New Balance Women's 996 V4 Hard Court Trainers

Okay I have to admit I have a very hard time finding a running shoe that doesn't cause me problems either while running or afterwards. Blisters, black toe nails, pressure on top of foot from laces, you name it. So I decided to start a process of elimination until I found the shoe that worked, even trying multiple sizes of the same shoe. Well I'm happy to report that I have found my perfect shoe in these New Balance Fresh Foam. I wear an 8 1/2 everyday shoe and found that I needed one size up and a wide width 9 1/2 Wide. The toe box has the most room of all the shoes I tried (Avia, Asics, Brooks), also by getting the wide width it gave me even more toe room. I tried the shoe in a 9 Wide and the fit was a little too snug, the 9 1/2 regular didn't give me as much of a toe box as I like, but the 9 1/2 Wide was the perfect answer with minimal heel slip. To eliminate heel slip I use the heel lock lacing and tying method (many examples on you tube) which also keeps the laces from coming untied even with only one knot. Who knew?! As a side note, to prevent black toe nail syndrome I have always worn gel toe caps on my hammer toes but have since learned (you-tube) how to KT tape the problem toe and it has been an absolute blessing and no gel cap needed. Hopefully this review gives you the help you need in selecting your next pair of running shoes, and even if you don't run, foot comfort is huge! Keep moving and stay fit.

I bought these same running shoes last year in Germany and as I travel a lot and use them also for hiking because I love them so much and they are so comfortable I googled them while being in the U.S. and found them here on Amazon. You never know if they are the same but I ordered the same size and they are as awesome as my previous ones. They are super comfortable and perfect for me. However of course every foot is different and so you might not know until you try it out. But I love them and even the color is super great. All in all I'm super happy and would buy them a 3rd time if I had too :))

This is a great shoe for bad knees. There is a very good cushion, but firm, for bad knees and heels. I've been a repeat customer for 3 versions back. But the shoe itself is getting smaller. I measured the new ones I just returned again old shoes and they are 3/8 inch shorter. I walk every day so I want something that can wear well on street payment and they do. I need to wear thick socks but that is okay. I tried the gtx waterproof ones but they are too stiff. Thank God for Fresh Foam.

I wear a ladies size 6 medium width and have done so forever. I bought these shoes as replacements for old New Balance that were worn out, but still comfortable. I needed more spring and new foam. When I first put them on, the new ones were tight. Okay. They'll stretch, a little with time. NO! They have not. The BIGGEST thing, and the most important for EVERYONE to know is the pain throughout the toe area. I can wear these shoes for about six hours, and then NO MORE. The shoes MUST come off. They are painful to the extent I will go barefoot on hot paved concrete to escape them. I live in Texas so you understand what I am saying. *BUYER, YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.*

10.5 wide feet, a curse! Before pregnancy, I wore a 9.5 and had a moderate arch. 6 years later and I somehow went up a full size between then and now... and now I have nearly zero arch. Most women's shoes stop at size 10, and of course aren't found in wide. I have back and knee pain and am an overpronator. This shoe ticks ALL the boxes! I just walked 3 miles with absolutely ZERO discomfort. In the past 2 months I've tried maybe 20 different shoes trying to figure out how I can exercise without pain flare ups in my feet and knees and back. Brooks, Hokas, Nikes, and Asics failed me. None of them gave me the comfort these shoes have. There's just enough support in the arch without pinching my foot, and perfect room in the toe box. If I had one criticism, it's that it needs a hair more support in the metatarsal area. There's not much going on there. But not a deal breaker for me. Buy them!

These New Balance 880s are not only sassy but (oh my gosh) so comfortable and supportive. I’m 63 and on my feet at work. Truly, my feet don’t feel tired all day. I also own Chucks and Sketchers. Huge difference. My legs get stressed. My arches feel tired and I get foot cramps. If you wear a 9, buy a 10. I own several colors. When I go out and dress nice, I miss my 880’s.

I’ve been bought this same line of NB fresh foam shoes for several years, at least eight pairs, always in a size 8.5. I had to send these back for a size 9, and I’ve never bought a 9 in any shoe. That said, the 9’s fit great, and these are just as good and even a little better than my last v9s due to a slightly taller/tighter heal. Great neutral running shoe.

I have this exact same shoe I purchased at REI. It is my favorite shoe - but this one I ordered from Amazon was not anything like the sole of my other one. I wore both side by side and nope - not even close. I guess they changed out the sole for a cheaper one. This seems to be a practice for sellers of Amazon. (not Amazon's fault - i fault the brand) Kind of like a company makes things for Dollar Tree and they make them cheaper than normal - so no - I don't recommend them. Yes, I could order another insole - which is what I did, but it was hard too. So they were both returned. Just a waste of time.