Seeing an uptick around the late-’00s, barefoot running shoes (and shoes in general) can be beneficial for many, promoting a natural gait by allowing your feet to act exactly how they were meant to perform. And while there are some plusses to zero-drop shoes, they aren’t for everyone.
New Balance tried its own hand at the low-stack runners, but instead of making you feel like you were in a glorified sandal, they opted to blur the line a bit. The result was the Minimus Trail, a trail runner with a 4mm stack height and minimalist aesthetic. It felt like both a barefoot shoe and, well, an actual shoe.
Now, NB returns with the help of Korean outdoor gear brand CAYL to revive the Minimus Trail for a new era.
The Brand Behind the Collab
Founded in 2011 by former engineer Euijae Lee out of a frustration with the lack of quality outdoor gear available in Korea, CAYL has quietly become one of the more compelling names in technical outdoor apparel. Their approach is understated almost to a fault, preferring advanced fabrics like Dyneema and Cordura, trail-ready construction, and a utilitarian yet versatile design language. The brand already cut its teeth with New Balance on a 2023 capsule built around the Fresh Foam X More Trail and the 610, but this reunion might be their best release yet.
Back to Basics, But Better
The original Minimus Trail debuted in 2011 partly through the input of ultrarunner Anton Krupicka, who helped shape the shoe’s geometry and protection balance. That foundation was built on a Vibram outsole, a wispy upper, and enough ground feel to appeal to barefoot shoe stans. The M10L doesn’t abandon that original approach, but it does update it considerably.
CAYL’s fingerprints are all over the upper, which uses a grid-based mesh with mesh overlays for texturing. Exposed stitching plays into the raw, utilitarian aesthetic the Korean brand has always favored. Debuting in “Black Ink with Lavender Lustre and Smoke Paprika,” the M10L nearly looks too good to be out on the trail, but its construction ensures you otherwise.
Better Underfoot
The 4mm heel-to-toe drop remains intact, keeping the shoe honest to its barefoot roots, but NB swaps in FuelCell midsole foam and a 3D-printed mudguard that wouldn’t have existed in 2011. But if you liked the more connected ride of the original, this one will be notably more cushioned.
This time around, the segmented AT Tread outsole is cut to maintain traction across both pavement and uneven trail terrain while still supporting natural foot movement. Custom insoles and multiple lace options round out the package here.
Spec Sheet
Model: CAYL x New Balance M10L
Upper: Grid-based mesh with mesh overlays, exposed stitching
Midsole: FuelCell foam
Outsole: AT Tread rubber
Mudguard: 3D-printed
Insoles: Custom
Lacing: Multiple lace options included
Drop: 4mm
Colorway: Black Ink with Lavender Lustre and Smoke Paprika
Edition: Limited
Pricing & Availability
The CAYL x New Balance M10L is available now through New Balance’s website, priced at $140.
Recap
CAYL x New Balance M10L
New Balance collabs with CAYL on the M10L, a modern revival of the 2011 Minimus Trail, updated with FuelCell foam, a 3D-printed mudguard, and CAYL’s signature technical aesthetic — while keeping the original’s 4mm drop.
