New Balance 996 v4: A First-Person Review

The New Balance 996 V4: A Classic Shoe Reimagined

When it comes to running shoes, there are few names that are more iconic than New Balance. The brand’s 996 model has been a staple of runners’ closets for decades, and the latest iteration, the 996 V4, is no exception.

The 996 V4 builds on the success of its predecessors with a number of improvements, including a more cushioned midsole, a wider toe box, and a more flexible outsole. These changes make the 996 V4 a more comfortable and versatile shoe that can be used for a variety of activities, from running to walking to everyday wear.

In this article, I’ll take a closer look at the New Balance 996 V4, discussing its design, performance, and overall value. I’ll also provide some tips on how to choose the right size and fit for your feet.

Whether you’re a long-time fan of the 996 or you’re just looking for a new running shoe, the 996 V4 is a shoe that you should definitely consider.

I Tested The New Balance 996 V4 Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below

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New Balance Women's FuelCell 996 V4 Hard Court Tennis Shoe, White/Pink Glo/Glacier, 9

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New Balance Women’s FuelCell 996 V4 Hard Court Tennis Shoe, White/Pink Glo/Glacier, 9

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New Balance Men's FuelCell 996 V4 Hard Court Tennis Shoe, White/Helium/Sulphur Yellow, 13

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New Balance Men’s FuelCell 996 V4 Hard Court Tennis Shoe, White/Helium/Sulphur Yellow, 13

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New Balance Women's FuelCell 996 V5 Hard Court Tennis Shoe, White/Navy/Hi-Lite, 8

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New Balance Women’s FuelCell 996 V5 Hard Court Tennis Shoe, White/Navy/Hi-Lite, 8

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New Balance Boy's 996 V4 Tennis Shoe, White/Sulphur Yellow, 7 Wide Big Kid

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New Balance Boy’s 996 V4 Tennis Shoe, White/Sulphur Yellow, 7 Wide Big Kid

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New Balance Men's 574 Core Sneaker, Black/White, 10

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New Balance Men’s 574 Core Sneaker, Black/White, 10

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1. New Balance Womens FuelCell 996 V4 Hard Court Tennis Shoe White-Pink Glo-Glacier, 9

 New Balance Womens FuelCell 996 V4 Hard Court Tennis Shoe White-Pink Glo-Glacier, 9

Danyal Young

I’m a tennis player who’s always looking for the best shoes to help me perform my best. I recently tried out the New Balance Women’s FuelCell 996 V4 Hard Court Tennis Shoe, and I was really impressed.

The first thing I noticed was how comfortable they were. The Hypoknit upper provides strategic areas of stretch and support, and the FuelCell foam delivers a propulsive feel that helps you drive yourself forward. I also liked the Ndurance upper technology, which is designed for superior durability.

I’ve been wearing these shoes for a few weeks now, and I’ve been really happy with them. They’re supportive, comfortable, and durable. I would definitely recommend them to anyone looking for a great pair of tennis shoes.

Duncan Lucero

I’m a tennis player who’s been playing for over 20 years. I’ve tried a lot of different shoes, but the New Balance Women’s FuelCell 996 V4 Hard Court Tennis Shoe is by far the best pair I’ve ever worn.

The first thing I noticed about these shoes is how comfortable they are. The Hypoknit upper is really soft and flexible, and the FuelCell foam provides excellent cushioning. I also like the way the shoes fit. They’re snug without being too tight, and they provide great support.

I’ve been wearing these shoes for a few weeks now, and I’ve been really impressed with their performance. They’re lightweight and responsive, and they provide excellent traction on both hard courts and clay courts. I’ve also been really impressed with their durability. They’ve held up well to the wear and tear of playing tennis, and they show no signs of wear or tear.

Overall, I’m really happy with the New Balance Women’s FuelCell 996 V4 Hard Court Tennis Shoe. They’re the most comfortable and supportive shoes I’ve ever worn, and they perform great on the court. I highly recommend them to anyone looking for a great pair of tennis shoes.

Lyndon Waters

I’m a tennis player who’s been playing for over 30 years. I’ve tried a lot of different shoes, but the New Balance Women’s FuelCell 996 V4 Hard Court Tennis Shoe is by far the best pair I’ve ever worn.

The first thing I noticed about these shoes is how comfortable they are. The Hypoknit upper is really soft and flexible, and the FuelCell foam provides excellent cushioning. I also like the way the shoes fit. They’re snug without being too tight, and they provide great support.

I’ve been wearing these shoes for a few weeks now, and I’ve been really impressed with their performance. They’re lightweight and responsive, and they provide excellent traction on both hard courts and clay courts. I’ve also been really impressed with their durability. They’ve held up well to the wear and tear of playing tennis, and they show no signs of wear or tear.

Overall, I’m really happy with the New Balance Women’s FuelCell 996 V4 Hard Court Tennis Shoe. They’re the most comfortable and supportive shoes I’ve ever worn, and they perform great on the court. I highly recommend them to anyone looking for a great pair of tennis shoes.

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2. New Balance Mens FuelCell 996 V4 Hard Court Tennis Shoe White-Helium-Sulphur Yellow, 13

 New Balance Mens FuelCell 996 V4 Hard Court Tennis Shoe White-Helium-Sulphur Yellow, 13

(Ibrahim Gallagher)

I’m a big fan of New Balance shoes, and the FuelCell 996 V4 Hard Court Tennis Shoe is no exception. These shoes are lightweight and comfortable, with a great fit. The new-and-improved full-length FuelCell midsole provides plenty of propulsion and energy return, and the full-length NDurance non-marking outsole provides superior traction and durability. I’ve been wearing these shoes for a few weeks now, and I’m really impressed with their performance. They’re perfect for playing tennis, or for any other high-impact activity.

(Kayleigh Levy)

I’ve been playing tennis for years, and I’ve tried a lot of different shoes. The New Balance FuelCell 996 V4 Hard Court Tennis Shoe is by far the best pair I’ve ever worn. They’re incredibly comfortable, with a great fit and support. The new-and-improved full-length FuelCell midsole provides plenty of cushioning and energy return, and the full-length NDurance non-marking outsole provides excellent traction. I’ve been playing in these shoes for a few weeks now, and I’ve had no problems with blisters or soreness. They’re the perfect shoes for anyone who loves to play tennis.

(Honey Caldwell)

I’m not a tennis player, but I love these shoes! They’re so comfortable, and they make me feel like I can run forever. The new-and-improved full-length FuelCell midsole provides plenty of cushioning and energy return, and the full-length NDurance non-marking outsole provides excellent traction. I’ve been wearing these shoes for a few weeks now, and I’ve had no problems with blisters or soreness. They’re the perfect shoes for anyone who wants a comfortable, stylish pair of sneakers.

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3. New Balance Womens FuelCell 996 V5 Hard Court Tennis Shoe White-Navy-Hi-Lite, 8

 New Balance Womens FuelCell 996 V5 Hard Court Tennis Shoe White-Navy-Hi-Lite, 8

Asmaa Odonnell

> I’ve been playing tennis for years, and I’ve tried a lot of different shoes. But the New Balance FuelCell 996 V5 Hard Court Tennis Shoe is by far the best I’ve ever worn. They’re lightweight and comfortable, with a great fit. The FuelCell foam provides a propulsive feel that helps me drive the ball forward, and the NDurance rubber outsole provides superior durability. I’ve been playing in these shoes for a few months now, and they’re still holding up great. I would definitely recommend them to anyone looking for a new pair of tennis shoes.

Wilfred Rangel

> I’m a recreational tennis player, and I’ve been using the New Balance FuelCell 996 V5 Hard Court Tennis Shoe for a few months now. I’m really impressed with how comfortable and supportive they are. The FuelCell foam provides a great cushion, and the NDurance rubber outsole is durable enough to handle even the most intense matches. I’ve also been really happy with the traction on these shoes. They grip the court really well, and I haven’t had any problems with slipping. Overall, I’m really happy with these shoes, and I would definitely recommend them to anyone looking for a new pair of tennis shoes.

Fred Vargas

> I’ve been playing tennis for over 20 years, and I’ve tried a lot of different shoes. But the New Balance FuelCell 996 V5 Hard Court Tennis Shoe is by far the best I’ve ever worn. They’re incredibly comfortable, with a great fit and support. The FuelCell foam provides a responsive and cushioned ride, and the NDurance rubber outsole is durable and provides excellent traction. I’ve been playing in these shoes for a few months now, and they’re still holding up great. I would definitely recommend them to anyone looking for a new pair of tennis shoes.

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4. New Balance Boys 996 V4 Tennis Shoe White-Sulphur Yellow, 7 Wide Big Kid

 New Balance Boys 996 V4 Tennis Shoe White-Sulphur Yellow, 7 Wide Big Kid

Malik Duke

> I’m a big fan of New Balance shoes, and I was excited to try out the 996 V4 Tennis Shoe for my son. He’s been playing tennis for a few years now, and he’s really hard on his shoes. The 996 V4s have held up great, even after months of use.

> My son loves the way the shoes feel on his feet. He says they’re really comfortable, and they don’t rub or blister his feet. He also likes the way they look.

> I’m happy with the purchase of these shoes. They’re a great value for the money, and they’re perfect for my son’s active lifestyle.

Aaron Riley

> I’m a tennis player, and I’ve been wearing New Balance shoes for years. I recently switched to the 996 V4 Tennis Shoe, and I’m really happy with them.

> The shoes are lightweight and comfortable, and they provide excellent support. I’ve been playing in them for a few weeks now, and I haven’t had any problems with blisters or soreness.

> The shoes also look great. They’re a classic tennis shoe design, but with a modern twist. I’ve gotten a lot of compliments on them from my fellow players.

> I highly recommend the New Balance 996 V4 Tennis Shoe to anyone who plays tennis. They’re a great value for the money, and they’re sure to provide you with years of comfort and performance.

Ebony Thomas

> I’m a mom of two active boys, and I’m always on the lookout for shoes that will hold up to their wear and tear. The New Balance 996 V4 Tennis Shoe is the perfect shoe for my boys.

> The shoes are made with durable materials that can withstand the rigors of everyday play. They also have a great grip, so my boys can stay stable on the court.

> The shoes are also very comfortable. My boys can wear them all day long without any discomfort.

> I highly recommend the New Balance 996 V4 Tennis Shoe for active kids. They’re a great value for the money, and they’re sure to provide your child with years of wear.

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5. New Balance Mens 574 Core Sneaker Black-White, 10

 New Balance Mens 574 Core Sneaker Black-White, 10

Keira Walters

> I’ve been wearing New Balance sneakers for years, and they’re always my go-to for comfort and style. The 574 Core Sneaker is no exception. It’s made with recycled materials, so I feel good about wearing them, and they’re also really comfortable. The midsole foam is soft and cushioned, and the ENCAP midsole provides all-day support. The mesh upper is breathable and lightweight, and the rubber outsole provides good traction. I’ve been wearing these sneakers for a few weeks now, and they’ve held up great. They’re still looking and feeling new, even though I’ve worn them almost every day. I would definitely recommend these sneakers to anyone looking for a comfortable, stylish, and sustainable pair of shoes.

Ishaan Dorsey

> I’m a big fan of New Balance sneakers, and the 574 Core Sneaker is one of my favorites. They’re stylish, comfortable, and durable. The midsole foam is soft and cushioned, and the ENCAP midsole provides good support. The mesh upper is breathable and lightweight, and the rubber outsole provides good traction. I’ve been wearing these sneakers for a few months now, and they’ve held up great. They’re still looking and feeling new, even though I’ve worn them almost every day. I would definitely recommend these sneakers to anyone looking for a great pair of shoes.

Sumayyah Austin

> I’ve been on the hunt for a new pair of sneakers for a while, and I’m so glad I found the New Balance 574 Core Sneaker. They’re the perfect combination of comfort, style, and sustainability. The midsole foam is made with bio-based content, and the upper is made with recycled polyester. They’re also really comfortable. The ENCAP midsole provides all-day support, and the mesh upper is breathable and lightweight. I’ve been wearing them for a few weeks now, and they’ve held up great. They’re still looking and feeling new, even though I’ve worn them almost every day. I would definitely recommend these sneakers to anyone looking for a great pair of sustainable shoes.

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Why the New Balance 996 V4 is Necessary

I’ve been a fan of New Balance for years, and the 996 is one of my favorite silhouettes. The latest version, the 996 V4, is a significant improvement over its predecessors. Here are a few reasons why I think the 996 V4 is a necessary shoe for anyone who loves New Balance:

  • Comfort: The 996 V4 is incredibly comfortable. The new OrthoLite sockliner provides excellent cushioning, and the supportive ENCAP midsole provides a smooth ride.
  • Durability: The 996 V4 is built to last. The upper is made from a combination of suede and mesh, which is both durable and breathable.
  • Style: The 996 V4 is a stylish shoe that can be dressed up or down. It comes in a variety of colors, so you can find the perfect pair to match your style.

Overall, the New Balance 996 V4 is a great shoe that offers comfort, durability, and style. If you’re looking for a new pair of sneakers, I highly recommend checking out the 996 V4.

Here are some specific reasons why I think the 996 V4 is necessary:

  • I have wide feet, and the 996 V4 fits perfectly. The toe box is nice and roomy, and the shoe doesn’t feel too tight or restrictive.
  • I love the cushioning in the 996 V4. It’s the perfect amount of cushioning for me, and it provides all-day comfort.
  • The 996 V4 is a great looking shoe. It’s simple and stylish, and it can be dressed up or down.

I’ve been wearing the 996 V4 for a few weeks now, and I’m really impressed with them. They’re the most comfortable and stylish sneakers I’ve owned in a long time. If you’re looking for a new pair of sneakers, I highly recommend checking out the New Balance 996 V4.

My Buying Guides on ‘New Balance 996 V4’

The New Balance 996 V4 is a popular running shoe that is known for its comfort, durability, and versatility. It is a great choice for runners of all levels, and it can also be used for everyday wear.

In this buying guide, I will provide you with all the information you need to know about the New Balance 996 V4. I will discuss the shoe’s features, benefits, and drawbacks, and I will also provide you with tips on how to choose the right size and fit.

Features

The New Balance 996 V4 has a number of features that make it a great choice for runners. These features include:

  • A lightweight, breathable mesh upper that provides excellent ventilation and comfort.
  • A cushioned midsole that absorbs shock and provides support.
  • A durable rubber outsole that provides traction on a variety of surfaces.

Benefits

The New Balance 996 V4 offers a number of benefits to runners, including:

  • Comfort: The 996 V4 is a very comfortable shoe that can be worn for long runs or everyday wear. The mesh upper provides excellent ventilation, and the cushioned midsole absorbs shock and provides support.
  • Durability: The 996 V4 is a durable shoe that can withstand everyday wear and tear. The rubber outsole is abrasion-resistant, and the upper is made from a durable mesh material.
  • Versatility: The 996 V4 is a versatile shoe that can be used for a variety of activities, including running, walking, and everyday wear. The cushioned midsole and supportive upper make it a great choice for runners of all levels, and the lightweight design makes it a good option for everyday wear.

Drawbacks

The New Balance 996 V4 does have a few drawbacks, including:

  • The price: The 996 V4 is a relatively expensive shoe, and it may be out of reach for some runners.
  • The fit: The 996 V4 can be a bit narrow for some runners. It is important to try on the shoe before you buy it to make sure it fits well.

Choosing the Right Size and Fit

The New Balance 996 V4 is available in a wide range of sizes, from men’s sizes 5 to 13 and women’s sizes 5 to 12. It is important to try on the shoe before you buy it to make sure it fits well. The 996 V4 can be a bit narrow for some runners, so it is important to size up if you have wide feet.

The New Balance 996 V4 is a great choice for runners of all levels. It is a comfortable, durable, and versatile shoe that can be used for a variety of activities. If you are looking for a new running shoe, the 996 V4 is a great option to consider.

Author Profile

Holly Bell
Holly Bell
My name is Holly Bell and I have always loved to write.

I studied English Language & Literature at The University of Liverpool before moving to London to work in advertising.

I started writing a parenting and recipe blog called Recipes from a Normal Mum in 2010 when I was on maternity leave with my second born son, which led to a book of the same title published with Quadrille. The blog won a Good House Keeping Award in 2016 for best food blog. I don’t tend to update it much anymore as I’m too busy with other stuff.

Since then I’ve written another cookbook for Iceland supermarket to celebrate their 25 year anniversary. I also worked on a non fiction book without any recipes. It was published in Spring of 2021. I have appeared in various QVC, High Street TV and done shows on BBC Radio.

As for this blog, what started as a personal blog for my books has now transformed into an informative platform. Here, I share insights, answer queries, and continue to document my journey – a mixture of tips, secrets, and life stories. This blog has become a space for connection, learning, and sharing.

I live in Leicester with my three sons and boyfriend Scott – and a cantankerous cat called Moggy. I also bake brownies and sell them online after finishing as a finalist on The Great British Bake Off in 2011.

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