacks included the lack of stability when lifting heavy weights and the frailty of the outsole.
Rankings
Popularity
Ratings
My Rating
Expert Reviews
Experts are training geeks, who post reviews at youtube, directly at RunRepeat or at their own websites. Each expert is categorized from level 1 to level 5 based on expertise. See stats on expert reviews and how we calculate scores here.
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91 / 100 based on 3 expert reviews
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92 / 100 by As Many Reviews As Possible • Joel "joelxfit" Te • Level 5 expert
When it comes dowm to everyday training...the New Balance Minimus 40 is probably the best that you're gonna get.
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95 / 100 by The Morning Drive With DamianJay • Damian Jay • Level 2 expert
I'll have to say it's a damn good shoe. It's damn good all way around.
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80 / 100 by OutdoorGearLab • OutdoorGearLab • Level 1 expert
While not as stable on heavy squats and cleans as top performers like the Nike Metcon 3, the New Balance Minimus 40 performed well under moderate loads for lots of repetitions.
Updates to New Balance Minimus 40 Trainer
- The New Balance Minimus 40 Trainer is a minimalist workout shoe that was crafted to suit the various needs of cross-training aficionados. It features a woven synthetic mesh upper to keep the foot ventilated during vigorous exercises. The synthetic rubber reinforcements and an external TPU heel clip give structure to the façade and support the foot throughout the movement.
- This shoe is marketed as the most run-friendly Minimus training shoe due to the minimal, yet responsive cushioning. It is delivered through the proprietary Rapid Rebound foam, as well as the REVlite compound in the heel.
- A 4 mm heel-to-toe differential offers a relatively flat disposition. It helps in keeping the foot stable during lifts and lateral movements. A low-profile construction offers a more sensitive ground contact.
- The trainer employs the Vibram® rubber outsole for multidirectional traction and enhanced durability.
New Balance Minimus 40 Trainer size and fit
The New Balance Minimus 40 Trainer is offered in both men and women’s versions. Lengthwise, it follows standard training shoe measurements. A range of full and half sizes is available from 7 to 15 for men and 5 to 12 for women. The width profiles are standard and wide: gentlemen can choose between D – Medium and 2E – Wide, and ladies can take a pick between B – Medium and D – Wide. The shoe is meant to be close-fitting.
Outsole
The Minimus 40 Trainer utilizes a Vibram® rubber outsole to provide athletes with boosted multi-directional traction and protection against abrasion. The sole extends to the lateral and medial sides for added lateral stability and security.
The geometrical flex grooves throughout the unit make sure that the natural flexibility of the foot is not hindered.
Midsole
The New Balance Minimus 40 Trainer uses the Rapid Rebound foam for a cushioned and responsive ride. It is claimed to give more energy return than the standard foam.
The REVlite technology features a foam compound for extra shock absorption in the heel section. The material is 30% lighter than other New Balance foams, but it offers the same responsiveness and durability.
Upper
The upper unit is made up of a woven synthetic mesh to provide a lightweight and breathable coverage. It is also designed to be flexible, bending along with the foot without creating any pressure points.
The shoe is reinforced with synthetic rubber overlays for more structured support and protection against wear and tear.
A molded external heel cup is made of a lightweight and sturdy TPU material to hold the rear firmly in place throughout the training session.