New Balance

Minimus 1690v1 Trail Running Shoe - Men's

If your San Fran pad is smaller than your cubicle at work, the last thing you want is valuable closet space to be sucked away by ten pairs of running shoes, specific for the terrain, day of the week, and planetary alignment. The New Balance Men's Minimums 1690v1 Trail Running Shoe is a singular piece of footwear that takes your paws from the streets to the inner-city trails and back again. Barring a deluge or pregnant scree fields, this robust runner gnaws on broken concrete and flosses with gnarled branches that litter the path before you. The only reason to get another pair of running shoes is for color.
Air mesh and ripstop give your foot fresh air without the bumps and bruises you get when running in sandals. Despite the name, the Minimus 1690 isn't a rough ride. The EVA foam footbed softens the blow of impact for miles on end. The full-length Revlite foam midsole keeps the lines of communication from your foot to your head open without adding extra weight. Together, the footbed and midsole cushion your footstrike so making your way from the city to the trails and home again isn't a trial of trails.

Inspired by Good Form Running, this shoe combines a sock-like fit with the 4mm heel-forefoot drop to keep your transition from traditional to minimalist running going strong. Whether you slip on an ultra-light sock when it's a bit spitty out or go it barefooted when the sun shines, the shoe stays steady on your foot and the ground. The lugged rubber outsole isn't vicious like your hiking boots but isn't slick-bottomed like your dress shoes, either. Designed to tackle curbs and dirt alike, this shoe gets a good grip on all but the most extremely treacherous trails.