New Balance 696 v4 review
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all tennis shoes.
This shoe has a 7% penalty on its expert reviews because it has fewer than 5 reviews. This is to avoid that shoes with few reviews unjustly receives high scores.
Learn moreVerdict from 100+ users
Pros
- Offers decent support and stability
- Comfortable to use
- No long break-in time
- Extremely light
- Excellent value for money
Cons
- Tighter than expected
- Doesn’t have enough space in the toe box
67% say it's true to size.
Out of stock in all 30 shops
New Balance tennis shoesRankings
- Our 1st pick in best New Balance tennis shoes
- Our 1st pick in best New Balance tennis shoes for women
Comparison to similar tennis shoes
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Who should buy the New Balance 696 v4
The New Balance 696 v4 caters to entry-level players needing a remarkably affordable all-court trainer. It is a solid option if you:
- Need a shoe that is packed with the essential supportive and protective features.
- Need a shoe that has an exceedingly lightweight upper.
- Need a shoe that is breathable and makes it ideal for the warm season.
- Need a shoe that allows you to master your footwork skills for a lengthy period.
Updates to the 696 v4
New Balance unpeeled the midfoot and forefoot leather cover from the previous model. It got replaced with a lighter synthetic and fused to a mesh pattern.
Benefits:
- The modified design allows you to get more aggressive with your movements while keeping your foot supported and protected around the high-wear zones of the forefoot.
- The wider perforations on the upper help boost the airflow throughout the shoe.
- Such small alteration on the outer membrane gives your foot enough breathing space, especially during lengthy drills and long-drawn-out matches.
Herringbone pattern and the NDurance rubber compound
The bottom part of the shoe is made with a non-marking, herringbone pattern, which enables you to make quick pivots and move confidently in different directions.
It’s assembled using a heel-to-toe NDurance rubber compound that’s purposed to afford optimum traction, whether on a gritty hard court or slick soft court.
Lightweight cushioning
To further keep the weight of this entry-level tennis shoe at a reduced level, New Balance used the standard ethylene-vinyl acetate foam for the midsole.
The blend of its cushy and lightweight features permits you to be dynamic with your movements. It’s devised to cater to the right amount of shock absorption you’ll need on hard and clay courts.
Breathable and comfortable upper
The combined synthetic and mesh cover provides a light and airy casing for the foot for improved maneuverability. The vent holes are partly larger than the ones on the past model. Its adjustable lace-up closure locks the foot according to the user’s desired fit.
The tongue and collar are built with padding that offers plush comfort. To achieve a comfortable in-shoe feel, New Balance used fabric lining. The sockliner is removable, which can be replaced by custom orthotics.
Facts / Specs
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