The FuelCell 996 has been a staple in New Balance's tennis lineup for years, built around a propulsive midsole and a stability shank that holds up through hard lateral movement. The v6 carried that performance forward, but it also carried a complaint that followed it through nearly every review and customer note: the fit ran narrow, even in the wide option.

The 996v7 addresses that directly. New Balance rebuilt the shoe on the same last used in the CT-Rally v2, a shoe already known for a fit that's more accommodating through the midfoot and toe box. If you tried the 996v6, sized up, and still felt squeezed, the v7 is the version built to fix that. We spent time on court in a pair, and the difference is noticeable from the first lace-up.

The Fit, Finally Fixed

Fit was the single biggest sticking point with the 996v6. Players who normally wore New Balance without issue found themselves sizing up or switching to the wide option, only to discover the wide still ran tight through the forefoot. It was a strange disconnect for a brand that's built its reputation on width options and inclusive sizing.

The 996v7 solves this by switching to the last from the CT-Rally v2, a shoe that already earned a reputation for a more forgiving, true-to-size fit. Sharing a last means the v7 isn't just tweaking the upper material or adding stretch panels. It's built on a different foot-shaped foundation from the ground up, which is a more permanent fix than a quick patch.

On court, that shows up immediately. The improved width means the shoe fits true to size, with no adjustment needed. No sizing up, no hunting for the wide version, no breaking the upper in before it feels right. Lace them up in your normal size, and they fit the way a 996 always should have.

A Midsole Built for Torsional Stability

The 996v7 keeps the full-length FuelCell midsole that the line is known for, but the construction is new. New Balance split the midsole into two pieces, separating foam and rubber to cut weight while adding an external shank for torsional support. The result is a shoe designed to stay light without sacrificing the stability players need when changing direction at full speed.

That stability matters most in the moments that decide points: the split step before a return, the hard plant before a passing shot, the recovery step back to center after a wide ball. A shoe that twists or collapses under that kind of load costs you reaction time. The 996v7's shank-supported midsole held its shape through all of it during testing, even on hard, fast direction changes.

An Upper That Balances Durability and Breathability

The upper uses New Balance's CPU/NDure construction, which layers protective material in the zones that take the most abuse from drags and lateral loading, while leaving the rest of the upper open for airflow. It's a strategic approach rather than a blanket one: reinforce where you need it, breathe everywhere else. The outsole carries the same six-month warranty as the v6, and the upper has been beefed up as well, so the added comfort doesn't come at the cost of durability.

The tongue is where the 996v7 takes its biggest swing at comfort, and it's worth calling out on its own. New Balance added articulated foam that locks the tongue in place and cuts down on lace-bite during long matches. It's a bit of a throwback in a tennis shoe market that's largely moved away from heavy padding. But tennis shoes have never been as plush as a padded running shoe, and that extra cushioning in the tongue is a welcome change. It's a small detail, but it goes a long way toward making the 996v7 as comfortable as a performance tennis shoe gets.

Who Should Wear the 996v7

This is a shoe for players who move first and think about comfort second, but don't want to pay for that speed with a sore forefoot by the third set. If you favor aggressive lateral movement, frequent direction changes, and a responsive underfoot feel, the FuelCell platform was already built for you. The v7 just removes the fit barrier that kept some players from getting there.

Players coming from the v6 who loved the performance but couldn't make the fit work are the clearest audience here. Players new to the 996 line, or coming from other brands with wider lasts, should also find this version more approachable straight out of the box.