Comments: Being the cheapskate that I am, I wore several different models of New Balance cross-trainer shoes for tennis prior to taking the plunge and purchasing a pair of New Balance 696. I'™ve also tried some lower-end Nike and Adidas tennis shoes a while back, but I'™ve found the right fit and feel with the New Balance. Just walking around the house, the 696 surprisingly felt a little rigid. They came to life in my first match and perhaps they just needed a little time to break in. I would say that the 696 is the economy version of the 996 with a similar look and last. The mesh keeps this shoe light and breathable, but there'™s enough synthetic leather in the upper to prevent my feet from shifting around as many mesh-predominant shoes are known for. If you prefer a softer, more cushioned feel, these shoes are probably not for you. The Abzorb midsole provides a firm response with good rebound, but they never felt under-cushioned. Like the 996, there is some outsole material protruding on the outskirts of the forefoot which gives it a wider footprint and more support. And yes, these are cool looking shoes. While many of the older NB models are popular amongst the senior population with a conservative look, the newer NB models come in some flashy color schemes. However, if you still desire a conservative color scheme, it'™s still offered.
From: NJ, 3/13

Comments: This shoe looks amazing and fits true to size, but it definitely requires breaking in. I switched from the Nike Zoom Courtlite to this shoe thinking they would be similar in comfort and weight, but this shoe is extremely uncomfortable compared to the Courtlite. I had to bend it around a few time to be able to even walk around comfortably, and I ended up switching the insoles of the Courtlites with these so that I could be comfortable at all. There's a sort of weird bump around the toe area (inside) that makes this shoe a little awkward to wear. Again, they look great and are light, but if you are going for comfort, you'll probably have to invest in another insole.
From: Tiffany, 2/13