Version No. 2 seems to solve this — after about 100 miles running rugged terrain this summer, the shoes reveal almost no sign of wear. The photos in this article show the shoes after my summer of running in them all around Colorado.
With 4mm of drop, the 1010v2 Trail is designed for people who love a minimally-designed shoe. For those new to the minimal market, the shoe will feel thin and perhaps harsh. But it’s great for midfoot and forefoot runners who like a light shoe and close attachment to the Earth.
The toebox is wide to allow your foot to naturally splay. But over three days and 60 miles of running at TransRockies I still suffered some nasty toenail damage. I also had one large blister on my heel. I hesitate to blame the shoes as the run is steep and rugged and I ran to my absolute limits. I don’t know if a different shoe would have changed things or not.
Overall, the New Balance 1010v2 is a rugged but light design perfect for forefoot and midfoot runners who want to hit trails light on their feet. Try them out as a training or racing shoe for off-road running and enjoy a new kind of protective, minimalist option on the trail.
—By Sean McCoy
