New Balance 996 v3 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 2 experts & 100+ users
Pros
- Lightweight
- Excellent traction
- Breathable
- Excellent arch support
- Adequate heel cushioning
- Reasonably-priced
Cons
- Needs ample break-in time
- Rubbing across the instep














55% say it's true to size.
Out of stock in all 30 shops
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Who should buy the New Balance 996 v3
Following the release of the 2nd generation 996 covered with mesh with TPU, New Balance dropped its first-ever knit and nylon-made tennis trainer, the 996 v3. It is a solid option if you:
- Prefer a shoe that provides durability and strength remarkably during a prolonged practice sessions and intense court matches.
- Need a shoe that offers support and helps control the foot during multi-directional movements.
- Need a shoe that is fitted for clay, grass, and hard court.
High-wearing Ndurance rubber compound
The heel and ball of the foot are areas of the outsole that are most prone to wear and tear. To strengthen these areas, New Balance layered them with the high-wearing Ndurance rubber compound. The main objective is to put more life into the shoe.
Abrasion-resistant rubber
This abrasion-resistant rubber is designed with a herringbone tread pattern which is equipped to dole out the right amount of grip on different court scenarios. Such a non-marking unit allows the wearers to slide and skid without leaving any scuff and scratches on the court surface.
Lightweight New Balance cushioning
The middle layer of the shoe is dominantly made of a lightweight type of foam unit called REVlite. This innovative feature compresses and thereby cushions the foot from impact during heel-to-toe and sideway movements. Its lightness is around 30 percent lower than the typically heavy and dense foams used in tennis shoes.
Supportive and stable
The support unit placed under the midfoot called Probank is also made light. Despite slashing off much weight under the arch, this stability element helps guide the positioning of the foot during directional changes and lateral cuts. It prevents awkward rolling of the foot.
Protective upper of the 996 v3
This 3rd generation New Balance 996 comes in different gradients of colors utilizing the state-of-the-art knitting process. Synthetic material is fused onto the high-stress areas like the forefoot to provide another layer of protection.