New Balance Athletic Inc. is a Boston, Massachusets based company producing sports footwear and apparel. The brand, firstly seen on courts thanks to Canadian shooter Milos Raonic, counts with the growth of sales in tennis soon. The latest signing of a multi-year and multi-million deal with 16 years old (already in WTA Top 50) American tennis star Cori Gauff proves the point. We looked at the product portfolio of the company and tried to pick the five best New Balance tennis shoes. Check our choice below.
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New Balance 696v4
The popularity of New Balance 696v4 is astonishing. In sales numbers it overcome more equipped or promoted models. The reason behind the success of 696v4 tennis shoes is the excellent price-to-quality ratio.
The price is well below $100, and the shoes are very reliable and durable. The main feature is its NDurance outsole for excellent traction on the court.
696v4 shoes are lightweight but sturdy. Their design is very dress-code-compliant and the material breathes well enough.
New Balance 696v4 is made in versions for hard and clay courts, in different color variations for women and men.
Check the price and availability of New Balance 696v4 tennis shoes at Amazon here.
New Balance Fuel Cell 996v4
New Balance Fuel Cell 996v4 is the headline model for the company. This flagship tennis shoe uses all the best technologies you can find in different New Balance tennis shoes. NDurance outsole, NDure upper, and Hypoknit upper, all for better comfort and stability. Moreover, it adds unique Fuel Cell technology – an improved midsole for better reaction and performance.
The price of 996v4 mirrors the quality of the product. You will get a top-end model in New Balance Fuel Cell 996v4.
Like all other New Balance tennis shoes, 996v4 comes in clay and hard court versions and also in men’s and women’s designs.
Check the availability of different 996v4 designs at Amazon here.
New Balance Fresh Foam Lav1
Fresh Foam Lav1 is a new addition to the product line of New Balance. It was specially designed and manufactured with the help of Milos Raonic. Fresh Foam Lav has a new Fresh Foam midsole cushioning, kinetic stitch, and NDurance outsole.
These shoes provide stability but also flexibility when needed. New Balance Fresh Foam Lav shoes are specially designed for hard-court use for professionals.
Check the availability of New Balance Fresh Foam Lav at Amazon here.
New Balance 796v2
New Balance 796v2 is a tennis shoe specially designed for hard court use. NDurance outsole for perfect traction and extended durability is a natural part of New Balance shoes. However, 796v2 also features a Revlite midsole for optimal control during quick side-to-side movement or change of direction.
Users praise excellent underfoot support and great fit.
New Balance 796v2 is available in four different colors (two women’s and two men’s) at Amazon here.
New Balance also produces a special padel (pickleball) version of the 796v2 model with a wide toe box. Check it out here.
New Balance 1006v1
New Balance 1006v1 is another model aimed at hard-court players. This model is a refresher of the successful 1005 tennis shoe model. New Balance 1006v1 features a REVlite midsole to keep your feet comfortable during long matches on the hardest courts.
Go to the New Balance shop to check the women’s styles of 1006v1 here and men’s styles here.
Not sure how to choose the shoes for different court surfaces? Check our guide of shoe requirements for clay, hard and grass courts.
New Balance produces more than 12 different models of tennis shoes (for clay and hard courts). We picked the five models mentioned above, but you should not also overlook the rest of them. At least New Balance 996v3, New Balance 806v1, New Balance 896v3, New Balance 896v3, and New Balance 696v3 are worth examining for further review before your buying decision.
By the way, the most popular New Balance shoe among our readers is the 806 model.
All New Balance tennis shoes are available here.
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