The New Balance 996v6 is another performance shoe (this time with distinct differences between its pickleball and tennis variants) from New Balance with minimal changes from its predecessor, the New Balance 996v5. While the 996v5 was not perfect, it checked enough boxes for me to say it was a top three personal pick for 2023 and even saw plenty of court time throughout 2024. Does the New Balance 996v6 have enough change to be an improvement over the 996v5? We find out with another pickleball performance review.
New Balance 996v6 Pros
Fit
Like the 996v5, the New Balance 996v6 runs true to size while offering enough room in the toe box for players to execute explosive bursts on the court. It effectively reduces in-shoe foot movement with good lockdown, even for someone like myself that prefers as relaxed of a lace-up feel as possible (with safety still in mind).
New Balance also looks out for wide footers as they often do, providing a Wide (2E) option to purchase when buying directly from the brand.
Support
New Balance provides all-around support in the 996v6 with its famous chicken foot torsion system, wide base, and good fit. The torsional system balances flexibility and rigidity well without feeling like it is in the way of movement around the court.
The 996v6 also covers heel and ankle support well with an internal heel cup and sculpting.
Outsole
The 996v6 carries over the outsole and tooling of the 996v5. This is most likely a cost-saving measure, but at the same time, there’s no need to tweak what isn’t broken.
Although I’ve observed that New Balance court shoe outsoles tend to wear down slightly more rapidly than outsoles from other brands, the 996v6 remains a viable option in terms of durability and performance.
Expect a suitable balance between firm stops and subtle adjustments for certain scenarios. Regardless of your preferred playing style, the New Balance 996v6 should meet your needs.
New Balance 996v6 Cons
Cushion
The cushion of the New Balance 996v6 is the same FuelCell midsole carried over from the 996v5. At best, this denser compound is neutral in terms of comfort, but the 996v6 does swap the 996v5 open cell foam insole with a polyurethane insole for added step in comfort.
Like its predecessor, the 996v5 gets the job done when it comes to responsiveness and durability over time, but at the end of the day it’s nothing special compared to other iterations of FuelCell court shoes, such as the New Balance Coco CG1.
Additional Notes
The upper construction of the New Balance 996v6 is the biggest departure from the 996v5. It is now comprised of a more breathable mesh upper and thinner fuse reinforcements to protect the upper from wear and tear on drags. I found it interesting that the 996v6 actually weighs slightly more than the 996v5, however that’s likely due to the extra textile layering of the shoe.
Fortunately, the weight difference isn’t noticeable on foot. I also enjoyed the revamped tongue as there is more sculpting and padding applied. Overall, I found the upper to not feel like much of a departure from the previous model in terms of overall fit and performance.
New Balance 996v6 Summary
Just like the New Balance 996v5, I can’t deny the “lace up and forget about it” factor that the 996v6 brings to the table after a bit of break-in. I appreciate the added step in comfort along with its responsiveness, even if it isn’t my favorite cushion set up for pickleball. Although I was initially critical of the very similar 996v5, it wound up being a top 3 pair of mine from 2023 until now, so I wouldn’t be surprised if the sixth version is a top pick of mine heading into 2025.
Players looking for a functional pickleball shoe that can handle a good chunk wear and tear throughout the year should enjoy the 996v6, especially with multiple width options available. While I wouldn’t call it an overall improvement over its previous version, it’s still a shoe that performs well. At a retail price of $135, I can recommend it to anyone interested in giving it a go on their local pickleball courts.
