New Balance 996v3 Review
New Balance has been helping assist people in having comfortable feet for over a century. Starting in the 1900s making arch support for their customers who were on their feet all day long and needed a little something extra to keep them comfortable. It was not until the 30s that they started making athletic shoes but they did not become a big player in the shoe game until the creation of their 320 shoes in 1976. They have been making great quality shoes for a great many years and the New Balance 996v3 sneakers are just one more in their long line of products.
The great looking and comfortable sneakers are great for those who are looking for something to wear to the gym, on the court, or simply a casual shoe. The responsive ride and decent amount of cushioning make them a great go-to option if you are going to be on your feet for extended periods of time. Unfortunately, these do have a breaking in period but once they are broken in customers feel that they offer a decent amount of comfort which your feet can appreciate. They might have a slightly high price tag but the great style and long life span keep customers coming back for more. They are going to be a welcomed addition to anyone’s sneaker collection.
Editor's Pros & Cons
Pros
- Great supportive features
- Good stability shoe
- Breathable and lightweight
Cons
- Needs breaking in
- Size runs small
- Runs too narrow
Outsole
The outsole of the New Balance 996v3 sneakers is made out of rubber with some extra NDurance rubber used in the high wear areas of the soles to make sure they are not going to wear down too quickly. You will not have to worry about the soles of your shoes wearing down after only a short time.
The sticky rubber of the sole helps ensure that you will get a decent amount of traction while you are out and about in these shoes. One customer stated that they had a little problem with sliding around on the shoes when he first put them on but after wearing them for a while the traction picked up and he was able to stay on his feet without sliding around. It is important that you have good traction so you do not run the risk of falling and potentially hurting yourself or others. For the most part, customers believe that they have a decent amount of traction, especially after you wear them once or twice.
The sticky rubber of the sole helps ensure that you will get a decent amount of traction while you are out and about in these shoes. One customer stated that they had a little problem with sliding around on the shoes when he first put them on but after wearing them for a while the traction picked up and he was able to stay on his feet without sliding around. It is important that you have good traction so you do not run the risk of falling and potentially hurting yourself or others. For the most part, customers believe that they have a decent amount of traction, especially after you wear them once or twice.
Midsole
The midsole of these sneakers is made of REVLite EVA foam to give you a lightweight and responsive ride without having to sacrifice cushioning or stability. The REVLite foam is going to give you the same amount of durability and responsiveness as a pair of shoes with regular foam, but this is going to cut the weight by about 30%, allowing you to have a pair of comfortable shoes without all the extra weight. The also feature ProBank technology which is a lightweight feature to help give you increased stability, especially during lateral movements.
Customers love the responsiveness of these tennis shoes. They give you that little spring in your step that athletes appreciate. When you step into your shoe your foot sinks into the cushioning of the midsole. In the case of these shoes, the foam will bounce back to its original shape, propelling you into your next step, saving you a little bit of energy with each step taken. This saved energy can be used to help you run faster and longer.
Customers love the responsiveness of these tennis shoes. They give you that little spring in your step that athletes appreciate. When you step into your shoe your foot sinks into the cushioning of the midsole. In the case of these shoes, the foam will bounce back to its original shape, propelling you into your next step, saving you a little bit of energy with each step taken. This saved energy can be used to help you run faster and longer.
Upper
The uppers of the New Balance 996v3 tennis shoes are made out of knit and nylon infused materials so that you can get a supportive and form-fitting pair of sneakers. The uppers allow for a decent amount of air to flow into the foot chamber, which is always a bonus because this will help your feet stay both cool and dry. Air being able to get into your shoes will keep them cool and it will help the sweat evaporate quickly from your feet and escape the shoes to keep your feet dry and healthy.
They feature a traditional lace-up closure and a padded tongue and collar to give you a supportive and comfortable feel all day long. These sneakers have a fabric lining in them to give you a good in-shoe feel while you are out and about.
They feature a traditional lace-up closure and a padded tongue and collar to give you a supportive and comfortable feel all day long. These sneakers have a fabric lining in them to give you a good in-shoe feel while you are out and about.
Durability
When it comes to buying new shoes you are going to want to make sure that you find a pair that is going to last. You might end up spending a little more money than you might like, but as long as you find something that is durable you will save yourself some money in the long run since you will not have to replace them as often. That being said, it appears that the New Balance 996v3 tennis shoes are a good investment. They may have a slightly high price tag, but they will not suffer from premature wear and tear.
Yes, there are a few customers who had some bad experiences with the longevity of these shoes and stated that they started to fall apart after wearing them only a couple of times. However, for the majority of customers, there were no problems and they stated that they lasted them longer than they had expected. From the outsole to the uppers these were designed to withstand the beating they will take while you are wearing them for running, sports, or simply as casual wear.
Yes, there are a few customers who had some bad experiences with the longevity of these shoes and stated that they started to fall apart after wearing them only a couple of times. However, for the majority of customers, there were no problems and they stated that they lasted them longer than they had expected. From the outsole to the uppers these were designed to withstand the beating they will take while you are wearing them for running, sports, or simply as casual wear.
Weight
When it comes to your shoes you are going to want to find something that is as light as possible, especially if you are going to be wearing them for sports, running, or cross-training. You do not want to feel like your shoes are holding you back or weighing you down. That is not something that you are going to have to worry about with the New Balance 996v3 tennis shoes. These are definitely not the lightest shoes on the market but they are not too heavy either. Weighing in, on average, at 12 ounces for a size 7.5 wide they are slightly higher than the average minimalist running shoes (10 ounces). If you are solely looking for a pair of shoes to wear running then these might not be the best choice, you might want to find something a bit lighter. However, they are the perfect weight for those who are looking for cross-training shoes or a simple pair of tennis shoes. Customers have nothing but nice things to say about the weight of these shoes, enjoying being able to go without feeling held back.
Comfort
There are some mixed reviews when it comes to the comfortability of these sneakers. Most customers believe that they are rather comfortable, with a decent amount of underfoot cushioning and a great overall feeling while they are wearing them. The way the uppers come up and around their foot to give them a sock-like feel is favorable to many people and they sing high praises about it.
That being said, there are still a lot of reviewers who were unhappy about the comfort level offered to them from these sneakers. They have a knit upper and as such you can expect them to be a bit stiff at first but that will loosen up after you wear them a couple of times, it can be frustrating to get a pair of shoes that are not comfortable right out of the box, but unfortunately these ones do have a small breaking in period. Another issue that some customers have with them is that the collar can be stiff and uncomfortable, rubbing along the insides of your ankles causing sores and blisters. Even after breaking them in the collar will sometimes remain stiff and uncomfortable, making the shoes unwearable.
That being said, there are still a lot of reviewers who were unhappy about the comfort level offered to them from these sneakers. They have a knit upper and as such you can expect them to be a bit stiff at first but that will loosen up after you wear them a couple of times, it can be frustrating to get a pair of shoes that are not comfortable right out of the box, but unfortunately these ones do have a small breaking in period. Another issue that some customers have with them is that the collar can be stiff and uncomfortable, rubbing along the insides of your ankles causing sores and blisters. Even after breaking them in the collar will sometimes remain stiff and uncomfortable, making the shoes unwearable.
Fit
Finding a pair of shoes that fit you correctly is essential to your overall comfort level and the amount of protection and support you get from your shoes. You want to make sure that the New Balance 996v3 sneakers fit you snuggly so you stay locked into your shoe and do not run the risk of completely falling out of your shoes while you are on the go. On the other hand, you do not want them to be too tight that you have to squeeze your feet into them, that can cause a great deal of discomfort and potential injury. To ensure that you get the correct size it is recommended that you take a look at a size chart so you can find the best size for your feet.
That being said, customers have stated that these sneakers are running a little too small so it is recommended that you order about a half size up to ensure a good fit. Additionally, these tennis shoes are also running extremely narrow. If you have rather wide feet use caution when ordering because even those who ordered them in the wide sizes stated they were too narrow.
That being said, customers have stated that these sneakers are running a little too small so it is recommended that you order about a half size up to ensure a good fit. Additionally, these tennis shoes are also running extremely narrow. If you have rather wide feet use caution when ordering because even those who ordered them in the wide sizes stated they were too narrow.
Support
When it comes to your shoes you are going to want to make sure that you get a decent amount of support, especially if you are going to be active in whatever footwear you choose to wear. In the case of the New Balance 996v3 tennis shoes, chances are that you are going to be participating in some kind of physical activity in them so it is nice to know that they are going to offer a good amount of support to keep you safe while you are wearing them. The traditional lacing system and padded tongue and collar work together to ensure that your feet stay locked into place inside of your shoes. As long as you are wearing the correct size, you should not have to worry about slipping and sliding around in the foot chamber which could potentially cause discomfort or injury.
Stability
The New Balance 996v3 sneakers feature a midsole with ProBank technology integrated into it. This is designed to give you extra stability during lateral cutting movements. The ProBank technology in the sole helps guide your feet so you do not injure yourself while on the go. This is especially helpful for those who are wearing these sneakers for playing certain sports, such as tennis or basketball.
If you are one of the thousands of people around the world that have problems with overpronation or supination then you are in luck. The ProBank midsole is also going to be able to help you out with your pronation problems by helping guide your feet into a more natural gait. If you already have a neutral gait, do not worry you can still wear these sneakers comfortably all day long.
If you are one of the thousands of people around the world that have problems with overpronation or supination then you are in luck. The ProBank midsole is also going to be able to help you out with your pronation problems by helping guide your feet into a more natural gait. If you already have a neutral gait, do not worry you can still wear these sneakers comfortably all day long.
Style
Customers seem to really like the look and style of the New Balance 996v3 tennis shoes. They come in a wide variety of color options including, but not limited to, reflection and pigment; white, petrol, and flame; white on white; UV blue; grey; hi-lite and pigment; grey and white; pigment and light cyclone; or black and grey. There are so many different color options that you are sure to find something that is going to best fit your style and personality. Many customers stated that they either do own or will own, more than one pair just so they can have them in more than one color choice.
They have the iconic 'N' logo printed on the side, which is a staple in any New Balance shoe. It does not matter if you choose to go with the men's version or the women's, or what color you decide to go with, you will look good no matter what you are doing while wearing this great looking and comfortable sneakers.
They have the iconic 'N' logo printed on the side, which is a staple in any New Balance shoe. It does not matter if you choose to go with the men's version or the women's, or what color you decide to go with, you will look good no matter what you are doing while wearing this great looking and comfortable sneakers.
Bottom Line
If you are in the market for an all-around good pair of tennis shoes then you have come to the right place. Yes, they have a couple problems with the way they fit, running a tad too small and extremely too narrow, but that can generally be corrected by ordering a larger size. Assuming you get the correct size, they are comfortable and offer you an amazing amount of stability and support that anyone can appreciate. The responsive midsole gives you a nice little spring in your step that anyone who does any kind of running can appreciate. They might have a slightly high price tag but the long lasting durability and great look keep customers happy and have the running back for more.
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