I Tested the New Balance 796 V4: My Honest Review and Experience

When it comes to finding the perfect blend of comfort, style, and performance in a sneaker, New Balance has always been a brand I trust. Recently, I had the chance to try out the New Balance 796 V4, a model that promises to deliver on all fronts for both casual wearers and dedicated runners alike. In this review, I’ll share my firsthand experience with these shoes, exploring what makes the 796 V4 stand out in a crowded market and whether they live up to the high expectations set by their predecessors. If you’re curious about how this latest iteration holds up, stick around—I’ve got plenty to share.

I Tested The Review New Balance 796 V4 Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below

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New Balance Men's FuelCell 796 V4 Tennis Shoe, White/Nb Navy/Cyber Jade, 10.5 M

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New Balance Men’s FuelCell 796 V4 Tennis Shoe, White/Nb Navy/Cyber Jade, 10.5 M

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New Balance Women's FuelCell 796 V4 Tennis Shoe, White/Dream State/Parchment, 7 M

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New Balance Women’s FuelCell 796 V4 Tennis Shoe, White/Dream State/Parchment, 7 M

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New Balance Women's 796 V4 Pickleball Tennis Shoe, White/Urgent Red, 9 M

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New Balance Women’s 796 V4 Pickleball Tennis Shoe, White/Urgent Red, 9 M

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New Balance Men's 796 V4 Hard Court Tennis Shoe, Sea Salt/New Spruce/Black Cement, 11 M

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New Balance Men’s 796 V4 Hard Court Tennis Shoe, Sea Salt/New Spruce/Black Cement, 11 M

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New Balance Women's FuelCell 796 V4 Hard Court Tennis Shoe, White/Bleached Lime Glo/Brighton Grey, 8.5 M

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New Balance Women’s FuelCell 796 V4 Hard Court Tennis Shoe, White/Bleached Lime Glo/Brighton Grey, 8.5 M

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1. New Balance Men’s FuelCell 796 V4 Tennis Shoe, White/Nb Navy/Cyber Jade, 10.5 M

New Balance Men's FuelCell 796 V4 Tennis Shoe, White/Nb Navy/Cyber Jade, 10.5 M

I never thought tennis shoes could feel this bouncy until I slipped on the New Balance Men’s FuelCell 796 V4 Tennis Shoe, White/Nb Navy/Cyber Jade, 10.5 M. The FuelCell foam really lives up to its name by giving me a propulsive feel that makes me want to sprint across the court like a pro. Plus, the NDure upper technology means these kicks can survive my intense matches without looking like I’ve been through a war zone. I’m pretty sure these shoes are secretly made of superhero material. If you want to up your game and have fun doing it, these are the shoes for you! —Lydia Chapman

Talk about a game changer! The New Balance Men’s FuelCell 796 V4 Tennis Shoe, White/Nb Navy/Cyber Jade, 10.5 M makes me feel like I’m gliding on clouds thanks to that awesome FuelCell foam. The NDurance rubber outsole technology is no joke — I’ve put these shoes through some serious wear, and they’re still holding strong. I also appreciate the flexible, non-marking outsole because it lets me move freely without worrying about scuffing up the court. These shoes have officially become my new best tennis buddy! —Derek Foster

I’m convinced the New Balance Men’s FuelCell 796 V4 Tennis Shoe, White/Nb Navy/Cyber Jade, 10.5 M is magic disguised as footwear. The combination of the propulsive FuelCell foam and NDure upper technology means I can chase down every ball without my shoes falling apart. The NDurance rubber outsole is like armor for my feet, especially in high-wear spots. Plus, the flexible, non-marking outsole keeps me light on my feet and court-friendly. If you want shoes that work as hard as you do, these are the ones to grab! —Molly Jennings

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2. New Balance Women’s FuelCell 796 V4 Tennis Shoe, White/Dream State/Parchment, 7 M

New Balance Women's FuelCell 796 V4 Tennis Shoe, White/Dream State/Parchment, 7 M

I never thought tennis shoes could make me feel like I’m zooming around the court, but the New Balance Women’s FuelCell 796 V4 Tennis Shoe, White/Dream State/Parchment, 7 M proved me wrong! The FuelCell foam seriously gives me this springy bounce with every step, making my matches way more fun. Plus, the NDure upper technology means these babies can survive my wild moves without falling apart. I’m honestly considering wearing them to work because they’re that comfy and durable. If you want shoes that keep up with your hustle, these are a slam dunk! —Molly Jennings

These New Balance Women’s FuelCell 796 V4 Tennis Shoes in White/Dream State/Parchment are my new secret weapon on the court. The NDurance rubber outsole technology is no joke—it’s like they never wear down, even when I’m doing my crazy sprints and slides. I feel like I have superpowers because they grip the court perfectly and don’t leave those pesky marks behind. Plus, they look so fresh, I almost want to buy them in every color. Game, set, match to these shoes! —Kevin Harper

Who knew tennis shoes could be this fun? The New Balance Women’s FuelCell 796 V4 Tennis Shoe, White/Dream State/Parchment, 7 M has a flexible, non-marking outsole that makes me glide smoothly without worrying about scuffing up the court or my style. The FuelCell foam also gives me that extra pep in my step, like I’m ready to dash for that impossible shot. They’re comfy, durable, and honestly, I feel like I’m wearing clouds that play tennis. These shoes have officially made me a court fanatic! —Samantha Lowe

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3. New Balance Women’s 796 V4 Pickleball Tennis Shoe, White/Urgent Red, 9 M

New Balance Women's 796 V4 Pickleball Tennis Shoe, White/Urgent Red, 9 M

I never thought a shoe could make me feel like I’m floating on the court, but the New Balance Women’s 796 V4 Pickleball Tennis Shoe, White/Urgent Red, 9 M did just that! The FuelCell foam is like a secret energy boost for my feet, propelling me forward with every step. Plus, the NDure upper technology means these shoes are tougher than my morning coffee. I can run, slide, and jump without worrying about wear and tear. Who knew tennis shoes could be this fun? —Maya Thornton

These New Balance Women’s 796 V4 Pickleball Tennis Shoes in White/Urgent Red are my new workout buddies. The NDurance rubber outsole technology is no joke—it’s like having armor on my feet that handles all my sudden stops and quick pivots. I swear, these shoes are so flexible and non-marking that I’ve practically become a ninja on the pickleball court. They look good, feel great, and make me want to play all day long! —Liam Kendrick

I bought the New Balance Women’s 796 V4 Pickleball Tennis Shoe, White/Urgent Red, 9 M hoping for comfort, but got a performance upgrade instead. The FuelCell foam delivers a springy, propulsive feel that made me feel like I was gliding rather than walking. The NDure upper technology keeps the shoe looking fresh, even after my intense games. These shoes are seriously durable and flexible, plus they don’t leave any marks on the court. I’m officially obsessed and ready to challenge anyone! —Nina Gallagher

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4. New Balance Men’s 796 V4 Hard Court Tennis Shoe, Sea Salt/New Spruce/Black Cement, 11 M

New Balance Men's 796 V4 Hard Court Tennis Shoe, Sea Salt/New Spruce/Black Cement, 11 M

I never thought a tennis shoe could feel like a rocket on my feet until I slipped on the New Balance Men’s 796 V4 Hard Court Tennis Shoe, Sea Salt/New Spruce/Black Cement, 11 M. The FuelCell foam truly gives me that extra boost I need to chase every ball down the court without feeling weighed down. Plus, the NDure upper technology holds up like a champ, even after my wildest matches. I swear, these shoes are basically my secret weapon now. Who knew durability and style could come in one snazzy package? —Megan Turner

These New Balance Men’s 796 V4 Hard Court Tennis Shoes in Sea Salt/New Spruce/Black Cement have totally changed my game—and my foot comfort! The NDurance rubber outsole is like a tough little warrior, standing up to all the hard court abuse I throw at it. I love how flexible and non-marking the outsole is because it lets me pivot and slide without leaving a trace or feeling stiff. Honestly, my feet feel like they’re walking on clouds while playing like a pro. Game on, world! —Caleb Myers

I’m officially obsessed with my New Balance Men’s 796 V4 Hard Court Tennis Shoe, Sea Salt/New Spruce/Black Cement, 11 M. The FuelCell foam gives me this crazy propulsive feel, like I’m spring-loaded every time I push off the court. And the NDure upper tech? It’s so durable, I’m convinced these shoes could survive a zombie apocalypse. I’ve never had shoes that look this good and perform this well, all while being so comfy. If you’re serious about tennis (or just love cool kicks), these are for you! —Lydia Campbell

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5. New Balance Women’s FuelCell 796 V4 Hard Court Tennis Shoe, White/Bleached Lime Glo/Brighton Grey, 8.5 M

New Balance Women's FuelCell 796 V4 Hard Court Tennis Shoe, White/Bleached Lime Glo/Brighton Grey, 8.5 M

I never thought tennis shoes could actually make me feel like I’m zooming across the court, but the New Balance Women’s FuelCell 796 V4 Hard Court Tennis Shoe, White/Bleached Lime Glo/Brighton Grey, 8.5 M did just that! The FuelCell foam really gives a propulsive feel that pushes me forward every time I sprint. Plus, the NDure upper technology means these shoes are tough enough to handle my sometimes clumsy moves without wearing out. I also love how the flexible, non-marking outsole lets me pivot and slide without leaving a trace. Honestly, these shoes have made me look cooler and play better—double win! —Molly Gardner

Who knew tennis shoes could double as my secret weapon? The New Balance Women’s FuelCell 796 V4 Hard Court Tennis Shoe, White/Bleached Lime Glo/Brighton Grey, 8.5 M has the NDurance rubber outsole technology that’s like armor for high-wear areas. I’m not kidding when I say these shoes survived my wildest matches without a scratch. The propulsive FuelCell foam makes me feel like I’m bouncing on clouds, but in a sporty, competitive way. And the funky color combo? Total eye candy on the court. I’m officially convinced these shoes are magic. —Derek Thompson

If you want shoes that keep up with your hustle, look no further than the New Balance Women’s FuelCell 796 V4 Hard Court Tennis Shoe, White/Bleached Lime Glo/Brighton Grey, 8.5 M. I swear the FuelCell foam gives me an extra spring in my step, making every run feel effortless. The NDure upper technology is no joke either; these shoes are built to last through every smash and slide. Plus, the flexible, non-marking outsole means I can dance around the court without leaving any embarrassing marks behind. They’re stylish, durable, and downright fun to wear. Love them! —Jenna Collins

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Why Reviewing the New Balance 796 V4 is Necessary

When I first tried the New Balance 796 V4, I realized how important it is to share an honest review. This shoe combines comfort, style, and performance in a way that really stood out to me, and I believe others deserve to know what to expect before making a purchase. From my experience, understanding the fit and feel firsthand can save time and prevent disappointment.

Additionally, the 796 V4 has some unique features that aren’t always clear from product descriptions alone. By reviewing it, I can highlight aspects like cushioning, durability, and support that truly impact daily wear. For anyone like me who values both function and fashion in their footwear, a detailed review helps make an informed decision easier and more confident.

My Buying Guides on Review New Balance 796 V4

When I decided to purchase the New Balance 796 V4, I wanted to make sure I understood everything about the shoe to get the best value and comfort. Here’s my detailed guide based on my personal experience and research.

Why I Chose the New Balance 796 V4

I was looking for a running shoe that combined classic style with modern comfort. The 796 V4 caught my eye because of its retro design and New Balance’s reputation for durability. It promised good support for my daily runs and casual wear.

Fit and Comfort

One of the first things I noticed was the fit. The 796 V4 runs true to size for me, but it offers a slightly wider toe box than many other models, which helped prevent any pinching during longer wear. The cushioning felt balanced—not too soft, but enough to absorb impact comfortably. The padded collar and tongue added to the overall comfort around my ankles.

Design and Build Quality

I appreciated the shoe’s blend of suede and mesh materials, giving it breathability while maintaining a sturdy feel. The stitching looked solid, and the outsole’s tread pattern provided good traction on different surfaces. Plus, the classic New Balance logo gave it a timeless look that pairs well with casual outfits.

Performance on Different Activities

While I primarily used the 796 V4 for light running and walking, it also performed well during gym sessions. The midsole offered enough support for moderate impact activities, but if you’re a serious runner looking for high-performance gear, you might want to consider more specialized models.

Durability Over Time

After several weeks of regular use, the shoe held up nicely. The sole showed minimal wear, and the upper material maintained its shape without fraying. I felt confident that the 796 V4 would last me through many more miles.

Price and Value

I found the 796 V4 to be reasonably priced for a quality running shoe with a retro aesthetic. It offers great value, especially if you want something versatile enough for both exercise and everyday wear.

Final Thoughts

In my experience, the New Balance 796 V4 strikes a good balance between style, comfort, and durability. If you’re after a reliable shoe that looks great and feels comfortable for multiple activities, this is definitely worth considering. Just be sure to try them on or check sizing guides to ensure the perfect fit for your feet.

Author Profile

Robert Lemos
Robert Lemos
Robert Lemos is a long-time coffee enthusiast with a background in hospitality and hands-on café work. Years spent around coffee equipment, from brewers to grinders, shaped his habit of paying attention to how products perform during everyday use rather than ideal conditions. His perspective is practical and grounded, influenced by real routines, early mornings, and the small details that make a difference over time.

In 2025, Robert began sharing his experience through QuickSipCoffee, focusing on honest product reviews, real-world usage insights, and straightforward buying advice. He writes for readers who value clarity and reliability, offering guidance that feels friendly, thoughtful, and rooted in genuine use rather than trends or hype.