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New Balance 101
£49.99
Weight 226g
New Balance 101
There have always been thin, light trail shoes, worn by those who think nothing of hurling themselves down a scree slope. But several shoes we tested have moved this stripped-down concept on to ‘barefoot’ shoes. New Balance sent us their Minimus Trail shoe, little more than a sole, but we thought the 101 had a wider appeal; it’s still a light shoe though, with barefoot elements. The lacing loops into sturdy overlays to cradle the foot. It’s surprisingly cushioned for something so thin. Our tester found it tight around the toe, thanks to the puncture-resistant toe coating. A pattern of tough diamond-shaped spikes in the middle area of the outsole gives rock protection, while softer lugs on the outside help you paw your way over the ground. The grip on these was fantastic, whether on the mud or loose dusty trails.
Verdict
Good short-distance race shoe, suited for light trails.
Value 4/5
Performance 5/5
Overall 4/5
Triathlon Plus Top Value Award, issue 33
Posted on Thursday, October 6th, 2011 at 4:00 am under Gear, Running Gear. You can subscribe to comments. Comments are closed.
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