New Balance Minimus TR - Women's Review

The New Balance Minimus TR is a training shoe from the long line of beloved Minimus models.

Performance Comparison

Natural Feel

The Minimus TR can be worn with or without socks for an improved “barefoot” experience. These definitely feel a bit more like standard trainers, with a thicker and stiffer sole. Still, they have a number of attributes consistent with other minimalist footwear, thus providing an excellent transition option for those interested in training into barefoot running or minimalist footwear for weight lifting and gym training.

The Minimus TR has a zero drop from heel-to-toe, and while the stack height is undisclosed by New Balance, it is thin enough to allow decent proprioception and provide a low-to-ground balance. The toe box is reasonably wide to allow for toe splay, which we like. There is a snug feeling around the arch which provides some support, making this a strong contender as a shoe for transitioning into even more minimalist footwear. The heel cup is also snug and secure, another thing we like very much.

Weight

The Minimus TR is on the heavier end of shoes in this review, but it really underlines why objective data is super important. These shoes “feel” very lightweight. Often, we find that well-balanced shoes feel lighter. In this case, the sole is impressively lightweight, especially given the relative thickness and stiffness. The uppers are similarly lightweight. But overall, they're not ultra-lightweight. These trainers are excellent for gym and road use and a great transition-to-minimalist footwear shoe where you can start to enjoy the feeling of such lightweight footwear while working on your foot strength.

Traction

This shoe is not for off-road use. It will likely perform well on smooth trails, but the sole is more smooth than textured. The grooves in the sole allow water to escape, so wet roads can still be on the table, but these shoes are really best suited to gym and court use for activities such as weight lifting, HIIT, and circuit training. You might even try some racquetball or indoor soccer!

Versatility

The Minimus TR is versatile in an urban setting. These are not your go-to for hiking or trail use as loose and rocky terrain will be difficult to grip. That said, within the realm of urban adventures, these are a great shoe to help you transition to minimalist footwear and work on strengthening your feet in the gym, on road runs, and for circuit and HIIT training.

Durability

The Minimus TR is a durable shoe. The simple and smooth upper materials are a major driver of the durability: There is little to fail, no seams, no hinge points, no stress points. That said, there is a very minimal toe rand, so if you take these shoes off-road, you'll likely beat them up, especially if you kick any rocks.

Value

This is a reasonably priced shoe for what you get. There are more affordable and more versatile models in this review, but if you're looking for a transition shoe, this might be your winner.

Conclusion

The New Balance Minimus TR does not come in strong in this review, but that doesn't mean it isn't a good shoe. This model doesn't fit all of our needs when it comes to minimalist footwear, but it fills another excellent niche: it's an excellent shoe for those transitioning to running in minimalist footwear. The stiffer and thicker sole make it a bit more supportive — too supportive for purists, but a great shoe for the quiver.