New Balance 990
Every version of the 990 we track, compared on ratings, specs and current price.
The score is the median Better Shoes Rating of the line's shoes, out of 100. The average product line scores 76, and the 990 scores above 28% of the lines we track.
Rating by version, oldest first
Each dot is one version of the 990, placed by its rating and release year.
Release year
See our analysis of whether a new version is usually as good as the one it replaces.
| Version | Released | Weight | Stack | Score | Change | Reviews | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Balance 990 v6 | 2023 | — | — | 65 | -19 | — | — |
| New Balance 990 v5 | 2019 | 14.0 oz (men's) | — | 84 | +8 | 3 | $175 MSRP |
| New Balance 990v4 | 2018 | — | — | 75 | +17 | 3 | — |
| New Balance 990 v3 | 2014 | 12.6 oz (men's) | 30/20mm · 10mm drop | 59 | — | 6 | $155 MSRP |
4 shoes
Prices updated daily. Last checked Sep 14.
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New Balance
990 v665 Below average Below average · 2 reviews · Confidence 6/100
v6 (2023) · Daily trainer · Neutral
The outsole pairs NDurance rubber in high-wear zones with a blown rubber forefoot.
Durability 85Overall65Durability85Comfort71Cushioning70Appearance62Value55Confidence6Buy it now
Not available at tracked retailers right now.
Pros
The outsole pairs NDurance rubber in high-wear zones with a blown rubber forefoot.
Reflective accents on the mesh upper aid visibility in the dark.
Cons
Comfort and appearance each draw 3.0 out of 5 in the two reviews so far, and neither carries a written comment.
The 990 v5 before it scores 81 on four reviews against its 65.
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New Balance
990 v584 Good Good · 4 reviews · Confidence 46/100
v5 (2019) · Daily trainer · Neutral · 14.0 oz (men's)
Reviewers rate the build as long-lasting, with no durability complaints.
Durability 93MSRP $175
Overall84Durability93Cushioning83Comfort82Appearance79Value60Confidence46Buy it now
Not available at tracked retailers right now.
Pros
Reviewers rate the build as long-lasting, with no durability complaints.
Reviewers praise the comfort and support over long runs, one on his fifth version of the shoe.
Cons
At 14.0 oz it is one of the heaviest shoes in the catalog.
Value draws the lowest ratings of the four reviews so far, at 4.0 out of 5.
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New Balance
990v475 Decent Decent · 5 reviews · Confidence 43/100
2018 · Daily trainer · Neutral
Reviewers call it comfortable and reliable, holding up well over regular miles.
Durability 92Overall75Durability92Cushioning79Comfort74Appearance66Value57Confidence43Buy it now
Not available at tracked retailers right now.
Pros
Reviewers call it comfortable and reliable, holding up well over regular miles.
One reviewer with very wide feet finds the fit accommodating, with custom orthotics.
Two reviewers describe a firm, stiff ride that still has cushioning.
Cons
Appearance and value are its lowest-rated dimensions, both at 3.6 out of 5, and one reviewer would only buy at a deep discount.
One reviewer needs a few weeks to break them in, and another wore through the mesh at a toe joint.
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New Balance
990 v359 Bottom-tier Bottom-tier · 6 reviews · Confidence 48/100
v3 (2014) · Daily trainer · Stability · 12.6 oz (men's) · 10mm drop · 30mm stack
Durability averages 4.7 out of 5 across six reviews, and three reviewers say a pair lasts a long time.
Durability 88MSRP $155
Overall59Durability88Cushioning75Comfort64Appearance62Value53Confidence48Buy it now
Not available at tracked retailers right now.
Pros
Durability averages 4.7 out of 5 across six reviews, and three reviewers say a pair lasts a long time.
Cons
At 12.6 oz it is heavier than the 8.9 oz median for daily trainers on sale, and one reviewer calls it really, really heavy.
Appearance averages 3.7 out of 5 and value 3.8, and one reviewer calls the standard gray ugly and the shoe expensive.
