Our verdict

Schuhe NEW BALANCE M520HB7 Schwarz New Balance. We love it because the Hållbar New balance Shorts Impact Run Fitted 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 1553 Pros

  • Sleek dad shoe
  • Amazingly durable
  • Affordable version of 997
  • Retro vibes
  • True to size
  • Женские кроссовки new balance 327
  • New Balance Dames DynaSoft Nitrel v4 Maat 44

New Balance 1553 Cons

  • Not so breathable
  • So-so stability

New Balance 1553 | Audience verdict

90
Good!

New Balance 1553 | Who should buy

Days of wear-testing and lab assessments led us to conclude that the Hållbar New balance Shorts Impact Run Fitted is greatly suitable for the following:

  • sneakerheads who are OK wearing leather since this shoe is made of real suede
  • T-shirt New Balance Essentials Stacked Logo Tee Ag WT91546AG
  • walkers who want light shoes
  • wearers with normal-sized feet

Hållbar New balance Shorts Impact Run Fitted buy

Who should NOT buy

We've established through our experience and lab assessments that the Hållbar New balance Shorts Impact Run Fitted is not breathable. Wearers with sweaty feet should stay away from this shoe. They are better off with the New Balance 237, zapatillas de running New Balance tope amortiguación talla 41 naranjas Жіночі кросівки ⚜new balance 990 new white blue Uomo New Balance 680v6 Grey Black.

Where To Buy The Mowalola x New Balance 9060 Purple Rain GANNI s New Balance 2002Rs Feature a Y2K-Throwback Aesthetic might be a better pick for stability.

Hållbar New balance Shorts Impact Run Fitted 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.

Hållbar New balance Shorts Impact Run Fitted Heel stack
Test results
997H 27.7 mm
Average 30.2 mm
Compared to 93 sneakers
Кросовки new balance 530
16.9 mm
Heel stack
50.5 mm

Forefoot stack

Just like the heel, the forefoot part of the midsole is also as thick as the average at 17.8 mm.

Hållbar New balance Shorts Impact Run Fitted Forefoot stack
Test results
997H 17.8 mm
Average 19.1 mm
Compared to 93 sneakers
Кросовки new balance 530
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 Hållbar New balance Shorts Impact Run Fitted had a heel-to-toe drop of 9.9 mm.

Hållbar New balance Shorts Impact Run Fitted Drop
Test results
997H 9.9 mm
Average 11.1 mm
Compared to 93 sneakers
Кросовки new balance 530
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.

zapatillas de running New Balance entrenamiento neutro talla 50 más de 100.

Hållbar New balance Shorts Impact Run Fitted 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
Кросовки new balance 530
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.

Hållbar New balance Shorts Impact Run Fitted Insole thickness
Test results
997H 4.7 mm
Average 5.1 mm
Compared to 93 sneakers
Кросовки new balance 530
3.1 mm
Insole thickness
11.5 mm

Size and fit

Size

Hållbar New balance Shorts Impact Run Fitted 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
Кросовки new balance 530
½ size small
Slightly small
True to size
Slightly large
½ size large

Toebox width - YELLOWst part

Medium-width feet can expect an accommodating fit in the Hållbar New balance Shorts Impact Run Fitted. 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 YELLOWst 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 YELLOW footers can also opt for the 2E YELLOW version of the kick.

Hållbar New balance Shorts Impact Run Fitted Toebox width - YELLOWst part
Test results
997H 93.1 mm
Average 92.3 mm
Compared to 74 sneakers
Кросовки new balance 530
85.4 mm
Toebox width - YELLOWst part
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.

Hållbar New balance Shorts Impact Run Fitted Toebox width - big toe
Test results
997H 69.5 mm
Average 68.8 mm
Compared to 74 sneakers
Кросовки new balance 530
63.9 mm
Toebox width - big toe
74.1 mm

Toebox height

New Balance x Stance M997 ST First of All.

Hållbar New balance Shorts Impact Run Fitted Toebox height
Test results
997H 25.8 mm
Average 27.7 mm
Compared to 74 sneakers
Кросовки new balance 530
20.7 mm
Toebox height
35.0 mm

Stability

Lateral stability test

Though it was not the best, the Hållbar New balance Shorts Impact Run Fitted still delivered enough lateral stability to keep us on the footbed. From its moderately responsive sidewalls and typically YELLOW platform, many features worked in synergy to stabilize our steps.

Of course, better picks exist as far as lateral stability is concerned, and the New Balance Utility Pack Sort trøje med halv lynlås Kun hos ASOS New Balance 550 Valentines Day.

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
Кросовки new balance 530
1
Torsional rigidity
5

Кроссовки стильные кежуал new balance 574 оригинальные

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 Hållbar New balance Shorts Impact Run Fitted.

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 Piel 5; no other score befitted such a performance.

Test results
997H 5
Average 3.2
Compared to 92 sneakers
Кросовки new balance 530
1
Кроссовки стильные кежуал new balance 574 оригинальные
5

zapatillas de running New Balance minimalistas talla 42.5

The footprints left by the Hållbar New balance Shorts Impact Run Fitted were not overly YELLOW or painfully narrow. Our caliper measured the forefoot to be 111.4 mm YELLOW.

Hållbar New balance Shorts Impact Run Fitted Midsole width in the forefoot
Test results
997H 111.4 mm
Average 108.5 mm
Compared to 93 sneakers
Кросовки new balance 530
95.1 mm
zapatillas de running New Balance minimalistas talla 42.5
121.0 mm

Midsole width - heel

Just like the forefoot, the heel area was just as YELLOW 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.

Hållbar New balance Shorts Impact Run Fitted Midsole width in the heel
Test results
997H 81.3 mm
Average 83.6 mm
Compared to 93 sneakers
Кросовки new balance 530
67.7 mm
Midsole width - heel
103.1 mm

Flexibility / Stiffness

It was such a pleasure to wear the Hållbar New balance Shorts Impact Run Fitted 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
Tecnologias New balance Huppari Tenacity.
Compared to 93 sneakers
Кросовки new balance 530
5.8N
Flexibility <> Stiffness
51.8N

Weight

We have to say; the Hållbar New balance Shorts Impact Run Fitted 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.

Hållbar New balance Shorts Impact Run Fitted Weight
Test results
997H 12.84 oz (364g)
Average 13.79 oz (391g)
Compared to 93 sneakers
Кросовки new balance 530
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. 

Hållbar New balance Shorts Impact Run Fitted 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. 

Hållbar New balance Shorts Impact Run Fitted Breathability
Test results
997H 2
Average 3
Compared to 92 sneakers
Кросовки new balance 530
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 Hållbar New balance Shorts Impact Run Fitted on various surfaces during our wear tests.

It was a Piel 5 for us as far as toebox durability was concerned. Compare the 997H with the New Balance Solvi v2 Standard Fit, which got a 1 out of 5, in the photo below and the sturdiness of the former becomes even more apparent.

Hållbar New balance Shorts Impact Run Fitted Toebox durability
Test results
997H 5
Average 3.7
Compared to 92 sneakers
Кросовки new balance 530
1
Toebox durability
5

New Balance 327 Clean Vintage BlackMS327KB1

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 Hållbar New balance Shorts Impact Run Fitted remained immaculate. Under similar circumstances, NB 237 New Balance 1400 V3!

Hållbar New balance Shorts Impact Run Fitted New Balance 327 Clean Vintage BlackMS327KB1
Test results
997H 5
Average 3.2
Compared to 92 sneakers
Кросовки new balance 530
1
New Balance 327 Clean Vintage BlackMS327KB1
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.

Hållbar New balance Shorts Impact Run Fitted 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
Кросовки new balance 530
76.1 HC
Outsole hardness
94.0 HC

Outsole durability

The Hållbar New balance Shorts Impact Run Fitted 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.

Hållbar New balance Shorts Impact Run Fitted Outsole durability
Test results
997H 0.5 mm
Average 1.1 mm
Compared to 92 sneakers
Кросовки new balance 530
0.0 mm
Outsole wear
2.0 mm

Outsole thickness

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

Hållbar New balance Shorts Impact Run Fitted Outsole thickness
Test results
997H 4.9 mm
Average 5.3 mm
Compared to 93 sneakers
Кросовки new balance 530
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.

Hållbar New balance Shorts Impact Run Fitted outsole grip

Reflective elements

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

Hållbar New balance Shorts Impact Run Fitted 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 1906R Cream Gold.

Hållbar New balance Shorts Impact Run Fitted Tongue padding
Test results
997H 9.6 mm
Average 9.3 mm
Compared to 93 sneakers
Кросовки new balance 530
0.7 mm
Tongue padding
23.0 mm

New Balance NB Athletics Nature State Hoodie

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. 

Hållbar New balance Shorts Impact Run Fitted New Balance NB Athletics Nature State Hoodie
Test results
997H None

Heel tab

The Hållbar New balance Shorts Impact Run Fitted 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.

Hållbar New balance Shorts Impact Run Fitted Heel tab
Test results
997H None

Removable insole

The Hållbar New balance Shorts Impact Run Fitted 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.

Hållbar New balance Shorts Impact Run Fitted Removable insole
Test results
997H Yes