Okay, first gonna lay out my running experience so you can judge what i write: i run about 40-50 miles a week, 50% barefoot in deep sand on the beach and the other 50% in merrell trail gloves. i bought these shoes to have something with just a little more sole for running on roads and more rigorous trails. i live on a coastal plain with no elevation changes, but run in the appalachian mountains about 3 times a month, usually on the appalachian trail of PA or surrounding foothills.

now, since i've gotten these shoes they've become my go-to shoe for the rockiest of trails. they offer just a bit more protection than the merrell trail glvoes, but still offer excellent ground feel and little sole. the 4mm raised heel is not very noticeable on trails, though it is extremely noticeable on flat roads and surfaces. overall, i do not use these on flat surfaces but definitely will go to them first for any type of large elevation change trails. my merrell's are my favorite shoe by far, but they lack a bit on extremely rugged and rocky trails when you are tired because any small rock you do not see you will feel, hard. the nbmt10 offers just a bit more protection, enough to make it noticeable.

if you decide to get these (mt10's) over the mt20's, be aware that there is a reason New Balance put out a new model of their champion minimalist shoe very shortly after it's release. namely, there is an asymmetry between the left and the right shoes. the band that stretches across the toe of the shoes comes across my feet at different points. on my left, it hits high, pulling my pinky toe in at an alarmingly uncomfortable angle. on the right, it's perfect. i googled around reviews of the mt10 and found others with the same problem, and even a blog that showed how to fix this. and ya know what? it's easy to fix. i simply cut the band at the pressure point to release the pressure, and now i have a perfectly excellent pair of shoes.

i recommend these shoes to anyone looking for a minimalist shoe for the trail, but realize that if you REALLY want a near-barefoot experience you should turn to the vibram's or to merrell trail gloves...or go barefoot :P

and if you're looking for a pair of road shoes, don't get these (as i did) for the road...wait til spring for the merrell road glove or the new line of New Balance shoes that will feature zero-drop on the heels!!