new balance m992 rr tan green grey | 3 Best New Balance Basketball Shoes in 2024

Among all the basketball shoes that ever came out of New Balance’s factories at this time, it’s the TWO WXY V4 that left the most impressive impact on us. Aside from its impressively durable upper, we also appreciated its outdoor-ready outsole. We loved the convenience of NOT having to change shoes when we decided to take our games outdoors. The NB TWO WXY V4’s being lightweight was also a noteworthy benefit.

We subjected the toebox and the heel padding to our in-lab Dremel tests, and we were awed by the amount of resistance in both points. The toebox got a 4 while the heel padding got a 5 out of 5 for durability. We no longer have doubts about this basketball shoe’s longevity.

We played on rough outdoor courts while wearing the New Balance TWO WXY V4, and we were amazed by the sturdiness displayed by its outsole. This observation was confirmed by our in-lab Dremel test; the outsole incurred only 0.7 mm of damage (average damage is 1.0 mm).

We also had nothing to complain about this NB shoe’s weight. Our scale pegged its weight at 13.05 ounces or 370 grams, which is significantly lighter than average (14.18 ounces or 402 grams). Because of this lightness, our movements never felt ‘held back,’ no matter which direction we go.

Unfortunately, we do not recommend this shoe to those who have sweaty feet. The upper is on the toastier side, with a breathability score of 2 over 5.

True to its name, the New Balance Fresh Foam BB’s delivered the freshest and most cushioned experience among all the NB shoes that we tried. Aside from providing a lot of impact protection and comfort, this shoe was also extremely lightweight and was big on support.

Running up and down the court never resulted in buscador because the soft heel area of the NB Fresh Foam BB has a lot of compression. This part kept the buscador at bay and ensured comfort from start to finish.

At 11.2 ounces or 318 grams, this basketball shoe from New Balance is definitely lighter than the average (14.22 ounces or 403 grams). Because of its lightness, we could jump higher and run faster without the clunkiness that usually came with bulkier and heavier shoes.

Foot containment was another aspect that we appreciated. The upper and the laces all worked in synergy to give our feet a good and secure clasp. We never had to worry about our shoes being accidentally taken off when we were in aggressive motion.

Too bad the New Balance Fresh Foam BB is not really for those with wide feet. Its structure is narrow, and the upper materials did not offer that much give.

When we consider a shoe as the best sneaker, we do not look only at its looks. We also pay attention to the comfort that it delivers, its durability, and how securely it grasps the foot. The New Balance 550 passed with flying colors in all aspects, so we consider it deserves to be hailed as the best basketball-inspired sneaker from NB.

Nothing really beats leather when it comes to providing softness and a unique next-to-the-skin feel. The NB 550 is made of real leather, and we thoroughly enjoyed all the benefits that come with it. 

Lasting long even with frequent use would not be a problem with the New Balance 550. We subjected it to Dremel tests, and we learned that the leather upper and the heel padding were dependably durable. Both got a 4 out of 5 for durability during the tests.

When it comes to locking the foot down, the NB 550 is not to be discounted, either. It got a 4 out of 5 for both torsional rigidity and heel counter stiffness. This means that upon wearing this shoe, we did not have to worry anymore about foot twists and heel slips.

We were just not fond of the heaviness of the shoe. Our scale pegged it at 15.94 ounces or 452 grams. The average is only 14.00 ounces or 397 grams.