Our verdict
- Our top pick in new balance 670 orange black
Pros
- Sleek dad shoe
- Amazingly durable
- Affordable version of 997
- Retro vibes
- True to size
- Feels light to the foot
- zapatillas de running New Balance talla 41.5 moradas
Cons
- New Balance 997H Animal Print Beige White
- So-so stability
tenis new balance 1010 skate masculino marrom | Audience verdict
tenis new balance 1010 skate masculino marrom | Comparison
The most similar trainers compared
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Audience score | 90 Great! | 94 Superb! | 89 Good! | 91 Great! | |
Price | $90 | $100 | $145 | $120 | |
Style | DadRetroSporty | DadRetroSporty | ClassicDadRetroSporty | RetroSportyFuturistic | |
Breathability | Warm | Warm | Warm | Moderate | |
Weight lab | 12.8 oz / 364g | 12.9 oz / 366g | 13.5 Herren New Balance 624v5 Black | 14.5 oz / 410g | |
Midsole softness | Firm | Soft | Firm | Firm | |
Material | MeshSuede | LeatherMesh | MeshSuede | KnitSuede | |
Season | SpringWinterFall | SpringWinterFall | SpringWinterFall | SpringWinterFall | |
Inspired from | Running | Running | Running | Running | |
Toebox width at the widest part | Medium | Wide | Medium | Wide | |
Toebox width at the big toe | Wide | Wide | Medium | Medium | |
Leather/suede quality | Real suede | Real leather | Real suede | Real suede | |
Toebox durability | Good | Decent | Decent | Decent | |
new balance wl574sm2 sea salt rose water | Good | Decent | Decent | Decent | |
Outsole durability | Good | Good | Good | Good | |
Heel stack lab | 27.7 mm | 32.3 mm | 35.4 mm | 34.8 mm | |
Stiffness | Flexible | Stiff | Moderate | Moderate | |
Tongue padding | Average | Average | Average | Thin | |
Drop lab | 9.9 mm | 10.0 mm | 11.1 mm | 11.0 mm | |
Forefoot | 17.8 mm | 22.3 mm | 24.3 mm | 23.8 mm | |
Removable insole | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Heel tab | None | None | None | Pull tab | |
Torsional rigidity | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | |
Heel counter stiffness | Stiff | Moderate | Moderate | Stiff | |
Reflective elements | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | |
Closure | Laces | Laces | Laces | Laces | |
Top | Low top | Low top | Low top | Low top | |
Ranking | #39 Top 50% | #5 Top 7% | #48 Bottom 39% | #31 Top 40% | |
Popularity | #39 Top 50% | #7 Top 9% | #12 Top 16% | #58 Bottom 26% |
Who should buy
Days of wear-testing and lab assessments led us to conclude that the New Balance 997H is greatly suitable for the following:
- sneakerheads who are OK wearing leather since this shoe is made of real suede
- De Valencia a New York y Londres con New Balance
- New Balance Tênis Running Fresh Foam 650V1
- wearers with normal-sized feet
Who should NOT buy
We've established through our experience and lab assessments that the New Balance 997H is not breathable. Wearers with sweaty feet should stay away from this shoe. They are better off with the New Balance Strumpor Run Fast Flight Crew 3 Par, new balance 990v5 vegan m990js5 release date ASICS Gel Lyte III is also a good alternative.
jaden smith new balance vision racer white navy yellow msvrcjsg release date New Balance 480 might be a better pick for stability.
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.
What we saw under the Black 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.
![New Balance 997H Breathability](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/32078/new-balance-997-h-breathability-21240633-main.jpg)
997H | 2 |
Average | 2.9 |
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.
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 New Balance 997H 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.
![New Balance 997H Toebox durability](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/32078/new-balance-997-h-toebox-durability-21240634-main.jpg)
997H | 5 |
Average | 3.8 |
new balance wl574sm2 sea salt rose water
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 New Balance 997H remained immaculate. Under similar circumstances, NB 237 New balance 990 nbm990bs3!
![New Balance 997H new balance wl574sm2 sea salt rose water](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/32078/new-balance-997-h-heel-padding-durability-21240639-main.jpg)
997H | 5 |
Average | 3.4 |
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.
![New Balance 997H Outsole hardness](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/32078/new-balance-997-h-outsole-hardness-21240640-main.jpg)
997H | 86.8 HC |
Average | 85.2 HC |
Outsole durability
The New Balance 997H 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 after going through the same amount of abuse.
![New Balance 997H Outsole durability](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/32078/new-balance-997-h-outsole-durability-21240636-main.jpg)
997H | 0.5 mm |
Average | 1.0 mm |
Outsole thickness
At 4.9 mm thick, the outsole was of average thickness.
![New Balance 997H Outsole thickness](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/32078/new-balance-997-h-outsole-thickness-21240638-main.jpg)
997H | 4.9 mm |
Average | 5.6 mm |
Weight
We have to say; the New Balance 997H 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 grammes.
![New Balance 997H Weight](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/32078/new-balance-997-h-weight-21240660-main.jpg)
997H | 12.84 oz (364g) |
Average | 14.22 oz (403g) |
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 calliper measured the heel height to be only 27.7 mm, a number quite close to the average.
![New Balance 997H Heel stack](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/32078/new-balance-997-h-heel-stack-21240643-main.jpg)
997H | 27.7 mm |
Average | 30.0 mm |
dodadz stack
Just like the heel, the dodadz part of the midsole is also as thick as the average at 17.8 mm.
![New Balance 997H dodadz stack](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/32078/new-balance-997-h-forefoot-stack-21240641-main.jpg)
997H | 17.8 mm |
Average | 18.9 mm |
Drop
Transitioning from heel to toe was not a problem because the difference in height between the dodadz and the rearfoot wasn't so pronounced.
Based on our calculations in the lab, the New Balance 997H had a heel-to-toe drop of 9.9 mm.
![New Balance 997H Drop](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/32078/new-balance-997-h-drop-21240645-main.jpg)
997H | 9.9 mm |
Average | 11.1 mm |
Midsole softness
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 after walking long distances.
Our HA durometer measured its softness to be 32.5 which is more or less equal to the average.
![New Balance 997H Midsole softness](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/32078/new-balance-997-h-midsole-softness-21240644-main.jpg)
997H | 32.5 HA |
Average | 29.5 HA |
Insole thickness
The insole was of average thickness. Our calliper measured it to be 4.7 mm thick.
![New Balance 997H Insole thickness](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/32078/new-balance-997-h-insole-thickness-21240646-main.jpg)
997H | 4.7 mm |
Average | 5.5 mm |
Stability
Lateral stability test
Though it was not the best, the New Balance 997H 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 stabilise our steps.
Of course, better picks exist as far as lateral stability is concerned, and the new balance ml574 eaeeae navy is easily one of them.
Torsional rigidity
This sneaker, we feel, owed much of its stability to the secure clasp of its heel counter. The rearfoot surely couldn't go anywhere because of how arrested it felt while we were wearing the New Balance 997H.
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.
997H | 3 |
Average | 3.5 |
Heel counter stiffness
This sneaker, we feel, owed much of its stability to the secure clasp of its heel counter. The rearfoot surely couldn't go anywhere because of how arrested it felt while we were wearing the New Balance 997H.
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.
997H | 5 |
Average | 3.2 |
Midsole width in the dodadz
The footprints left by the New Balance 997H were not overly wide or painfully narrow. Our calliper measured the dodadz to be 111.4 mm wide.
![New Balance 997H Midsole width in the dodadz](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/32078/new-balance-997-h-midsole-width-in-the-forefoot-21240650-main.jpg)
997H | 111.4 mm |
Average | 108.9 mm |
Midsole width in the heel
Our calliper in the lab measured the footbed to be 273.8 mm long. This number is just around the average.
![New Balance 997H Midsole width in the heel](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/32078/new-balance-997-h-midsole-width-in-the-heel-21240651-main.jpg)
997H | 81.3 mm |
Average | 83.3 mm |
Flexibility
Stiffness
It was such a pleasure to wear the New Balance 997H 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.
After 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.
997H | 16.5N |
Average | 24.1N |
Grip / Traction
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.
Size and fit
Internal length
Our calliper in the lab measured the footbed to be 273.8 mm long. This number is just around the average.
![New Balance 997H Internal length](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/32078/new-balance-997-h-internal-length-21240654-main.jpg)
997H | 273.8 mm |
Toebox width at the widest part
Our experience tells us that the New Balance 997H couldn'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.
![New Balance 997H Toebox width at the widest part](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/32078/new-balance-997-h-toebox-width-at-the-widest-part-21240652-main.jpg)
997H | 100.9 mm |
Average | 99.1 mm |
Toebox width at the big toe
The big toe part was just as wide as the average, as well. Our calliper in the lab gave a reading of 79.2 mm.
![New Balance 997H Toebox width at the big toe](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/32078/new-balance-997-h-toebox-width-at-the-big-toe-21240653-main.jpg)
997H | 79.2 mm |
Average | 74.9 mm |
Tongue: gusset type
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.
![New Balance 997H Tongue: gusset type](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/32078/new-balance-997-h-tongue-gusset-type-21240656-main.jpg)
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.
new balance liverpool third shirt.
![New Balance 997H Tongue padding](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/32078/new-balance-997-h-tongue-padding-21240658-main.jpg)
997H | 9.6 mm |
Average | 9.1 mm |
Heel tab
The New Balance 997H 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.
![New Balance 997H Heel tab](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/32078/new-balance-997-h-heel-tab-21240657-main.jpg)
997H | None |
Removable insole
The New Balance 997H 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.
![New Balance 997H Removable insole](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/32078/new-balance-997-h-removable-insole-21240659-main.jpg)
997H | Yes |
Misc
We have to say; the New Balance 997H 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 grammes.
Reflective elements
Go Earthy on the New Balance 991.
![New Balance 997H Reflective elements](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/32078/new-balance-997-h-reflective-elements-21240655-main.jpg)
997H | No |