Reader review
Anonymous runner · Mar 23, 2015
4/5
Overall
- Comfort
- 5/5
- Durability
- 3/5
- Appearance
- 4/5
- Value
- 4/5
New Balance
Minimus Zero v1
Daily trainer
· Neutral
· Road
Above average (88/100)
- Release
- 2016
Above average (88/100)
overall
Shoe details
- Release
- 2016
Ratings & Reviews
Above average (88/100)
Better than about 82% of shoes
Based on product-line history, external ratings, and runner reviews.
?
This score rates better than 82% of shoes.
Our ratings use detailed reviews from knowledgeable runners, ratings for shoes in the same product line, and reliable product information from trusted retailers.
Rating breakdown
Better Shoes score out of 100. Shading shows the expected rating range.
?
Rankings combine runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, direct comparisons to other shoes, related product-line performance, and trusted external ratings.
The darker band shows the central score range. The lighter band shows a wider range of reasonable outcomes. More reviews for this shoe usually narrow both bands.
Overall
Above average (88/100)
Overall ranking
We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.
Estimate
Above average (88/100)
Rank
Ranks above 82% of shoes
Compared with all shoes
The shaded band shows the score range we think is most likely.
Comfort
Above average (89/100)
Comfort ranking
We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.
Estimate
Above average (89/100)
Rank
Ranks above 83% of shoes
Compared with all shoes
The shaded band shows the score range we think is most likely.
Appearance
Above average (88/100)
Appearance ranking
We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.
Estimate
Above average (88/100)
Rank
Ranks above 78% of shoes
Compared with all shoes
The shaded band shows the score range we think is most likely.
Cushioning
Good (80/100)
Cushioning ranking
We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.
Estimate
Good (80/100)
Rank
Ranks above 56% of shoes
Compared with all shoes
The shaded band shows the score range we think is most likely.
Durability
Good (74/100)
Durability ranking
We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.
Estimate
Good (74/100)
Rank
Ranks above 45% of shoes
Compared with all shoes
The shaded band shows the score range we think is most likely.
Value
Good (72/100)
Value ranking
We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.
Estimate
Good (72/100)
Rank
Ranks above 37% of shoes
Compared with all shoes
The shaded band shows the score range we think is most likely.
0%
0/2
Prefer this shoe over another.
Reviewers said this shoe was better than another shoe they ran in.
Comparison set
Rating
All Running Shoes
Better than 82% of 2,532 running shoes ranked.
Above average (88/100)
Daily Trainers
Better than 83% of 1,849 daily trainers ranked.
83%
New Balance
Better than 89% of 249 New Balance shoes ranked.
89%
Compared to other shoes
See how this shoe compares to others like it.
Current shoe
Reference shoe
Newest
/
Best overall
/
Best comfort
Shoe properties
Type
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Pronation
Neutral
Neutral
Neutral
Weight
—
—
8.5 oz M
Stack
—
—
40/35mm
Drop
—
—
5mm
Release
2016
2016
2023 Q1
Newest
MSRP
—
—
$165
Best price
—
—
$164.99
Ratings
Overall
Very good (82%)
Good (73%)
Exceptional (>99%)
Best overall
Comfort
Very good (83%)
Above average (67%)
Exceptional (>99%)
Best comfort
Cushioning
Average (56%)
Average (45%)
Exceptional (>99%)
Best cushioning
Durability
Average (45%)
Average (43%)
Very good (80%)
Best durability
Appearance
Good (78%)
Average (52%)
Very good (82%)
Best appearance
Value
Below average (37%)
Below average (35%)
Good (74%)
Best value
Where to buy
No offers available
Better alternatives
Higher-rated shoes similar to this one
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Daily trainer
$164.99
99th percentile
+18 percentile points vs this shoe
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Daily trainer
$159.99
98th percentile
+16 percentile points vs this shoe
Escalante 4
Daily trainer
$129.95
97th percentile
+15 percentile points vs this shoe
Novablast 5
Daily trainer
$129.96
96th percentile
+14 percentile points vs this shoe
Glycerin Max 2
Daily trainer
$199.95
93rd percentile
+11 percentile points vs this shoe
Glycerin Flex
Daily trainer
$169.95
93rd percentile
+11 percentile points vs this shoe
More from New Balance
Reader Ratings
4 reader ratings
Showing 1–4 of 4 written reviews
Reader review
mzmija · Sep 12, 2014
5/5
Overall
Perfect running shoe for roads and dirt. Don't really feel it when running on rocks as much as other minimal shoes. Very durable as I've been running in them for over a year now. Shoe looks can be improved on but it's not a big deal for me. Being a minimalist, one of the best shoes out there. Perfect version as well (haven't tried the version 2).
- Comfort
- 5/5
- Durability
- 5/5
- Appearance
- 5/5
- Value
- 5/5
Reader review
MikeHawk · Aug 28, 2014
5/5
Overall
Run in it barefoot, love the appearance, feels very comfortable, besides the occasional chafing (due to not wearing socks). Lasts me 1000+ miles. Great light, minimal shoe.
- Comfort
- 4/5
- Durability
- 5/5
- Appearance
- 5/5
- Value
- 4/5
Reader review
ppruett · Aug 3, 2014
5/5
Overall
I love these shoes! They're super light. The mesh upper is very breathable. The vibram portions of the out-sole have worn very slowly and provide great traction on multiple surfaces. I run in these shoes on the pavement, gravel and dirt trails, as well the track; the sole handles each very well. I wear a size 11.5 in these shoes which is probably a half size larger than my actual shoe size. I love the shoes because the forefoot of the minimus last is quite wide and allows for my feet to spread out as they strike the ground. There's a lot of flex in the shoes , which provides a very smooth flowing ride. I'm a forefoot striker. My one criticism of the shoe is that it could do with a bit more foam in the mid-sole. I've put 250 miles on the pair and a hole has just developed in the forefoot. I would not describe the mid-sole as super durable.
- Comfort
- 5/5
- Durability
- 3/5
- Appearance
- 5/5
- Value
- 3/5