Over the years I’ve worn a number of sneakers from various brands, but I keep coming back to the New Balance 997H. My recent purchase on December 16, 2022, marks the 5th pair I’ve bought. I’ve worn other sneakers that might be more ”stylish” (e.g. Common Projects) but overall based on a style x comfort x price point, it is my favorite sneaker and why I keep going back to it. When I’m in the market for a general “lifestyle” sneaker I end up buying them again and again. You can’t beat the versatility of the 997H at its price point.
Appearance / Materials
The first thing that draws me to the New Balance 997H is its classic, clean style. The original 997 was born out of the early 90s. In 2023, the 997H maintains a slight retro look, but I would label it a sneaker with roots in the 90s that’s been modernized over the years versus a complete throwback sneaker.
There are some things going on with the sneaker, different materials (suede, mesh, rubber) and cuts, along with the trademark N logo, it all blends in together seamlessly. It’s a simple sneaker with enough going on to keep it from being “boring.” Also, the insane number of color options give you the option of owning a flashier sneaker if you choose. There’s no shortage of neon colors, but I kept things a bit more subdued this time around by purchasing this Black/Grey pair.
More on Colors / Pricing
As mentioned above, there are numerous color options for the New Balance 997H. At Amazon, there are 54 color options and various price points. I wear a size 9 and as I write this the lowest priced sneaker is $56.80 (Black/Grey) and the highest is $114.89 (Moon Shadow/Vibrant Apricot). I ended up purchasing the Black/Grey ones this time around because I wanted the cheapest 997H I could find that would pair with most of my wardrobe. I also wanted a sneaker that would be less likely to look “dirty” as my intention was to wear these as my “daily” sneaker throughout the winter in the Northeast.
As you might’ve noticed above, there is a wide range of prices on the 997Hs. And for those that like finding a good “bargain” it can become a game of how cheap can I find them for. On average I’ve bought them between $40 – $60, which is an amazing value considering you’ll often see the same model for double the price. The tradeoff is you might have to settle for a combination of colors that’s not your preferred choice.
Materials / Comfortability
The upper portion of the 997H is a combination of synthetic and mesh materials that provide solid overall support and breathability. The mesh tongue is also padded and adds to the overall fit on the upper foot.
The 997H midsole is made of GCEVA (Ground Contact EVA) versus ENCAP found in the 997. While the GCEVA midsole is lighter, the ENCAP provides more cushion and comfort. Nevertheless, I’ve found the 997H midsole soft and comfortable enough to spend hours on hours standing. The midsole provides a fair level of cushion, but you won’t mistake it for walking on cloud style sandals which feel like “walking on clouds” or give you that springing sensation you might feel with some sneakers.
The outsole is made of rubber and provides a solid level of traction. Under most conditions, they should be fine and you’re unlikely to slip and where you won’t feel as if you’ll slip if you encounter a wet spot on a floor.
The insole consists of foam and textiles, which provides additional cushioning and support.
Height of Soles
This section is for the shorter people or folks that are wondering if these sneakers give them a boost in height. I’m 5’8” on a good day and I would honestly kill to be a few inches taller. The height of the soles of the 997Hs are 1.5” which provides a nice boost without it being overly obvious your sneakers are making you taller. Or put another way these sneakers will make you 1.5 inches taller, but you won’t look like you’re standing on stilts. If you’re looking to up things even a bit more, you can do like I do and also add in an insole. I’m using the Dr. Scholl’s Massaging Gel Insoles with this pair of 997Hs.
Sizing / Fit
I’ve found the 997Hs true to size. I wear a size 9 and haven’t found it necessary to size up or down. I did however read a few comments over at Amazon and Youtube where people mentioned the shoes run small by ½ a size (e.g. if you’re normally a size 9 you would be a size 9.5 for the 997Hs). That has not been my experience, but this is something to keep in mind before purchasing.
The one recommendation I would make regarding sizing is to specify a width if you have wider feet. For my most recent pair I purchased I did not specify a width and the shoe is a bit tighter than I like. In the past I had ordered a width of “D” and for my slightly wide feet and found it’s a bit more comfortable.
History and Possibly Discontinued
The original 997 was designed by Steven Smith in 1990 and released in 1991 as a running shoe that had a several year run before being discontinued. While there would be a few special editions that would be released, the 997 did not make its full return until 2014.
As of January 1, 2023, there are no New Balance 997Hs or any 997s at all found on the New Balance website. There is, however plenty of availability found at a number of online clothing retailers including Amazon, Zappos, DSW, J Crew.
I also looked into contacting New Balance’s through their website, but when you try to email them about an “Inventory Question”, you’re directed to a page that states “We do not have any additional information regarding the restocking of inventory on our website.”
Final Thoughts
I have yet to find a sneaker that has the 997Hs combination of comfort and style at such low price points. It’s a stellar everyday lifestyle shoe that has enough color options to keep things interesting. And while it’s not its main use case, in a pinch I think it would also be okay as a shoe to work out in or run in. If you’re looking for a versatile sneaker that won’t break the bank, you should seriously consider the New Balance 997H.
Buy now: from Amazon.com
Watch: My Video Review of the 997Hs
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