This New Balance 997 Sizing Guide uses direct comparison photos where I put my 997 shoes next to other popular shoes so you can see the difference in sizing. I will also discuss things like weight, width, flexibility, heel drop, and sole height. After trying these shoes, do New Balance 997 shoes run big or small?
New Balance 997 shoes fit true to size for most people. They have a fit that is very comparable to other types of athletic casual sneakers. I ordered my normal sizing and they fit comfortably. In the article below I have side-by-side photos comparing New Balance 997 sizing to the sizing of other popular shoes.
When I compared my New Balance 997 sizing to the sizing of other popular athletic shoes, I found a similar length and width. For example, here is my New Balance 997H (on the right) compared to Nike Air Max:
And here is my New Balance 997 compared to Under Armour sizing:
The main takeaway is expect the New Balance 997 to fit true-to-size regarding length and width. Let’s start this New Balance 997 Sizing Guide by looking at the other direct side-by-side comparison photos of my New Balance 997 shoes compared to other popular shoes (and how it responds on my foot).
New Balance 997 Sizing Photos
New Balance 997 On My Foot
In my experience, the New Balance 997 shoes have a comfortable fit. To give you an idea how the 997 responds on a foot, here I am wearing mine:
New Balance 997 vs Brooks Adrenaline Sizing
New Balance 997 vs Reebok Classics Sizing
New Balance 997 vs Skechers Go Walk Sizing
New Balance 997 vs Adidas 2k Boost Sizing
New Balance 997 vs Saucony Shadow 6000 Sizing
New Balance 997 vs Nike Air Max Excee Sizing
New Balance 997 (left) vs 880 Sizing
New Balance 997 vs Crocs Sizing
New Balance 997 vs Under Armour HOVR Sizing
New Balance 997 (left) vs 990 Sizing
New Balance 997 (right) vs Hey Dude Sizing
New Balance 997 vs Asics Sizing
New Balance 997 (left) vs 574 Sizing
New Balance 997 vs AF1 Sizing
New Balance 997 vs Adidas Superstar Sizing
New Balance 997 vs Converse Chucks Sizing
New Balance 997 vs Nike Blazer Sizing
New Balance 997 vs Adidas Gazelle Sizing
New Balance 997 vs Converse Pro Leather Sizing
New Balance 997 vs Keen Sizing
New Balance 997 vs Vans Old Skool Sizing
New Balance 997 vs Nike Dunk Sizing
New Balance 997 vs Jordan 1 Sizing
Do New Balance 997 Shoe Fit Wide or Narrow?
In my experience, New Balance 997 shoes do not fit too wide or too narrow. Overall, the toe box area has average width. For example, when I compare my New Balance 997H shoes to Nike Air Max, the width is very similar:
If you have wide feet: To get a better idea of how wide these shoes are, below is the width of my New Balance 997 shoes (in standard width) compared to the width of Nike Air Monarch 4E (which is a popular extra wide shoe):
Below is a photo of me measuring the width of the outsole on my 997 men’s size 12 shoes:
These New Balance 997 outsole width measures approximately 4.75 inches for a size 12 men’s, which is a pretty standard width compared to the New Balance shoes that I have tried.
The main takeaway is expect these 997 shoes to fit true to size. They are also available in wide sizes.
Do New Balance 997 Shoes Run Big or Small?
When I compared the New Balance 997 Shoes to other types of popular athletic-style shoes pictured above, I found the fit to be very similar. In my experience, the New Balance 997 shoes fit true to size.
To read more about sizing, visit my article that discusses the sizing of New Balance Shoes.
How Much Do New Balance 997 Shoes Weigh?
My size 12 men’s New Balance 997 shoes weigh 0.74 pounds per shoe.
Recently I tried over 30 different types of New Balance shoes. Click here to see how the weight of the New Balance 997 Shoes compares to other New Balance shoes.
Are New Balance 997 Shoes Breathable?
The New Balance 997 shoes are not one of New Balance’s most breathable options. It’s important to understand that these shoes are built for for comfort and stability. They are made with leather uppers that help provide that support, but they won’t be the most breathable option that New Balance offers.
Here is a close-up look at the material on my 997 shoes:
New Balance offers a wide selection of breathable shoes. Many of their running shoes are very breathable. For example, here is the the New Balance Propel that I own:
You can actually see light passing through the shoe.
The main takeaway is don’t expect the New Balance 997 shoes to be as breathable as some of the modern running shoes that New Balance offers.
How Flexible are New Balance 997 Shoes?
Flexibility can play a large role in the fit and comfort of a shoe.
The New Balance 997 shoes have a flexible design that feels responsive on my foot. In the videos below, I tried to capture how flexible these shoes are:
Do New Balance 997 Shoes Fit Tall?
New Balance 997 Sole Height
I found the New Balance 997 sole height for my size 12 shoes to be approximately 2 inches tall near the heel. This retro design features a sleek upper design with this chunkier midsole (chunky New Balance shoes).
In the photo below, I tried to capture the heel height, and the overall height of the 997 shoe:
New Balance 997 Sizing Heel Drop
When I measured my New Balance 997 shoes using an 8-inch Digital Outside Caliper, I found the heel drop to be approximately 9-10mm.
Here I am measuring the heel drop of the New Balance 997 shoes:
**It is important to understand that although I tried my best to get accurate measurements, the best way to measure heel drop is to cut the shoes in half and use an industrial caliper. Obviously, I didn’t want to destroy my shoes, but this is a convenient alternative way to measure the New Balance 997 heel drop.
The point is, think of this number as an approximation. For all official measurements, it would be best to reach out to New Balance directly.
The heel drop won’t affect how the New Balance 997 shoes fit, but it can affect how comfortable it is for you to use. T
Do New Balance 997 Shoes Fit Comfortable?
To read more in depth about comfort, visit my article Are the New Balance 997 Shoes Comfortable?
New Balance 997 Padding
The New Balance 997 shoes do have padding around the collar and tongue which helps create a comfortable, but dependable fit. Here is a look at my New Balance 997 shoes near the collar:
Does the New Balance 997 Have a Removable Insole?
Yes, the New Balance 997 has a removeable insole in case you need to clean or swap your insole. Here is a look at the removable insole in my New Balance 997 shoes:
How Thick is the New Balance 997 Insole?
I measured my New Balance 997 insole to be slightly under a quarter-inch thick. This insole thickness is comparable to many other types of New Balance shoes.
997 Comparisons
To read about how these shoes compare to other options, visit my articles linked below:
New Balance 997 Sizing Conclusion
In my experience, the New Balance 997 sizing fits true to size. When I compared the sizing of the 997 to the sizing of other popular casual shoes, I found the sizing to be very similar.
The New Balance 997 shoes have a regular width that I would describe as not too narrow nor too wide. These shoes are available in wide sizes.
If you want to compare the 997 to other popular types of New Balance casual shoes, I also tried the New Balance 574 and the New Balance Fresh Foam 5740.