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New Balance

990 v4

990 v4
Daily trainer · Stability · Road
Good (77/100)

Shoe details

Weight
13.4 oz
Release
2017 Q3
MSRP
$165
Drop Height
10mm

Ratings & Reviews

Good (77/100)

Based on product-line history, external ratings, and runner reviews.
?

Scores better than 55% of all shoes.

Our ratings use detailed reviews from knowledgeable runners, ratings for shoes in the same product line, and reliable product information from trusted retailers.

Rating breakdown

Better Shoes Rating. Shading shows the expected rating range.
?

Rankings combine runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, direct comparisons to other shoes, related product-line performance, and trusted external ratings.

The darker band shows the central rating range. The lighter band shows a wider range of reasonable outcomes. More reviews for this shoe usually narrow both bands.

Overall

Good (77/100)

Overall rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Good (77/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 55% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

Durability

Excellent (91/100)

Durability rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Excellent (91/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 87% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

Cushioning

Excellent (90/100)

Cushioning rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Excellent (90/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 85% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

Comfort

Very good (84/100)

Comfort rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Very good (84/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 73% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

Appearance

Good (71/100)

Appearance rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Good (71/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 34% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

Value

Below average (56/100)

Value rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Below average (56/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 4% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

All Running Shoes

Scores better than 55% of 2,617 running shoes.

Good

Daily Trainers

Scores better than 55% of 1,872 daily trainers.

55%

New Balance

Scores better than 73% of 255 New Balance shoes.

73%

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Rated among the top 25% of shoes overall.
  • Rated among the top 25% of shoes on comfort.
  • Rated among the top 25% of shoes on cushioning.
  • Rated among the top 10% of shoes on durability.

Compared to other shoes

See how this shoe compares to others like it.

New Balance 990 v4
New Balance 990 v6
ASICS SUPERBLAST 2
990 v4
990 v6
SUPERBLAST 2
Current shoe
Reference shoe
Newest / Best overall / Best comfort
Shoe properties
Type
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Pronation
Stability
Neutral
Neutral
Weight
13.4 oz M
—
—
Stack
—
—
—
Drop
1mm
—
7mm
Release
2017 Q3
2023 Q4
2024 Q2 Newest
MSRP
$165 Lower MSRP
—
$200
Best price
—
—
$149.99
Ratings
Overall
Average (55%)
Below average (27%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best overall
Comfort
Good (73%)
Below average (34%)
Exceptional (99%) Best comfort
Cushioning
Very good (85%)
Above average (62%)
Exceptional (99%) Best cushioning
Durability
Very good (87%)
Above average (69%)
Exceptional (99%) Best durability
Appearance
Below average (34%)
Bottom tier (18%)
Exceptional (98%) Best appearance
Value
Bottom tier (4%)
Bottom tier (3%)
Very good (86%) Best value
Specific shoe

Search for the exact model to add to this comparison.

Where to buy

No offers available

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Reader Ratings

5 reader ratings

Review a shoe

Showing 1–3 of 3 written reviews

These shoes work for me

Anonymous runner · Jul 5, 2019

4/5

Overall

I don't run a lot by letsrun standards (~8-12 miles a week) so take that into account when weighing my opinion. I bought these shoes on the recommendation of my pedorthist and orthopedist. I have a worsening toe joint condition similar to a bunion on one of my feet, and very wide feet, so this is the shoe that they recommended. They struck as as "old guy shoes" but I bit the bullet and went for it. Combined with custom orthotics, they have provided me with a nice, minimally painful running experience, on treadmills and on the street. The sole seems pretty durable, but my toe joint rubbed through the mesh body on one foot. You probably won't have this problem if you don't have a toe joint issue to begin with.
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
4/5
Appearance
2/5
Value
3/5

best value? nah

Anonymous runner · Feb 8, 2018

4/5

Overall

i actully love this shoe, i love that its a bit stiff. have not too many miles on them. would not pay full for it, i will in the future with a deep discount
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
4/5
Appearance
2/5
Value
2/5

Reader review

Anonymous runner · Jan 20, 2018

5/5

Overall

This shoe fits well. It has stability features, but is also sufficiently cushioned. It takes a few weeks, at 10 miles per week, to break in but is very comfortable once that is accomplished. The shoe is very reliable and continues to be the shoe I use for running. I highly recommend it.
Comfort
5/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
4/5
Value
4/5