New Balance MC 996 are soooo good!

jdawg02

Semi-Pro
Just put on my New Balance MC 996 shoes and they feel amazing. They feel much better than the New Breathe Cage by Nike and this might be one of the best shoes for 2013. Very light, breathable, low to the ground like the Ballistec 2.3's but the feel of the original Breathe Free II. One year outsole warranty is also a plus. Do yourself a favor and grab a pair. Milos made a good move on the switch. New Balance is coming up in the tennis market :)

BTW I had a bad experience with the previous 851's but this shoe is a huge upgrade!

I'm sold lol
 
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Borrelli

Semi-Pro
Just put on my New Balance MC 996 shoes and they feel amazing. They feel much better than the New Breathe Cage by Nike and this might be one of the best shoes for 2013. Very light, breathable, low to the ground like the Ballistec 2.3's but the feel of the original Breathe Free II. One year outsole warranty is also a plus. Do yourself a favor and grab a pair. Milos made a good move on the switch. New Balance is coming up in the tennis market :)

BTW I had a bad experience with the previous 851's but this shoe is a huge upgrade!

I'm sold lol

How's the width? Wider than the CB's or just as narrow?

Thanks.
 

jdawg02

Semi-Pro
How's the width? Wider than the CB's or just as narrow?

Thanks.

The width is medium and yes I would say slightly wider than the CB's but not too much. It has the sockliner feel to them and there is no uncomfortable areas like the CB's in the lateral ends or arch placement. The minute you put them on you will feel the comfort and support. They also come in different widths which is a plus. I have a flat foot and it is hard to find the right fit in shoes sometimes but this one fits the bill!
 

Kevin T

Hall of Fame
My pair arrives Tuesday and I'll post my thoughts. I'm a supinator with a high arch and a slightly wider than D foot. I ordered the 12.5 D.
 

NJ1

Professional
I'm gonna give these a whirl when I burn through my GR4s. Always fun to try new shoes.
 

jdawg02

Semi-Pro
Any comparisons to the NB 851, or to the Vapor 9, from anyone?

These are much more stable than the 851's. They still have the same low to ground feel. I only had the 851's for like a week before the sides feel apart. As far as the Vapor 9, I've only tried them on and from what I can say this shoe feels more like a CB shoe but in a way lighter version. This shoe fits very similar to the 2.3's but a lot more forgiving throughout the forefoot but not loose by any means.
 

okdude1992

Hall of Fame
yea got a pair the other day. they are sweet! feel super light yet still pretty stable. they are decent looking as well
 

NJ1

Professional
I feel that nb loses lots of money with the year guarantee

You're wrong. The shoe, like any tennis shoe, does not cost the manufacturer anywhere close to $48 to make, even accounting for all R&D costs. They still make money selling you two for the price of one., just like Nike or adidas.

Further, the main reason I'm going to buy a pair is because of the one year warranty.
 

bosssauce

Banned
You're wrong. The shoe, like any tennis shoe, does not cost the manufacturer anywhere close to $48 to make, even accounting for all R&D costs. They still make money selling you two for the price of one., just like Nike or adidas.

Further, the main reason I'm going to buy a pair is because of the one year warranty.

DO they give a credit like nike
 

Boredsurfer

Semi-Pro
I got a pair today. Very comfy, but having worn them around the house I am gonna be concerned with foot stability - the upper is very soft. Tomorrow I have 3 sets so I'll have a better idea then.

As for the sole, I'm sure they will burn through in 2.5 months like every other manufacturer. I kinda view the outsole warranty as 2 fresh shoes in 6 months rather than one crappy pair that wears down in less time. The 1 year thing is kinda a gimmick I think, plus I also heard you are only allowed one claim in that period for any NB tennis shoe. I hope that's not true.

Anyhoo, they look sharp and I'm sure they'll do the trick. I'm skeptical that they will join the T-22, Barricade 5, Asics Reso 3's, and Nike 2.3's category as the best shoes of recent memory, but hopefully they will surprise me.
 

neil1b

Rookie
I have had them since they came out and used them to a couple weeks now...... 15 2e.......

Like the others have said.........awesome shoe. Lightweight, extremely comfortable.

I just hope nb keep the great colors coming....... That was the only thing missing.

Oh yeah.... 1 year warranty too. Can't beat them.
 

maxpotapov

Hall of Fame
Even bigger!
Like this?
DeMintColbert-foot.jpg
 

Boredsurfer

Semi-Pro
COLBERT!!

Anyhoo, I played a couple sets in them today. Nice shoes - I kinda view them as a Breathe/Cage with a warranty. No break0in required, these will breathe well of course - no surprises. I like 'em.... interested to see the wear in months.
 

JGads

G.O.A.T.
How's the cushioning on these? Still fairly minimal and low to the ground, like the 851 where you can almost 'feel the court' a bit, or a little more where it's a bit springy/bouncy? I like shoes that are somewhere in the middle.
 

Ducker

Rookie
I'm a shoe tester for new balance. I be tested this shoe for quite some time. Glad to see it finally released!
 

rafafan20

Professional
Liked the 996 but loved the new black/yellow Asics Solution Speed. Finally free of Nike/Adidas with the new tennis store in town :D
 

jdawg02

Semi-Pro
How's the cushioning on these? Still fairly minimal and low to the ground, like the 851 where you can almost 'feel the court' a bit, or a little more where it's a bit springy/bouncy? I like shoes that are somewhere in the middle.

The cushioning on this shoe is minimal due to the low to ground structure but I added an aftermarket insole (Cadence) and they are working out great!
 

JGads

G.O.A.T.
^
Thanks. Was the same with me and the 851s - i used Superfeet in them.. stock insoles were nil and had no arch whatsoever, shoe came alive with the right SF insole though. So seems like they kept the slimmer 'speed shoe' thing going but with perhaps a tad more ankle stability.
 

Boricua

Hall of Fame
Im sticking with my beloved Yonex 308s. Tried the Asics GR4s and using them in the gym, they have no support compared with the 308s. I suppose the same thing would happen with these NB.
 

Kevin T

Hall of Fame
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.
 

mrmike

Semi-Pro
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

Semi-Pro
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

Hall of Fame
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

Hall of Fame
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

Semi-Pro
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

Banned
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

Hall of Fame
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

Semi-Pro
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

Hall of Fame
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

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