First pair of shoes (athletic or otherwise) I have purchased that I've had no blisters or rubbing the first time I've worn them. I'm new to minimalist running so I only ran a mile in them and walked a mile-however that was enough to sell me on them. I have heard there's a band that cases them to run narrow-I have narrow feet so I can see how that might bother someone. One of the shoelaces was frayed but a five minute call to New Balance and they had replacements in the mail-not a minus for the shoe but a big plus to New Balance customer service. The are a little more light dove gray than white-they seem a lot brighter in the picture. I like the actual color better.

Hopefully more experienced minimalist runners will also rate these, however for me they feel fantastic. I could have ran five miles in them, no problem!