New Balance 993

There are certain qualities that a running shoe must have with its design for it to be a good product. It must have a way to support your foot adequately, be lightweight, and offer a high level of durability since you’ll be putting hundreds of miles of wear into the product. Most shoes try but fail with those attributes. If you start shopping in the budget category of products, then you may not even get 30 days of running completed before they begin to fall apart. The New Balance 993 running shoes, available for men, women, and kids provides responsiveness that you’ll feel on the first mile and beyond.

For Reasons NOT to Buy click here

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Features



The primary feature of the New Balance 993 design is the ABZORB® SBS advanced cushioning that is incorporated into the shoe’s design. This advanced cushioning is right at the forefront of the product, cushioning your foot through each power movement with durable responsiveness.

New Balance gives you DTS in the heel, along with a full-length insert, that provides a superior level of comfort along the entire foot to help you love running more today than you did yesterday.

Then there are these additional features incorporated into the New Balance 993 that are worth reviewing.

The total weight of the shoe is just 14 ounces or 399 grams.

It uses an N-Durance® rubber compound to improve onsole durability.

ACTEVA® cushions in the midsole give you compression resistance.

A blown rubber outsole adds flexibility to the design.

Comes in black, grey and navy.

The upper of the shoe is made from a combination of mesh and pigskin, while the polyurethane midsole and outsole deliver the cushioning you need while running. It offers an impressive level of resistance to compression with every step, no matter what your running profile happens to be.

Because of the unique design of this shoe, it qualifies for Medicare through code A5500. That means it may be eligible for reimbursement for some people based on a medical diagnosis from their doctor.

Reasons to Purchase

Lighter shoes can help you to become a faster walker or runner. That is the reason why all shoe manufacturers have been reducing the weight of their products over the past few years. When you combine the extra cushioning with the mixed-medium design that doesn’t rub or chafe like your average stitched shoe, then the comfort the New Balance 993 provides can be enough to encourage you to go running.

If you have wide feet, then the classic running shoe design from other manufacturers isn’t enough to be supportive. Those shoes cram your toes together, sometimes altering the profile of your impact zone when running. That kind of situation could result in an injury, which is why the New Balance 993 accommodates broader feet. You’ll find a variety of sizes available for men, women, and kids that fall outside of what is “normal” for other brands.

The cushioning on this shoe is superior to almost any other design in the industry today. Since the 1960s, the primary reason to purchase products from this manufacturer has been to provide more support around your foot in the areas that need it the most. You will discover that the high-impact resistance given to you throughout the foot will have less of an impact on your ankles, knees, and hips when you want to go running.

It is a design that is light enough that it almost feels like you are walking on air when you slip a pair on for the first time. You may find that even the best running shoes are not very responsive or flexible during the first couple of times you slip them on, but they will eventually shape to your foot to provide you with the foundation needed for an excellent running experience.

The New Balance 993 tends to work better on pavement or a flat surface for your walking or running needs. You can still receive comfort with each step if you are on a dry trail or a gravel surface, but there are some other versions (like the 2002 by New Balance) that offer more traction if that is your daily running situation.

If your feet do get hot when running, then the mesh and pigskin combination doesn’t sacrifice the durability of your investment while still offering breathability. The open construction in its design leads to more overall comfort, even if you are running in high-heat conditions. There are also places of moisture control while the foam gives you protection against hot spots when covering long distances.

Concerns

The primary concern with the New Balance 993 is its cost. These shoes run about $100 more than a pair of entry-level running shoes from other brands. They can be over $150 more than an entry-level shoe from a discount store. If your budget is tight, then that can be a significant roadblock to ownership.

There are also some odor issues to consider when wearing this series of shoe from New Balance. They tend to trap the sweat from your foot if you do not wear high-quality running socks while you manage your miles, either on the road, track, or treadmill. This issue can become even more significant if the shoes get wet because of the foam layers that are part of its construction. You will want to be proactive about this potential issue as a full-time runner.

If you like a more extended tongue with your shoe, like something from a low-top basketball design, to support the top of your foot when running, then the New Balance 993 might take a little time to get used to wearing. The eyelets are lower than other designs as well, which can be a bit uncomfortable to manage in some running situations.

When you run long distances, there is also a tendency to have the tongue slip to the side of your foot. You can wear thicker socks to prevent this issue from occurring, but that also means there might be more sweat for you to control. It can be bothersome enough that it forces you to stop your stride to make a quick adjustment.

If you have wide feet, then you may wish to have your foot sized to the New Balance brand because the fit can be a little different. The same issue can be found sometimes for anyone with a shoe size over 12.

Advantages

If the standard New Balance 993 does not meet or exceed the expectations of your foot when running, then you can take advantage of its inclusion in the brand’s NB1 program. This opportunity allows you to design the color scheme of the shoe, customize its look, and even have a personalized message embroidered on the back. You can go online to place this order, and then your custom shoes are ready the next day. This program comes at a premium cost over a standard pair, but it can be a way to meet your unique needs.

Over the past three decades, New Balance has worked hard to decrease the time it takes to make a pair of sneakers while their competitors are moving their manufacturing processes overseas. The company has gone from eight days to make and ship a shoe to just three hours. There are more than 1,300 manufacturing associates in the United States that can hand-stitch shoes or cut leather in less than 30 seconds.

You must have hands-on knowledge in the manufacturing cycle to construct an excellent running shoe, which is why the New Balance 993 has associates who average 13 years of experience with the company. Each shoe is then carefully inspected before it leaves the factory to ensure that it matches the expected design and fit outcomes.

Why Choose the New Balance 993?

If you are a runner who tends to overpronate, then the design of the New Balance 993 will help you to find some relief from the discomfort you experience while exercising. The foam in the shoe supports your arch as it moves inward or downward excessively, giving you a defense against the potential injuries that can occur while running.

Injuries that can occur with this condition include shin splints, chronic lower back pain, stress fractures in the metatarsals, and tendonitis of the Achilles. Heel pain and inflammation of your knee ligaments are also possible.

You can sustain these injuries even if you choose to walk instead of run. If you experience pain with your current running shoes and are looking for relief, then the New Balance 993 might be able to meet your needs. It can also help to speak with a doctor about the cause of this condition and if any other exercises or strategies can offer relief.

Long-Term Durability

Durability ratings for the New Balance 993 depend upon the usage that you require of the shoe. People who walk in them full-time will have a different experience than those who run a couple of miles per day. There also tends to be a different style of wear when comparing the adult shoes to the kid’s version.

There is nothing worse than spending your hard-earned cash on a running shoe where the quality of its construction is garbage. You need some flexibility in the shoe with enough stiffness to support your feet. There is still plenty of stability in the shoe even after several months of running.

If you keep the New Balance 993 as a primary running shoe, then you can easily get 12+ months of use with this investment. When your need is for an all-day shoe that you can wear to work or school and then use for running, it does not stand up well to the wear-and-tear either. It likes to operate in consistent environments where there is environmental consistency.

You will notice some fading begin to occur on the upper at first, even if you proactively care for the pigskin and mesh each day. The seams start to give after a few months as well, especially if you are wearing the shoes for more than 10 hours per day. Some separation may even happen on the kid’s shoes about halfway through the school year, forcing your hand into purchasing another pair.

Because New Balance uses foam for supporting the foot, the constant compression and release of walking and running will eventually flatten out these features. Every running shoe wears out eventually, but you will notice changes over the lifespan of the shoe that can lead to growing levels of discomfort. If the shoe fits exceptionally well when you first get them, then it might be downhill from there as you start to log some miles.

If you slip on the New Balance 993 for your training needs, then you’ll receive the support you want and the long-term durability you need with this investment. It is a shoe that can still make a fashionable impact as well, but it prefers shorter bursts of wear to support your physical activities more than it likes commuting to the office or the classroom with you.

5 Best Ways to Care for Your New Balance 993

When you go for a daily jog around your neighborhood each morning, then your New Balance 993s are going to pick up some dust, dirt, and discoloration that you will want to manage.

If you work out at the gym, you can still see sweat stains, scuffs, and other appearance problems begin to develop on the exterior of the shoe.

Instead of letting their appearance degrade, there are a few steps that you can take to keep them looking new without much effort. Here are the techniques that you will want to follow.

Use a light-bristle brush to dislodge tough stains.

You will want to work the mesh and pigskin upper of the shoe with light bristles to work out any stubborn stains that are present. Don’t scrub it with a cloth as this can impact the integrity of the exterior. Apply gentle pressure and warm water as you work from toe-to-heel. This process should restore the look of your 993s.

Apply a mild detergent if necessary.

If you have stains on your shoes that will not come out with light scrubbing with the brush, then you can apply a mild detergent to the warm water to keep working. New Balance shoes can handle laundry or dishwashing soap products to help you clean the exterior of your shoe.

It helps to do a spot check with detergent before cleaning your 993s to make sure no additional staining will occur.

Use a damp cloth to wipe the shoes clean.

Once you have dislodged the dirt and debris from your shoes, you will want to take a damp cloth to wipe away what your brushing displaced. Apply light pressure at most to avoid changing the look or feel of the suede. Then you will want to allow the 993s to dry for at least 24 hours before wearing them once again.

Use a shoe deodorizer spray to remove any problematic odors.

When you run in your shoes every day, there are plenty of opportunities for some terrible odors to develop. Use a deodorizing spray to take care of this problem instead of trying to wash out the interior of the shoe with a detergent. If the supportive foam gets too wet, then it can change the support profile of the product.

Do not send the shoes through the washing machine.

The New Balance 993s do not perform well when they are submerged in water. Exposing them to an unnatural heat source can impact the integrity of the shoe as well.

When you choose a cleaning product to make your New Balance 993 look brand new again, you will want to choose something that offers a silicone-based foundation to prevent damage to the shoe. You’ll want specific cleaners to manage each component of the exterior. Then make sure that you are following the instructions provided by the cleaning product to ensure you get the result you want.

You don’t need to clean your shoes every day. If you run daily in your 993s, then 2-3 times per month should be sufficient to maximize the lifespan of your shoes.

New Balance 993 vs. 990

Two of the best-selling shoes from New Balance are the 993 and the 990. The latter was revolutionary when it began to gain in popularity in the early 1980s, and then new iterations of this disruptive design have come through over the past 30+ years. There have been a total of 7 different models which have reached the market.

When comparing the New Balance 993 vs. 990 differences, we need to look at the changes that were made in the 991 and the 992.

In 2001, New Balance changed the naming conventions of the 990 series, moving away from a version-based model to create the 991. This design incorporated an entirely new midsole and Abzorb cushioning, providing runners with an extra level of support for each mile they run.

During the 100th anniversary of the brand, New Balance released the 992. This shoe continued the evolution of the midsole, revamped the outsole design, and featured the debut of the stability in-sock technology from Abzorb for the first time.

Those design elements would eventually lead to the introduction of the New Balance 993 in 2008.

What Does the New Balance 993 Bring to the Market?

When New Balance introduced the 993 shoe, it would become the final option that would feature the 99X naming convention. This design incorporated all of the improvements from the 991 and the 992 shoes from the previous years. They also improved the cushioning elements of the shoe to provide a superior level of foot support while running or walking.

Both the New Balance 993 and the 990 provide a superior level of breathability to the foot. You receive less sweat that stays around the foot, which can prevent issues with skin breakdown if you exercise frequently. The mesh and pigskin combination for the upper is still remarkably strong, yet it also comes with a flexibility that is not always present with other shoes.

The New Balance 993 should not be confused with the 990v3, which was the first alteration to this design since 1998 with the release of the 990v2. The perforated uppers and mesh panels reduced the weight of the shoe to make it comparable to what is available with the later-model design.

Since 2016, New Balance has been selling the 990v4, which has a slightly different midsole from the 993 and better underfoot comfort. Some would argue that the collaborative efforts with other shops and brands have changed the approach the brand has taken to running, turning the product more into a casual shoe instead of one that works to support your performance.

Which Is Better?

If you are looking at the cost of the New Balance 993 vs. 990 alone, then the 993 will usually be the choice since it retails for about $40 less in most regions.

Comfort depends on the shape of your foot. If you have a higher arch, then the 993 will reduce your joint pain up to the hip while running. When your arches are lower, then the 990 series may be a better option.

Shoe evolution continues to provide more running support. Either option can provide you with a cushioned step so that you can maximize every mile.

Verdict



The New Balance 993 provides you with versatile running supports without causing discomfort in your joints. It offers plenty of foam cushioning in all of the right places while offering you a significant level of durability. You’ll want to reserve their use for walking or running only until they outlive that purpose, and then they can become the casual wear shoes that you take to the gym or use for working around the house.

If you like to run on primitive trails instead of down the street, around the track, or on your treadmill, then these shoes might not give you the traction you want. You’ll want to prevent getting these shoes wet to avoid odor issues as well. When you manage the care of these shoes well, then they are easily one of the best products that are on the market today.