New Balance 990v4

Name: New Balance 990v4
Brand: New Balance

Daily trainer · Neutral · Road

Discontinued — we no longer see this shoe in stock. The New Balance 990 v5 replaced it

How it ranks

The New Balance 990v4 sits about average for daily trainers in our data. Durability and cushioning are its strongest sub-ratings. The rating rests on 5 runner reviews and 3 other rated shoes in the 990 product line. Another 7 reviews would set the confidence on this shoe's own reviews.

Decent

75/100

Overall

Decent 75

Durability

Very good 92

Cushioning

Decent 79

Comfort

Decent 74

Appearance

Below average 66

Value

Bottom-tier 58

Confidence

How settled the rating is against every other rated shoe. A shoe can rate high on confidence with relatively few reviews of its own when its product line has a long record and external ratings from retailer sites agree. Confidence will score low when we have few ratings or when runners disagree.

See the product line's history

Confidence

43/100

Low 43

What runners say

“Takes a few weeks to break in, then very comfortable.”

5/5 Full review 15 mpw training for a half marathon

“Combined with custom orthotics, provides a minimally painful running experience.”

4/5 Full review 11 mpw training for a half marathon

“Toe joint can rub through the mesh body.”

4/5 Full review 11 mpw training for a half marathon

“Has stability features and sufficient cushioning.”

5/5 Full review 15 mpw training for a half marathon

“Would not pay full price.”

4/5 Full review 20 mpw came from the Brooks Ghost 9

“Loves that it's a bit stiff.”

4/5 Full review 20 mpw came from the Brooks Ghost 9

Where to buy

No offers available

Affiliate links included. They never affect our ratings.

Prices updated daily. Last checked Sep 14.

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.

990v4 rates 75. This shoe has low certainty. See how we rate shoes.

Better Shoes Rating of prior versions of the New Balance 990

Each dot is one version of the 990, placed by its rating and release year. The gold dot is this shoe.

Rating

40 60 80 100

59 2014 84 2019 65 2023 75 2018

Release year

We use the reviews of past versions to inform this shoe’s rating. See why.

990v4 This shoe

2018 · 5 reviews

75 Decent

43 Confidence
990 v6

2023 · 2 reviews

65 Below average

6 Confidence
990 v5

2019 · 4 reviews

84 Good

46 Confidence
990 v3

2014 · 6 reviews

59 Bottom-tier

48 Confidence

Reader Ratings

5 ratings

5/5 3

4/5 2

3/5 0

2/5 0

1/5 0

See written reviews Write a review

Specs & fit

Sizing and ride details at a glance.

Release: 2018

Runner reviews

Write a review

These shoes work for me

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.

Anonymous runner · Jul 5, 2019

11 mpw training for a half marathon

Comfort: 5/5
Cushioning: 5/5
Durability: 4/5
Appearance: 2/5
Value: 3/5

best value? nah

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

Anonymous runner · Feb 8, 2018

20 mpw came from the Brooks Ghost 9

Comfort: 5/5
Cushioning: 5/5
Durability: 4/5
Appearance: 2/5
Value: 2/5

Reader review

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.

Anonymous runner · Jan 20, 2018

15 mpw training for a half marathon