Our verdict

Budget-friendliness takes a spotlight with the 997H from New Balance. We love it because the NEW BALANCE M992TB BLUE SILVER 27cm 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.

New Balance 574 Grey Gold GRAYGOLD Marathon Running Shoes ML574TLA Pros

  • New Balance 574 Gröna sneakers
  • Amazingly durable
  • New Balance 2002R The Basement Earth Brown
  • Retro vibes
  • True to size
  • Feels light to the foot
  • zapatillas de running New Balance niño niña neutro talla 23 baratas menos de 60

New Balance 574 Grey Gold GRAYGOLD Marathon Running Shoes ML574TLA Cons

  • New balance 574 кросівки з хутром
  • So-so stability

Audience verdict

90
Good!

Who should buy

Days of wear-testing and lab assessments led us to conclude that the NEW BALANCE M992TB BLUE SILVER 27cm is greatly suitable for the following:

  • sneakerheads who are OK wearing leather since this shoe is made of real suede
  • Бордовые женские кроссовки New Balance
  • New Balance 2002 Mens Shoes
  • wearers with normal-sized feet

NEW BALANCE M992TB BLUE SILVER 27cm buy

Who should NOT buy

We've established through our experience and lab assessments that the NEW BALANCE M992TB BLUE SILVER 27cm is not breathable. Wearers with sweaty feet should stay away from this shoe. They are better off with the New Balance 237, Sneakers NEW BALANCE YC373SNW Bleumarin New Balance x Salehe Bembury 574 Yurt Pink Blue Тор new balance.

When it comes to stability, we think that the 997H is so-so at best. The New Balance 480 might be a better pick for stability.

NEW BALANCE M992TB BLUE SILVER 27cm spreadout

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.

NEW BALANCE M992TB BLUE SILVER 27cm Heel stack
Test results
997H 27.7 mm
Average 30.2 mm
Compared to 93 sneakers
Number of shoes
16.9 mm
Heel stack
50.5 mm

New Balance 574 Grey Gold GRAYGOLD Marathon Running Shoes ML574TLA | Forefoot stack

New Balance 2002R Black 27cm.

NEW BALANCE M992TB BLUE SILVER 27cm Forefoot stack
Test results
997H 17.8 mm
Average 19.1 mm
Compared to 93 sneakers
Number of shoes
9.7 mm
Forefoot stack
29.5 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 NEW BALANCE M992TB BLUE SILVER 27cm had a heel-to-toe drop of 9.9 mm.

NEW BALANCE M992TB BLUE SILVER 27cm Drop
Test results
997H 9.9 mm
Average 11.1 mm
Compared to 93 sneakers
Number of shoes
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.

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.

New Balance Femme 997H en Rose Mauve.

NEW BALANCE M992TB BLUE SILVER 27cm Midsole softness
Test results
997H 32.5 HA
Average 29.0 HA
We use an average of four tests. The photo shows one of those tests.
Compared to 75 sneakers
Number of shoes
15.0 HA
Midsole softness (soft to firm)
46.4 HA

Insole thickness

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

NEW BALANCE M992TB BLUE SILVER 27cm Insole thickness
Test results
997H 4.7 mm
Average 5.1 mm
Compared to 93 sneakers
Number of shoes
3.1 mm
Insole thickness
11.5 mm

Size and fit

Size

NEW BALANCE M992TB BLUE SILVER 27cm is true to size (80 votes).

New Balance Herren MR530 in Scharwz Grau?

1 size small ½ size small True to size ½ size large 1 size large
Compared to 110 sneakers
Number of shoes
½ size small
Slightly small
True to size
Slightly large
½ size large

Toebox width - widest part

Medium-width feet can expect an accommodating fit in the NEW BALANCE M992TB BLUE SILVER 27cm. We felt no dead space or pressure points during the wear test and our gel replica of the shoe's interirs confirmed that.

Using a digital caliper and a custom shoe holder, we measured the widest part of the mold (between the pinkie and the big toe) at 93.1 mm. It is a solid width for a D medium width but wide footers can also opt for the 2E wide version of the kick.

NEW BALANCE M992TB BLUE SILVER 27cm Toebox width - widest part
Test results
997H 93.1 mm
Average 92.3 mm
Compared to 74 sneakers
Number of shoes
85.4 mm
Toebox width - widest part
96.8 mm

New Balance Men's BB550 in Bianca Blu

The taper angle is also very moderate in this NB sneaker showing a standard width of 69.5 mm near the big toe. This wiggle room can comfortably accommodate some toe splaying and swelling during long hours of walking.

NEW BALANCE M992TB BLUE SILVER 27cm New Balance Men's BB550 in Bianca Blu
Test results
997H 69.5 mm
Average 68.8 mm
Compared to 74 sneakers
Number of shoes
63.9 mm
New Balance Men's BB550 in Bianca Blu
74.1 mm

Toebox height

With a toebox height of 25.8 mm, the 997H also provides ample vertical space above the toes.

NEW BALANCE M992TB BLUE SILVER 27cm Toebox height
Test results
997H 25.8 mm
Average 27.7 mm
Compared to 74 sneakers
Number of shoes
20.7 mm
Toebox height
35.0 mm

Stability

Lateral stability test

Though it was not the best, the NEW BALANCE M992TB BLUE SILVER 27cm 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.

New Balance MR530ZEL Weiß Mint Adidas Alphaboost V1 Устойчивое New balance Essentials Stacked Logo.

Torsional rigidity

We could 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 3.6
Compared to 92 sneakers
Number of shoes
1
Torsional rigidity
5

Heel counter stiffness

This sneaker, we feel, owed much of its stability to the secure disconnect of its heel counter. The rearfoot surely couldn't go anywhere because of how arrested it felt while we were wearing the NEW BALANCE M992TB BLUE SILVER 27cm.

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 92 sneakers
Number of shoes
1
Heel counter stiffness
5

New Balance NewBalance 997 ML997HCB

The footprints left by the NEW BALANCE M992TB BLUE SILVER 27cm were not overly wide or painfully narrow. Our caliper measured the forefoot to be 111.4 mm wide.

NEW BALANCE M992TB BLUE SILVER 27cm Midsole width in the forefoot
Test results
997H 111.4 mm
Average 108.5 mm
Compared to 93 sneakers
Number of shoes
95.1 mm
New Balance NewBalance 997 ML997HCB
121.0 mm

Midsole width - heel

Just like the forefoot, the heel area was just as wide as the average at 81.3 mm. 

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.

NEW BALANCE M992TB BLUE SILVER 27cm Midsole width in the heel
Test results
997H 81.3 mm
Average 83.6 mm
Compared to 93 sneakers
Number of shoes
67.7 mm
Midsole width - heel
103.1 mm

Flexibility / Stiffness

It was such a pleasure to wear the NEW BALANCE M992TB BLUE SILVER 27cm 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.

Test results
997H 16.5N
Average 23.4N
Sustentável New balance Shorts Impact Run 5.
Compared to 93 sneakers
Number of shoes
5.8N
Flexibility <> Stiffness
51.8N

Weight

We have to say; the NEW BALANCE M992TB BLUE SILVER 27cm 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.

NEW BALANCE M992TB BLUE SILVER 27cm Weight
Test results
997H 12.84 oz (364g)
Average 13.79 oz (391g)
Compared to 93 sneakers
Number of shoes
8.50 oz (241g)
Weight
20.49 oz (581g)

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. 

NEW BALANCE M992TB BLUE SILVER 27cm 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. 

NEW BALANCE M992TB BLUE SILVER 27cm Breathability
Test results
997H 2
Average 3
Compared to 92 sneakers
Number of shoes
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 NEW BALANCE M992TB BLUE SILVER 27cm 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 574 Grey Gold GRAYGOLD Marathon Running Shoes ML574TLA, which got a 1 out of 5, in the photo below and the sturdiness of the former becomes even more apparent.

NEW BALANCE M992TB BLUE SILVER 27cm Toebox durability
Test results
997H 5
Average 3.7
Compared to 92 sneakers
Number of shoes
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 NEW BALANCE M992TB BLUE SILVER 27cm remained immaculate. Under similar circumstances, NB 237 ended up with a gaping hole and just gave up the ghost!

NEW BALANCE M992TB BLUE SILVER 27cm Heel padding durability
Test results
997H 5
Average 3.2
Compared to 92 sneakers
Number of shoes
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.

NEW BALANCE M992TB BLUE SILVER 27cm Outsole hardness
Test results
997H 86.8 HC
Average 85.7 HC
We use an average of four tests. The photo shows one of those tests.
Compared to 92 sneakers
Number of shoes
76.1 HC
Outsole hardness
94.0 HC

New Balance 574 Grey Gold GRAYGOLD Marathon Running Shoes ML574TLA | Outsole durability

The NEW BALANCE M992TB BLUE SILVER 27cm 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 MIUK991 of what we normally see in a typical sneaker's outsole after going through the same amount of abuse.

NEW BALANCE M992TB BLUE SILVER 27cm Outsole durability
Test results
997H 0.5 mm
Average 1.1 mm
Compared to 92 sneakers
Number of shoes
0.0 mm
Outsole wear
2.0 mm

Outsole thickness

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

NEW BALANCE M992TB BLUE SILVER 27cm Outsole thickness
Test results
997H 4.9 mm
Average 5.3 mm
Compared to 93 sneakers
Number of shoes
2.9 mm
Outsole thickness
8.6 mm

Misc

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.

NEW BALANCE M992TB BLUE SILVER 27cm outsole grip

Reflective elements

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

NEW BALANCE M992TB BLUE SILVER 27cm Reflective elements
Test results
997H No

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.

NEW BALANCE M992TB BLUE SILVER 27cm Tongue padding
Test results
997H 9.6 mm
Average 9.3 mm
Compared to 93 sneakers
Number of shoes
0.7 mm
Tongue padding
23.0 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 M992TB BLUE SILVER 27cm Tongue: gusset type
Test results
997H None

Heel tab

The NEW BALANCE M992TB BLUE SILVER 27cm 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 M992TB BLUE SILVER 27cm Heel tab
Test results
997H None

Removable insole

The NEW BALANCE M992TB BLUE SILVER 27cm 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 M992TB BLUE SILVER 27cm Removable insole
Test results
997H Yes