Been wearing 990s for years
I've been wearing 990s since 1998 I think. These new ones fit the same a those did. As I described them then "Limonsines for your feed" - felt great for my narrow flat feet. Like houseshoes when I first put them on. I don't run 20 or so miles per week anymore and not 8 and 10 miles at a time but I have no doubt they will stand up to those distances for 500 miles.Used to have more pig skin, now a lot is mesh but it probably breaths better.Used to have the nice round shoe strings, these new ones had the cheap flat style. Guess you have to cut corners where it isn't hurting quality but for 150.00 bucks?Anyway, they are great shoes for me. Plenty of toe room.... Show more
10Krunr
originally posted on roadrunnersports.com
Great for some things, not for all.
Age 68, 160 pounds, narrow feet. 3-8 mile runs x4 weekly.The 991 squeezed my toes top to bottom. Also the 992. Had great traction on dirt and grass.The 993 was perfect in terms of fit, traction and support.The new 990 has a screwy width sizing system and I got it squared away in a NB store, then bought here. Important detail: had to buy 2A in order to get narrow and then it felt too tight for about 5-10 miles. Like a glove now.The 990 is poor on slick surfaces and anything with rocks.The carbon fiber in the arch gets beat up on gravel and rocks.Any dirt, leaves, conifer needles especially, on the trail and things deteriorate.That is reason for 4 stars rather than 5.I keep one still-good 991 for wet paved, 993 for usual running on dry paved trails in the ... MoreAge 68, 160 pounds, narrow feet. 3-8 mile runs x4 weekly.The 991 squeezed my toes top to bottom. Also the 992. Had great traction on dirt and grass.The 993 was perfect in terms of fit, traction and support.The new 990 has a screwy width sizing system and I got it squared away in a NB store, then bought here. Important detail: had to buy 2A in order to get narrow and then it felt too tight for about 5-10 miles. Like a glove now.The 990 is poor on slick surfaces and anything with rocks.The carbon fiber in the arch gets beat up on gravel and rocks.Any dirt, leaves, conifer needles especially, on the trail and things deteriorate.That is reason for 4 stars rather than 5.I keep one still-good 991 for wet paved, 993 for usual running on dry paved trails in the woods and now 990 for streets and treadmill along with Nike Air 2011/2012. The sole makes me wonder if NB thinks we all live in the city now and have no need of reliable contact with uncertain surfaces. But, I am the kind of guy who always runs mud and snow tires on my truck. BTW, my trail shoes are Salomon. No narrow NB trail shoes available. Casual wear 990 and most especially the old but still great 998, available at RRS.After all that, the 990 is currently still my favorite running shoe. And, important, made in USA.Another poster mentioned he had found a source for the 993. I certainly would like to know where, because I would buy a bunch of them.... Show more
jimrad
originally posted on roadrunnersports.com
Great shoe for Clydesdales
What else can be said about the 990 that hasn't already been said? As a Clydesdale runner (205-210) these are the most durable and supportive shoe around. I have run numerous half marathons and just finished my first full marathon, with all training and races being in a 990.I typically get several hundred miles (300-400?) Out of each pair, and they are still in reasonably good shape after that for walking. I don't personally like them for extended walking, but they are great for hours of running. These shoes have kept me healthy and blister-free!... Show more
Big boy runner
originally posted on roadrunnersports.com
Have more than one pair
I walk about 20-25 miles a week. These shoes seem to have less cushioning than when I first bought them yrs ago and wear out sooner. The tongue in the right shoe of all the pair I've had in at least the last few years slides and you can see by the way it is sown in it is not straight. Still I have not found another shoe that works for me. I have a problem with over pronation and even with orthotics there is plenty of room. The size runs a little small so I always buy a half size larger.... Show more
Speedy
originally posted on roadrunnersports.com
I tried 40 running shoes. The 990 worked best with orthotics
I have very substantial orthotics to prevent pronation. The rubber pad on the forefoot is 5 mm thick. The heel and arch are rigid plastic covered by the same rubber. The heel is 20 mm thick and the arch is 48 mm. I tried every 4 and 5 level cushioned and stability shoe. In every case but one, the midsole gave so much that the orthotic's arch was driven into my foot and was uncomfortable. In the 990 v3 (for $$ reasons), the midsole is firm enough at all points so that the arch is not driven into my foot. Note that the 990 is one of the few shoes with a slip last. Consider it if you have a heavy duty orthotic.... Show more
Norm
originally posted on roadrunnersports.com
Love of the New Balance M990NV3
The shoes are so comfortable, they dont hurt my feet as a matter of fact I cant even tell that I have them on. I have had so many of the lesser overseas made shoes from New Balance its taken a toll on my feet over the years, now that I have the M990NV3 my feet are so happy I put a supreme pair of shoes on them I dont have any pain and its like I have pillows for shoes. They are great shoes and I will continue to wear them for the foreseeable future I love these shoes.... Show more
semperfi196951
originally posted on ebay.com
No Problems with this model.
I do a lot of walking. Currently training to walk the 26.2 mile Bataan Memorial Death March so I am walking about 35 - 45 miles/week. I'm not really a runner but I can walk this event through the desert trail it mostly follows. I bought a pair of M990v3 at a local store, liked them and decided I wanted another of a different color than available here. So I ordered online in same size. I later saw online that some people were complaining about fit and the tongue not staying in place or the sole splitting. I have had no such problems on either pair and I have over 100 miles on both pairs now. I like this shoe.... Show more
gax the walker
originally posted on roadrunnersports.com
Runs way small for size 14
My podiatrist suggested trying the NB 1540 shoe for motion control and stability. Normally wear size 14 in any well made in America dress shoe (e.g. Allen Edmonds) and size 14 fits fine. New Balance American made NB 993 in size 14 fits fine. Tried NB 1540 in size 14 and it was way too small. Tried size 15 1540 and my toes were still crushed into the shoe. Held the NB 1540 size 15 against the size 14 NB 993 and the 1540 was smaller. I also tried the new NB 990 replacement for the 993 and it was way small like the 1540. Don't know what New Balance is doing with lasts and sizing but it doesn't relate to larger American sizes. The 1540 and/or 990 be great shoes if they fit you properly but I suggest trying it on before purchasing.... Show more
Jim Beam
originally posted on roadrunnersports.com
The right fit
I have been a runner for 5 years, and put about 30 - 50 miles a week on my shoes as a runner substantially larger than the average (190lbs). These do the trick like no other shoes for me. I have tried others, but keep coming back to the 990s. There are other great shoes to be sure, but for my foot (wider than average) and my build (bigger than average) and my training (longer than average) this is just the right fit.One thing though, and the reason I moved away from 990's this last time, is that my high arch seemed to be falling. These do not support high arches as well as others. But I do pronate, and these do seem to help resolve that. I have put in some extra arch support soles into these baby's and they have worked like a dream. Hope that helps. Happy pain ... MoreI have been a runner for 5 years, and put about 30 - 50 miles a week on my shoes as a runner substantially larger than the average (190lbs). These do the trick like no other shoes for me. I have tried others, but keep coming back to the 990s. There are other great shoes to be sure, but for my foot (wider than average) and my build (bigger than average) and my training (longer than average) this is just the right fit.One thing though, and the reason I moved away from 990's this last time, is that my high arch seemed to be falling. These do not support high arches as well as others. But I do pronate, and these do seem to help resolve that. I have put in some extra arch support soles into these baby's and they have worked like a dream. Hope that helps. Happy pain free running!... Show more
running fool
originally posted on roadrunnersports.com
Very supportive shoe would buy again!!
I am an old (over 60) guy and I have been running on a replaced knee. I use the five toe shoes all the time for my running and they don't hurt my knees.I also wear low cut New Balance military boots for walking and running and don't have any problems with them.The 990's were recommended to me and I liked them when I saw them in the store. They are a great all around shoe, but they hurt my knee when I run. If I didn't have the replaced knee, they would be great. I am going to keep them for everyday type use.... Show more
JC1911
originally posted on roadrunnersports.com