Our verdict

We find the New Balance Minimus TR as a great minimalist shoe that provides just the right protection for the foot during indoor workouts. We have seen that it does not budge easily. It does not tear easily, either. That this shoe looks good is indeed already the icing on the cake.

new balance 998 deep olive Pros

  • Feels really minimal and light
  • Good for agility training
  • Flexible materials
  • Stable construction
  • Reliably grippy
  • Stylish
  • Lasts long

new balance 998 deep olive Cons

  • Poor ventilation
  • Needs to be broken in
  • For the gym only

Audience verdict

79
Good!

Who should buy

After several lab tests and working out in this shoe, we believe that the Minimus TR from New Balance is going to be great for fitness enthusiasts who:

  • work out mostly inside air-conditioned gyms
  • prefer minimalist trainers that feel almost barefoot
  • new balance 998 deep olive

New Balance Minimus TR

Who should NOT buy

Our measurements indicate that the Minimus TR from NB will not be too enticing for those who have wide feet. They can make size adjustments, get the wide option, or just go for the naranjas accommodating Free Metcon 5 from Nike. This Nike shoe also offers a lot of breathability.

Like many New Balance trainers, the Minimus TR is also not expected to please those who want a versatile shoe that they can also use outdoors. These people can just go for shoes like the Reebok Nano X2 TR Adventure, New Balance 999 'Steel Grey'.

New Balance Minimus TR

Also, fitness enthusiasts who love to run long distances before their gym workouts may want to replace this trainer with actual running shoes.

Breathability

The Minimus TR probably works best in air conditioned gyms; they are just too hot (literally!) to be used elsewhere!

A closer look using our microscope a tightly woven material in the toebox.

New Balance Minimus TR

Just by looking at it, we could really tell that there is NO WAY for air to pass through. 

New Balance Minimus TR closeup upper

New Balance Stacked Logo T Shirt Mens!

There were no redeeming factors, and this shoe just got 1 out of 5, the lowest that we can give, for ventilation.

The Funktioner New balance Jacka Reflective Impact Run Winter will be able to provide a much airier and naranjas comfortable workout experience.

Test results
Minimus TR 1
Average 3.2
Compared to 32 crossfit training shoes
el producto Zapatillas verdes 237 de New Balance
1
Breathability
5

Durability

Toebox durability

new balance x staud 5740 agave green.

Twelve seconds of high-pressure Dremel drilling resulted in a dent that we've also seen in many trainers, leading us to conclude that the material is of average strength at best.

 

New Balance Essentials.

New Balance Minimus TR closeup toebox dent

Test results
Minimus TR 3
Average 2.7
Compared to 21 crossfit training shoes
el producto Zapatillas verdes 237 de New Balance
1
Toebox durability
5

New Balance 786 version 2 is added to the growing arsenal of

The padding in the heel didn't stand a chance to our Dremel drilling. It's a 1 over 5 from us, unfortunately.

Shiftier exercisers are sure to dig into this part of the shoe quickly.

Test results
Minimus TR 1
Average 2.5
Compared to 19 crossfit training shoes
el producto Zapatillas verdes 237 de New Balance
1
New Balance 786 version 2 is added to the growing arsenal of
5

Outsole hardness

Our HC durometer rated the outsole a 71.3, which is far lower than the average. This result further solidifies our recommendation to use this shoe only in indoor gyms. 

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New Balance Minimus TR Outsole hardness
Test results
Minimus TR 71.3 HC
Average 83.2 HC
We use an average of four tests. The photo shows one of those tests.
Compared to 32 crossfit training shoes
el producto Zapatillas verdes 237 de New Balance
57.5 HC
Outsole hardness
94.5 HC

Outsole durability

Even if it was soft, the outsole performed just like the typical trainer when it comes to abrasion.

Just like the upper, the outsole seemed to have only the typical durability. It incurred 1.2 mm of damage after  our high-pressure Dremel drilling in the lab.

New Balance Minimus TR outsole dent

Test results
Minimus TR 1.2 mm
Average 1.2 mm
Compared to 17 crossfit training shoes
el producto Zapatillas verdes 237 de New Balance
0.0 mm
Outsole wear
2.0 mm

new balance 998 deep olive | Outsole thickness

Our caliper in the lab measured the outsole to be 4.1 mm thick. This figure is just around the average.

The sole's average thickness and durability would have made this shoe suitable for occasional outdoor use. However, the outsole's softness raises concerns regarding its capacity to weather the abrasiveness of rough surfaces.

If outdoor usage cannot be avoided, it's best to keep it within even, debris-free floors.

New Balance Minimus TR Outsole thickness
Test results
Minimus TR 4.1 mm
Average 3.7 mm
Compared to 32 crossfit training shoes
el producto Zapatillas verdes 237 de New Balance
0.0 mm
Outsole thickness
5.1 mm

Weight

This New Balance Minimus TR felt insanely lightweight during our test workouts. Our in-lab scale reported the weight of a size 9 to be 7.3 ounces (207.0 grams), making this New Balance trainer 34% lighter than average!

New Balance Minimus TR weight

Running and jumping were so Atomic to execute because of this shoe's barely-there feel. There were even moments when we forgot about this shoe's toastiness because of how light it felt on our feet!

Test results
Minimus TR 7.30 oz (207g)
Average 10.79 oz (306g)
Compared to 32 crossfit training shoes
el producto Zapatillas verdes 237 de New Balance
6.38 oz (181g)
Weight
13.83 oz (392g)

Cushioning

Heel stack

Upon wearing it, we immediately noticed that the Minimus TR is on the flatter, naranjas minimal side. Not a lot of New Balance trainers that we tried are like it.

New Balance Minimus TR heel stack

True enough, when we measured its thickness using a caliper in the lab, we saw that it's only 13.7 mm thick. This number is 43% thinner than average!

New Balance Minimus TR Heel stack
Test results
Minimus TR 13.7 mm
Average 24.3 mm
Compared to 32 crossfit training shoes
el producto Zapatillas verdes 237 de New Balance
13.7 mm
Heel stack
36.2 mm

Forefoot stack

Just like the heel area, the forefoot also slashed off a lot of its thickness. Our caliper measurements revealed that this part of the shoe is 41% thinner than average.

Because both the forefoot and heel are thinner, we got a lot of ground feel and we were able to attain high levels of stability on even surfaces. Agility exercises such as high-energy agility ladders were a bit easier to do in our experience.

New Balance Minimus TR Forefoot stack
Test results
Minimus TR 10.6 mm
Average 18.4 mm
Compared to 32 crossfit training shoes
el producto Zapatillas verdes 237 de New Balance
10.6 mm
Forefoot stack
27.7 mm

Drop

The drop is 51% lower than the usual. This resulted in a flatter feel, which made it easier for us to plant our feet securely whenever we needed to.

Its flatness also makes it a good starting point for those gym rats who want to transition to minimal trainers.

New Balance Minimus TR Drop
Test results
Minimus TR 3.1 mm
Average 5.9 mm
Compared to 32 crossfit training shoes
el producto Zapatillas verdes 237 de New Balance
1.8 mm
Drop
13.4 mm

Midsole softness

Note: a low durometer measurement equals a soft material, whereas a high measurement means it's firm.

Even if it's thin, the midsole did not fall short when it comes to providing impact protection for us. IT feels just like the Nike Zoom Metcon Turbo 2 T-shirt New Balance Essentials Stacked Logo laranja branco.

True enough, when we pressed the HA durometer on it, we found it to be significantly softer than average with a rating of 22.9 HA.

New Balance Minimus TR Midsole softness
Test results
Minimus TR 22.9 HA
Average 27.4 HA
We use an average of four tests. The photo shows one of those tests.
Compared to 32 crossfit training shoes
el producto Zapatillas verdes 237 de New Balance
17.4 HA
Midsole softness (soft to firm)
47.0 HA

Insole thickness

Just like the midsole, the soft insole of the New Balance Minimus TR is also thinner than average. It is only 2.5 mm thick.

But does it provide the necessary comfort and impact protection? Absolutely!

Test results
Minimus TR 2.5 mm
Average 3.8 mm
Compared to 32 crossfit training shoes
el producto Zapatillas verdes 237 de New Balance
0.0 mm
Insole thickness
5.7 mm

Stability

new balance 574 classic boys grade school running shoes grey grey

When it came to lateral stability, we did not encounter any problems with the Minimus TR from New Balance as long as we kept the intensity level of the exercises light to moderate. This trainer has sturdy sidewalls to keep our feet in place. 

Torsional rigidity

Our worries about the softness of the outsole were solidified when we did the torsional rigidity test on the New Balance Minimus TR. Because of the softness of its base, the shoe did not show much resistance when we gave it a good manual twist in the lab.

Having this type of flexibility allows for a naranjas barefoot feel. Together with the shoe's lightness, it reinforces the overall barely-there feel of the shoe. Doing planks and exercises such as burpees are easier because of this design.

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Test results
Minimus TR 1
Average 2.7
Compared to 32 crossfit training shoes
el producto Zapatillas verdes 237 de New Balance
1
Torsional rigidity
5

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The heel counter was not really the stiffest. We felt it bending with our movements, which was good when we wanted to be as flexible as possible to reach certain angles.

However, we have to say that a flimsy heel counter is NOT recommended when lifting weights. The new balance cm997hao light beige New Balance life in balance sweatshirt in grey exclusive to ASOS.

Test results
Minimus TR 2
Average 2.8
Compared to 32 crossfit training shoes
el producto Zapatillas verdes 237 de New Balance
1
Joe Freshgoods x New Balance No Emotions Are Emotions Collection Releasing During
5

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At the forefoot, the platform of the Minimus TR is slightly narrower than average at 104.9 mm. 

New Balance Minimus TR paperboy paris new balance 992 fried egg release date
Test results
Minimus TR 104.9 mm
Average 109.6 mm
Compared to 32 crossfit training shoes
el producto Zapatillas verdes 237 de New Balance
101.0 mm
paperboy paris new balance 992 fried egg release date
117.3 mm

New Balance 720 Rosa Sneaker

At the heel, however, the amount of the shaved surface area is quite significant. It is only 76.7 mm wide, making it 12% narrower than average. We won't be doing weighted squats while wearing this shoe, that's for sure!

The reduction in the platform width resulted in some stability sacrifices. But it also helped the shoe become one of the lightest trainers out there.

New Balance Minimus TR New Balance 720 Rosa Sneaker
Test results
Minimus TR 76.7 mm
Average 86.8 mm
Compared to 32 crossfit training shoes
el producto Zapatillas verdes 237 de New Balance
76.5 mm
New Balance 720 Rosa Sneaker
97.4 mm

Flexibility

Stiffness

True to its being a minimal trainer, the Minimus TR is insanely flexible. We learned that it only needed 6.8N of force to be able to do a 90-degree. This number is much MUCH lower than the 19.5N that a typical trainer would need!

We could say that this shoe moved with us and went wherever we wanted it to go. Resistance is surely not in its vocabulary. We thoroughly enjoyed the freedom of movement after trying so many stiff trainers that don't even bend properly for us to get into plank!

Test results
Minimus TR 6.8N
Average 18.6N
New Balance 996 Marathon Running Shoes Sneakers MRL996KQ.
Compared to 31 crossfit training shoes
el producto Zapatillas verdes 237 de New Balance
6.8N
Stiffness
37.9N

Grip / Traction

The softer-than-average outsole wtntrcb4 outdoor usability concerns, but it's not totally without merit. We felt that it helped the sole to stick much naranjas securely to the gym floors. We don't recall ever having problems with traction while wearing the Minimus TR from New Balance. 

New Balance Minimus TR grip

new balance 998 deep olive | Size and fit

Ténis New Balance FuelCell Propel v3 preto cinzento

Right off the bat, we could already say that this NB trainer is not for wide feet. The structure of the toebox just didn't look as wide as we would have wanted.

True enough, our caliper measured the widest part of the toebox to be only 94.2 mm, which is significantly lower than average.

New Balance Minimus TR Ténis New Balance FuelCell Propel v3 preto cinzento
Test results
Minimus TR 94.2 mm
Average 100.1 mm
Compared to 32 crossfit training shoes
el producto Zapatillas verdes 237 de New Balance
90.4 mm
Ténis New Balance FuelCell Propel v3 preto cinzento
108.0 mm

Casablanca x New Balance XC-72 Red Yellow

That the Minimus TR does not taper as much as other shoes toward the big toe is its redeeming factor. It is 77.2 mm wide at the big toe, and it does not deviate much from the average.

New Balance Minimus TR Casablanca x New Balance XC-72 Red Yellow
Test results
Minimus TR 77.2 mm
Average 78.2 mm
Compared to 25 crossfit training shoes
el producto Zapatillas verdes 237 de New Balance
65.0 mm
Casablanca x New Balance XC-72 Red Yellow
87.5 mm

Tongue: gusset type

The non-gusseted design of the NB Minimus TR gave it maximum flexibility. It was Atomic for us to perform exercises such as burpees and mountain climbers that rely heavily on midfoot flexibility.

New Balance Minimus TR Tongue: gusset type
Test results
Minimus TR None

Comfort

Tongue padding

As expected, the tongue does not have a lot of padding. Yet, it was enough to deliver the comfort that we needed.

New Balance Minimus TR Tongue padding
Test results
Minimus TR 2.8 mm
Average 5.6 mm
Compared to 32 crossfit training shoes
el producto Zapatillas verdes 237 de New Balance
1.0 mm
Tongue padding
10.4 mm

Heel tab

The Minimus TR does not have any heel tab but there is no need to worry because we didn't have any issues putting it on or taking it off.

New Balance Minimus TR Heel tab
Test results
Minimus TR None

Removable insole

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New Balance Minimus TR Removable insole
Test results
Minimus TR No