WORDS BY JOSEPH FURNESS
Sneaker trends are ever-changing, but one kick you can eternally rely on is the New Balance 990. The trusty silhouette is one of timeless simplicity: it's a shoe that anyone can rely on – counting your mum, your dad, your little sister, your nephew and even your grandpa.
Since the original shoe dropped back in 1982, five versions of the shoe have been released, and a sixth version is reportedly on its way in 2022. Fortunately, each version of the shoe released thus far is sleek, comfortable and flexible, thus, the pair you pick up should fall down to personal preference.
Want to know more about the iconic sneaker model? Why, of course you do! Here to fill you in is a selection of our dearest New Balance know-it-alls who discuss New Balance 990 sizing, fit, styling and more.
New Balance 990 Overview
How does the New Balance 990 fit?
The New Balance 990 fits true to size.
How does the New Balance 990 feel on feet?
The New Balance 990 is an extremely comfortable sneaker.
How should you care for your New Balance 990s?
To care for your trainers, use a suede protector and occassionally wipe them down with a damp cloth/towel.
New Balance 990 Sizing and Fit Guide
Katie Kilnefelter (@katiekilnefelter)
Content Creator based in Chicago, USA wearing the New Balance 990v5s
I think the New Balance 990 Sneaker is one of the most underrated trainers on the market. The quality is excellent, they're incredibly comfortable and they look great – what more could you possibly want from a shoe? Today, I’m wearing the New Balance 990v5 in the Castlerock colourway. I find the details of this well-rounded kick complement a variety of streetwear looks, and for this reason, they’re my go-to shoe of the summer.
How does the New Balance 990 fit?
In my opinion, the New Balance 990v5s run true to size. But I would also like to add that if you, like me, are between half sizes, make sure you size up a half size; I’m usually between a 7.5 and an 8 and I’ve opted for an 8 and they’re perfect.
How do you style the New Balance 990?
I've owned my New Balance 990s for a few months now and I’ve been able to style them with a surprising amount of outfits. Usually, I style them with one of three outfits: a casual tee and biker shorts, a girly dress or a dressy top and 90s-fit jeans. Here, I’m styling them with the latter: a pair of asymmetrical baggy jeans, a satin scarf top with a matching satin button-up and a faux leather mini bag.
How does the New Balance 990 feel on feet?
One of the reasons why I purchased a pair of New Balance 990s is because I heard that they’re super comfortable – I’m happy to report that the rumours are true. The shoes are not too soft or too cushioned, instead, they’re firm, supportive and cosy. I must say that other popular performance trainers I own do not provide the same all-day comfort that these do. Plus, they’re nowhere near as slender or as classic as these shoes.
How do you care for your New Balance 990s?
I would never wear these shoes in a situation where I knew they would get dirty (e.g. a concert or festival); but, when they do get a little dirty, I use products from a shoe cleaning brand called Reshoevn8r that I discovered on YouTube. I also make sure to store my New Balance trainers on a shelf in a closet to ensure they stay out of harm’s way.
New Balance 990 Sizing and Fit Guide
Stevie Salle (@steviesalle)
Content Creator and YouTuber based in Seattle, USA wearing the New Balance 990v5s
The New Balance 990v5s come in an assortment of colours, but I opted for the grey Castlerock colourway as I’m a huge fan of tonal trainers. I’ve discovered that this shoe in this particular colourway pairs well with almost anything because they’re subtle, clean and look just as premium as they feel.
How does the New Balance 990 fit?
The New Balance 990v5s fit true to size; thus, I’d recommend choosing your regular size when purchasing a pair.
How do you style the New Balance 990?
When referring to my style, I often circle back to one phrase – ‘casual flex’. I feel like the 990v5s are the ultimate casual flex. With this outfit, I’ve kept things pretty simple to allow my New Balance trainers and my Bottega Veneta bag to shine. The outfit consists of an oversized shirt, a simple tee and a pair of cropped trousers.
How does the New Balance 990 feel on feet?
The New Balance 990v5s are one of, if not the most comfortable pair of trainers I own – they’re lightweight, soft and comfy to walk in all day.
How do you care for your New Balance 990s?
Considering that the New Balance 990v5s are made up of multiple materials – one of them being suede – I avoid wearing them out in the rain. If I do decide to wear them when in harsher weather conditions, I make sure I spray them with suede protector before I leave the house; then, when I get back, I usually use a towel or a rag to gently wipe them down. A top tip of mine would be to purchase shoe inserts (also known as shoe trees) and use those in combination with the original box to store them.
New Balance 990 Sizing and Fit Guide
Sylvette (@itsylvette)
Content Creator based in California, USA wearing the New Balance 990v4s
New Balance 990 trainers are so versatile – I love how you can wear them for any occasion. For example, you can wear them whilst working out during the day and then later to go out for dinner. I think they look particularly good in grey because it’s a colour you can style with so many different colours.
How does the New Balance 990 fit?
I can confidently say that the New Balance 990 fits true to size. I selected my regular size when purchasing the trainers and I can comfortably wear them with any socks, from cotton to wool.
How do you style the New Balance 990?
When I don’t know what shoes to wear, I grab my New Balance 990s.Today, I’ve paired them with a ribbed skirt and a feminine top. I just love how you can dress them up or down depending on your mood.
How does the New Balance 990 feel on feet?
New Balance 990s are the most comfortable trainers on the market. This comes as no surprise to me as comfort has always been core to the shoe line.
How do you care for your New Balance 990s?
I occasionally clean my New Balance 990s with warm water and a washcloth. If the shoes pick up larger stains, I use Jason Markk cleaner to remove them.
New Balance 990 Sizing and Fit Guide
Daniel Simmons (@imdanielsimmons)
Content Creator and YouTuber based in London, UK wearing the New Balance 990v5s
I'm so grateful that the New Balance 990 – the ultimate dad shoe – is such a big deal, and so are my feet! Today, I’m wearing the New Balance 990v5 in the extremely versatile colourway of Castlerock grey. I would say this is the most popular New Balance 990v5 colourway, and for good reason.
How does the New Balance 990 fit?
When purchasing my New Balance 990s, I opted for my true size and I’d recommend others do the same.
How do you style the New Balance 990?
I always choose to wear my New Balance 990s whenever I want my feet to feel super comfortable. For this reason, I usually wear these trainers when meeting a friend for coffee, going to the gym and going for a stroll.
Here, I’ve chosen to style the New Balance 990 sneaker with an athleisure fit. I’ve matched certain parts of my ensemble to the shoe’s colour scheme and added a pop of blue in the form of an AMI Paris sweatshirt. I’ve finished off my outfit with a tote bag because it works well with my look and I know it’ll come in handy at some point during the day.
How does the New Balance 990 feel on feet?
The New Balance 990s are extremely comfortable and supportive, this comes as no surprise to me considering they have an Ortholite insole. I've yet to come across a pair of trainers – including designer trainers – that match the comfort of the New Balance 990s; I think that’s one of the key reasons why it’s so popular.
How do you care for your New Balance 990s?
I don't really do much to take care of my New Balance 990s because I like the way they look when they’re worn in. If on the rare chance they do get too dirty, I’ll use a damp cloth to clean them. To store them, I use a wooden shoe tree to help keep the shape of the trainers intact and to keep moisture out of the sneaker – doing this will extend the sneaker’s lifespan.