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New Balance

990 v4

990 v4
Daily trainer · Stability · Road
Good (78/100)

Shoe details

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

Ratings & Reviews

Good (78/100)

Better than about 55% of shoes

Based on product-line history, external ratings, and runner reviews.
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This score rates better than 55% 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

Good (78/100)

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

Good (78/100)

Rank

Ranks above 55% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Durability

Excellent (91/100)

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

Excellent (91/100)

Rank

Ranks above 86% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Cushioning

Above average (90/100)

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 (90/100)

Rank

Ranks above 84% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Comfort

Above average (85/100)

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

Above average (85/100)

Rank

Ranks above 75% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Appearance

Good (72/100)

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 (72/100)

Rank

Ranks above 33% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Value

Below average (56/100)

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 (56/100)

Rank

Ranks above 4% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

All Running Shoes

Better than 55% of 2,532 running shoes ranked.

Good (78/100)

Daily Trainers

Better than 56% of 1,849 daily trainers ranked.

56%

New Balance

Better than 73% of 249 New Balance shoes ranked.

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
HOKA Clifton 9
990 v4
990 v6
Clifton 9
Current shoe
Best durability
Newest
Lightest / Best overall / Best comfort
Shoe properties
Type
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Pronation
Stability
Neutral
Neutral
Weight
13.4 oz M
—
8.5 oz M Lightest
Stack
—
—
40/35mm
Drop
1mm
—
5mm
Release
2017 Q3
2023 Q4 Newest
2023 Q1
MSRP
$165
—
$165
Best price
—
—
$164.99
Ratings
Overall
Average (55%)
Below average (26%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best overall
Comfort
Good (75%)
Below average (33%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best comfort
Cushioning
Very good (84%)
Above average (61%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best cushioning
Durability
Very good (86%) Best durability
Above average (67%)
Very good (80%)
Appearance
Below average (33%)
Bottom tier (18%)
Very good (82%) Best appearance
Value
Bottom tier (4%)
Bottom tier (3%)
Good (74%) 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