Reader review
4/5
Overall
Anonymous runner · Mar 23, 2015
12 mpw came from the Vibram FiveFingers Bikila
- Comfort
- 5/5
- Durability
- 3/5
- Appearance
- 4/5
- Value
- 4/5
New Balance Minimus Zero v1
Daily trainer · Neutral · Road
Discontinued — we no longer see this shoe in stock.
How it ranks
The New Balance Minimus Zero v1 ranks above most daily trainers in our data. Looks and comfort are its strongest sub-ratings. The rating rests on 4 runner reviews and 1 other rated shoe in the Minimus Zero product line. Another 8 reviews would set the confidence on this shoe's own reviews.
Good
81/100
Overall
81
Appearance
82
Comfort
75
Durability
73
Cushioning
70
Value
70
Confidence
24
Confidence
How settled the rating is against every other rated shoe. A shoe can rate high on confidence with relatively few reviews of its own when its product line has a long record and external ratings from retailer sites agree. Confidence will score low when we have few ratings or when runners disagree.
Confidence
24/100
What runners say
“Lasts 1000+ miles.”
“The vibram portions of the outsole have worn very slowly and provide great traction on multiple surfaces.”
“There's a lot of flex, which provides a very smooth flowing ride.”
“Very durable—running in them for over a year.”
“The forefoot is quite wide and allows for feet to spread out as they strike the ground.”
“Don't really feel rocks as much as other minimal shoes.”
“The midsole is not super durable.”
“Feels very comfortable.”
“Could use a bit more foam in the midsole.”
“The mesh upper is very breathable.”
Where to buy
No offers available
Affiliate links included. They never affect our ratings.
Prices updated daily. Last checked Sep 14.
Pros
- Reviewers praise the light build and the flexible, smooth ride.
- Runners report grip across pavement, gravel, dirt trails and track.
- One reviewer gets over 1,000 miles from a pair.
Cons
- Durability and value draw the lowest ratings of any dimension, both at 4.0 out of 5.
- One reviewer running sockless reports occasional chafing.
Rating & Confidence vs. other shoes for sale
Each dot is one rated shoe for sale, placed by its rating and by how much evidence sits behind it. Shoes toward the top right are both well rated and well established.
Confidence
50
60
70
80
90
100
25
50
75
100
Better Shoes Rating
Better Shoes Rating of prior versions of the New Balance Minimus Zero
Each dot is one version of the Minimus Zero, placed by its rating and release year. The gold dot is this shoe.
Rating
40
60
80
100
81
2014
72
2014
Release year
-
2014 · 2 reviews
72 Decent
28 Confidence
-
Minimus Zero v1 This shoe
2014 · 4 reviews
81 Good
24 Confidence
Specs & fit
Sizing and ride details at a glance.
- Release
- 2014
Runner reviews
Reader review
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).
mzmija · Sep 12, 2014
100 mpw training for a half marathon
- Comfort
- 5/5
- Durability
- 5/5
- Appearance
- 5/5
- Value
- 5/5
Reader review
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.
MikeHawk · Aug 28, 2014
80 mpw training for a half marathon
- Comfort
- 4/5
- Durability
- 5/5
- Appearance
- 5/5
- Value
- 4/5
Reader review
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.
ppruett · Aug 3, 2014
15 mpw training for a half marathon
- Comfort
- 5/5
- Durability
- 3/5
- Appearance
- 5/5
- Value
- 3/5
Alternatives
Other shoes worth considering.
More from New Balance
Compared to other shoes
See how this shoe compares to others like it.
Current shoe
Choose a model
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
2014
2014
2023 Q1
Newest
MSRP
—
—
$145
Best price
—
—
$149.99
Ratings
Overall
Good (81)
Decent (72)
Exceptional (99)
Best overall
Comfort
Decent (75)
Decent (76)
Exceptional (99)
Best comfort
Cushioning
Decent (70)
Decent (71)
Exceptional (99)
Best cushioning
Durability
Decent (73)
Decent (72)
Very good (92)
Best durability
Appearance
Good (82)
Decent (74)
Very good (91)
Best appearance
Value
Below average (70)
Decent (71)
Good (88)
Best value
New Balance Minimus Zero v1 In Context
More on the New Balance Minimus Zero
- New Balance Minimus Zero v2 previous version
Reviewers Also Ran In
- Vibram FiveFingers Bikila 1 runner