This 6th version of the 996 carries on the legacy of lightweight comfort, speed, and the FuelCell midsole for a smooth ride!
Built for players who crave lightweight speed in their court shoes, the New Balance 996v6 D is comfortable and supportive with FuelCell in the midsole! This update carries on the comfortable and responsive feel underfoot with the full length FuelCell, while the upper has been re-engineered for increased support and durability in the areas you need it most. With this 6th edition New Balance made strategic improvements to increase the lock-down around the heels and in the forefoot. The NDurance rubber compound provides durability in high-wear areas, and the traction grips and gives when needed for the gritty hard courts. Backed by a six month outsole durability guarantee.
- Upper: Lightweight engineered mesh upper for comfort and ventilation, while it is reinforced in target areas to maximize support and improve upper durability.
- Midsole: Full length FuelCell for soft cushion, and propulsion for each stride.
- Outsole: NDurance rubber outsole in multi-directional tread pattern. Great traction on any court surface, but this version is ideal for hard courts. Backed by a six month outsole durability guarantee.
- Color: Dusk Shower
Fit Details
| Length: | Slightly Short |
|---|---|
| Width: | Medium |
| Arch: | Medium |
| Break-in: | None |
| Surface: | Hard (all court) |
| Durability Guarantee: | Yes |
| Weight: | 14.7 ounces (size 10.5) |
Stock #: MCH996F6D
Other items in New Balance 996 Men's Tennis Shoes
Other items in New Balance D Width Men's Shoes
Customer Reviews
Not as wide in the toe box as neededI had been wearing the KSwiss Lite 2E shoes for pickleball and began to notice my feet were sore after playing and looked like I was developing a bunion. So I bought a pair of the NB1007 and the NB996V2 both 2E widths looking for a wider toe box. I kept the NB1007 and returned the NB996V2. The NB1007 felt wider in the toe box and much more comfortable even when playing for 5 hours straight. I also notice my shins don’t feel as beaten up after playing as the NB seem to have plenty of cushioning. Definitely will be sticking with the NB1007s.
Fantastic combo of stability and speedThese shoes are great. These are my first New Balance tennis shoes. I don't normally wear wide shoes but have been having a problem with my toes and decided to try these. I've played in every Asics Gel Res except the X and liked them but these are my new go to. One day on court and I immediately bought another pair. They're plenty stable, great grip, and much faster than other stability shoes I've tried. They're great looking as well. Highly recommended.
SizeFits true to size
New balance X yonexthis new balance is a good one, light, confortable, but, it is not as wide like yonex.
Heavy shoe built like a tankThis shoe is very durable and heavier than I like. Fits true to size and wide was a good fit for my wide feet. I play doubles and prefer a lighter weight shoe.
GREAT SHOESComfortable, stylish, slightly narrow (my problem) but fine shoes.
Comfortable shoe for foot problemI'm having "Hallus Rigidus" problems with big toe probably due to years of wearing shoes with too small toe box. This shoe is 1/2 size bigger than I previously wore and size 2E. With an orthopedic insole, it helps me in playing tennis/pickleball 2x per week. I would give this 5 stars if it weren't that my foot/toe still hurts at times and I'm not sure if it's just my foot or if there is a better shoe. For now, I'm getting along better with this shoe and that matters!
Great Shoe - Checks all the boxesBecause the NewBalance CT Rally wasn't available, I tried this pair of shoes and I have been pleasantly surprised with its quality. It is almost as comfortable and cushiony as the CT Rally but it is more responsive and hugs my foot better. It has similar response to the KSwiss Ultrashot 3 but more comfortable. It runs slightly small so since I am in between a 10.5 and 11, I opted for the 11 size. Very impressive and great overall shoe. It might be my new go-to shoe for the future.
Not better than prior versionsI have worn this model for many years because of comfort and no break in period. Just bought a pair of the latest version and are clearly narrower and tighter fit than prior versions. I always upgrade the insoles for extra comfort and support, but may have to remove them. I am stretching the shoes now. May be the last pair of these I buy. Time will tell.
Enjoy this shoeFrom the perspective of a size 13D, New Balance is the ONLY shoemaker that comes close. The comfort level with the cushioning under the pad of your foot and the snug fit across my entire foot is appreciated. If you have a narrow foot, look no further than NB.
ClumsyWearing these feels like wearing home slippers for tennis. NB was know to provide overall quality and comfy tennis shoes for wide feet. Not any more - shoes are getting narrow and heel cushioning is only average.
Comfort and SupportI’ve tried the last two versions of this shoe as well and these are by far my favorites. The v4 were too narrow at the toes and v5 too roomy in the mid foot and heel. These are perfect for my feet. Even more comfortable and cushy than the v5 but are more snug in the heel and mid foot so there isn’t any heel slippage. Toe box is perfect. Don’t know about the durability as I’ve only played 5 times or so in them. Highly recommend.
very tight even 2EThis model is heavier, and very tight regardless I tried 2E. Also the shoes had a clumsy fit feeling. It looks like NB is turning to narrower shoes instead of traditionally wide fit. Too bad. Not recommended.
4.5 player/ 4x week/ formal state champion
good shoeLike the majority of us tennis players, we tire of companies changing shoe models each year sending us on a journey to discover the best replacement model. Some of us just when finding the right shoe end up buying as many pairs as we can before the model year ends. This shoe however is as good as previous model. Not better, certainly not worse, but just as good.
No nonsenseI have more difficulty finding decent tennis shoes than even running shoes, and that’s saying a lot. These fit pretty snug at first but break in nicely. I’ve seen some reviews that say they’re short but to me they’re true to size. This is just a very usable, high quality tennis shoe. Nothing special, but the upper fits well with no heel slip, and it’s mercifully breathable. The tread pattern works for hard court and for har-tru clay. Shock absorption from the midsole is average for a tennis shoe, but the tradeoff is that you get a really good stable grounded feel. I’m honestly not sure why these don’t cost more, maybe NB needs to work on player sponsorship. If I have a gripe, they weigh too much, like every other tennis shoe. Most of us don’t need a ~15 oz shoe for league play.
BuyWish I got a little wider shoe. But it’s a great shoe overall
New BalanceI like New Balance 996 shoes. I have 3 pairs of 996v4 and 1 996v6.
I purchased all of them from Tennis Warehouse. The delivery has been efficient and reliable.
New 996 are smaller and stifferThis updated 996 model runs smaller and stiffer than last year. I had to run a half size larger and these are more rigid and less comfy than prior versions.
Durability is trash, Performance is goodSuper good lightweight shoes with excellent stability comfort and support. However, I go through one of these a month. Although I keep buying them.
True to size fitI have been wearing the 996 for over 15 years. 11.5E-E fits the same each time and the shoe is a very good performer.
New Balance 996v6 D Terrarium/Firefly Men's SThe size fits perfectly and feels stable.
Not The Same as V5The good. Lots of added support. The step forward NB took to improve makes a lot of sense. Very stable.
The difference. Slightly narrower. Slightly heavier. VERY stiff. I can't seem to break this shoe in after six weeks. Seems to have slightly more vibrations on my foot and my knee, likely need a new insole.
Works well for me!I formerly used the NB 1006 D but the newest model (1007) of it did not work for me and I returned it. Decided to try the 996v6 D and liked the amount of cushion and especially fond of the way it locked in my heel and provided some stability. I do like a bit of room in toe box so I return the D width and ordered the 2E. After 2 sessions, I am pleased.
The 1006 ReplacementLong time 1006 user - great shoe
then the 1007 showed up to replace it - TERRIBLE FIT
Called Tennis-Warehouse - they recommended the 996
Tried one - needed to order 1/2 bigger
Love it - I bought 9 pairs to avoid any changes to the shoes in the yrs to come.
Toe Box SmallerToe box is smaller and shoe is overall tighter than v5 which is not terrible for me since my feet are on the narrower side. Tongue continually slides to outside of shoe making it uncomfortable. Definite step in the wrong direction.
sneaker ratingThe size 10.0 was a bit tighter than my usual 10.0, so I stretched it a bit and now it's fine. Next time with the same model I will buy a 10.5.
Vs V5 Smaller Stiffer HeavierNB Made the V6 more stable than the V5. However, it's VERY STIFF. Toe Box is tighter (helps with support and sliding), heavier (likely due to the extra reinforcement), and super stiff. The V5 was probably too soft and the V6 is too rigid. Hopeful the V7 will be the goldilocks shoe.
Smaller. Tighter than V5I bought a pair of these after having three pairs of the V5. They were too tight at the ball of the foot. I should have sent them back and tried a half size up or the wider version.
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.]
Toe Box Too SmallI've bought this model the last two versions and liked the how light it felt yet durable. The toe box for this version is too small where I had to remove the original inserts to fit my feet. However, this cause more feet and back pain from not being able to use my custom orthotics.
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.]
New Balance 996v6 2E Terrarium/Firefly Men'sPlayed with it six or seven times, it feels good
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.]
One step backI love New Balance 996 court shoes, but this latest version is somehow less comfortable than the previous version. It’s more stiff and less wide! I used to replace the insole with an upgraded one, but can’t do it with this new shoe version, my feet just won’t fit into the shoe.
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.]
Firm quick and brutalThese shoes are very firm and the outsole is incredibly grippy, which is great for aggressive movement and quick changes of direction, but is very hard on the knees and hips. These are the only shoes that have given me hip pain, and I was having knee pain worse than usual. The hip pain was particularly worrisome. I switched shoes to a softer shoe with rubber that has more give and doesn’t bite the court as much, and my hip and knee pain has practically vanished overnight. I am a 31 year old 5.0 singles player and very quick lateral mover that tracks down a lot of balls.
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.]
Like playing barefooted (almost)Someone else wrote: "Also, the cushioning is non-existent and the balls of my feet feel bruised."
Yup, that's it. I made it just a few minutes in these before I took them off because there appears to be no cushioning in them at all.
I'm an older player who still hits the ground hard and fast, and these shoes are not for older, hard-playing feet!
I might wear them on clay or grass, but on hard courts, they'd destroy my poor feet.
Love itI like the feeling when I am running in the court with these shoes.
Best court shoes everAfter trying many court shoes I came across these and love what New Balance did. They kept the classic New Balance comfort while giving it a very durable outsole. Never wearing another court shoe.
Runs a little largeThe 996V4 is my first New Balance pair for tennis. I got many compliments on the style/colors. The shoe tends to run about 1/4 to 1/2 size too large. New Balance running shoes always fit great, so expected to find these shoes in the same size. Even with a thicker pair of socks, there's still just a touch too much room. Hope this is helpful.
Great shoe and styleSo far I love these shoes!
HappyStable, not soft, low to Earth, very good traction, comfortable fit. Happy.
Very comfortable, but not durableI've only had these for 3 weeks and the sole is separating from the upper, which is too bad because otherwise I really like the shoe. Very comfortable. I contacted TW about it but that isn't under warranty, but they offered a refund because they didn't have any more and weren't getting more. I really liked the shoe though, so I decided to buy some Shoe Goo and fix them. So far it's working.
New Balance 996v4 - SupportLightweight shoe that wraps foot securely in shoe, especially the heel area. However, due to minimalistic design there isn't sufficient support from the outsole resulting in foot pain particularly the heel from compromised design. In addition, the slightly low arch support does create medial pain in the foot.
