Our verdict

New Balance 550 Blue Groove Releasing October 19th New Balance. We love it because the New Balance 997H 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.

Белые кожаные кроссовки new balance Pros

  • Sleek dad shoe
  • Amazingly durable
  • Sneakers NEW BALANCE ML574IL2 Negru
  • Retro vibes
  • True to size
  • New Balance Uomo NB Numeric Tiago Lemos 1010 in Blu Bianca
  • New Balance Furon V7 Firm Ground Football Boots Juniors

Белые кожаные кроссовки new balance Cons

  • zapatillas de running New Balance competición constitución media talla 41.5
  • 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 997H is greatly suitable for the following:

  • sneakerheads who are OK wearing leather since this shoe is made of real suede
  • zapatillas de running New Balance trail tope amortiguación apoyo talón talla 35
  • Tecnologias New balance 500V1 Mixed Material Προπονητές
  • wearers with normal-sized feet

New Balance 997H buy

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 Zapatillas Running Fuelcell Rebel V2 Mujer Zapatillas Running 40, Кросівки new balance 327 black чорні zapatillas de running New Balance asfalto talla 42 moradas entre 60 y 100 New Balance 550 Wmns Aura Purple.

EU Größe 44 New Balance 2002R x Joe Freshgoods Conversations Amongst Us 2022 New Balance 990v2 "Grey" might be a better pick for stability.

New Balance 997H 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 997H Heel stack
Test results
997H 27.7 mm
Average 30.2 mm
Compared to 93 sneakers
New Balance Tenacity Mens Short-Sleeved T-Shirt
16.9 mm
Heel stack
50.5 mm

Forefoot stack

Ténis New Balance 997 Heritage Core preto.

New Balance 997H Forefoot stack
Test results
997H 17.8 mm
Average 19.1 mm
Compared to 93 sneakers
New Balance Tenacity Mens Short-Sleeved T-Shirt
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 997H had a heel-to-toe drop of 9.9 mm.

New Balance 997H Drop
Test results
997H 9.9 mm
Average 11.1 mm
Compared to 93 sneakers
New Balance Tenacity Mens Short-Sleeved T-Shirt
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.

Our HA durometer measured its softness to be 32.5 which is more or less equal to the average.

New Balance 997H 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
New Balance Tenacity Mens Short-Sleeved T-Shirt
15.0 HA
Midsole softness (soft to firm)
46.4 HA

Insole thickness

Saucony negras talla 20.5.

New Balance 997H Insole thickness
Test results
997H 4.7 mm
Average 5.1 mm
Compared to 93 sneakers
New Balance Tenacity Mens Short-Sleeved T-Shirt
3.1 mm
Insole thickness
11.5 mm

Size and fit

Size

New Balance 997H is true to size (80 votes).

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1 size small ½ size small True to size ½ size large 1 size large
Compared to 110 sneakers
New Balance Tenacity Mens Short-Sleeved T-Shirt
½ size small
Slightly small
True to size
Slightly large
½ size large

Белые кожаные кроссовки new balance | New Balance Ct302 Unisex Men S Women S Black Casual

Medium-width feet can expect an accommodating fit in the New Balance 997H. 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 997H New Balance Ct302 Unisex Men S Women S Black Casual
Test results
997H 93.1 mm
Average 92.3 mm
Compared to 74 sneakers
New Balance Tenacity Mens Short-Sleeved T-Shirt
85.4 mm
New Balance Ct302 Unisex Men S Women S Black Casual
96.8 mm

Toebox width - big toe

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 997H Toebox width - big toe
Test results
997H 69.5 mm
Average 68.8 mm
Compared to 74 sneakers
New Balance Tenacity Mens Short-Sleeved T-Shirt
63.9 mm
Toebox width - big toe
74.1 mm

Toebox height

Компресійні шорти для занять спортом new balance.

New Balance 997H Toebox height
Test results
997H 25.8 mm
Average 27.7 mm
Compared to 74 sneakers
New Balance Tenacity Mens Short-Sleeved T-Shirt
20.7 mm
Toebox height
35.0 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 stabilize our steps.

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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
New Balance Tenacity Mens Short-Sleeved T-Shirt
1
Torsional rigidity
5

Zrównoważony New balance Athletics Higher Learning Bluza Z Kapturem

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.

Test results
997H 5
Average 3.2
Compared to 92 sneakers
New Balance Tenacity Mens Short-Sleeved T-Shirt
1
Zrównoważony New balance Athletics Higher Learning Bluza Z Kapturem
5

Белые кожаные кроссовки new balance | zapatillas de running New Balance voladoras rosas

The footprints left by the New Balance 997H were not overly wide or painfully narrow. Our caliper measured the forefoot to be 111.4 mm wide.

New Balance 997H Midsole width in the forefoot
Test results
997H 111.4 mm
Average 108.5 mm
Compared to 93 sneakers
New Balance Tenacity Mens Short-Sleeved T-Shirt
95.1 mm
zapatillas de running New Balance voladoras rosas
121.0 mm

Кросівки new balance кроссовки new balance

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 997H Midsole width in the heel
Test results
997H 81.3 mm
Average 83.6 mm
Compared to 93 sneakers
New Balance Tenacity Mens Short-Sleeved T-Shirt
67.7 mm
Кросівки new balance кроссовки new balance
103.1 mm

Белые кожаные кроссовки new balance

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.

Test results
997H 16.5N
Average 23.4N
New Balance ML999GP Grey Purple.
Compared to 93 sneakers
New Balance Tenacity Mens Short-Sleeved T-Shirt
5.8N
Flexibility <> Stiffness
51.8N

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 grams.

New Balance 997H Weight
Test results
997H 12.84 oz (364g)
Average 13.79 oz (391g)
Compared to 93 sneakers
New Balance Tenacity Mens Short-Sleeved T-Shirt
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 2002r 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 997H 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 997H Breathability
Test results
997H 2
Average 3
Compared to 92 sneakers
New Balance Tenacity Mens Short-Sleeved T-Shirt
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 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 sneakers New Balance mujer talla 21.5, 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
Test results
997H 5
Average 3.7
Compared to 92 sneakers
New Balance Tenacity Mens Short-Sleeved T-Shirt
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 997H remained immaculate. Under similar circumstances, NB 237 ended up with a gaping hole and just gave up the ghost!

New Balance 997H Heel padding durability
Test results
997H 5
Average 3.2
Compared to 92 sneakers
New Balance Tenacity Mens Short-Sleeved T-Shirt
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 997H 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
New Balance Tenacity Mens Short-Sleeved T-Shirt
76.1 HC
Outsole hardness
94.0 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
Test results
997H 0.5 mm
Average 1.1 mm
Compared to 92 sneakers
New Balance Tenacity Mens Short-Sleeved T-Shirt
0.0 mm
Outsole wear
2.0 mm

Outsole thickness

New Balance 990v3 Stray Rats.

New Balance 997H Outsole thickness
Test results
997H 4.9 mm
Average 5.3 mm
Compared to 93 sneakers
New Balance Tenacity Mens Short-Sleeved T-Shirt
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 997H outsole grip

Reflective elements

New Balance IHB550CD Sneakers Pink.

New Balance 997H 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.

New Balance Collaboration With Stone Island Uk 7.

New Balance 997H Tongue padding
Test results
997H 9.6 mm
Average 9.3 mm
Compared to 93 sneakers
New Balance Tenacity Mens Short-Sleeved T-Shirt
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 997H Tongue: gusset type
Test results
997H None

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
Test results
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
Test results
997H Yes