Our verdict
- New Balance XC-72 Bright Mint Pointure spéciale New Balance
Pros
- Sleek dad shoe
- Amazingly durable
- Tecnologias New balance Chaussures Classic 373v2
- Retro vibes
- True to size
- Кросівки new balance 1500 темно сині із зеленим
- New Balance Trænere 288SV1
Cons
- Not so breathable
- So-so stability
Audience verdict
Comparison
The most similar sneakers compared
+ + Sneakers NEW BALANCE ML373BU2 Grigio | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Audience score | 90 Good! | 91 Great! | 90 Good! | 92 Great! | |
Price | $90 | $75 | $145 | $120 | |
Style | DadRetroSporty | ClassicRetroSporty | ClassicDadRetroSporty | RetroSportyFuturistic | |
Breathability | Warm | Warm | Warm | Moderate | |
Weight lab | 12.8 oz / 364g | 11.4 Кроссовки new balance wl520mr оригигал р-40 | 13.5 New Balance Calções Relentless 2 In 1 | 14.5 oz / 410g | |
Size | True to size | True to size | True to size | Half size large | |
Midsole softness | Firm | Firm | Firm | Firm | |
Material | MeshSuede | Leather | MeshSuede | Suede | |
Season | SpringFall | SpringFall | SpringFall | SpringFall | |
Inspired from | Running | Running | Running | Running | |
New balance frash Foam X Hierro V7 | Medium | Medium | Medium | Wide | |
Levis × New Balance M1300CL | Medium | Narrow | Medium | Medium | |
Leather/suede quality | Real suede | Real leather | Real suede | Real suede | |
Toebox durability | Good | Decent | Decent | Decent | |
zapatillas de running New Balance neutro constitución ligera talla 39.5 | Good | Bad | Decent | Decent | |
Outsole durability | Good | Good | Good | Good | |
Heel stack lab | 27.7 mm | 35.7 mm | 35.4 mm | 34.8 mm | |
Stiffness | Flexible | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | |
Tongue padding | Average | Average | Average | Thin | |
Drop lab | 9.9 mm | 13.6 mm | 11.1 mm | 11.0 mm | |
Forefoot | 17.8 mm | 22.1 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 | Stiff | Moderate | Stiff | |
Reflective elements | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | |
Closure | Laces | Laces | Laces | Laces | |
Top | Low top | Low top | Low top | Low top | |
Ranking | #60 Bottom 46% | #50 Top 45% | #65 Bottom 41% | #40 Top 36% | |
Popularity | #62 Bottom 44% | #76 Bottom 32% | #10 Top 9% | #90 Bottom 19% |
Who should buy
Days of wear-testing and lab assessments led us to conclude that the New Balance CW997HRT 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 hombre ritmo bajo minimalistas talla 45.5
- New Balance Scarpe 327
- wearers with normal-sized feet
Who should NOT buy
We've established through our experience and lab assessments that the New Balance CW997HRT is not breathable. Wearers with sweaty feet should stay away from this shoe. They are better off with the New Balance 237, which is also cheaper than the 997H. If they are willing to try other brands, the ASICS Gel Lyte III zapatillas de running New Balance hombre asfalto minimalistas más de 100.
When it comes to stability, we think that the 997H is so-so at best. The Palace and New Balance Team Up for a Pair of MT580 might be a better pick for stability.
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.

997H | 27.7 mm |
Average | 30.2 mm |
Forefoot stack
New Balance Men's DynaSoft TRNR v2 in Black White Synthetic.

997H | 17.8 mm |
Average | 19.1 mm |
Drop
Transitioning from heel to toe was not a problem because the difference in height between the forefoot and the mujer wasn't so pronounced.
Based on our calculations in the lab, the New Balance CW997HRT had a heel-to-toe drop of 9.9 mm.

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.
Кросівки adidas ozweego nike new balance asics ecco.

997H | 32.5 HA |
Average | 29.0 HA |
Insole thickness
The insole was of average thickness. Our caliper measured it to be 4.7 mm thick.

997H | 4.7 mm |
Average | 5.1 mm |
Size and fit
New Balance Scarpe 327 | Size
New Balance CW997HRT is true to size (80 votes).
New Balance 530 Sizing
Medium-width feet can expect an accommodating fit in the New Balance CW997HRT. 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.

997H | 93.1 mm |
Average | 92.3 mm |
zapatillas de running New Balance hombre talla 51 entre 60 y 100
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.

997H | 69.5 mm |
Average | 68.8 mm |
New Balance Scarpe 327 | Toebox height
Легинсы женские new balance athletics mystic minerals голубые wp21556mgf.

997H | 25.8 mm |
Average | 27.7 mm |
Stability
Lateral stability test
Though it was not the best, the New Balance CW997HRT 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 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.
997H | 3 |
Average | 3.6 |
Heel counter stiffness
This sneaker, we feel, owed much of its stability to the secure clasp of its heel counter. The mujer surely couldn't go anywhere because of how arrested it felt while we were wearing the New Balance CW997HRT.
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 |
zapatillas de running New Balance entrenamiento asfalto media maratón talla 43.5
The footprints left by the New Balance CW997HRT were not overly wide or painfully narrow. Our caliper measured the forefoot to be 111.4 mm wide.

997H | 111.4 mm |
Average | 108.5 mm |
Neue NB 550 Modelle via 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.

997H | 81.3 mm |
Average | 83.6 mm |
Flexibility / Stiffness
It was such a pleasure to wear the New Balance CW997HRT 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 Athletic.
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 | 23.4N |
Weight
We have to say; the New Balance CW997HRT 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.

997H | 12.84 oz (364g) |
Average | 13.79 oz (391g) |
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 lodge 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 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.

997H | 2 |
Average | 3 |
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 CW997HRT 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.

997H | 5 |
Average | 3.7 |
zapatillas de running New Balance neutro constitución ligera talla 39.5
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 Athletic.
In the lab, even our high-pressure Dremel became a laughingstock when it barely left a mark on the heel padding. The New Balance CW997HRT remained immaculate. Under similar circumstances, NB 237 ended up with a gaping hole and just gave up the ghost!

997H | 5 |
Average | 3.2 |
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.

997H | 86.8 HC |
Average | 85.7 HC |
Outsole durability
The New Balance CW997HRT 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.

997H | 0.5 mm |
Average | 1.1 mm |
Outsole thickness
Joggers negros de corte slim Graft de New Balance Football.

997H | 4.9 mm |
Average | 5.3 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.
Reflective elements
The 997H did not have any reflective overlays on it. Usage should only be in well-lit conditions.

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.
Кросівки new balance 420 u420ukk оригінал.

997H | 9.6 mm |
Average | 9.3 mm |
New Balance 997S trainers in grey
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.

997H | None |
Heel tab
The New Balance CW997HRT 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.

997H | None |
Removable insole
The New Balance CW997HRT 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.

997H | Yes |