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.
- Great supportive features
- Good stability shoe
- Breathable and lightweight
- Needs breaking in
- Size runs small
- Runs too narrow
Outsole
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
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
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
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
Comfort
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
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
Stability
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
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.