New balance 996v5
- Thread starter Delouie9154
- Start date
Paul-tennis
New User
How does it compare to Asics Speed FF 2? Thanks.
JOSHL
Hall of Fame
Agree with @mpournaras here. You need to try Yonex sonic cage.
Delouie9154
Rookie
Delouie9154
Rookie
Nice! Always love when a second (and third, and fourth, and so on) color way are introduced.
The white shoe isn't my thing, so I'll hold out for color option 3. Or just buy another pair of the traffic cones.
mpournaras
Hall of Fame
Wider, softer, more durable. Not quite so fast
Paul-tennis
New User
For V4 I don't feel like there is enough support. Is the V5 better?
mpournaras
Hall of Fame
Enough for me. I am a very middle of the road kinda guy. I like these as much as the Nike VC4. I think an insole could go a long way here if you have high arches
tdhawks
Professional
Was there any stretch after they broke in? I am between 11 and 11 1/2. I ordered both sizes. The 11 1/2’s feel better as there is more room in the tie box but my heel slides in both of them. The 11s are a little more snug, but if they break in a little bit and stretch they should be ok …
They were boats length wise in addition to being super wide. I'd go down at least a half size.
I'm curious about Yonex shoes. I might have to give them a try.
FWIW...I burned through Yonex Fusion Rev 4s so fast that Yonex actually agreed to warranty them. The vendor where I purchased them told me they had never seen Yonex warranty a pair. But yeah, I destroyed them, and I wont go back. But they were comfy as hell.
tdhawks
Professional
After wearing both of them exclusively in the house for a half hour, each, the 11 fits my arch better and have stretched out a little. I think the 11.5 wouldn end up being too big and bulky. It’s funny because the shoe is noticeably smaller lengthwise than the lotto raptor that I currently have, but the fit on the inside is the same.
I just converted to the Eclipsion 4 from the Solution Speed FF2 and love them.
Asics are narrower and lighter but make my feet hotter. And in the case of the FF2 some part of how the tongue is made started digging into the top of my foot very painfully.
The E4 feels almost as fast but is more stable and comfortable. They have a bit more of a lateral flange than can be noticed in pictures, but not Solecourt Boost levels where you feel like you'll trip over it. It's just right to create a very stable forefoot.
They are heavier, but that doesn't bother me
mpournaras
Hall of Fame
New LAV colors... maybe we can expect something similar on the 996v5
The Big Kahuna
Hall of Fame
The real question is how it compares to the Asics Court FF3 - not the outgoing FF2.
Seems like there are a few shoes trying to compete for the speed / stability / comfort market now: Asics Court FF3; Yonex Power Cushion Eclipsion 4; Diadora B.Icon; Nike Vapor 11; Adidas Cybersonic; Babolat Jet Mach 3; and Lotto Raptor 100. How do you think the New Balance 996v5 stacks up?
I know it is better than the Nike Vapor 11 and the Adidas Cybersonic IMO - I have compared those already head to head. Have any of you compared the others?
The Big Kahuna
Hall of Fame
Tried the Eclipsion 4 too. They fit well, but they did feel a bit stiff, heavier, and less cushioned than than the New Balance 996 V5 IMO. The Eclipsion 4 felt more "tailored" to my foot than the 996 V5, but after walking around the house in them for a half hour, my feet started to hurt a bit. Pretty firm. Red flag. No such issue with the 996 V5. Maybe I needed to break the E4 in some to get a fair comparison, but if my feet hurt wearing them around the house, that is not normally a good sign. I sent them back.
I think the NB 996 V5 is more comparable to the Lotto Raptor than anything I have tried so far - and the Raptor is a great shoe!
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The Big Kahuna
Hall of Fame
6 Month Guarantee is included as per TW.
Paul-tennis
New User
i think it is wrong to compare v5 to court FF3. One is fast shoes one is more heavy and stable shoes. in my opinion they belong to two different catergories.
Delouie9154
Rookie
Just got my pair in and played a practice match in them. White/Navy colorway. My skill level is Ex-D3 NCAA player, 205 Lbs 6 foot 3 inches, now playing 5.0 level, fluctuating between Singles UTR 9.3-10.04 past 12 months.
My foot: size 13, width is in between a D and 2E. I ordered the standard D width.
Current Shoe rotation: NB LAV v1 (match play), NB LAV v2 (practice)
First impressions:
Cushion: these feel very similar to the LAV v1. To me the LAV v1 have a medium firm cushion with a low to the ground feel. In contrast to the LAV v2 which have a high stack, high plushy soft cushiony feel, high up platform feel when playing. This is a great departure from the 996 V4/4.5 which felt like the cushion would bottom out quickly which hurt my heel when sliding on Hard courts.
Fit/Feel: When playing in these, I felt very stable. Did not encounter toe jamming. The width felt perfect for my in between feet. I have a similar experience with the LAV v1 and v2. They are not the same width as lets say a standard D nike Vapor pro or Vapor react. They do indeed fit wider than a standard D despite claiming it is a Standard D. Lastly, I use Move Insoles in these and they fit great without feeling like my heel would pop out of the shoe as I felt in the Lav V2 (easily fixed with a runner's knot).
Personal Conclusion: I think NB nailed it with this one. As some others have said this is a tweener shoe much like the LAV v1 felt to me. Great low to the ground feel with comfortable (not plush) cushioning that is fast on court. To my feet this is a winner, lets see how it holds up after 3 weeks of 10+ hours on courts each week.
My foot: size 13, width is in between a D and 2E. I ordered the standard D width.
Current Shoe rotation: NB LAV v1 (match play), NB LAV v2 (practice)
First impressions:
Cushion: these feel very similar to the LAV v1. To me the LAV v1 have a medium firm cushion with a low to the ground feel. In contrast to the LAV v2 which have a high stack, high plushy soft cushiony feel, high up platform feel when playing. This is a great departure from the 996 V4/4.5 which felt like the cushion would bottom out quickly which hurt my heel when sliding on Hard courts.
Fit/Feel: When playing in these, I felt very stable. Did not encounter toe jamming. The width felt perfect for my in between feet. I have a similar experience with the LAV v1 and v2. They are not the same width as lets say a standard D nike Vapor pro or Vapor react. They do indeed fit wider than a standard D despite claiming it is a Standard D. Lastly, I use Move Insoles in these and they fit great without feeling like my heel would pop out of the shoe as I felt in the Lav V2 (easily fixed with a runner's knot).
Personal Conclusion: I think NB nailed it with this one. As some others have said this is a tweener shoe much like the LAV v1 felt to me. Great low to the ground feel with comfortable (not plush) cushioning that is fast on court. To my feet this is a winner, lets see how it holds up after 3 weeks of 10+ hours on courts each week.
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Delouie9154
Rookie
Wont lie - I did not like the Yonex Eclipsion 3 at all. My heel kept slipping with/without orthotics with a runner's knot applied. I had to give them away cause my foot would occasionally come out of the shoe mid point.
This experience has kept me away from the E4.
The Big Kahuna
Hall of Fame
I was just including both shoes in the list of shoes that were in that general category. I agree with you, though - they are apples and oranges.
The Big Kahuna
Hall of Fame
This is an excellent report. Good feedback for those of us considering this shoe for the first time. Based on your report, I would say this is a contender for me. It is down to the NB 996 v5, the Diadora B.Icon, and the new Babolat Propels FURY 3. I have tried them all (and a dozen other shoes the last year) and these stand out of the best combination of speed, stability, and cushioning for me. Nothing else is really close.
tennislover2
New User
How many hours or how many weeks/months did it last, and how often did you play?
Eclipsion 3 was tight near my forefoot (which was mildly painful and annoying) and, lasted about 4 months playing twice a week. Other than those two downsides, everything else about how it played was fantastic. In comfort, speed and stability it was better than any other tennis shoes I have played with. Foot doctor Zach had a similar comment about its narrow width.
Curious how fusion rev compares with it?
A general question for those that tried Eclipsion 4, I noticed they got rid of the special cushion at the forefoot (only at the heel now) and was wondering how the comfort holds up.
tennislover2
New User
May be you went up a size because you found your standard size too tight on the forefoot?
I play 6-8 hours a week on court practicing/playing, then another 1-2 in court footwork/sprint drills. So I'd say 8-10 a week in the shoes.
They lasted me 8 weeks before I had holes in the bottoms.
n80aoag
Professional
Do you wear the same size in Yonex as you do in NB?
Delouie9154
Rookie
I wish that was the case, I am a 13 in Yonex, New Balance, Adidas, Asics, and Nike. I did try the 12.5 in Yonex, but my toes would curl. Lets just face it....I got skinny ankles.
mpournaras
Hall of Fame
I think the addition of black on the tongue and sole makes them look 100% more masculine and would likely work best with black socks. They are legit sick and I hope to get a pair in the next 6 months when I use my durability guarantee
Previewed on newbalance
Delouie9154
Rookie
Previewed on newbalance
Now I regret buying the white/navy color way....
The Big Kahuna
Hall of Fame
I winder how the 996 v5 compares to the new Babolat Propulse Fury 3? I know the Fury 3 is a bit heavier but also more cushioned shoe. Both are said to have excellent playability and stability. Anyone try both these shoes? Which did you prefer?
Delouie9154
Rookie
From what I understand from reviews, it sounds like it they would compare better to the LAV v2, Nike Vapor Cage 4s, or any other heavy plush cushioned shoe. The propulse though do sound quicker than LAV v2. been tempted to do a try on.
Damn I wish there were a coco cg1 in that color.
mpournaras
Hall of Fame
Okay those are tight too. I would love for a predominantly black HC pair.
clay herringbone via NetShoes
mpournaras
Hall of Fame
Delouie9154
Rookie
Whats everyone's thoughts on New Balance going semi clear outsole?
Personally I can dig it.
Personally I can dig it.
mpournaras
Hall of Fame
I will say I have been having Achilles pain on my right side after play in these. The heel counter on these is pretty soft. Everything else is so good
mpournaras
Hall of Fame
A few new 996 colorways here... funny because he wears the LAV lol
Perhaps USO clothes and shoe colors
Perhaps USO clothes and shoe colors
n80aoag
Professional
Is that the Lav V3 on the left above his head?A few new 996 colorways here... funny because he wears the LAV lol
Perhaps USO clothes and shoe colors
kawhi 2. looks like the one above is the black clay one
Delouie9154
Rookie
I’m digging 996 all white with the colored midsole. Hopefully it’s not player exclusives like some the tommy Paul LAVs
n80aoag
Professional
I couldn't quite make out what the black shoe on the left (above TP's head) was, but it makes sense its a 996v5 if the right shoe is from the same pair
mpournaras
Hall of Fame
I’d encourage a few more hours. Mine feel much better now after about 10 hours? Or you can move on, the stakes are low haha
Delouie9154
Rookie
okay - I am putting out a durability review after about 20 hours on court with these with photos. My photos show where most of my wear occurred on the shoes, YMMV in comparison.
~ 10 hours - drilling, court sprints, and misc footwork drills
~ 10 hours - tournament and league play.
Outsole&Upper: Overall, the bottom thread has kept in tact without any areas really smoothing out. Plenty of thread left, typical NB! Once you shift to my personal high wear areas: Left shoe toe outsole upwards thread and guard, Left shoe side outsole thread, and left shoe uppers - the shoe does not keep up. This makes sense as the shoes are more knit than a plastic/rubber upper like lets say the Lav 2 or Court FF 2/3. For these shoes, I used duck tape on my uppers where I know a hole would form and potentially harm me from court rash. My left foot follows me sideways on slides is the main reason for this. For someone who never slides, I would not worry about this.
Comfort/cushion: With the 996 V4/4.5, I hated them since I felt my heel and toes take almost if not all the impact of my movements after maybe 10 hours of use. With the V5, after these initial 20 hours...I am happy to report these feel like when I first slipped them on.
Final notes: As I said before, for my feet I believe NB has hit it out of the park with this version. Love the thread, longer lasting comfort with ability to feel quick. One quick note I did notice was that it wasn't until maybe hour 3-5 that the threads felt like they finally broke in, if that makes any sense. Around the 3-5 hour mark, it felt like I was more confident in my movement as if my foot became one with the shoe. So if you are maybe only 2 hours/1 play session in, maybe give it a bit more time to get comfortable/confident. I just finished a Men's open with these, would not use these if I was not confident in their performance/durability.
~ 10 hours - drilling, court sprints, and misc footwork drills
~ 10 hours - tournament and league play.
Outsole&Upper: Overall, the bottom thread has kept in tact without any areas really smoothing out. Plenty of thread left, typical NB! Once you shift to my personal high wear areas: Left shoe toe outsole upwards thread and guard, Left shoe side outsole thread, and left shoe uppers - the shoe does not keep up. This makes sense as the shoes are more knit than a plastic/rubber upper like lets say the Lav 2 or Court FF 2/3. For these shoes, I used duck tape on my uppers where I know a hole would form and potentially harm me from court rash. My left foot follows me sideways on slides is the main reason for this. For someone who never slides, I would not worry about this.
Comfort/cushion: With the 996 V4/4.5, I hated them since I felt my heel and toes take almost if not all the impact of my movements after maybe 10 hours of use. With the V5, after these initial 20 hours...I am happy to report these feel like when I first slipped them on.
Final notes: As I said before, for my feet I believe NB has hit it out of the park with this version. Love the thread, longer lasting comfort with ability to feel quick. One quick note I did notice was that it wasn't until maybe hour 3-5 that the threads felt like they finally broke in, if that makes any sense. Around the 3-5 hour mark, it felt like I was more confident in my movement as if my foot became one with the shoe. So if you are maybe only 2 hours/1 play session in, maybe give it a bit more time to get comfortable/confident. I just finished a Men's open with these, would not use these if I was not confident in their performance/durability.
