Our verdict

The New Balance New Balance 999 Grey White delivers budget-friendly versatility for both roads and easy trails. While its upper durability leaves something to be desired, we think it's a surprisingly strong pick for runners seeking maximum value and a hybrid, do-it-all shoe. And if you often travel and space is limited, the Nitrel v5 is a fantastic option that won't let you down!

Tecnologias New balance Speedrift Xialing Pros

  • Unbeatable price
  • Handles roads and light trails
  • A Premium New Balance 997 Built with Pebbled Leather and Suede
  • Suitable for various distances
  • Surprisingly lightweight
  • zapatillas de running New Balance pie cavo talla 45.5 negras
  • Breathable upper

Tecnologias New balance Speedrift Xialing Cons

  • Poor upper durability
  • Limited energy return
  • Weak traction on wet surfaces

Audience verdict

78
Decent!

Who should buy

We believe the budget-minded Dynasoft Nitrel v5 from New Balance is an excellent choice for:

  • Чоловічі кросівки new balance 576 оригінал.
  • Runners who seek an easy-trail shoe that won't break the bank.
  • Мужские кроссовки New Balance 574 Classic.

New Balance New Balance 999 Grey White

Who should NOT buy

The New Balance 999 Grey White offers some pleasant surprises, but it does have limitations that warrant careful consideration. For instance, we don't recommend it for longer runs due to its modest cushioning and energy return. If you can stretch your budget just a bit, the Hoka Challenger 7 New Balance 576 Hunter M576GGG.

Our lab tests also revealed that the New Balance 999 Grey White's upper seriously lacks durability. If this is a major concern for you, we believe a sturdier, still-budget-friendly shoe like the New Balance 608 Wide would be a wiser choice.

New Balance New Balance 999 Grey White

Cushioning

Heel stack

New Balance hit the sub-10-oz sweet spot by skipping the maximalist trend that's taken over the running shoe world. Just a few years ago, a 29.8 mm stack height might have qualified as tall, but today, it's noticeably leaner than the average shoe on the market.

New Balance New Balance 999 Grey White Heel stack
Test results
New Balance 999 Grey White 29.8 mm
Average 31.9 mm
Compared to 137 trail running shoes
Number of shoes
19.6 mm
Heel stack
42.4 mm

Forefoot stack

While lean overall, the Nitrel v5 does feature slightly more cushion in the forefoot, measuring a respectable 23.1 mm with our digital calipers.

This balanced stack height makes the shoe suitable for a variety of runs, but might feel a bit thin for ultra-distance efforts.

New Balance New Balance 999 Grey White Forefoot stack
Test results
New Balance 999 Grey White 23.1 mm
Average 24.5 mm
Compared to 137 trail running shoes
Number of shoes
13.4 mm
Forefoot stack
33.9 mm

Drop

The "drop" of a shoe refers to the height difference between heel and forefoot, and in this case, it's a comfortable 6.7 mm. While adaptable to most running styles, we think this moderate drop makes the shoe an especially good fit for midfoot strikers.

New Balance New Balance 999 Grey White Drop
Test results
New Balance 999 Grey White 6.7 mm
Average 7.5 mm
Compared to 136 trail running shoes
Number of shoes
-0.1 mm
Drop
17.3 mm

Midsole softness

Note: a low durometer measurement equals a soft material, whereas a high measurement means it's firm.

The shoe sits on a midsole crafted from New Balance's EVA-based DynaSoft foam.

We measured it at a moderately soft 20.5 HA on our durometer, a versatile sweet spot that tackles a variety of surfaces like asphalt, gravel roads or easy trails with ease. In our view, a significantly softer feel in this shoe would likely introduce too much instability for uneven terrain.

New Balance New Balance 999 Grey White Midsole softness
Test results
New Balance 999 Grey White 20.5 HA
Average 22.6 HA
Устойчивое New balance 373 Кросовки.
Compared to 113 trail running shoes
Number of shoes
9.1 HA
Midsole softness (soft to firm)
39.0 HA

Midsole softness in cold (%)

We wanted to see how the Nitrel v5 fared in true winter temps, so we tucked it into our freezer for a 20-minute chill alongside our ice creams. Our subsequent durometer test revealed a 26.8% increase in firmness—pretty respectable for an affordable running shoe.

New Balance New Balance 999 Grey White Женские кроссовки new balance 530 белые с синим
Test results
New Balance 999 Grey White 27%
Average 26%
Compared to 113 trail running shoes
Number of shoes
5%
Midsole softness in cold
68%

Insole thickness

The insole has a standard thickness of 4.1 mm, so we think it should feel familiar to you. Additionally, we found it's made from comfortable EVA foam.

New Balance New Balance 999 Grey White Insole thickness
Test results
New Balance 999 Grey White 4.1 mm
Average 4.7 mm
Compared to 135 trail running shoes
Number of shoes
2.1 mm
Insole thickness
7.9 mm

Size and fit

Size

New Balance New Balance 999 Grey White is slightly small (115 votes).

Спортивні штани жіночі new balance essentials ft світло-сірі wp03530ag?

1 size small ½ size small True to size ½ size large 1 size large
Compared to 121 trail running shoes
Number of shoes
½ size small
Slightly small
True to size
Slightly large
½ size large

Toebox width - widest part

Now, back to the fit! In an effort to be unbiased, we always try shoes on before measuring the upper.

New Balance New Balance 999 Grey White upper

The Nitrel v5 offered a classic, average fit. To back up this first impression, we measured the widest part of the upper—and our caliper validated our initial feeling with a reading of 98.3 mm.

New Balance New Balance 999 Grey White New Balance Homem NB ALL COASTS 574
Test results
New Balance 999 Grey White 98.3 mm
Average 99.0 mm
Compared to 122 trail running shoes
Number of shoes
92.6 mm
Toebox width - widest part
104.9 mm

Tecnologias New balance Speedrift Xialing | Shell put the fashion into functional in these New Balance® Kids Fresh Foam™ Fast running shoes

There's ample room for toes to splay without feeling cramped, as the lack of aggressive tapering offers generous space. Our measurement confirmed this spacious feel with a reading of 80.7 mm.

New Balance New Balance 999 Grey White Toebox width at the big toe
Test results
New Balance 999 Grey White 80.7 mm
Average 79.4 mm
Compared to 83 trail running shoes
Number of shoes
70.5 mm
Shell put the fashion into functional in these New Balance® Kids Fresh Foam™ Fast running shoes
90.1 mm

Tecnologias New balance Speedrift Xialing | Stability

Lateral stability test

New Balance integrated midsole sidewalls at the heel and midfoot to enhance stability—making this a great pick for neutral runners seeking a steady, sure-footed ride even on trails.

Torsional rigidity

Remember, this shoe targets versatility, so it needs to be comfy enough for everything from leisurely park walks to trail hikes.

New Balance New Balance 999 Grey White

Overly stiff shoes make for miserable non-running activities. With that in mind, the Nitrel v5 strikes a great balance between responsiveness and flexibility, earning it a solid 3/5 on our torsional rigidity test.

Test results
New Balance 999 Grey White 3
Average 3.6
Compared to 131 trail running shoes
Number of shoes
1
Torsional rigidity
5

New balance x-90 grey blue white

The heel counter mirrors the overall design priority of comfort over rock-solid stability, which we believe it's an entirely appropriate choice for this shoe.

This translates to a comfortable fit with just enough structure to keep your heel in place, earning it a 2/5 on our scale.

Test results
New Balance 999 Grey White 2
Average 3.1
Compared to 129 trail running shoes
Number of shoes
1
New balance x-90 grey blue white
5

Ténis New Balance Classic 500 lilás branco infantil

Turning our attention to the midsole, we measured a fairly average 109.9 mm at the widest part of the forefoot. This neutral design further underscores the shoe's ideal fit for runners without major stability needs.

New Balance New Balance 999 Grey White Midsole width in the forefoot
Test results
New Balance 999 Grey White 109.9 mm
Average 112.3 mm
Compared to 137 trail running shoes
Number of shoes
102.1 mm
Ténis New Balance Classic 500 lilás branco infantil
124.3 mm

Кожаные копочки new balance

Our heel measurement revealed a generously wide 95.6 mm, fantastic news for heel strikers!

This design, along with the Nitrel v5's beginner-friendly price tag, clearly signals New Balance's intention to make this shoe incredibly welcoming for novice runners in search of a do-it-all shoe.

New Balance New Balance 999 Grey White Midsole width in the heel
Test results
New Balance 999 Grey White 95.6 mm
Average 89.5 mm
Compared to 137 trail running shoes
Number of shoes
72.0 mm
Кожаные копочки new balance
106.0 mm

Flexibility / Stiffness

Flexibility is key for versatile, jack-of-all-trades shoes, and the Nitrel v5 delivers well! We were happy with its performance in our torsional rigidity test, but we wanted to go further.

It only took 23.0 N of force to bend the shoe to our desired 90-degree angle. While not super-flexible, the Nitrel v5 achieves a fantastic balance of support and comfort for this type of shoe.

Test results
New Balance 999 Grey White 23.0N
Average 27.2N
Tecnologias New balance Scarpe Running Fresh Foam Roav GS Largo.
Compared to 137 trail running shoes
Number of shoes
5.6N
Flexibility <> Stiffness
54.5N

Stiffness in cold (%)

The DynaSoft EVA foam holds its own under chilly conditions—just like our re-measurement of midsole softness—we only detected a 21.3% increase in stiffness after our standard 20-minute freezer test.

This respectable performance further solidifies the shoe's suitability for multiple climates.

Test results
New Balance 999 Grey White 21%
Average 32%
Compared to 134 trail running shoes
Number of shoes
3%
Stiffness in cold
90%

Weight

When we first handled the Nitrel v5 in the lab, it had a nicely lightweight feel—and our scale confirmed this impression!

New Balance New Balance 999 Grey White

At 9.8 oz (279g), this shoe boasts balanced lightness, even compared to strictly road-focused models. In fact, it's rare to find a cheap trail shoe like this cracking the 10-oz barrier.

New Balance New Balance 999 Grey White Weight
Test results
New Balance 999 Grey White 9.84 oz (279g)
Average 10.23 oz (290g)
Compared to 137 trail running shoes
Number of shoes
7.51 oz (213g)
Weight
12.66 oz (359g)

Breathability

One big perk of road-to-trail hybrids compared to pure trail runners is UGS1400P breathability. These versatile shoes typically combine airy road running New Balance M990TG3 Gray 24cm?

Happily, we found the airflow great—earning a 4/5 in our smoke test thanks to the generous ventilation holes.

Our light test pinpointed the main source of airflow, starting in the toebox. However, airflow halts in the midfoot as additional structure kicks in for stability. Just the way it should be.

New Balance New Balance 999 Grey White microscope

A closer look under the microscope revealed a surprisingly thick engineered mesh peppered with ventilation holes. This underscores the value of doing multiple tests in the lab.

New Balance New Balance 999 Grey White microscope

Duurzaam New balance 1080 V10 Performance Schoenen Rennen.

We also noted plenty of overlays, including New Balance's Toe Protect, for a welcome touch of added durability in the toe cap.

Test results
New Balance 999 Grey White 4
Average 3.2
Compared to 113 trail running shoes
Number of shoes
1
Breathability
5

Durability

Toebox durability

New Balance's Toe Protect feature makes an appearance on the Nitrel v5 as we said just before, though it doesn't extend far enough into the toebox. For this reason, the upper was no match for our Dremel test—it practically tore through the upper.

While the mesh feels cozy enough, it falls short on durability. Our Dremel test confirmed this, giving the Nitrel v5 the worst possible score, a dismal 1/5.

New Balance New Balance 999 Grey White Toebox durability
Test results
New Balance 999 Grey White 1
Average 3.1
Compared to 94 trail running shoes
Number of shoes
1
Toebox durability
5

11374 vip New Balance 574

While low toebox durability scores are somewhat expected from a door-to-trail shoe, heel padding durability should be better.

Sadly, our Dremel test on the Achilles area was another brutal disappointment—the tool destroyed this part of the shoe, earning the Nitrel v5 another dismal 1/5 score.

New Balance New Balance 999 Grey White 11374 vip New Balance 574
Test results
New Balance 999 Grey White 1
Average 2.9
Compared to 93 trail running shoes
Number of shoes
1
11374 vip New Balance 574
5

Outsole hardness

Two brutal durability tests down, we were hoping for better luck with the AT Tread outsole.

Before hitting it with the Dremel, we assessed the hardness using our durometer—it landed at a fairly standard 86.8 HC for trail shoes. Now for the moment of truth…

New Balance New Balance 999 Grey White Outsole hardness
Test results
New Balance 999 Grey White 86.8 HC
Average 85.7 HC
Устойчивое New balance 373 Кросовки.
Compared to 137 trail running shoes
Number of shoes
75.5 HC
Outsole hardness
96.1 HC

Outsole durability

We were happy with the performance the AT Tread outsole! NB promise this versatile outsole can handle a variety of terrains, and our lab and real-world tests confirm that—although it may not be the top performer in any single scenario, it holds its own across the board.

Our Dremel test delivered a nice surprise, a modest 0.9-mm indentation. While not the absolute best result, it's still solid performance for a budget-friendly trail shoe like this!

New Balance New Balance 999 Grey White Outsole durability
Test results
New Balance 999 Grey White 0.9 mm
Average 1.0 mm
Compared to 87 trail running shoes
Number of shoes
0.0 mm
Outsole wear
2.0 mm

Outsole thickness

The solid durability results likely influenced New Balance's decision to use a thinner-than-usual outsole here.

New Balance New Balance 999 Grey White AT Tread

Measuring in at just 1.8 mm, this design makes perfect sense for a shoe destined for occasional road use. After all, thick outsoles can feel awkward and clunky on smooth pavement.

New Balance New Balance 999 Grey White Outsole thickness
Test results
New Balance 999 Grey White 1.8 mm
Average 2.3 mm
Compared to 137 trail running shoes
Number of shoes
0.9 mm
Outsole thickness
5.5 mm

Misc

Lug depth

Now, circling back to the outsole—those lugs sure look shallow! With our vernier caliper, we confirmed this impression at just 2.9 mm, the perfect height for a versatile shoe that balances trail grip and on-road comfort. More aggressive lugs would create an unpleasant, clunky feel on pavement.

New Balance New Balance 999 Grey White

However, it's crucial to know the Nitrel v5 has its limits. The simple rectangular lugs, while sporting some subtle grooves for added bite on softer surfaces, won't cut it in truly Tecnologias, muddy conditions. That said, these smaller lugs still deliver an impressively solid performance on well-maintained trails!

New Balance New Balance 999 Grey White Lug depth
Test results
New Balance 999 Grey White 2.9 mm
Average 3.5 mm
Compared to 136 trail running shoes
Number of shoes
1.5 mm
Lug depth
5.8 mm

Reflective elements

Sadly, the Nitrel v5 doesn't come with any reflective elements. On the other hand, with its super-low price point, it's unrealistic to expect fancy features like that, even for a trail shoe.

New Balance New Balance 999 Grey White Reflective elements
Test results
New Balance 999 Grey White No

Tongue padding

The tongue boasts an impressive 8.0 mm of thick padding, Ocean incredible comfort across the top of your foot with its two generous layers of foam.

New Balance New Balance 999 Grey White tongue

While the laces are decent quality, we did notice that the top eyelet sits a bit away. This could potentially be an issue for runners who prefer using a heel-lock lacing technique for that extra bit of support.

New Balance New Balance 999 Grey White Tongue padding
Test results
New Balance 999 Grey White 8.0 mm
Average 6.3 mm
Compared to 137 trail running shoes
Number of shoes
1.3 mm
Tongue padding
12.3 mm

New Balance 574 Пудровые коричневый задник

Sadly, this shoe doesn't feature a gusseted tongue—a bummer for any true trail shoe, as it can let debris slip inside.

Yet, with a budget-friendly MSRP of just $75, we know there's a limit to the bells and whistles we can realistically expect.

New Balance New Balance 999 Grey White New Balance 574 Пудровые коричневый задник
Test results
New Balance 999 Grey White None

Heel tab

There's no pull tab on the heel of this one, but honestly, we weren't surprised, at a price point of $75, all brands need to cut costs somewhere!

New Balance New Balance 999 Grey White Heel tab
Test results
New Balance 999 Grey White None

Removable insole

The insole is removable, but we don't recommend swapping it out for an aftermarket option.

Why? Well, the insole's design is quite unique, very different from what you typically find in other insoles in the midfoot area, as you can see in the picture below.

New Balance New Balance 999 Grey White Removable insole
Test results
New Balance 999 Grey White Yes