New Balance has made a strong comeback in tennis thanks to the success of Canadian star Milos Raonic and a beautiful, functional clothing and shoe line. Mijnracket.nl player Mike tested the New Balance M996V2 tennis shoe, a shoe with excellent lateral support but that still feels light and fast!
Specifications:
Brand: New Balance
Model: M996V2
Weight: 354 grams (size 9 = 42.5)
Sole profile: gravel (clay)
Technology:
The New Balance M996V2 features the following technological applications:
- REVlite cushioning: a lightweight cushioning material in the midsole that is used without compromising the functionality of the shoe
- Ndurance outsole: the outsole of the shoe is made of an extra durable rubber
- Probank: 'stabilizer' on the lateral side of the shoe for extra support during lateral movements such as sliding towards the ball
- TPU used in the upper for support, fit retention and abrasion resistance
- 12mm drop: (traditional) height difference of 12mm from heel to forefoot
Tested by:
Name: Mike
Current player shoe: Mizuno Wave Exceed Tour
Playing strength: 4/4
Test duration: 7 hours (2 hours indoor on carpet, 5 hours on clay)
Judgement:
Fit: 7.5
Stability: 9
Damping: 8
Grip: 8
Durability: 7.5
Agility and speed: 8
Review:
At first I had to get used to the slightly firmer upper of the New Balance M996V2. Fresh out of the box I felt a slight bend in the instep when rolling/bending the shoe, both on my left and right foot. I have a fairly narrow foot and the New Balance M996V2 works with a standard D-width. For me the shoe with the standard insole in the forefoot was a bit too spacious, but with my own (slightly thicker) Footbalance sports sole in the shoe the forefoot was filled a bit more and the shoe fit better around my foot. I think the shoe is therefore most suitable for someone with an average to slightly wider (fore)foot. The shoe also has a slightly more spacious fit around the ankle compared to my current tennis shoe, the Mizuno Wave Exceed Tour .
The TPU upper of the New Balance M996V2 with the Probank construction on the lateral side of the shoe is clearly visible
The first feeling on the court with the New Balance M996V2 was mainly that the lateral support of this shoe is excellent. The Probank construction on the lateral side of the shoe does its job more than well. With complete confidence I could glide to the ball without any problems during my first clay court hours of the season and easily get away from the corner. The disadvantage of the somewhat stiffer upper is also an advantage in this case: because the forefoot of the shoe is completely enclosed by the sturdy TPU material, the shoe offers a lot of shape retention and therefore retains the support in the forefoot well.
The deep herringbone profile offers excellent grip on gravel. The profile is so deep that the shoe can also be played on artificial grass or smash court. During the two sessions I played with it on carpet, I logically noticed that the grip was a bit much for this surface. The ventilation capacity of the shoe is excellent, as is the cushioning. The lightweight REVlite material offers good protection of the sole of the foot, without compromising the 'low to the ground' feeling and the agility and speed of the shoe. For a shoe with this support, I find the New Balance M996V2 surprisingly light and fast! I cannot say enough about the durability of the outsole after 7 hours of play, the sole still looks fine in any case. The New Balance M996V2 is recommended for the player with a somewhat wider (fore)foot who is looking for good support, but also finds agility and speed important.