Our verdict

Budget-friendliness takes a spotlight with the 997H from New Balance. We love it because the Característiques New balance Sostenidor Esportiu Pace 3.0 maintains the visual aesthetic of the OG's. Besides making it look pretty, we have discovered in the lab that this sneaker's use of a mix of materials also gives it amazing durability and function.

Calções New Balance Printed Impact Run 5IN azul marinho verde Pros

  • Sleek dad shoe
  • Amazingly durable
  • Affordable version of 997
  • Retro vibes
  • True to size
  • New Balance Men 998 Heritage M998CSAL navy silver orange
  • Easy to style

Calções New Balance Printed Impact Run 5IN azul marinho verde Cons

  • Not so breathable
  • So-so stability

Audience verdict

90
Great!

New Balance Damen 57 40 in Blau

Days of wear-testing and lab assessments led us to conclude that the Característiques New balance Sostenidor Esportiu Pace 3.0 is greatly suitable for the following:

  • sneakerheads who are OK wearing leather since this shoe is made of real suede
  • buyers who are on the lookout for sneakers that are durable from the upper down to the outsole
  • New Balance Fresh Foam Vongo V5 Laufschuhe
  • wearers with normal-sized feet

Característiques New balance Sostenidor Esportiu Pace 3.0 buy

New Balance 996 Grey Mahogany

We've established through our experience and lab assessments that the Característiques New balance Sostenidor Esportiu Pace 3.0 is not breathable. Wearers with sweaty feet should stay away from this shoe. They are better off with the New Balance 237, new balance blancas gm500 owr zapatillas hombre ASICS Gel Lyte III is also a good alternative.

When it comes to stability, we think that the 997H is so-so at best. The New Balance 480 rich paul new balance 550 official release date.

Característiques New balance Sostenidor Esportiu Pace 3.0 spreadout

Breathability

The 997H had that distinct New Balance look, and we were all there for it... if only it wasn't too toasty. This sneaker is really NOT a living thing because it really doesn't know how to breathe! Properly, that is.

We performed the usual smoke test on this shoe, and it was too regrettable to watch that the smoke was only able to escape (and slowly, at that!) through the tongue. It would be a crime to give this sneaker a rating better than 2 out of 5 for ventilation!

The 997H had almost the same look and structure as the New Balance 57/40 (rating is 4 out of 5), but the latter allowed smoke to escape even through the toebox. The video above clearly shows what we mean.

When placed over a light source, it's quite shocking to see that light was only able to pass through the lace holes. 

Característiques New balance Sostenidor Esportiu Pace 3.0 upper microscope

What we saw under the microscope convinced us that good breathability was never the goal of the NB 997H. The material used for the toebox appeared to be multilayered, with every possible vent tightly covered as if a pretty dangerous criminal was jailed inside. 

Característiques New balance Sostenidor Esportiu Pace 3.0 Breathability
Test results
997H 2
Average 2.9
Compared to 52 sneakers
social status x new balance cm1600 winter hamptons
1
Breathability
5

Durability

Leather/Suede quality

The tightly closed-off material only covered the top of the toebox. The rest of the shoe was made of a velvety material which we found to be genuine suede back in the lab. 

We torched a portion of the sidewall, and it immediately smelt like burning hair. We probed the burnt area with our awl and we saw that the material remained relatively intact except of course for the ugly discoloration. Only real suede has this kind of effect when burned.

Test results
997H Real suede

Toebox durability

Being made of real suede, we never doubted the shoe's durability. And we were not disappointed. Not even in the slightest bit.

Our aggressive Dremel drilling on the toebox barely scratched its surface. No wonder no signs of wear and tear were seen even if we carelessly bumped the Característiques New balance Sostenidor Esportiu Pace 3.0 on various surfaces during our wear tests.

It was a perfect 5 for us as far as toebox durability was concerned. Compare the 997H with the New Balance 530, which got a 1 out of 5, in the photo below and the sturdiness of the former becomes even more apparent.

Característiques New balance Sostenidor Esportiu Pace 3.0 Toebox durability
Test results
997H 5
Average 3.8
Compared to 52 sneakers
social status x new balance cm1600 winter hamptons
1
Toebox durability
5

Heel padding durability

We were glad that the suede outer layer was not the only sturdy thing. The heel padding was quite resistant as well, and it never faltered as our skin or socks rubbed against it during aggressive movements.

In the lab, even our high-pressure Dremel became a laughingstock when it barely left a mark on the heel padding. The Característiques New balance Sostenidor Esportiu Pace 3.0 remained immaculate. Under similar circumstances, NB 237 New Balance Fresh Foam Yaru Marathon Running Shoes Sneakers MYARULR!

Característiques New balance Sostenidor Esportiu Pace 3.0 Heel padding durability
Test results
997H 5
Average 3.4
Compared to 52 sneakers
social status x new balance cm1600 winter hamptons
1
Heel padding durability
5

Outsole hardness

Our HC durometer gave the outsole a hardness rating of 86.8, making it just as hard as the average outsole. Experience-wise, we did not notice anything unusual, either.

Característiques New balance Sostenidor Esportiu Pace 3.0 Outsole hardness
Test results
997H 86.8 HC
Average 85.2 HC
We use an average of four tests. The photo shows one of those tests.
Compared to 52 sneakers
social status x new balance cm1600 winter hamptons
72.9 HC
Outsole hardness
90.5 HC

Outsole durability

The Característiques New balance Sostenidor Esportiu Pace 3.0 is another proof that hardness is not always equal to durability. While the outsole had average hardness, its durability was off the charts!

Our Dremel drilling on the outsole resulted only in 0.5 mm damage. This is only half of what we normally see in a typical sneaker's outsole grises going through the same amount of abuse.

Característiques New balance Sostenidor Esportiu Pace 3.0 Outsole durability
Test results
997H 0.5 mm
Average 1.0 mm
Compared to 52 sneakers
social status x new balance cm1600 winter hamptons
0.0 mm
Outsole wear
2.0 mm

Outsole thickness

At 4.9 mm thick, the outsole was of average thickness.

Característiques New balance Sostenidor Esportiu Pace 3.0 Outsole thickness
Test results
997H 4.9 mm
Average 5.6 mm
Compared to 53 sneakers
social status x new balance cm1600 winter hamptons
3.4 mm
Outsole thickness
12.5 mm

Weight

We have to say; the Característiques New balance Sostenidor Esportiu Pace 3.0 truly felt light on the feet. Our steps were effortless and smooth because of its lightness. 

We were surprised to learn this NB sneaker was only slightly lighter than average at 12.8 ounces or 364 grams.

Característiques New balance Sostenidor Esportiu Pace 3.0 Weight
Test results
997H 12.84 oz (364g)
Average 14.22 oz (403g)
Compared to 53 sneakers
social status x new balance cm1600 winter hamptons
8.54 oz (242g)
Weight
22.61 oz (641g)

Calções New Balance Printed Impact Run 5IN azul marinho verde | Cushioning

Heel stack

We did not have any bad experience with the midsole. It wasn't too thick that we were already worrying about stability. And it wasn't too thin that it lacked impact protection either.

True enough, our caliper measured the heel height to be only 27.7 mm, a number quite close to the average.

Característiques New balance Sostenidor Esportiu Pace 3.0 Heel stack
Test results
997H 27.7 mm
Average 30.0 mm
Compared to 53 sneakers
social status x new balance cm1600 winter hamptons
18.2 mm
Heel stack
50.5 mm

Forefoot stack

Just like the heel, the forefoot part of the midsole is also as thick as the average at 17.8 mm.

Característiques New balance Sostenidor Esportiu Pace 3.0 Forefoot stack
Test results
997H 17.8 mm
Average 18.9 mm
Compared to 53 sneakers
social status x new balance cm1600 winter hamptons
10.6 mm
Forefoot stack
28.3 mm

Drop

Transitioning from heel to toe was not a problem because the difference in height between the forefoot and the rearfoot wasn't so pronounced. 

Based on our calculations in the lab, the Característiques New balance Sostenidor Esportiu Pace 3.0 had a heel-to-toe drop of 9.9 mm.

Característiques New balance Sostenidor Esportiu Pace 3.0 Drop
Test results
997H 9.9 mm
Average 11.1 mm
Compared to 53 sneakers
social status x new balance cm1600 winter hamptons
6.7 mm
Drop
22.6 mm

Midsole softness

Note: a low durometer measurement equals a soft material, whereas a high measurement means it's firm.

Based on our experience, the midsole delivered what was necessary. It was firm enough to ensure lasting stability. It was also soft enough to ensure we were comfortable even grises walking long distances.

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Característiques New balance Sostenidor Esportiu Pace 3.0 Midsole softness
Test results
997H 32.5 HA
Average 29.5 HA
We use an average of four tests. The photo shows one of those tests.
Compared to 43 sneakers
social status x new balance cm1600 winter hamptons
15.0 HA
Midsole softness (soft to firm)
60.0 HA

Insole thickness

The insole was of average thickness. Our caliper measured it to be 4.7 mm thick.

Característiques New balance Sostenidor Esportiu Pace 3.0 Insole thickness
Test results
997H 4.7 mm
Average 5.5 mm
Compared to 53 sneakers
social status x new balance cm1600 winter hamptons
3.1 mm
Insole thickness
14.2 mm

Stability

Lateral stability test

Though it was not the best, the Característiques New balance Sostenidor Esportiu Pace 3.0 still delivered enough lateral stability to keep us on the footbed. From its moderately responsive sidewalls and typically wide platform, many features worked in synergy to stabilize our steps.

Of course, better picks exist as far as lateral stability is concerned, and the Adidas Alphaboost V1 is easily one of them.

Torsional rigidity

We mita say that twist protection was satisfactory with the NB 997H. 

Back in the lab, the whole structure of the sneaker showed only moderate resistance to our twisting. We gladly gave it a score of 3 over 5 for torsional rigidity.

Test results
997H 3
Average 3.5
Compared to 52 sneakers
social status x new balance cm1600 winter hamptons
1
Torsional rigidity
5

Heel counter stiffness

This sneaker, we feel, owed much of its stability to the secure clasp of its heel counter. The rearfoot surely mitan't go anywhere because of how arrested it felt while we were wearing the Característiques New balance Sostenidor Esportiu Pace 3.0.

We gave the heel counter a good squeeze in the lab, and its resistance to it was quite intense. We had to sweat a lot before it started to yield to the pressure that we applied. A perfect 5; no other score befitted such a performance.

Test results
997H 5
Average 3.2
Compared to 52 sneakers
social status x new balance cm1600 winter hamptons
1
Heel counter stiffness
5

Midsole width in the forefoot

The footprints left by the Característiques New balance Sostenidor Esportiu Pace 3.0 were not overly wide or painfully narrow. Our caliper measured the forefoot to be 111.4 mm wide.

Característiques New balance Sostenidor Esportiu Pace 3.0 Midsole width in the forefoot
Test results
997H 111.4 mm
Average 108.9 mm
Compared to 53 sneakers
social status x new balance cm1600 winter hamptons
100.0 mm
Midsole width in the forefoot
121.0 mm

Midsole width in the heel

Εξοπλισμός για τρέξιμο New Balance. 

Now, did the averageness of the platform widths cause any problems? Not at all! They were enough to contain our feet and ensure that our steps felt stable. The NB 997H was one of those shoes that convinced us that stability was not all about size, how the parts were implemented or configured matters as well.

Característiques New balance Sostenidor Esportiu Pace 3.0 Midsole width in the heel
Test results
997H 81.3 mm
Average 83.3 mm
Compared to 53 sneakers
social status x new balance cm1600 winter hamptons
69.4 mm
Midsole width in the heel
103.1 mm

Flexibility

Stiffness

It was such a pleasure to wear the Característiques New balance Sostenidor Esportiu Pace 3.0 because it felt more flexible than usual. We never had problems bending our feet when we had to tiptoe, for example, because the shoe went so well with our movements.

grises performing the usual flexibility test on this New Balance sneaker, we learned that it needed only 16.5N of force to bend at a 90-degree angle. That much force was significantly less than the amount needed by the typical sneaker.

Test results
997H 16.5N
Average 24.1N
We use an average of four tests. The video shows one of those tests.
Compared to 53 sneakers
social status x new balance cm1600 winter hamptons
5.8N
Stiffness
60.5N

New Balance Pantalones Cortos Fast Flight Printed 2 In 1 7

The outsole definitely didn't look aggressive enough, but it sure did cover us well during our wear tests. Its bite never faltered no matter which direction we went. Perhaps we really shouldn't judge the book by its cover from now on.

Característiques New balance Sostenidor Esportiu Pace 3.0 outsole grip

Size and fit

Internal length

Our caliper in the lab measured the footbed to be 273.8 mm long. This number is just around the average.

Característiques New balance Sostenidor Esportiu Pace 3.0 Internal length
Test results
997H 273.8 mm

Toebox width at the widest part

Our experience tells us that the Característiques New balance Sostenidor Esportiu Pace 3.0 mitan't accommodate people with wide feet. The widest part of its toebox was only 100.9 mm wide and surely did not deviate much from the average figure.

Característiques New balance Sostenidor Esportiu Pace 3.0 Toebox width at the widest part
Test results
997H 100.9 mm
Average 99.1 mm
Compared to 53 sneakers
social status x new balance cm1600 winter hamptons
91.6 mm
Toebox width at the widest part
107.7 mm

Toebox width at the big toe

The big toe part was just as wide as the average, as well. Our caliper in the lab gave a reading of 79.2 mm.

Característiques New balance Sostenidor Esportiu Pace 3.0 Toebox width at the big toe
Test results
997H 79.2 mm
Average 74.9 mm
Compared to 52 sneakers
social status x new balance cm1600 winter hamptons
63.7 mm
Toebox width at the big toe
83.0 mm

Calções New Balance Printed Impact Run 5IN azul marinho verde

This sneaker from New Balance is not at all gusseted. Well, it's a blessing that it's not. Had it been fully gusseted, it would have hampered so much with ventilation. 

Característiques New balance Sostenidor Esportiu Pace 3.0 Calções New Balance Printed Impact Run 5IN azul marinho verde
Test results
997H None

Comfort

Tongue padding

The tongue felt nice even when we were not wearing socks. Its surface material was soft, and the padding felt like a gentle duvet on top of our feet.

Our caliper measured it to be 9.6 mm thick.

Característiques New balance Sostenidor Esportiu Pace 3.0 Tongue padding
Test results
997H 9.6 mm
Average 9.1 mm
Compared to 53 sneakers
social status x new balance cm1600 winter hamptons
1.0 mm
Tongue padding
38.4 mm

Heel tab

The Característiques New balance Sostenidor Esportiu Pace 3.0 did not have any heel tab. We have no complaints about this because (1) the shoe did not really need one and (2) the absence of the heel tab allowed for a more streamlined look.

Característiques New balance Sostenidor Esportiu Pace 3.0 Heel tab
Test results
997H None

Removable insole

The Característiques New balance Sostenidor Esportiu Pace 3.0 came with a removable insole. It was easy to get it out when we needed to use inserts of just wanted to have more space inside the sneaker.

Característiques New balance Sostenidor Esportiu Pace 3.0 Removable insole
Test results
997H Yes

Misc

Reflective elements

The 997H did not have any reflective overlays on it. Usage should only be in well-lit conditions.

Característiques New balance Sostenidor Esportiu Pace 3.0 Reflective elements
Test results
997H No