New Balance + Vibram Minimus Trail Running Shoe

I am really into barefoot concept these days. I guess it was the positive effect after I bought my first Vibram barefoot shoe in Hong Kong. I really feel light, natural and less strain on the foots and toes especially after long walk. Perhaps barefoot is really a healthy way to walk/run/exercise, or my previous sport shoes suck big time. 

I am into mountain biking as well. I regretted I did not buy another pair of Vibram that is meant for watersport. I am not ready for clipless pedals yet, so I need a pair of good sport shoes with following requirements for my offroad experience:

• light and tight but comfy
• meant for watersport or jungle trekking 
• grippy sole in both wet and dry conditions
• water drainage system so that water will not trap inside the shoe
• less cushion (or barefoot concept) so it won't be smelly after wet and quick dry
• no shoe lace (again, I am a lazy butt who hates shoe lace. hehe...)
• dark color so the dirt will not be so visible

This is what I currently wear...

Adidas outdoor running shoe. I love this pair very much but the rubberized outsole neck is getting loose due to wear and tear. I was out to look for replacement and the new model is enhanced with better design...

It appears that Adidas also have barefoot shoe called Adipure Trainer...

What other options do I have? Something caught my eyes...

It's the little Vibram on the sole that caught my attention. Looks good but it doesn't look like an outdoor shoe to me. And finally something really caught my eyesight and had me starred at it for few seconds...

Light? Checked!

Outdoor / trekking (trail running means trekking right)? Checked!

Grippy sole (trail running shoes should be grippy right)? Checked!

Barefoot? Checked!

Vibram? Checked! Checked! Checked!

Apparently there were few new arrivals of New Balance + Vibram shoes, called the Minimus series...

I tested almost all of them including the new Adidas (thanks to the sales guy at N Concept of Setia City Mall! Excellent service!)...

And finally decided on this pair...

This pair meets all the requirements above except shoe lace (arrgh!). Red is the only color option (another arrgh), but it matches my bike's red pedals and QR.

The new Minimus series from New Balance has these characteristics...

I can't tell what material it made of. The insole is like a thin cotton cushion; the outsole feels like mixture of nylon, plastic and fabric and the sole is like rubberized plastic. No doubt overall built quality is good, I can only tell the durability after use.

There's a caution on the box as well...

It sounds like NB as the best running shoe brand is also trending into barefoot concept. This perhaps indicates that going barefoot is not only a trend but also a serious matter to improve the way we do exercises and ultimately the health. And I am on the right track. Hehe...

I am really excited with joint venture of NB and Vibram. Hope to see more shoes from these 2 and available in Malaysia (or Adidas + Vibram is also not bad). No Nike please.

Can't wait to wear it on my next expedition!