The New Balance Minimus Multi-Sports are how much warmer?

I can’t test these in freezing weather because it’s fall in Atlanta right now, but I could wear the Minimus Multi-Sport on one foot and the Minimus Trail on another when the temperature was in the lower 40s. No socks. This was a test of temperature changes on two bare feet as they were exposed to the cold for around 45 minutes because I wore them on the way to work. The Multi-Sports was substantially comfier for my feet than the original Minimus Trail. While the Minimus Trail top is mesh-like, it doesn’t seem particularly airy to my foot for the first 5 to 10 minutes, but after that, my Multi-Sport-clad foot was still snug (though I wouldn’t say warm — just comfortable and not frigid), whereas my Minimus Trail-clad food was freezing.

If I were to compare the temperature threshold between the two models, I’d say the Multi-Sport will give the barefoot an additional 10 to 15 degrees of warmth in chilly weather. Test two, in contrast, featured a run in temperatures between 50 and 60 degrees. Since this was a street run, the weather was not extremely chilly. I didn’t detect any differences in heat or perspiration between the two Minimus models, which made the results of this experiment interesting. My Minimus Trail-clad foot was just as cozy as my Multi-Sport-clad foot. So, there you go. The Multi-Sport will be a fantastic option if you’re in freezing weather, but you may need to size adequately for socks (I’d probably go from a size 10.5 barefoot to a size 11).

The Minimus Multi-Sports are waterproof to what extent?

I put on some Injinji socks, one Minimus Multi-Sport on my right foot, and the original Minimus Trail on my left to test the Minimus Multi-ability Sport to withstand water or its “waterproofness.” I then took advantage of a wet night here in Atlanta and went out into the streets with my camera and umbrella. Because I wanted to “spot” what was wet and how much, I wore socks. I came across a sizable puddle and stayed there for some time.

My right foot, wearing Multi-Sport footwear, was completely dry, whereas the Minimus Trails left my foot saturated (mainly at the forefoot and a little at the heel). Seriously. It was not at all wet. A key point to highlight is that with all low-heeled footwear, the space between the bone protrusions surrounding your ankle and the earth is limited. Remember that I wasn’t splashing around in the puddle or racing down the street (or on a path, for that matter). Therefore, minimally-heeled shoes will be wrapped around your ankle at this point, making it the most convenient place for water to splash inside your shoes. It isn’t much you can do to address this issue unless you wear a taller “boot” around the ankle. The original Minimus Trail also has a sewn-in tongue, but the material is not water-resistant, so if water is going to get into your shoes, it will do so through this ankle opening. However, the Multi-Sport Minimus shoes do not have a sewn-in tongue. I was pleased with how effectively the Multi-Sport kept my feet dry.

Minimus Trail or Minimus Multi-Sport from New Balance?

Which should you buy, then? Let’s start with the most critical factor: pricing. The MSRP for the New Balance 10/Minimus Multi-Sport is $110. In contrast, the MT10/original Minimus Trail has an MSRP of $100. Therefore, you must pay $10 for the added warmth and water resistance. Since that sets the two pairs apart, I would choose the Minimus Multi-Sport. You can obtain a shoe that is more comfortable and suitable for more conditions for 10% more money. Since trails are sometimes dry, and you may wear these out in the rain without being too formal, they serve two purposes. Just be aware of the limitations of the Multi-Sports water resistance and that if you’re going outside in sub-40 or sub-30 (Fahrenheit) temperatures, they probably won’t keep your feet warm for very long. If you live somewhere extremely cold, you should size up for socks (try them on with a pair of wool socks first; Injinjis are pretty thin, so you don’t need to).