favorite New Balance tennis shoe - cushioning

[IowaGuy]

I'm looking to buy a new pair of shoes for tennis. For hiking I have long used New Balance, I love the way they fit my feet with the wide width.

Does anyone have a favorite NB tennis shoe that they love on the courts? Cushioning would be my top priority with aging legs Thanks!

 

[naturallight]

I'm in the 1296's now and they are pretty good. Great breathability, feel pretty light, and good fit. Cushioning seems normal, not sure I notice a difference vs my last shoes, the GR6's.

 

[XFactorer]

I have a pair of the 996v3, their flagship shoe. I cannot recommend them. I haven't tried any other NB shoe. The 996s feel very bare, it's like I'm just stepping directly on the court. So if that's any indication of their non-flagship models...

 

[dave t]

agree with XFactorer - 996v3 was one of the worst tennis shoes i've ever put on my feet. I have no interest in trying NB shoes again after that. Also, since you're looking for wide shoes - be warned that the 996v3 2E is not very wide at all. It just seems to have a ton of room above the toes in the toebox? Very strange fit IMO.

 

[GN-001]

also agree with XFactorer, there isn't any mesh or much cushioning beneath the feet. It's steps below other brands flagship models.

 

[Ramon]

A flagship shoe is made for pros, and pros don't want a lot of cushioning. You might think they do, but they don't because they want a quick responsive shoe, not a clunker. They wear mostly Asics SS or GR, Adidas Barricade or Ubersonic, or Nike Vapor, which are all low to the ground shoes with responsiveness and court feel.

I wore the NB 804 (now the 806 I think) and it had plenty of cushioning. I just didn't like the fit and the clunkiness.

 

[XFactorer]

A flagship shoe is made for pros, and pros don't want a lot of cushioning. You might think they do, but they don't because they want a quick responsive shoe, not a clunker. They wear mostly Asics SS or GR, Adidas Barricade or Ubersonic, or Nike Vapor, which are all low to the ground shoes with responsiveness and court feel.

I feel like what you listed are flagship shoes for the respective brands... and I personally feel the Asics GR, Adidas Barricade, and Nike Vapors are all more cushioned than the NB 996v3.

 

[Ramon]

I feel like what you listed are flagship shoes for the respective brands... and I personally feel the Asics GR, Adidas Barricade, and Nike Vapors are all more cushioned than the NB 996v3.

You’re probably right, but it’s also true that none of those shoes is as well cushioned from front to back as the NB 804 or 806, which caters to older players who might have joint problems. The OP states that he’s an older player and wants cushioning. There are plenty of mid-level NB shoes in wider widths that have a lot of cushioning. You see older club players wearing them all the time. In fact, that seems to be New Balance’s niche in tennis. They are better known for big clunky wide fitting old guy tennis shoes than pro tour shoes.


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[XFactorer]

You’re probably right, but it’s also true that none of those shoes is as well cushioned from front to back as the NB 804 or 806, which caters to older players who might have joint problems. The OP states that he’s an older player and wants cushioning. There are plenty of mid-level NB shoes in wider widths that have a lot of cushioning. You see older club players wearing them all the time. In fact, that seems to be New Balance’s niche in tennis. They are better known for big clunky wide fitting old guy tennis shoes than pro tour shoes.


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Gotcha! At my club, they're wearing Nike (Vapors) and Asics (Gel Res, Speed) mainly.

 

[Ronaldo]

I have a pair of the 996v3, their flagship shoe. I cannot recommend them. I haven't tried any other NB shoe. The 996s feel very bare, it's like I'm just stepping directly on the court. So if that's any indication of their non-flagship models...

Have the CT-1006 and wore nearly a year. Mesh, stretched quite a bit. Cushioning was ok, not as good as the previous 1000-series models. Replace it with the 996v3. Has more cushioning in the heel. Overall it is comfortable on hardcourts. Wore the original 996. That felt like no cushioning at all. Has some kind of fabric upper.

 

[Ramon]

Gotcha! At my club, they're wearing Nike (Vapors) and Asics (Gel Res, Speed) mainly.

Totally understandable, I live in Southwest Florida where it seems over half the population is over 60. I’m probably one of the few people in my neighborhood that even knows what an Adidas Barricade is. These older guys don’t want tight fitting, low to the ground shoes! They want big ugly Nike Air Monarch looking shoes!


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[Tommy Haas]

NB is also my preferred choice since they come in true wide widths (2E), but there a confusing amount of models to choose from and I need a recommendation like the OP.

I wore the MC804W last and didn't like them because they were heavy and clunky. The cushioning was great, but it was more than what I needed. I'm not overweight and the flagship 996v3 sounds too sparse for me.

I only need a modest level of cushioning. The shoe must have a wide toe box and mid foot area too. I also have fallen arches and shoes with raised arch support makes it feel like I'm standing on top of a golf ball inside.

 

[Ronaldo]

Noticed the 996v3 weighs less (15.1 v 16.7oz) than the 1006 with a mesh upper.