New Balance MC 996 are soooo good!

[mrmike]

Originally Posted by Kevin T

Well, I received my 996s yesterday. This is a great looking shoe, likely the best looking NB in a long time. I love the large old school 'NB' logo on the back...reminds of my old NB Worthy Express Bball shoes back in the '80s. The fit is certainly better than the 851 it replaces with more cushioning and stability but it's still obviously a lightweight/game day type shoe. The insole is much more substantial than the 851 but the shoe/arch is very flat. I will be sending them back because like many lightweight/game day shoes, the toe box is way too low/shallow. I'm a big dude at 6'3" and 225# or so and feel like I would absolutely crush the cushioning in these in a month or two. The last is also pretty straight compared to the Asics Res 4, which curves inward slightly and seems to match my foot better. The Asics Res just seems to mold to my foot better and has significantly more cushioning and support.

If you have a lower arch/lower volume foot and you're not a big guy, I'm betting the 996 will be a fantastic fit. I've tried Asics, Adidas, Lotto, Lacoste, Yonex and NB in the last few weeks and it looks like I'm sticking with Asics.

I am a big guy also and have a pair of 996's on the way. Had ordered a set of GR4's, got a great deal on them but they just didn't fit my wide feet. Hope these will work ok, but I may return them also if the cushioning seems inadequate. I will pound them into submission in a hurry if they are weak for cushioning. I am usually skepical of shoes labeled lightweight, but I had to try them out. Right now I am wearing NB 656's which are pretty much spent.

[vsdtrek]

Originally Posted by Kevin T

Well, I received my 996s yesterday. This is a great looking shoe, likely the best looking NB in a long time. I love the large old school 'NB' logo on the back...reminds of my old NB Worthy Express Bball shoes back in the '80s. The fit is certainly better than the 851 it replaces with more cushioning and stability but it's still obviously a lightweight/game day type shoe. The insole is much more substantial than the 851 but the shoe/arch is very flat. I will be sending them back because like many lightweight/game day shoes, the toe box is way too low/shallow. I'm a big dude at 6'3" and 225# or so and feel like I would absolutely crush the cushioning in these in a month or two. The last is also pretty straight compared to the Asics Res 4, which curves inward slightly and seems to match my foot better. The Asics Res just seems to mold to my foot better and has significantly more cushioning and support.

If you have a lower arch/lower volume foot and you're not a big guy, I'm betting the 996 will be a fantastic fit. I've tried Asics, Adidas, Lotto, Lacoste, Yonex and NB in the last few weeks and it looks like I'm sticking with Asics.

I used to love NBs and haven't purchased any for probably 2 years now. The 1002s were fantastic and I have a bunch of 1030 running shoes for kicking around. I think they have changed the lasts on many of the shoe models to this PL-1 shape and for my foot, it just doesn't work. Even the various replacements in the 1000 line have been a mess from a fit perspective.

[Kevin T]

Originally Posted by vsdtrek

I used to love NBs and haven't purchased any for probably 2 years now. The 1002s were fantastic and I have a bunch of 1030 running shoes for kicking around. I think they have changed the lasts on many of the shoe models to this PL-1 shape and for my foot, it just doesn't work. Even the various replacements in the 1000 line have been a mess from a fit perspective.

The shoe last/shape issue is a great point...totally forgot about the 2 different New Balance lasts. That's why I never wore NB running shoes...so few were made with the #2 last (more curved/less straight). Brooks and Saucony seem to fit my foot best RE running shoes. It seems like all the NB court shoes use the PL-1 last, which is a bummer. I've been using Asics indoor court shoes for a while and the Gel Resolution just molds to my foot.

[Kevin T]

Originally Posted by mrmike

I am a big guy also and have a pair of 996's on the way. Had ordered a set of GR4's, got a great deal on them but they just didn't fit my wide feet. Hope these will work ok, but I may return them also if the cushioning seems inadequate. I will pound them into submission in a hurry if they are weak for cushioning. I am usually skepical of shoes labeled lightweight, but I had to try them out. Right now I am wearing NB 656's which are pretty much spent.

Us big guys can always dream about flying around the court in lightweight kicks. In my line of reasoning, since I'm a big guy, a midweight shoe (like Asics Gel Res) is relatively light. Maybe like a 150 pounder wearing the NB 851? That's how I like to think about it, anyway.

[Boredsurfer]

UPDATE: played 3 hard sets today.... I will relegate these to being gym shoes once my Reso 4's warrant shoes come in.

No support for me and even with super feet inserts I'm sore. I think I'm just too heavy for this type of shoe.

I'm pretty sure the 5's will be this season's shoe for me now.

[bosssauce]

Originally Posted by Boredsurfer

UPDATE: played 3 hard sets today.... I will relegate these to being gym shoes once my Reso 4's warrant shoes come in.

No support for me and even with super feet inserts I'm sore. I think I'm just too heavy for this type of shoe.

I'm pretty sure the 5's will be this season's shoe for me now.

I dont know how you can be to heavy for a shoe?

[ericsson]

Does anyone know when you order a 2E if it's still true to size or you have to downsize?

I ask that cos i read the 4E is far to big when you order them in your normal size...

[mrmike]

Originally Posted by ericsson

Does anyone know when you order a 2E if it's still true to size or you have to downsize?

I ask that cos i read the 4E is far to big when you order them in your normal size...

Just got a pair of EE's and they feel true to size. They seem slightly narrower in the forefoot than my previous pair of 656's, but those are almost overly wide for 2E's.

[ericsson]

Originally Posted by mrmike

Just got a pair of EE's and they feel true to size. They seem slightly narrower in the forefoot than my previous pair of 656's, but those are almost overly wide for 2E's.

Thanks Mike!

ps: do they come with removable insoles?

[JackB1]

took a look at these and the insole looks pretty thin. I would recommend replacing it immediately with this shoe.

[jdawg02]

I agree on the insoles. I replaced mine with Cadence. I take back my thoughts on these shoes being soooo good. I've only had them for a week and I have already wore it to the point that the outsole is showing already on the left toe. They are light and fast feeling but not worth the money. Back to Nikes here I go lol

[bosssauce]

Originally Posted by jdawg02

I agree on the insoles. I replaced mine with Cadence. I take back my thoughts on these shoes being soooo good. I've only had them for a week and I have already wore it to the point that the outsole is showing already on the left toe. They are light and fast feeling but not worth the money. Back to Nikes here I go lol

These are better than most nikes which are you using?

[mikeler]

New Balance insoles are garbage.

[jdawg02]

I ended up switching to the Breathe Cage. I bought my normal size but I put my Cadence insoles with double socks and that has alleviate the heel slippage the TW shoe review has mentioned. I am overalled impressed with this shoe and I will be buying more!

[Boredsurfer]

Originally Posted by bosssauce

I dont know how you can be to heavy for a shoe?

Really?

Even with insoles I think the sole is too thin and low to the ground (not offering enough cushioning) AND because of my weight, lateral cuts had my feet moving around in the shoe. BTW, I'm 250 lbs (not fat OR over-weight) and these shoes felt like slippers to me on the courts.

Not to hard a concept to understand is it?

[bosssauce]

Originally Posted by Boredsurfer

Really?

Even with insoles I think the sole is too thin and low to the ground (not offering enough cushioning) AND because of my weight, lateral cuts had my feet moving around in the shoe. BTW, I'm 250 lbs (not fat OR over-weight) and these shoes felt like slippers to me on the courts.

Not to hard a concept to understand is it?

It is actually because that is not the shoe that is you complaining

[Boredsurfer]

No it's me observing that this shoe does not SUIT me.... I never said there was anything wrong with the shoe.

What are you - 12?

[bosssauce]

Originally Posted by Boredsurfer

No it's me observing that this shoe does not SUIT me.... I never said there was anything wrong with the shoe.

What are you - 12?

i just turned 4

[anhuynh16]

Originally Posted by Boredsurfer

No it's me observing that this shoe does not SUIT me.... I never said there was anything wrong with the shoe.

What are you - 12?

Don't bother with him, he's just trying to get his post count up.

My friend got a pair of the grey ones, he was telling me how modern (compared to other NB models) these are. NB definitely stepping up there game!

[bosssauce]

Originally Posted by anhuynh16

Don't bother with him, he's just trying to get his post count up.

My friend got a pair of the grey ones, he was telling me how modern (compared to other NB models) these are. NB definitely stepping up there game!

What are you talking about why does post count matter? I just have a firm belief in people make up to many excuses. 15 years ago nobody had shoes this nice and they didnt complain.