Buty do biegania terenowego New Balance Nitrel V4 | Our verdict

Out-dated styles are a huge thing in this day and age, and New Balance 480 is not an exception. The silhouette of this sneaker might be retro, but do not think even for a second that it has a retrogressive in-shoe feeling because it is actually the opposite! We had the time of our lives while wearing these sneakers on our casual day outs, at work, and even in the gym, thanks to its well-padded collar and beefy cushioning.

Buty do biegania terenowego New Balance Nitrel V4 Pros

  • Luxuriously padded and comfortable
  • Protective cushioning
  • New Balance Spring Summer 2021
  • Excellent for all-day use
  • Great traction
  • Foot slides smoothly in and out
  • Zero break-in required
  • Accommodates wide feet
  • New Balance Scarpe Padel 796V3
  • Easy to clean and keep clean
  • Budget-friendly

Buty do biegania terenowego New Balance Nitrel V4 Cons

  • Leather isn't genuine and lacks quality
  • New Balance Męskie Fioletowe

Audience verdict

89
Good!
  • Top 20% most popular sneakers

Who should buy

We recommend the NEW BALANCE 990V5 VEGAN FRIENDLY WITH COOKDAILYS KING COOK as a great choice for: 

  • Those in the market for a well-padded shoe that’s superbly comfortable for all-day wear
  • Sneakerheads looking for a shoe that has a sleek retro vibe

NEW BALANCE 990V5 VEGAN FRIENDLY WITH COOKDAILYS KING COOK wqilulb

Who should NOT buy

The 480 might feel a little too cheap for some people. The Adidas Spezial offers a much more high-quality and durable construction made almost entirely of genuine suede, making it a much better bang for the buck.

NEW BALANCE 990V5 VEGAN FRIENDLY WITH COOKDAILYS KING COOKjk oinegj;aerbj;

Cushioning

Shock absorption

The NEW BALANCE 990V5 VEGAN FRIENDLY WITH COOKDAILYS KING COOK features an old-school rubber-based sole and no foam to attenuate the impact.

It's not completely dull because the hollow sections allow for some midsole compression. But it doesn't offer much cushioning either, as the shoe's shock absorption clocked in at only 60 SA.

New Balance Furon 20 Dispatch TF JR.

NEW BALANCE 990V5 VEGAN FRIENDLY WITH COOKDAILYS KING COOK New Balance Hombre 237V1 in Verde Azul
Test results
480 60 SA
Average 89 SA
Compared to 60 sneakers
New Balance 550 Green 27cm
33 SA
Shock absorption
123 SA

Energy return

The 480 is a low-rebound minimalist sneaker that doesn't feel springy or bouncy at all. Showing a minimal energy return of 47%, it has a very static and grounded kind of ride.

Test results
480 47.3%
Average 50.2%
Compared to 60 sneakers
New Balance 550 Green 27cm
40.0%
Energy return
64.0%

Heel stack

Using our caliper, we measured the 480’s stack to be 26.8 mm thick at the heel which is a little shorter than our current lab average.

NEW BALANCE 990V5 VEGAN FRIENDLY WITH COOKDAILYS KING COOK Heel stack

However, this is still an adequate amount of protective rubber underfoot, with the cutout sections allowing the shoe to compress under our weight and provide excellent impact dampening as we go about our day. 

Test results
480 26.7 mm
Average 30.7 mm
Compared to 102 sneakers
New Balance 550 Green 27cm
16.9 mm
Heel stack
50.5 mm

Forefoot stack

Moving up to the forefoot, we found that the 480’s stack is also shorter than average at only 15.3 mm thick.

NEW BALANCE 990V5 VEGAN FRIENDLY WITH COOKDAILYS KING COOK hjerbler

Having such a low stack not only feels quite natural underfoot but also means that we felt incredibly stable in this shoe. This not only makes the 480 a good walking-around kick but also means that we were comfortably able to take on mild fitness activities or do some lifting in this shoe. 

Test results
480 15.3 mm
Average 19.5 mm
Compared to 102 sneakers
New Balance 550 Green 27cm
9.7 mm
Forefoot stack
29.5 mm

Drop

The difference in our stack measurements leaves the 480 with a heel drop of 11.8 mm, which is right on par with our current lab average. This offset means that we have a good amount of material at the heel to dampen our landings while providing a lot of ground feel at the forefoot. 

NEW BALANCE 990V5 VEGAN FRIENDLY WITH COOKDAILYS KING COOK drop

There is no right or wrong with drop heights when it comes to sneakers, only a matter of preference. While some are used to having an elevated heel to their shoes, others prefer the barefoot feeling of low or zero-drop shoes like those offered by Altra.

Test results
480 11.4 mm
Average 11.2 mm
Compared to 102 sneakers
New Balance 550 Green 27cm
3.5 mm
Drop
17.2 mm

Size and fit

Size

NEW BALANCE 990V5 VEGAN FRIENDLY WITH COOKDAILYS KING COOK fits true to size (55 votes).

Small
True to size
Large

Owners of this shoe, how does it fit?

1 size small½ size smallTrue to size½ size large1 size large

New Balance 515 MS515TXH

The slender tennis-shoe aesthetics of the NEW BALANCE 990V5 VEGAN FRIENDLY WITH COOKDAILYS KING COOK differs from most other NB sneakers. And this difference is also reflected is its internal space.

Having created a gel mold of the shoe's interiors, we measured its widest part at 87.4 mm. This is indeed a few solid millimeters narrower than average and could feel restricting even on a medium-width foot.

NEW BALANCE 990V5 VEGAN FRIENDLY WITH COOKDAILYS KING COOK Toebox width - widest part
Test results
480 87.4 mm
Average 92.5 mm
Compared to 83 sneakers
New Balance 550 Green 27cm
85.4 mm
New Balance 515 MS515TXH
97.0 mm

Toebox width

The NB 480 turned out to be proportionally narrower at the big toe as well. Our caliper returned 66.8 mm in this area.

NEW BALANCE 990V5 VEGAN FRIENDLY WITH COOKDAILYS KING COOK Toebox width - big toe
Test results
480 66.8 mm
Average 68.9 mm
Compared to 83 sneakers
New Balance 550 Green 27cm
63.9 mm
Toebox width
74.1 mm

Toebox height

On the other hand, we can't claim that it is a perfect sneaker for narrow feet because, paradoxically, it has a whopping toebox height of 34.2 mm!

If you want an equally minimal profile with a more predictiable fit, the New Balance CT 302 RB and the Adidas Stan Smith would be a safer bet, in our opinion.

NEW BALANCE 990V5 VEGAN FRIENDLY WITH COOKDAILYS KING COOK Toebox height
Test results
480 34.2 mm
Average 27.8 mm
Compared to 83 sneakers
New Balance 550 Green 27cm
20.7 mm
Toebox height
35.0 mm

Traction / Grip

Traction test

We didn't expect much traction from the shoe's recessed treading (which is cut into the sole as opposed to protruding outward) but it turned out to be a pleasant surprise.

Slashing the 480's heel against wet concrete at a 7-degree angle, our grip testing machine recorded an above-average friction score of 0.47. This implies excellent bite on both dry and wet surfaces, from concrete plazas to paving stones. However, we would still be cautious on extra-slippery surfaces like wet and polished tiles.

Test results
480 0.47
Average 0.43
Compared to 59 sneakers
New Balance 550 Green 27cm
0.13
Heel traction
0.73

Outsole design

The NEW BALANCE 990V5 VEGAN FRIENDLY WITH COOKDAILYS KING COOK shows off its basketball shoe past with a smooth retro court outsole and a pivot point.

NEW BALANCE 990V5 VEGAN FRIENDLY WITH COOKDAILYS KING COOK Outsole design

New Balance 992 White Green 26cm

We secured the 480 in our shoe flexing tester to measure the amount of force needed to bend it by 30 degrees. The machine returned a lower reading of 11.1N, making it more flexible than our current lab average.

This level of flexibility means that the 480 is able to bend along with our foot with ease throughout our stride and greatly contributes to the comfortable nature of this shoe. As a result, it’s definitely forgiving enough on the foot for all-day use.

NEW BALANCE 990V5 VEGAN FRIENDLY WITH COOKDAILYS KING COOK New Balance 992 White Green 26cm
Test results
480 11.1N
Average 13.3N
Compared to 60 sneakers
New Balance 550 Green 27cm
4.6N
Flexibility Stiffness
22.7N

Weight

While the 480 does sport a chunky old-school look, we found that it actually feels quite light and easy on the foot and never weighed us down as we moseyed around. 

This is confirmed on the scale with the 480 coming in ever-so-slightly lighter than the average sneaker at 14 oz (395g). We wouldn’t call it a barely-there shoe, but it certainly doesn’t need a diet.

NEW BALANCE 990V5 VEGAN FRIENDLY WITH COOKDAILYS KING COOK Weight
Test results
480 13.9 oz (395g)
Average 13.8 oz (390g)
Compared to 102 sneakers
New Balance 550 Green 27cm
8.5 oz (241g)
Weight
20.5 oz (581g)

Breathability

To test the breathability of the 480, we pump the shoe full of smoke to get a visual idea of how well-ventilated it is. Leather shoes (even fake leather) generally don’t fare too well in this test however, thanks to the mesh portion of the toebox and perforated tongue, we can see a slow but steady stream of wispy smoke emanating from the shoe. While somewhat better than expected, this run-of-the-mill performance leads us to give the 480 a middle-of-the-road breathability score of 3 out of 5. This means that the shoe should be comfortable enough to wear all year round, except on exceptionally hot days when it might feel a little toasty. 

For comparison, check out how well-insulated the Reebok Classic Leather is

When examining a backlit cross-section of the 480, we can clearly see that the only parts of the shoe that allow any light to shine through are the unreinforced mesh portions of the upper.

Inspecting the mesh portion of the toebox under our microscope, we can see that it is made of braided fibers that form a pattern to reveal a less dense underlayer of mesh, all with lots of gaps that promote good airflow through the shoe. Without this section, the 480 would definitely be a toasty foot sauna of a shoe.

NEW BALANCE 990V5 VEGAN FRIENDLY WITH COOKDAILYS KING COOK webevbe

NEW BALANCE 990V5 VEGAN FRIENDLY WITH COOKDAILYS KING COOK Breathability
Test results
480 3
Average 3
Compared to 101 sneakers
New Balance 550 Green 27cm
1
Breathability
5

Stability

Buty do biegania terenowego New Balance Nitrel V4 | Lateral stability test

Thanks to the shoe’s low profile, it’s no surprise that the 480 feels incredibly well-planted and stable as we shift our weight from side to side. Additionally, the well-structured leatherette upper provides an excellent foothold that feels incredibly supportive. As such, the shoe focuses more on delivering comfort rather than any rigid stability features. 

Torsional rigidity

We were faced with less-than-average resistance as we bent and twisted the 480 in our hands, leading us to give it a torsional rigidity score of 2 out of 5 on our subjective scale.

This greatly contributes to the 480’s comfy and natural feel underfoot as the shoe is able to conform with the natural contortions of our foot throughout our stride with relative ease.

Test results
480 2
Average 3.6
Compared to 101 sneakers
New Balance 550 Green 27cm
1
Torsional rigidity
5

Heel counter stiffness

We found the 480’s heel counter to be similarly pliable as we probed at it, earning it another score of 2 out of 5. This allows us to achieve a secure lockdown that doesn’t put too much pressure on our heels or tendons, making the shoe a great choice for those with sensitivities in those areas. 

Test results
480 2
Average 3.2
Compared to 101 sneakers
New Balance 550 Green 27cm
1
Heel counter stiffness
5

New Balance 2002R INVINCIBLE X

Using our caliper, we measured the 480’s platform to be 103.8 mm wide at the forefoot. Despite this being slightly narrower than average, it’s still a broad enough base to keep us feeling stable throughout day-to-day use. 

NEW BALANCE 990V5 VEGAN FRIENDLY WITH COOKDAILYS KING COOK Midsole width in the forefoot
Test results
480 103.8 mm
Average 108.9 mm
Compared to 102 sneakers
New Balance 550 Green 27cm
95.1 mm
New Balance 2002R INVINCIBLE X
121.0 mm

NEW BALANCE M2002RD GSEA SALT VINTAGE ORANGE WIDTH

The 480’s platform is slightly wider than average at the heel, measuring 79.3 mm.

NEW BALANCE 990V5 VEGAN FRIENDLY WITH COOKDAILYS KING COOK Midsole width in the heel
Test results
480 79.3 mm
Average 84.0 mm
Compared to 102 sneakers
New Balance 550 Green 27cm
67.7 mm
NEW BALANCE M2002RD GSEA SALT VINTAGE ORANGE WIDTH
103.1 mm

Durability

Leather/Suede quality

Using our butane torch, we can confirm that the 480’s upper is made almost entirely out of synthetic materials. This is clear as the white sections of the shoe burst into flames and melt away from our awl when we scrape it. On the other hand, the suede overlays are the real McCoy, with the material only becoming scorched upon contact with the flame. 

Test results
480 Fake leather

Toebox durability

We applied our Dremel to the unreinforced mesh section of the 480’s toebox to see just how durable it is. After withstanding 3.2N of grinding force spinning at 5K RPM for four seconds, the 480 was left with a massive and unsightly crater in its toebox.

However, since our tool didn’t manage to punch a hole clean through all the layers of material, we have to give the 480 a respectable 2 out of 5 for toebox durability. 

NEW BALANCE 990V5 VEGAN FRIENDLY WITH COOKDAILYS KING COOK Toebox durability
Test results
480 2
Average 3.7
Compared to 101 sneakers
New Balance 550 Green 27cm
1
Toebox durability
5

New Balance 990V1 con Carhartt

Next, we turn our attention to the 480’s heel collar and Series our merciless Dremel once more. The tool makes quick work of the lining material and starts flinging bits of padding material all over the place. 

The white material makes it hard to visually assess the damage in the aftermath of the test, but we can confirm that the shoe had lost a good chunk of padding in those short four seconds. However, the generously padded collar still had some to spare, so this didn’t compromise the shoe’s rearfoot lockdown too much; thus earning it a durability score of 2 out of 5.

NEW BALANCE 990V5 VEGAN FRIENDLY WITH COOKDAILYS KING COOK New Balance 990V1 con Carhartt
Test results
480 2
Average 3.2
Compared to 101 sneakers
New Balance 550 Green 27cm
1
New Balance 990V1 con Carhartt
5

Outsole hardness

With a durometer reading of 79.8 HC, the 480’s outsole is slightly softer than our current lab average. This means that the shoe should be soft enough to bite into and grip most surfaces with relative ease while still being hardy enough to withstand repeated impact and abrasions. We’ll be testing the latter with our Dremel in the next section. 

NEW BALANCE 990V5 VEGAN FRIENDLY WITH COOKDAILYS KING COOK Outsole hardness
Test results
480 79.8 HC
Average 85.7 HC
We use an average of four tests. The photo shows one of those tests.
Compared to 94 sneakers
New Balance 550 Green 27cm
76.1 HC
Outsole hardness
94.0 HC

Outsole durability

This time spinning at 10K RPM, we pressed our Dremel onto a section of the 480’s outsole and immediately kicked up a virtual snowstorm of debris. 

Once the dust had settled after the twenty-second, we measured the damage with our tire tread gauge and found that only 0.94 mm of material was lost. This is better than the average sneaker performs in this test and means that we don’t expect to see any major wear and tear within the first 400 to 500 miles of normal use. 

NEW BALANCE 990V5 VEGAN FRIENDLY WITH COOKDAILYS KING COOK Outsole durability
Test results
480 0.9 mm
Average 1.1 mm
Compared to 101 sneakers
New Balance 550 Green 27cm
0.0 mm
Outsole wear
2.0 mm

Outsole thickness

We used our caliper to measure the 480’s outsole up to the cutout sections and found it to be just shy of our current lab average at 5.2 mm thick. However, as our previous test demonstrates, this still gives us plenty of material to wear through before the shoe becomes unwearable. 

NEW BALANCE 990V5 VEGAN FRIENDLY WITH COOKDAILYS KING COOK Outsole thickness
Test results
480 5.2 mm
Average 5.3 mm
Compared to 102 sneakers
New Balance 550 Green 27cm
2.9 mm
Outsole thickness
8.2 mm

Misc

Insole thickness

Despite being less padded than our current lab average at only 5.3 mm thick, the 480’s insole still provides a soft surface within the shoe that complements the cushioning quite well. 

NEW BALANCE 990V5 VEGAN FRIENDLY WITH COOKDAILYS KING COOK Insole thickness
Test results
480 5.3 mm
Average 5.1 mm
Compared to 102 sneakers
New Balance 550 Green 27cm
3.1 mm
Insole thickness
11.5 mm

Removable insole

The 480’s insole isn’t glued in, so those in need of added support in the form of custom orthotics can use them with this shoe. 

NEW BALANCE 990V5 VEGAN FRIENDLY WITH COOKDAILYS KING COOK Removable insole
Test results
480 Yes

Reflective elements

The 480 doesn’t feature any reflective elements. 

NEW BALANCE 990V5 VEGAN FRIENDLY WITH COOKDAILYS KING COOK Reflective elements
Test results
480 No

Tongue padding

At 8.8 mm thick according to our caliper measurements, the 480’s tongue is plumper than average. This allows us to lock the shoe in securely while still feeling extremely comfortable around the instep and without the faintest hint of lace bite. 

NEW BALANCE 990V5 VEGAN FRIENDLY WITH COOKDAILYS KING COOK Tongue padding
Test results
480 8.8 mm
Average 9.6 mm
Compared to 102 sneakers
New Balance 550 Green 27cm
0.7 mm
Tongue padding
23.0 mm

Tongue: gusset type

The 480’s tongue is non-gusseted, though we didn’t face any issues with slippage thanks to its width and how generously padded it is. 

NEW BALANCE 990V5 VEGAN FRIENDLY WITH COOKDAILYS KING COOK Tongue: gusset type
Test results
480 None