Comments: I have been playing racquetball for over 30 years and have been using new balance shoe since they first came out. If you have big feet they are the only one's that come in size and widths. All the other shoe's that I tried gave me corn's and blisters. I think they make a great shoe.
From: David Northbrook IL 08/09

Comments: I did NOT wear these to play tennis. I merely tried them on at a local store. It was just about their only true tennis shoe offering. They fit me well and true to size. I have a thickish foot and tried on the regular D width. They have good side to side support and seemed grippy. I thought they lacked cushion and also had quite a low arch support. Both things kept me from buying. I guess I'm back to buying online based on reviews here.
From: Dave, Virginia, USA. 7/09

Comments: I like the 654 - it really helped with my plantar fascitis and was very durable. I have worn out shoes consistently (over the last 10 years) in 3 months or less sometimes. These shoes lasted a full year.
From: Bob, LaGrange, IL, USA. 05/09

Comments: I thought this one would be just like the other 653 model. I was wrong. This one is giving me a heel spur problem. For 2 months now I have been nursing my right ankle. Don't even think of getting this shoe.
From: kiotkatirok, jersey city, NJ. 3/09

Comments: I bought the New Balance 653, almost identical to the 654 and has the same N-durance material. In 2 months, I could see the midsole of my shoe and I only play about 10 hours a week.
From: D, El paso, Texas, USA. 2/09

Comments:Fairly comfortable shoe, but very poor durability. I play around 8 to 10 hours per week, and these shoes last about 2 months tops. Laces last about 10 days, terrible. No break in required, they are comfy right out of the box. They don't provide very good support. All in all, a C-. Switched to Head shoes, much better.
From: Bob, San francisco, ca, usa. 1/09

Comments:Fairly comfortable shoe, but very poor durability. I play around 8 to 10 hours per week, and these shoes last about 2 months tops. Laces last about 10 days, terrible. No break in required, they are comfy right out of the box. They don't provide very good support. All in all, a C-. Switched to Head shoes, much better.
From: Bob, San francisco, ca, usa. 1/09

Comments: Both my husband and I loved the 653s. Why do they always discontinue a good product and cause people to then try and find a replacement for what was - an excellent product?
From: Jerry and Monica, Stuart, Fl. 11/08

Comments: Feels too heavy on my feet. But the traction and grip is very well. Though I am going to replace them because of the weight.
From: Adam, Rogers, AK, USA, 08/08

Comments: The exterior soles have held up well, and the shoe is comfortable new. However, I have had difficulty with interior portion of soles and have ended up with depressions which cause pressure points on soles of my feet - causing pain and need for new shoes long before the exterior portion wears. This has occurred on two pairs of this shoe.
From: Jeff, St. Mary's, MD. 8/08

Comments: Excellent shoes. Very comfortable, good support, good wear. I drag my foot at serve, but these shoes lasted 1 year. I tried the more expensive ones, but they did not last more than 6 months.
From: Nicky, Ann Arbor, MI. 8/08

Comments: I have been using New Balance 600 series for over 10-12 years. I have plantar fasciitis and liked most of these shoes going back to the 648s. These 600 series shoes continued to evolve without a problem. Then came the 652s. One of the worst NB shoes ever. The leather eyelets would literally tear when you would tie the shoes tightly, making the shoes unusable. The 653s were excellent. I purchased 6 pairs of 653s because I knew they were a keeper. Reinforced eyelets, good snug fit, excellent for plantar fasciitis, etc. Now, unfortunately, come the 654s. These shoes are so wide that, like another previous post, I took them off 2 different times to make sure they were D width. I am constantly retying my shoes during a match to make them snug. The eyelets are just leather with no reinforcement just like the lousy 652s. It's only a matter of time until the leather eyelets tear rendering the shoes useless. Buyer beware! It's hard to believe anybody could have the history with NB that I have had but I am tiring of their inconsistent quality in the 652s and now the 654s series of shoes. I am giving these to Goodwill. I can't find 653s (which were great) anywhere. I need to find a new brand of shoe. It's unfortunate but the 654s are worse than the 652s and I did not think that was possible.
From: Joe, Miami, FL, USA. 6/08
Level: 5.0
Playing frequency: 4-5 times per week
Playign Style: serve-and-volley; chip and charge; Patrick Rafter Style of play
Shoes used per year: about 4 pairs per year

Comments: This shoe wore out very quickly. I bought them in March, and I am replacing them in May. The shoe laces wore out within a week of buying them. I play two hours of tennis on weekdays, and these shoes wore out within 3 months.
From: Frederick, NY. 5/08

Comments: After reading the early feedbacks on the 654, I thought New Balance finally came up with a winner. I've been wearing the 650 series for years, and it seems every new model gets worse. I'm a senior doubles player 4.0, playing tennis 40 years and the 654 model is the most uncomfortable of the 650 series. I exchanged them for 781 model, which are more comfortable but feel clunky and heavy.
From: Harold, Valley Stream, NY. 5/08

Comments: Just got it today and feels great.
From: Danny, Huntington Beach, CA. 4/08

Comments: Great shoe, everything you can ask for. Toe protection, comfort, traction. What else do you want?
From: Kevin, Ohio. 3/08

Comments: I bought these to replace my worn 1002 series NBs. Big mistake. One of the worst pair of shoes I have ever purchased. I like a generous toe box but this was ridiculous. My feet were swimming in a D width shoe. I was so sure that I had purchased the wrong size that I took them off right there on the court to check size/width. Nope - they were just what I had ordered. My next step is to purchase a set of sports insoles to see if I can make them fit better. But they cost $20-$25, which now puts boosts me up into the range of $$ that I didn't want to spend in the first place. Will definitely go back to the 1002s ASAP.
From: Thomas, Champaign, Illinois, USA. 2/08

Comments: Very comfortable shoe, and available in the bigger sizes and wider widths. Cushioning is outstanding, and traction/maneuverability is excellent as well. Has everything I could ask for in a shoe at an exceptionally good value.
From: John, Valencia, CA, USA, 12/07

Comments: New Balance is such an underrated shoe. You can't beat the grip, contouring and performance of this New Balance classic.
From: Brian, Bristol. 11/07