New Balance

990 v3

990 v3
Daily trainer · Stability · Road
Below average (60/100)

Shoe details

Weight
12.6 oz
Release
2014
MSRP
$155
Stack Height
30mm heel - 20mm toe
Drop Height
10mm

Ratings & Reviews

Below average (60/100)

Better than about 10% of shoes

Based on product-line history, external ratings, and runner reviews.
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This score rates worse than 90% of 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 score out of 100. Shading shows the expected rating range.
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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 score range. The lighter band shows a wider range of reasonable outcomes. More reviews for this shoe usually narrow both bands.

Overall

Below average (60/100)

Overall ranking

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.

Estimate

Below average (60/100)

Rank

Ranks above 10% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Durability

Above average (90/100)

Durability ranking

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.

Estimate

Above average (90/100)

Rank

Ranks above 84% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Cushioning

Above average (88/100)

Cushioning ranking

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.

Estimate

Above average (88/100)

Rank

Ranks above 79% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Appearance

Good (67/100)

Appearance ranking

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.

Estimate

Good (67/100)

Rank

Ranks above 24% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Comfort

Below average (63/100)

Comfort ranking

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.

Estimate

Below average (63/100)

Rank

Ranks above 14% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Value

Below average (53/100)

Value ranking

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.

Estimate

Below average (53/100)

Rank

Ranks above 2% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

100%

1/1

Prefer this shoe over another.

Reviewers said this shoe was better than another shoe they ran in.

All Running Shoes

Worse than 90% of 2,532 running shoes ranked.

Below average (60/100)

Daily Trainers

Worse than 88% of 1,849 daily trainers ranked.

12%

New Balance

Worse than 67% of 249 New Balance shoes ranked.

33%

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Rated among the top 10% of shoes on durability.

Cons

  • Rated among the bottom 10% of shoes overall.
  • Rated below average on comfort.
  • Rated below average on cushioning.

Compared to other shoes

See how this shoe compares to others like it.

Current shoe
Reference shoe
Best durability
Lightest / Newest / Best overall
Shoe properties
Type
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Pronation
Stability
Stability
Neutral
Weight
12.6 oz M
13.4 oz M
8.5 oz M Lightest
Stack
30/20mm
40/35mm
Drop
1mm
1mm
5mm
Release
2014
2017 Q3
2023 Q1 Newest
MSRP
$155 Lower MSRP
$165
$165
Best price
$164.99
Ratings
Overall
Bottom tier (10%)
Average (55%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best overall
Comfort
Bottom tier (14%)
Good (75%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best comfort
Cushioning
Good (79%)
Very good (84%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best cushioning
Durability
Very good (84%)
Very good (86%) Best durability
Very good (80%)
Appearance
Below average (24%)
Below average (33%)
Very good (82%) Best appearance
Value
Bottom tier (2%)
Bottom tier (4%)
Good (74%) Best value
Specific shoe

Search for the exact model to add to this comparison.

Where to buy

No offers available

Better alternatives

Higher-rated shoes similar to this one

More from New Balance

Reader Ratings

6 reader ratings

Review a shoe

Showing 1–5 of 6 written reviews

Reader review

Anonymous runner · Dec 2, 2015

4/5

Overall

I wanted a comfortable, high-mileage trainer. I weigh 210 lbs and I preferred the cushioning of my previous NB 880v3.
Comfort
4/5
Durability
4/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
3/5

Reader review

odelltrclan · Sep 19, 2014

3/5

Overall

I don't run a lot any more, but this shoe has lasted me a very long time
Comfort
3/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
4/5
Value
5/5

Reader review

Anonymous runner · Aug 30, 2014

5/5

Overall

I Have been running in previous incarnations of this shoe for about 10 years. Very solid, good cushioning, definitely not a minimalist shoe. But I have been pretty much injury free since switching to this shoe. I go through about 5 pairs a year. They are on the expensive end, but worth every penny to me.
Comfort
5/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
3/5
Value
3/5

Reader review

mclansing · Aug 29, 2014

4/5

Overall

I was a D1 runner with some success (8:4x steeple, 14:15) our school allowed us to use shoes that fit our needs and the NB 993 met my demands. I am a neutral runner who got hurt a lot and needed cushion. The 990 series (993 , 992, 991, 990) allowed me to run 100mpw and not break down. Now that I am very much out of college I still run in the shoes and have not had any running related injury. The pros and cons are as follows: Pros - Neutral (if thats your foot) - Super cushion and stability - Shoes are durable and last forever Cons - Ugly as hell (old man gray is the standard color....for real??!!) - Expensive $120-140...forces me to shop online - Heavy...really really heavy I will stick with the series as long as they are made MIke
Comfort
5/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
1/5
Value
4/5

Reader review

Anonymous runner · Aug 28, 2014

4/5

Overall

Comfort
4/5
Durability
4/5
Appearance
4/5
Value
4/5