You’ve seen them. That chunky, stylized "N" flashing across the baseline during a weekend match at the park. For a long time, if you were looking at new balance tennis shoes for men, you were probably looking at your dad’s orthopedic walkers or a pair of high-performance runners. But things changed. Quickly. New Balance basically decided they weren’t content staying in the "comfortable dad shoe" lane and started engineering some of the most technical, aggressive, and—honestly—coolest court shoes on the market right now.
Tennis is brutal on feet. It’s all lateral. Stop. Start. Pivot. If you wear running shoes to play tennis, you’re asking for a rolled ankle. The industry used to be a two-horse race between Nike and Adidas, but New Balance found a gap. They realized that guys wanted the cushioning they were used to in their 990s but needed the stability of a literal tank to survive a three-set tiebreaker on hard courts.
The Fresh Foam X Lav V2 is Basically a Cloud With a Roll Cage
Most people think "soft" means "unstable." It's a fair assumption. If you're standing on a marshmallow, you're going to wobble. But New Balance’s Fresh Foam X tech—specifically in the Lav V2—sorta flips that script. It’s incredibly plush. You put them on and think, there is no way I can sprint in these. Then you do.
The magic is in the external heel counter and the metallic-down lateral wrap. It holds your foot in place so you don't slide off the footbed when you're lunging for a wide forehand. Milos Raonic helped develop the original Lav, and you can tell it was built for a big guy who moves heavy. If you've got history with plantar fasciitis or just general knee "crunchiness," the impact protection here is legit. It’s one of the few new balance tennis shoes for men that feels like it’s actually preserving your joints for the long haul.
It isn't perfect, though. The Lav is heavy. If you’re a "speed" player who relies on being a light-footed rabbit, you might find them a bit clunky. They trade off some of that "connected to the court" feel for pure, unadulterated comfort. Some guys hate that. They want to feel every pebble. If that’s you, move on.
What About the 996v5?
This is the "pro" pick. Coco Gauff wears a version of these, and on the men's side, they are the go-to for anyone who doesn't want to feel like they are wearing boots. The 996v5 is low to the ground. It’s sleek.
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New Balance uses something called FuelCell foam here instead of Fresh Foam. FuelCell is much "snappier." When you push off, it pushes back. It’s a nitrogen-infused foam that doesn't compress as much as the stuff in their lifestyle shoes. Honestly, it feels fast. If you’re the type of player who serves and volleys or just likes to scramble, the 996 is probably your best bet.
One thing people get wrong about the 996: the fit. It’s narrower than your typical New Balance. Most people associate the brand with wide toe boxes—which we’ll get to—but the 996 is a performance fit. It’s snug. It wraps your arch like a glove. If you have "Fred Flintstone" feet, you’re going to need to look specifically for the wide (2E) or extra-wide (4E) versions of this shoe, or you're going to be miserable by the second set.
The Width Factor (The Real Reason People Buy These)
Let's talk about the 806. It’s not the prettiest shoe. It looks like it belongs in a 1994 Sears catalog. But for a specific type of player, it’s the only shoe that exists. Why? Because New Balance is one of the only brands that actually makes new balance tennis shoes for men in multiple widths that are stocked everywhere.
- Standard (D)
- Wide (2E)
- Extra Wide (4E)
If you have a wide foot, Nike is a nightmare. Adidas can be hit or miss. New Balance is the sanctuary. The 806 uses a C-CAP midsole and a ROLLBAR stability post. It is stiff. It is heavy. It is durable. It’s a classic "old school" leather-heavy tennis shoe that will last you an entire season of hard-court abuse without the upper falling apart. It’s the tank of the tennis world.
Why the NDure Upper Matters More Than You Think
Ever noticed how the toe of your shoe gets shredded? That’s "toe drag." If you serve correctly or slide on hard courts, you are cheese-grating your shoes against sandpaper.
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New Balance uses a tech called NDure. It’s basically a polyurethane guard that sits over the high-wear areas. On the 996v5, it’s a mesh-like lattice that looks cool but is actually incredibly tough. It’s a small detail, but when you’re dropping $130 to $160 on a pair of kicks, you don't want a hole in the toe after three weeks.
The outsole—the part that touches the ground—is usually their NDurance rubber. It's sticky but tough. They used to offer a one-year outsole guarantee on some models, which was a huge selling point, though they've dialed that back on some of the newer, lighter "speed" models. Always check the fine print on the specific model year if you're a heavy slider.
Real-World Durability vs. Marketing Hype
I've talked to guys who play 4 times a week. They swear by the Coco CG1 (the mid-top). Yes, it's technically a "unisex" shoe, but plenty of men are rocking them because the mid-cut provides insane ankle stability.
One thing to watch out for: The lighter the shoe, the faster it dies. That’s just physics. If you buy the FuelCell 996 because it’s light, don't be shocked if the cushioning feels "dead" after six months of heavy play. The Fresh Foam in the Lav or the 1006 models tends to hold its "bounce" longer because there's just more material there to compress.
Choosing Your Weapon
Choosing between these models basically comes down to how you move.
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- The Grinder: You stay on the baseline. You run side to side. You want comfort. Get the Fresh Foam Lav V2.
- The Sprinter: You’re at the net. You want to feel light. You want a low-profile shoe. Get the 996v5.
- The Wide-Foot Warrior: You’ve never found a shoe that doesn't pinch your pinky toe. Get the 806 or the 1006 in a 4E width.
- The Budget Conscious: Look for the 696. It’s the entry-level model. It lacks the fancy foams, but for a casual once-a-month player, it gets the job done without breaking the bank.
The Myth of "Breaking Them In"
A lot of guys think they need to wear their new tennis shoes around the house for a week to break them in. With modern synthetics and foams used in new balance tennis shoes for men, that’s mostly a myth now. If they hurt out of the box, they are the wrong size. New Balance uses a lot of TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) in their stability wraps. That stuff doesn't "stretch" much. It’s designed to stay rigid. If the midfoot is pinching you on day one, it’ll probably pinch you on day 100.
Go half a size up if you wear thick Thorlo socks. Seriously. Tennis socks are chunky, and your feet swell when you're running in 90-degree heat. That extra quarter-inch of room is the difference between keeping your toenails and losing them.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Pair
Stop buying shoes based on the colorway. It’s tempting, but it’s a mistake.
First, figure out your arch. If you have flat feet, you need the stability of the 806 or the Lav. If you have high arches, you can get away with the 996. Second, measure your foot on a Brannock device—the metal slidey thing at the shoe store. Most men are wearing shoes that are too narrow and too small.
Once you get your pair, pull the insoles out after every match. Tennis shoes get incredibly sweaty, and the moisture breaks down the foam faster than the actual impact does. Letting them air out properly can add an extra month of life to the midsole.
Check the tread regularly. Once those herringbone patterns start to smooth out into "bald spots," you're cruising for a slip-and-fall injury. Hard courts are unforgiving. New Balance makes some of the best gear in the game, but even the best rubber eventually gives up the ghost. Replace them when the traction goes, not just when they look dirty. Your ACL will thank you later.
Keep an eye on the "v" numbers too. A 996v4 is very different from a 996v5. Brands often change the "last" (the mold of the foot) between versions. If you find a version you love, buy two pairs. They'll inevitably change it next year and you'll be scouring eBay for the old ones. It's the classic tennis player's curse. Avoid it by stocking up when the fit is perfect.