Customer Reviews New Balance Made in US 990v5

It fits different from my previous purchases. I buy two pairs every year. Very expensive and no promo code. I have been buying them forever.

I have had 4 pair of 990s. All 11-1/2 USA, regular. This pair is smaller than the others.

In 1981 I started running Cross Country & Track...in high school. I was a freshman that year and my Uncle, who was not in the Olympics but was invited to their trials to try out, gifted me a pair of New Balance shoes. It meant something to me. I still have them. I run in them once in a great while. That's how well made they were, back then! Not anymore... I have purchased somewhere around 50 pairs of New Balance running shoes in my life, but this time I wanted something wider than normal. So I had these made. I have also owned Brooks and Asics...they're all basically the same thing. I noticed a drop off in quality around the late 90's with a lot of things in these United States. But you know something? The companies don't care about us and never will, because it's their bottom line that matters. Not quality, not craftsmanship... that doesn't exist anymore. And certainly not honor. Making a good product for someone to enjoy so they'll come back to you again and again. New Balance has lost me on this pair of shoes. They're shoddy, at best. I'm a 220lb 6'1" (running back) type of runner. I've always been above average but never a guy who got first in big races. I don't even want to use these shoes as running shoes because they seem so poorly constructed. It's unnerving to me. Because I'd usually buy NB off the shelf and have always been generally happy. But now I have NB make them for me...and they're cruddy. Thin material, uneven in places...I'm shocked, to be quite honest. I've run in them a couple of times just to make sure. No way I'd make these daily runners...ever! I wear them as casual shoes now...until they're worn out and will get recycled like everything else. Aside from the dozens of shoes I've purchased from NB, I've spent thousands of dollars on shirts, shorts and every other type of item from New Balance. Well, you did it NB, you got my money...and in the end, lost a customer.

Purchased a brand new pair of 990's from my local New Balance store a couple of months ago. Terribly disappointed. These shoes squeak when I walk. Thought it was a matter of just breaking them in but no amount of walking has stopped them from squeaking. Have been using New Balance for the last 20+ years without a problem. I will now start considering other brands as New Balance has cheaped out and brought second rate manufacturing to what was a great brand of shoes. This is what happens when you let bean counters run the company. They make a cheap pair of shoes and sell them based on the New Balance name. New Balance just does not mean what it use to. Another American name tarnished by poor quality.

In March my go to work shoes unfortunately got torn up as I was working, so as soon as my shift ended I walked over to the New Balance outlet store to find some shoes without holes. I asked whats a good shoe for walking about 6-8 miles everyday for long periods of time and was recommended this. But after 7-8 months of wearing them at work everyday they're really not built for strenuous jobs. Two months ago my plantar fasciitis came back after a year and a half of no problems. I'm trying out different insoles to see if they will help as I'd hate to toss these expensive shoes after not even a year of wearing them. I think if you don't work 50+ hours a week running around then these might work for you!

I don't like the v5 prefer the v4. Too much room in front now and don't like the plastic ankle strap which makes the shoe hotter.

Have been purchasing NB for years. Recent pair fit well, and are constructed well but have a horrible squeek to them with each step. Really, really loud. I am not sending them back, will just put up with it.

I walk 20,000 steps a day. The more I wear these the more my feet hurt. Have to switch to old version 4 to get relief. Will not buy these again.

I wanted this shoe to wear more casually. I run a fair amount but have better shoes for that. However, these shoes are very uncomfortable to wear casually. They're awkward looking and very clunky. The heels are rock hard and just hard to wear.

Is it me or is this shoe very wide and bulky?!

I have work New Balance shoes since 1982. These replaced a pair of 940s. The toe box on the 990s is too tight and causes discomfort.

My hopes were high and I was excited to receive my shoes from an on-line order. The looks were 5 stars. The style, the outer material and the sturdiness got me really stoked. I could not wait to get this new pair broken in so I could eventually take them on my morning runs. I have purchased countless NB shoes in the past, but this was my first pair of "made in the USA" NB shoes. When I first put them on, I immediately told myself "wow, these will take a little getting used to". The position of my feet, namely my heels, seemed awkward. My heels could feel the area where the side wall of the shoes are joined to the inner sole. The wall and inner sole joined below the heels, instead of the bottom corners. Even with the Ortholite insert, it still felt as if I was standing on a toothpick that was laying flat in my shoe under the insert. I was not too concerned yet at that point and was determined to slowly get acquainted with them and break them in for short periods at a time. I am so disappointed to say that I was never able to break this pair in. The most I ever had to break a new pair of running shoes in, was about a week. So, as I was trying to break this pair in, I kept telling myself "Hey, this is your first real nice, expensive (for me) pair of running shoes. You've got to have patience and slowly get your new shoes molded to your feet". I wore the new shoes for short periods of time, alternated with old shoes to give my feet a rest after a few hours of wearing them, took alternating days off from wearing them, all to no avail. I was slowly injuring my heels with everything I was doing, by "making" it work. When it occurred to me that I was truly damaging my heels and nothing was going to work to make my feet get used to these shoes, I stopped wearing them altogether and only wore my old NB shoes to try and recover and heal my feet (namely my heels). To this day, residual discomfort is still there, but it is subsiding by wearing my old "lesser" NB shoes.

I love new balance running and casual shoes. They fit well and are well made. These shoes are well made, don't get me wrong, these are good quality shoes. I like the reflectivity and the simplicity. But, they aren't that comfortable. Any fresh foam athletic shoe is gonna be more comfortable, and cheaper. Any casual new balance shoe like the made in usa 998 or even the regular 997H is gonna be more comfortable than this shoe. For some reason, after the all the new balance shoes that I love, from high tech trail running shoes to made in usa casual shoes, this 990v5 is just not one that I like. It causes me heel pain when I walk for long periods or run in them. Running in these shoes is not advised, causes too much lower body pain. I'll stick to my fresh foams or regular new balance casual shoes. I love the idea, but this shoe just isn't comfortable for walking or running.

I think they're pretty good shoes as long as they're made in the USA

I returned these shoes because of the material. Most of the shoe right above the rubber was a felt type material and to me would not hold up well for the price. Not to mention just makes the shoe look out dated. Others have complained about the weight and while heavier than many I didn't see where it would be much of an issue for me. Especially on days where you're running 5k or less.

I was hoping to use these shoes for some light jogging, but they are just not made for that. The arch support is minimal, there is no springiness in the heel, they are 3 ounces each heavier than my old New Balances of a larger size and they are hot, not enough mesh. I do like that they are made in the USA But I am seriously considering returning them.

This product is thankfully made in America. It is more for someone who needs extra foot protection than for someone who wants to be physically active. The sole is not flexible for quick walking or jogging.