Our verdict

New balance сандалі на літо чорні New Balance. We love it because the New Balance CW997HRT 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 Scarpe 327 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

New Balance Scarpe 327 Cons

  • Not so breathable
  • 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 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

New Balance CW997HRT buy

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.

New Balance CW997HRT 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 CW997HRT 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

Forefoot stack

New Balance Men's DynaSoft TRNR v2 in Black White Synthetic.

New Balance CW997HRT 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 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.

New Balance CW997HRT 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.

Кросівки adidas ozweego nike new balance asics ecco.

New Balance CW997HRT Midsole softness
Test results
997H 32.5 HA
Average 29.0 HA
New Balance Scarpe 327.
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 CW997HRT 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

New Balance Scarpe 327 | Size

New Balance CW997HRT is true to size (80 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
Number of shoes
½ size small
Slightly small
True to size
Slightly large
½ size large

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.

New Balance CW997HRT New Balance 530 Sizing
Test results
997H 93.1 mm
Average 92.3 mm
Compared to 74 sneakers
Number of shoes
85.4 mm
New Balance 530 Sizing
96.8 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.

New Balance CW997HRT zapatillas de running New Balance hombre talla 51 entre 60 y 100
Test results
997H 69.5 mm
Average 68.8 mm
Compared to 74 sneakers
Number of shoes
63.9 mm
zapatillas de running New Balance hombre talla 51 entre 60 y 100
74.1 mm

New Balance Scarpe 327 | Toebox height

Легинсы женские new balance athletics mystic minerals голубые wp21556mgf.

New Balance CW997HRT 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 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.

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 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.

Test results
997H 5
Average 3.2
Compared to 92 sneakers
Number of shoes
1
Heel counter stiffness
5

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.

New Balance CW997HRT 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
zapatillas de running New Balance entrenamiento asfalto media maratón talla 43.5
121.0 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.

New Balance CW997HRT 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
Neue NB 550 Modelle via new Balance
103.1 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.

Test results
997H 16.5N
Average 23.4N
New Balance CM576.
Compared to 93 sneakers
Number of shoes
5.8N
Flexibility <> Stiffness
51.8N

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.

New Balance CW997HRT 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 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. 

New Balance CW997HRT 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 CW997HRT 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 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.

New Balance CW997HRT Toebox durability
Test results
997H 5
Average 3.7
Compared to 92 sneakers
Number of shoes
1
Toebox durability
5

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!

New Balance CW997HRT zapatillas de running New Balance neutro constitución ligera talla 39.5
Test results
997H 5
Average 3.2
Compared to 92 sneakers
Number of shoes
1
zapatillas de running New Balance neutro constitución ligera talla 39.5
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 CW997HRT Outsole hardness
Test results
997H 86.8 HC
Average 85.7 HC
New Balance Scarpe 327.
Compared to 92 sneakers
Number of shoes
76.1 HC
Outsole hardness
94.0 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.

New Balance CW997HRT 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

Joggers negros de corte slim Graft de New Balance Football.

New Balance CW997HRT 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 CW997HRT outsole grip

Reflective elements

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

New Balance CW997HRT 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.

Кросівки new balance 420 u420ukk оригінал.

New Balance CW997HRT 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

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. 

New Balance CW997HRT New Balance 997S trainers in grey
Test results
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.

New Balance CW997HRT Heel tab
Test results
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.

New Balance CW997HRT Removable insole
Test results
997H Yes