Tag Gear

Gear – New Balance 990 running shoes

Robert Bradt

Over the past couple of years of walking I’ve gone through a fair amount of gear, so I thought I would share some feedback for stuff that’s tried and trusted. Hope it helps.

What is it?: New Balance 990 v5 running shoes.

How much?: about $250 CAD including tax

Where, when, how do I use them?: The ones in the picture are a brand new pair, my 2nd. I just got them and am in the process of breaking them in. I wore out the first pair over around 350 km – 400km of road, sidewalk, and trail walking around Toronto (and Bermuda).

I wear them for probably 8-9 months of the year, switching to boots in the winter. Otherwise they are my go-to everyday footwear. Since I’m now mostly retired, I don’t need to wear anything fancier most days, and they’re comfortable enough to wear all day long.

I got the first pair on the recommendation of my podiatrist. The 990 model has a pretty defined/stiff structure for a running shoe, and I need that given that I wear custom orthotics. At the same time, they have a lot of cushiony give in the sole, which makes walking on pavements much more comfortable.

Would I buy them again?: Yes – like I said, this is my 2nd pair. I wish they would last more than 500km but then everything wears out eventually. They’re comfy, they fit really well with my orthotics, they breathe well so they’re cool in summer, and when worn with good socks I haven’t had any blister issues.

I can’t think of any cons, other than they are expensive compared to some other models and brands of running shoes. If you don’t need all the structure and you’re looking for lightweight and low cost, then you can definitely find something for less. That said, you get what you pay for, and the bottom line for me is that they work and they’re comfy.

Disclaimer: This is not a “review”. I don’t go around sampling things, instead this is a summary of my own experience with a product I have used a lot. All opinions contained in this post are my own. I offer no warranties or assurances for your experiences with the same product. I bought the gear with my own money and have not received any form of compensation from the manufacturer. Take my feedback as given – caveat emptor.