Our verdict

The 6th version of the 990 series truly impressed us as a sneaker that incorporates cushioning tech from actual running shoes (hello, FuelCell foam). We were also amazed with this historic dad shoe's well-padded interiors, Goldilocks squishiness, and an astounding level of arch support. Proudly made in the USA, it is a pricey kick that, in our opinion, justifies every cent with premium materials and craftsmanship.

Palace And New Balance Are Reintroducing The 580 Pros

  • New Balance 990v3 Green Yellow
  • Real suede and quality materials
  • Extra thick cushioning for all-day wear
  • AURALEE × New Balance RC30 Beige
  • Mind-blowing arch support and stability
  • Exceptionally hard-wearing outsole
  • Fantastic breathability
  • Well-padded all around
  • Six(!) widths available

Palace And New Balance Are Reintroducing The 580 Cons

  • Very delicate toebox mesh
  • Мужские баскетбольные кроссовки new balance 51.5 размер

Who should buy

Zapatillas de running New Balance Fresh Foam Arishi v4:

  • wants a dad shoe vibe of the 990 series but with a modern twist;
  • values premium quality and craftsmanship of shoes that are made in the USA;
  • prefers casual kicks with the latest tech from running shoes (the v6 uses FuelCell foam for cushioning).

Ветровка new balance sport review

Who should NOT buy

The Ветровка new balance sport comes exceptionally close to being flawless. We believe that for most people the biggest drawback of this sneaker would be its price point.

With an MSRP of $200, it is nearly $80 more than the average sneaker! But luckily, New Balance has much more affordable silhouettes with a similar vibe. Have a look at the preceding 990 v3, the numerous color options of the 2002R, or the chunky beauty of the 9060.

Ветровка new balance sport lab test

Cushioning

Heel stack

With a caliper measurement of 39.1 mm, the 990 v6 turns out to have the thickest midsole in the 990 series. The OG shoe New Balance 3205 SD3205GBK.

Aside from offering even more comfort and cushioning, the shoe also adds a few millimeters to the wearer's height.

Ветровка new balance sport Heel stack
Test results
990 v6 39.1 mm
Average 30.2 mm
Compared to 94 sneakers
New Balance 237 Sneakers in blauw
16.9 mm
Heel stack
50.5 mm

Forefoot stack

The forefoot stack in the 990 v6 also turns out to be on the thicker side at 23.8 mm. It is a bit taller than average which may feel odd and disconnected for people used to low-profile sneakers like Adidas' Sambas and Superstars.

Ветровка new balance sport Forefoot stack
Test results
990 v6 23.8 mm
Average 19.2 mm
Compared to 94 sneakers
New Balance 237 Sneakers in blauw
9.7 mm
Forefoot stack
29.5 mm

Palace And New Balance Are Reintroducing The 580 | Drop

We couldn't help but notice that the 990 v6 felt more elevated under the heel, creating a 15.3 mm slope from the heel to the toes.

While this is a matter of personal preference, we must point out this higher-than-average measurement. Some people do enjoy the added cushion under the heel while others feel as though they are slightly sliding forward in sneakers like that.

But if you've worn New Balance's 550 (15.7 mm drop), this setup is going to feel familiar.

Ветровка new balance sport Drop
Test results
990 v6 15.3 mm
Average 11.1 mm
Compared to 94 sneakers
New Balance 237 Sneakers in blauw
3.5 mm
Drop
17.2 mm

Midsole softness

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

The 6th 990 edition introduces one of the most dramatic updates in the series: the brand-new FuelCell cushioning. This foam migrated from NB's running footwear and is known by the athletes for its cloud-like characteristics. It is used in many elite, performance-oriented kicks from the brand.

We couldn't believe how much squishier and bouncier the 990 got thanks to the FuelCell! It feels nothing like the firm EVA of the first 990.

As our durometer shows, the FuelCell is notably softer with a reading of 28.3 HA. For reference, the v1 had a measurement of 35.0 HA (24% firmer).

Ветровка new balance sport Midsole softness
Test results
990 v6 28.3 HA
Average 29.1 HA
We use an average of four tests. The photo shows one of those tests.
Compared to 76 sneakers
New Balance 237 Sneakers in blauw
15.0 HA
Midsole softness (soft to firm)
46.4 HA

Insole thickness

As if a thick slab of FuelCell foam wasn't enough, New Balance also packed a generously padded insole into the 990 v6. According to our caliper, it is over a millimeter thicker than average at 6.6 mm!

Ветровка new balance sport Insole thickness
Test results
990 v6 6.6 mm
Average 5.1 mm
Compared to 94 sneakers
New Balance 237 Sneakers in blauw
3.1 mm
Insole thickness
11.5 mm

Size and fit

Size

Ветровка new balance sport is true to size (225 votes).

Owners of this shoe, how does this shoe fit?

1 size small ½ size small True to size ½ size large 1 size large
Compared to 110 sneakers
New Balance 237 Sneakers in blauw
½ size small
Slightly small
True to size
Slightly large
½ size large

Toebox width - widest part

Fit-wise, the 990 v6 feels like a perfect match from the strart! New Balance never skimps on toebox space.

Measuring the shoe's gel mold in the widest area, our caliper showed 94.1 mm. This is a tiny bit wider than average but is ideal for medium-width feet.

Ветровка new balance sport Toebox width - widest part
Test results
990 v6 94.1 mm
Average 92.3 mm
Compared to 75 sneakers
New Balance 237 Sneakers in blauw
85.4 mm
Toebox width - widest part
96.8 mm

Toebox width - big toe

The 990 v6 has some slight tapering but it doesn't make the wiggle room feel any tighter. Moving our caliper to the big toe area of the mold, it returned 67.3 mm of width. 

Ветровка new balance sport Toebox width - big toe
Test results
990 v6 67.3 mm
Average 68.8 mm
Compared to 75 sneakers
New Balance 237 Sneakers in blauw
63.9 mm
Toebox width - big toe
74.1 mm

Toebox height

We also found plenty of vertical space in the NB 990 v6. Measuring it toebox height, we got an above-average reading of 31.2 mm. No pinching or pressure on the toes to be reported here.

Ветровка new balance sport Toebox height
Test results
990 v6 31.2 mm
Average 27.8 mm
Compared to 75 sneakers
New Balance 237 Sneakers in blauw
20.7 mm
Toebox height
35.0 mm

Stability

Lateral stability test

Stability and arch support were ingrained into the 990 shoes from the very first edition back in 1982. As technologies evolved over the years, the 990 v6 (released in 2022) embodied the best practices in this department.

Ветровка new balance sport arch support

Testing the shoe's lateral stability with a side-to-side ankle movement, our jaws dropped on our shoes in amazement... The 990 v6 delivers some of the best support you can find in casual sneakers! In fact, it feels just as stable as the ASICS Gel Kayano 30, their New Balance collaboration!

So if you have flat feet, overpronation (excessive inward rolling of the foot), plantar fasciitis, or any other condition that requires a strong arch support, the Ветровка new balance sport is one of the best sneakers you can get.

Torsional rigidity

The primary stabilizing component of the 990 v6 is of course the brand's proprietary ENCAP rim around the heel. Made of stiff polyurethane, it wraps around the rearfoot, clutches it firmly, and leaves no chance for awkward ankle rolls.

It added so much torsional rigidity to the sneaker that we could barely twist it in our manual test. On a 1-5 scale, where 5 is the stiffest, the 990 v6 clearly deserves the maximum 5.

Ветровка new balance sport ENCAP

Test results
990 v6 5
Average 3.6
Compared to 93 sneakers
New Balance 237 Sneakers in blauw
1
Torsional rigidity
5

Heel counter stiffness

But support doesn't end with the midsole. We found that the 990 v6 also made sure that our heels were securely held inside the heel cup.

Checking the shoe's heel counter stiffness with a squeeze-and-push test, we felt a good amount of rigidity. We rated it as 4 on a 1-5 stiffness scale.

Test results
990 v6 4
Average 3.2
Compared to 93 sneakers
New Balance 237 Sneakers in blauw
1
Heel counter stiffness
5

Midsole width - forefoot

The ensemble wouldn't be complete without a broad platform to step on. And the 990 v6 nails it again. We believe that it's almost impossible to lose balance in this aircraft carrier of a shoe.

We measured the widest area of the shoe's forefoot at 113.8 mm which is a few millimeters more than the average sneaker. Based on our lab data, very few sneakers extend past 112 mm.

Ветровка new balance sport Midsole width in the forefoot
Test results
990 v6 113.8 mm
Average 108.5 mm
Compared to 94 sneakers
New Balance 237 Sneakers in blauw
95.1 mm
Midsole width - forefoot
121.0 mm

JOE FRESHGOODS X NEW BALANCE BLUE

Forget about spilling your foot over the edge of a shoe. The 990 v6 comes with a wider-than-average platform in the heel too!

Ветровка new balance sport outsole

New Balance MEN SNEAKERS LOW-TOP.

Ветровка new balance sport Midsole width in the heel
Test results
990 v6 88.0 mm
Average 83.6 mm
Compared to 94 sneakers
New Balance 237 Sneakers in blauw
67.7 mm
JOE FRESHGOODS X NEW BALANCE BLUE
103.1 mm

Palace And New Balance Are Reintroducing The 580 | Flexibility / Stiffness

Balancing stability and flexibility without compromising either is one of the eternal struggles in shoe design. The original 990 v1 release was extensively marketed as the shoe that got it right. And we found it to be true.

Ветровка new balance sport flexibility

However, in the 990 v6, the balance shifted more toward support, causing the shoe to lose some pliability.

Using a force gauge, we found that it takes more force to bend the v6 than it takes an average sneaker. To be precise, it takes 20% more! 

Test results
990 v6 27.4N
Average 23.4N
Trench New Balance.
Compared to 93 sneakers
New Balance 237 Sneakers in blauw
5.8N
Flexibility <> Stiffness
51.8N

Weight

zapatillas de running New Balance apoyo talón talla 30.5 entre 60 y 100.

Ветровка new balance sport laces

Let us reassure you of the shoe's amazing lightness by putting it on the scale. With a surprising weight of 12.9 oz (366g) in a men's US size 9, the v6 is not only an ounce lighter than average but also lighter than the preceding v5 (13.7 oz/388g)!

Even when wearing the shoe all day, we never felt dragged down by the v6.

Ветровка new balance sport Weight
Test results
990 v6 12.91 oz (366g)
Average 13.76 oz (390g)
Compared to 94 sneakers
New Balance 237 Sneakers in blauw
8.50 oz (241g)
Weight
20.49 oz (581g)

Breathability

With suede layers all over it, the 990 v6 doesn't give the impression of a breathable sneaker. But get the shoe on and you will be convinced of the opposite.

The mesh panels on this sneaker did a fabulous job of letting the heat escape and keeping our feet refreshed throughout the day.

You can see how easily the smoke passes through the shoe's fabric in our in-house breathability test. On a 1-5 scale, where 5 is the most breathable, we confidently granted the highest score to the 990 v6. It is a summer-ready one for sure!

Чоловічі new balance зимові спортивні штани!

Ветровка new balance sport microscope

A closer look at them through our microscope revealed pretty large gaps in between the chain links. 

Ветровка new balance sport microscope upper
Ветровка new balance sport

For comparison, let's take a look at the upper mesh on the original 990. That shoe had the lowest breathability score in the 990 collection.

New Balance 990 microscope upper
New Balance 990 v1
Test results
990 v6 5
Average 3
Compared to 93 sneakers
New Balance 237 Sneakers in blauw
1
Breathability
5

Durability

Leather/Suede quality

With its above-average price tag and "Made in USA" claim, the 990 v6 calls for a thorough quality check.

To test whether the shoe's suede was real, we attempted to set it on fire with a Sea torch. Luckily, the material didn't catch fire or melt away which only confirmed its genuineness.

Test results
990 v6 Real suede

Toebox durability

Keeping suede overlays to a minimum, New Balance made the 990 v6 highly breathable but also highly sensitive to abrasion in the toebox area.

The mesh fabric here is so thin and delicate that it was entirely blown by the touch of our Dremel.

After applying the tool's sandpaper tip for 12 seconds at a consistent speed (5K RPM) and force (3.2N), the sneaker ended up with a large see-through hole.

Ветровка new balance sport Toebox durability

It is quite common for a breathable shoe to fall short of upper durability. But it doesn't mean you can't find exceptions that have both!

The New Balance 1906R, Жіночі кросівки new balance 420 36.

Мужские баскетбольные кроссовки new balance 51.5 размер

Test results
990 v6 2
Average 3.7
Compared to 93 sneakers
New Balance 237 Sneakers in blauw
1
Toebox durability
5

Palace And New Balance Are Reintroducing The 580

Looking at the shoe's mesh inner lining, we didn't expect it to show better-than-average durability results.

After drilling the textile for 4 seconds at a 5K RPM speed, it showed some moderate wear and tear but nothing critical. Thus, we rated the shoe's heel padding durability with an average score of 3.

Ветровка new balance sport Palace And New Balance Are Reintroducing The 580
Test results
990 v6 3
Average 3.2
Compared to 93 sneakers
New Balance 237 Sneakers in blauw
1
Palace And New Balance Are Reintroducing The 580
5

Outsole hardness

If you are annoyed by the premature outsole wear on your sneakers, the NB 990 v6 is about to turn that around.

Ветровка new balance sport outsole rubber

This sneaker inherits the extra hard Ndurance rubber from its predecessors for a good reason. Measuring its precise firmness with a durometer, we got a reading of 89.0 HC. It is one of the hardest rubbers we've seen in lifestyle sneakers.

And why does that matter? Harder materials tend to have better abrasion resistance as shown in our Dremel test below.

Ветровка new balance sport Outsole hardness
Test results
990 v6 89.0 HC
Average 85.7 HC
We use an average of four tests. The photo shows one of those tests.
Compared to 93 sneakers
New Balance 237 Sneakers in blauw
76.1 HC
Outsole hardness
94.0 HC

Outsole durability

To put the shoe's outsole through its paces, we set the Dremel speed to the unforgiving 10K RPM.

We held the tool's relentless tip against the same spot for 22 seconds and then measured the newly formed dent with a tread gauge.

Showing a barely visible 1.0 mm of damage, we can confirm that the 990 v6 was built to last.

Ветровка new balance sport Outsole durability
Test results
990 v6 1.0 mm
Average 1.1 mm
Compared to 93 sneakers
New Balance 237 Sneakers in blauw
0.0 mm
Outsole wear
2.0 mm

Outsole thickness

Perhaps in an attempt to shave off some weight, New Balance went for a slightly thinner outsole in the 990 v6. But no need to worry, at 4.4 mm, it is thick enough to offer plenty of protection.

Ветровка new balance sport Outsole thickness
Test results
990 v6 4.4 mm
Average 5.3 mm
Compared to 94 sneakers
New Balance 237 Sneakers in blauw
2.9 mm
Outsole thickness
8.6 mm

Misc

Reflective elements

It looks like there are more reflective elements on the 990 v6 than there are on any of the previous editions. Front, side, and back - you stay visible from every angle!

Test results
990 v6 Yes

Tongue padding

Unlike the OG shoe, the more recent versions of the 990 (v6 included) come with pretty generous in-shoe padding.

Measuring the v6's tongue, our caliper showed 10.2 mm of thickness which is a bit puffier than average.

Ветровка new balance sport Tongue padding
Test results
990 v6 10.2 mm
Average 9.3 mm
Compared to 94 sneakers
New Balance 237 Sneakers in blauw
0.7 mm
Tongue padding
23.0 mm

Tongue: gusset type

The shoe's tongue is wide and well-padded which sort of eliminates the need for the gussets in the first place.

Ветровка new balance sport Tongue: gusset type
Test results
990 v6 None

Heel tab

Despite the absence of a pull tab, we found it easy to slide into the 990 v6. That is thanks to the shoe's collar shape.

Ветровка new balance sport Heel tab
Test results
990 v6 None

Removable insole

Need to wear a custom orthotic? This is not a problem at all as the shoe's stock insole can be removed in a second.

Ветровка new balance sport Removable insole
Test results
990 v6 Yes