http://birthdayshoes.com/?disp=comments en-US http://backend.userland.com/rss 60 Mon, 22 Oct 2012 07:30:40 +0000 alvinj88 [Visitor] c22077@http://birthdayshoes.com/ is it okay to run with these? http://birthdayshoes.com/new-balance-minimus-life-wellness-review-mw00#c22077 Wed, 23 May 2012 00:56:08 +0000 Steve M [Visitor] c20799@http://birthdayshoes.com/ I have had the originals for sometime now and while I love them, my right foot is a bit too loose and I am pretty sure it has started to cause arch problems. I have low volume feet and I kind of wished the elastic strap was tighter or something. I am pretty sure that is what is causing the arch pain in the right.<br /> <br /> It was my first go and I love it. Outside of the velcro strap, I am not a big fan of pretty much all of the changes. Like you those back loops make it easy to slip on and just go in a hurry.
It was my first go and I love it. Outside of the velcro strap, I am not a big fan of pretty much all of the changes. Like you those back loops make it easy to slip on and just go in a hurry.]]> http://birthdayshoes.com/new-balance-minimus-life-wellness-review-mw00#c20799 Tue, 20 Mar 2012 00:42:44 +0000 Malcolm Elliot [Visitor] c19893@http://birthdayshoes.com/ I'm looking for a minimalist casual shoe just to wear around during the day, and I'm on the fence about these, I really like that they are zero drop (I have an old pair of Adidas shoes that have a nice big toe-box but have a really large heal pad.) The thing that concerns me about these shoes are the ridges at the edge of the sole, I think that would be annoying. I have relatively slim feet, and so maybe it wouldn't bother me. <br /> <br /> You should do a video review of these, it would be really helpful in knowing whether or not to buy these.<br /> <br /> Thanks!
You should do a video review of these, it would be really helpful in knowing whether or not to buy these.

Thanks!]]> http://birthdayshoes.com/new-balance-minimus-life-wellness-review-mw00#c19893 Thu, 15 Mar 2012 23:25:18 +0000 Jimmy Hart [Visitor] c19856@http://birthdayshoes.com/ Would you run in this one? I think I recall the original being something that could also be run in if you wanted it for that since it was really a better shoe than the Roads. With the changes made for the new Zero I wonder if it would be decent for running. http://birthdayshoes.com/new-balance-minimus-life-wellness-review-mw00#c19856 Thu, 15 Mar 2012 01:43:08 +0000 Matt [Visitor] c19850@http://birthdayshoes.com/ I really like the OG Wellness and was waiting for these to come out based on last years shoe. I'm on the fence about picking these up. I might just get another pair of Stem/Lemings. http://birthdayshoes.com/new-balance-minimus-life-wellness-review-mw00#c19850 Thu, 15 Mar 2012 00:53:43 +0000 A C C [Visitor] c19849@http://birthdayshoes.com/ I don't classify these as barefoot, more like minimalist.<br /> <br /> A 12mm stack height is quite a bit, at least for forefoot, but then the Merrell Bare Access is more by 1mm (13mm stack) and the Road Glove is 10-11mm stack height. It's roughly the same forefoot stack height as the Nike Free 3.0 / Saucony Kinvara.<br /> <br /> The weight is within reason though, seeing how the Minimus Road Zero is around that weight (6.4oz or so). What bothers me is the lack of rubber in the midfoot area. The Minimus Road and Trail both cover the fifth metatarsal ray, although the Road version does a better job.<br /> <br /> I think the problem is the comparison of something that's "casual"/ "wellness" / "life" to something built to be fast but not as well-rounded like the Minimus Trail. 6.5oz is still light any way you cut it: the Nike Free 3.0 and Kinvara weigh more and so do VFF Komodosports, Vivobarefoot Evo/Neo, Merrell Road Glove. It's on par with the Vivobarefoot Aqua Lite / Stem Footwear Origins weight. It's a step backward from the original, but it's still reasonable.<br /> <br /> They could have shaved off weight by coring out (such as by putting lightening holes on, like on the VFF Seeya) the enormous strap though. It's annoyingly made when you think about it. If the strap doesn't adjust tightness it just adds weight. On this they tried to make something akin to the Bikila strap design: there's a heel cup/collar but it is tensioned by a strap. On VFFs if you don't unhook the strap it's almost impossible to get your foot in/out. If Justin is not an anomaly, then that means the strap is just weight or what I would call a lame "decoration".<br /> <br /> I feel like the Saucony Hattori represents a better level of minimalism, as a zero drop shoe with more stack height, compared to the new Minimus Wellness. It also weighs less at 4.4oz even though it has the same 12mm stack height.<br /> <br /> New Balance made the most improvements in the Road version. If you look at the sole, the old one was basically a slab of EVA. The old upper was also really not something I would consider minimalist at 8.2 oz coming mostly from the upper since it was an EVA sole. It was sad that the Trail version was used more for road running than the Road one was at least on all the blogs I read, and at 7.5 oz the NB Minimus Trail MT10 (MT20 was 6.5oz) wasn't extremely light either.
A 12mm stack height is quite a bit, at least for forefoot, but then the Merrell Bare Access is more by 1mm (13mm stack) and the Road Glove is 10-11mm stack height. It's roughly the same forefoot stack height as the Nike Free 3.0 / Saucony Kinvara.

The weight is within reason though, seeing how the Minimus Road Zero is around that weight (6.4oz or so). What bothers me is the lack of rubber in the midfoot area. The Minimus Road and Trail both cover the fifth metatarsal ray, although the Road version does a better job.

I think the problem is the comparison of something that's "casual"/ "wellness" / "life" to something built to be fast but not as well-rounded like the Minimus Trail. 6.5oz is still light any way you cut it: the Nike Free 3.0 and Kinvara weigh more and so do VFF Komodosports, Vivobarefoot Evo/Neo, Merrell Road Glove. It's on par with the Vivobarefoot Aqua Lite / Stem Footwear Origins weight. It's a step backward from the original, but it's still reasonable.

They could have shaved off weight by coring out (such as by putting lightening holes on, like on the VFF Seeya) the enormous strap though. It's annoyingly made when you think about it. If the strap doesn't adjust tightness it just adds weight. On this they tried to make something akin to the Bikila strap design: there's a heel cup/collar but it is tensioned by a strap. On VFFs if you don't unhook the strap it's almost impossible to get your foot in/out. If Justin is not an anomaly, then that means the strap is just weight or what I would call a lame "decoration".

I feel like the Saucony Hattori represents a better level of minimalism, as a zero drop shoe with more stack height, compared to the new Minimus Wellness. It also weighs less at 4.4oz even though it has the same 12mm stack height.

New Balance made the most improvements in the Road version. If you look at the sole, the old one was basically a slab of EVA. The old upper was also really not something I would consider minimalist at 8.2 oz coming mostly from the upper since it was an EVA sole. It was sad that the Trail version was used more for road running than the Road one was at least on all the blogs I read, and at 7.5 oz the NB Minimus Trail MT10 (MT20 was 6.5oz) wasn't extremely light either.]]> http://birthdayshoes.com/new-balance-minimus-life-wellness-review-mw00#c19849 Wed, 14 Mar 2012 06:14:01 +0000 Matthew Goh [Visitor] c19838@http://birthdayshoes.com/ Just to add..no prejudice or malice here (in case i'm being misunderstood), if these are considered minimalist shoes..how abt Converse Chuck Taylor Slim? Someone should do a review on them. Basic, cheap and super shoes- the forgotten heroes. My opinion, that is.. http://birthdayshoes.com/new-balance-minimus-life-wellness-review-mw00#c19838 Wed, 14 Mar 2012 02:08:08 +0000 Matthew Goh [Visitor] c19836@http://birthdayshoes.com/ It seems too much shoe to qualify as a minimalist shoe, just me maybe....<br /> Anyone been wearing Lemings (previously known as Stem.) Waiting for mine to arrive.. Meantime, would really like to hear some user's review.<br /> <br /> Shoutout to Leming's customer service - Andrew, Lindsey, you guys are awesome. Still yet to receive..but i believe it's worth the wait.. Anyone been wearing Lemings (previously known as Stem.) Waiting for mine to arrive.. Meantime, would really like to hear some user's review.

Shoutout to Leming's customer service - Andrew, Lindsey, you guys are awesome. Still yet to receive..but i believe it's worth the wait..]]> http://birthdayshoes.com/new-balance-minimus-life-wellness-review-mw00#c19836 Wed, 14 Mar 2012 00:37:31 +0000 GrimReeper [Visitor] c19834@http://birthdayshoes.com/ I don't mind the style of the new Zero Wellness, although I do agree it could be a little too grey. <br /> I have been considering getting the original Life's since I first read your review on them but with slip on shoes I seem to have the opposite problem, I have a rather low instep so I can never get the shoes the hug my foot tightly enough for a good fit. <br /> How does the instep on the original Life's compare to say VFF's? <br /> Thanks I have been considering getting the original Life's since I first read your review on them but with slip on shoes I seem to have the opposite problem, I have a rather low instep so I can never get the shoes the hug my foot tightly enough for a good fit.
How does the instep on the original Life's compare to say VFF's?
Thanks]]> http://birthdayshoes.com/new-balance-minimus-life-wellness-review-mw00#c19834 Tue, 13 Mar 2012 23:36:05 +0000 chirmer [Visitor] c19833@http://birthdayshoes.com/ So glad I got the Originals when I did! I love them to pieces and recommend them to everyone who thinks toe shoes are weird. Sucks they're gonna be discontinued though :( Might have to pick up another pair before they go! http://birthdayshoes.com/new-balance-minimus-life-wellness-review-mw00#c19833