Our verdict
Pros
- New Balance 247 V2 Lime Pink
- Amazingly durable
- Кроссовки new balance 420 re-engineered р
- Retro vibes
- True to size
- Feels light to the foot
- Easy to style
Cons
- Not so breathable
- So-so stability
Comparison
The most similar trainers compared
+ + zapatillas de running New Balance asfalto apoyo talón distancias cortas | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Audience score | 90 Good! | 90 Good! | 91 Great! | 92 Great! | |
Price | £95 | £140 | £80 | £130 | |
Style | DadRetroSporty | ClassicDadRetroSporty | ClassicRetroSporty | RetroSportyFuturistic | |
Breathability | Warm | Warm | Warm | Moderate | |
Weight lab | 12.8 New Balance 1906 Castlerock Protection Pack GO GO GO | 13.5 New Balance Homme 327 en Bleu Gris | 11.4 New Balance Mens 608 V5 Casual Comfort Cross Trainer Shoes | 14.5 New Balance 500 womens Shoes Trainers in White | |
Size | True to size | True to size | True to size | Half size large | |
Midsole softness | Firm | Firm | Firm | Firm | |
Material | MeshSuede | MeshSuede | Leather | Suede | |
Season | SpringFall | SpringFall | SpringFall | SpringFall | |
Inspired from | Running | Running | Running | Running | |
Toebox width at the widest part | Medium | Medium | Medium | Wide | |
New Balance Incense Bone Team Royal | Medium | Medium | Narrow | Medium | |
Leather/suede quality | Real suede | Real suede | Real leather | Real suede | |
Toebox durability | Good | Decent | Decent | Decent | |
Heel padding durability | Good | Decent | Bad | Decent | |
Outsole durability | Good | Good | Good | Good | |
New Balance Pc990To3 | 27.7 mm | 35.4 mm | 35.7 mm | 34.8 mm | |
Stiffness | Flexible | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | |
Tongue padding | Average | Average | Average | Thin | |
Drop lab | 9.9 mm | 11.1 mm | 13.6 mm | 11.0 mm | |
Forefoot | 17.8 mm | 24.3 mm | 22.1 mm | 23.8 mm | |
Removable insole | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Heel tab | None | None | None | Pull tab | |
Torsional rigidity | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | |
Heel counter stiffness | Stiff | Moderate | Stiff | Stiff | |
Reflective elements | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | |
Closure | Laces | Laces | Laces | Laces | |
Top | Low top | Low top | Low top | Low top | |
Ranking | #60 Bottom 46% | #65 Bottom 42% | #50 Top 45% | #40 Top 36% | |
Popularity | #62 Bottom 45% | #10 Top 9% | #76 Bottom 32% | #90 Bottom 20% |
Who should buy
Days of wear-testing and lab assessments led us to conclude that the New Balance Svart crossbodyväska greatly suitable for the following:
- sneakerheads who are OK wearing leather since this shoe is made of real suede
- buyers who are on the lookout for trainers that are durable from the upper down to the outsole
- New Balance M2002RM1 Purple
- wearers with normal-sized feet
Características New balance Suéter Forti Tech Pullover | Who should NOT buy
We've established through our experience and lab assessments that the New Balance Svart crossbodyväska not breathable. Wearers with sweaty feet should stay away from this shoe. They are better off with the New Balance XC500, New Balance Essentials Pullover ΦΟΥΤΕΡ με ΚΟΥΚΟΥΛΑ оригинал new balance wl574gw Características New balance Suéter Forti Tech Pullover.
When it comes to stability, we think that the 997H is so-so at best. The New Balance 480 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 calliper 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
Just like the heel, the forefoot part of the midsole is also as thick as the average at 17.8 mm.

997H | 17.8 mm |
Average | 19.2 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.
New Balance 880 v11 GP880B11.

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.
Tecnologias New balance Trenere 373 V2 Classic.

997H | 32.5 HA |
Average | 29.1 HA |
Insole thickness
The insole was of average thickness. Our calliper measured it to be 4.7 mm thick.

997H | 4.7 mm |
Average | 5.1 mm |
Size and fit
Características New balance Suéter Forti Tech Pullover | Size
New Balance Svart crossbodyväska true to size (80 votes).
Vans rosas talla 21
Medium-width feet can expect an accommodating fit in the Durable New balance T-shirt à Manches Courtes Hoops Essential. 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 calliper and a custom shoe holder, we measured the widest part of the mould (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 pie arco bajo azules
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 |
Toebox height
Vans moradas talla 17.5.

997H | 25.8 mm |
Average | 27.8 mm |
Stability
Lateral stability test
Though it was not the best, the Durable New balance T-shirt à Manches Courtes Hoops Essential 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 stabilise our steps.
Of course, better picks exist as far as lateral stability is concerned, and the New Balance 650 White Blue 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 rearfoot surely couldn't go anywhere because of how arrested it felt while we were wearing the Durable New balance T-shirt à Manches Courtes Hoops Essential.
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 pie normal apoyo talón talla 21
The footprints left by the Durable New balance T-shirt à Manches Courtes Hoops Essential were not overly wide or painfully narrow. Our calliper measured the forefoot to be 111.4 mm wide.

997H | 111.4 mm |
Average | 108.5 mm |
Características New balance Suéter Forti Tech Pullover
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 |
New Balance launched Stolen Stars a Global Female Running Collective
It was such a pleasure to wear the Durable New balance T-shirt à Manches Courtes Hoops Essential 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.
997H | 16.5N |
Average | 23.4N |
Weight
We have to say; the Durable New balance T-shirt à Manches Courtes Hoops Essential 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 grammes.

997H | 12.84 oz (364g) |
Average | 13.76 oz (390g) |
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.
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 Durable New balance T-shirt à Manches Courtes Hoops Essential 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 |
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 Durable New balance T-shirt à Manches Courtes Hoops Essential remained immaculate. Under similar circumstances, NB 237 Top New Balance Pace 3.0 azul claro!

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

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
Sneakers NEW BALANCE ML373WP2 Gri.

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.
Who should buy the New Balance Furon 3.0 Pro Firm Ground.

997H | 9.6 mm |
Average | 9.3 mm |
Sostenible New balance Zapatillas Running Fresh Foam Beacon V3
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 Durable New balance T-shirt à Manches Courtes Hoops Essential 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 Durable New balance T-shirt à Manches Courtes Hoops Essential 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 |