New Balance 998 Review

The New Balance 998 was off my radar for years — this New Balance 998 review is the story of how a discount changed that. Every time I looked at it online I thought it was just a 997 with different stitching — close enough that I couldn’t see a reason to pay attention to it separately. Then I stumbled onto a Ssense listing: Brown and Green Made in USA 998s at 48% off. $122 down from $235.

My first thought was the same one any deal-hunter has: what’s wrong with them? Why are premium Made in USA New Balances sitting at nearly half off? Turned out: nothing. The discount was just the market being the market. These exceeded every expectation I had. I’ve had them six months now and worn them everywhere — bars, park walks, all-day errand days, long office stretches. Every occasion, these delivered.

New Balance 998 Review: Quick Verdict

Pros:

• Made in USA quality — pigskin suede, mesh, ABZORB cushioning that holds up to the premium tag
• Lighter than most people expect — noticeably lighter than the 574 and 990 series
• Exceptional breathability for a suede sneaker
• No break-in period — comfortable from the first wear
• Evergreen silhouette — Teddy Santis-era design that will outlast most trends

Cons:

• Colorway options are limited — the Brown/Green is bold and doesn’t pair with darker wardrobes
• Slightly elevated heel takes a few wears to feel natural
• Less widely available than other NB models — requires hunting for deals

Best for: Everyday wear with earth-tone or neutral wardrobes — straight-leg jeans, chinos, sweats.

Design and Materials

The New Balance 998 launched in 1993, part of New Balance’s long legacy of genuine running shoes that people actually ran in. Back then runners looked cool — unlike the electric shaver aesthetics of modern performance shoes. The 998 carries that heritage without trying to be retro about it. It’s a clean, low-profile silhouette that sits in the same family as the 997 and 996 but with its own distinct character once you look closely.

The Teddy Santis direction shows. Like most of his designs, this works across a wide range of outfits without demanding attention. The Brown and Green colorway is the star here: neon green accents offsetting chocolate brown pigskin suede, with orange detailing that shouldn’t work as well as it does. The color pop is genuinely distinctive without being loud.

Materials are Made in USA quality across the board. The upper is paneled pigskin suede with textile and mesh lining — the combination makes these breathable well beyond what you’d expect from a suede shoe. The ABZORB midsole provides the cushioning backbone. Weight is a genuine surprise: lighter than the 574, lighter than the 990 series. These feel athletic in the hand even though they don’t look it.

Comfort and Fit

Comfort is a highlight of this New Balance 998 review — four stars, close to the 990 and 2002R level, which is about as high as casual sneaker comfort gets. The ABZORB cushioning absorbs impact well across the full foot. The mesh lining keeps things breathable even after long days. I plan to pack these for my next trip based on how they’ve performed on extended all-day errand and office sessions.

One small note: the heel sits slightly elevated compared to most NB models. It takes a few walks to feel fully natural — not a break-in issue, more of an adjustment. Once you’ve worn them a handful of times, you stop noticing it entirely.

No real break-in period. Comfortable from the first wear. The fit is consistent with the 997 series sizing, so if you’ve worn those you know exactly what to expect.

Sizing Advice

True to size. Fits similarly to the 997 — consistent and predictable. No need to adjust up or down from your standard New Balance size.

Styling and Everyday Wear

The low profile and slender silhouette of the 998 are genuine assets for styling. It works with straight-leg jeans, joggers, sweats, and wide-leg chinos — the low form factor plays well across multiple pant cuts in a way that bulkier NB models can’t always manage.

The honest limitation: the Brown and Green colorway pairs with about 30% of my wardrobe. My closet runs mostly black, grey, and blue, and the warm earth tones of this specific pair don’t slot into those outfits as naturally. If your wardrobe leans earth-tone, cream, olive, or tan, these will be a near-daily shoe. If you dress primarily in dark neutrals like me, you’ll reach for them on specific occasions rather than every day.

This isn’t a gym shoe. The build isn’t made for athletic performance, and I wouldn’t use it as one. For walking, errands, office, and going out — it’s excellent across the board.

Price and Value

A key part of this New Balance 998 review is value: I paid $122 at 48% off on Ssense. At that price this is one of the best deals I’ve found on a Made in USA New Balance — and I’d still call it worth it at full retail $235. The resale market confirms this: current resale after fees and shipping is roughly around what I paid, meaning the deal I found was actually priced at market rate rather than a deep discount reflecting poor demand. That’s a good sign for long-term value.

For a MIUSA shoe with this quality of construction, $235 is competitive. At sale pricing in the $100–$150 range, it’s exceptional. I keep the New Balance sneaker deals page updated when these surface at a discount — worth bookmarking if you want to time your purchase well. Browse Made in USA colorways directly on the official New Balance website.

Alternatives

• New Balance 997 x ALD – Similar silhouette family, also Made in USA, slightly more cushion. The 997 is heavier and comfort is lower than the 998 for daily wear.
• New Balance 990v5 – More cushion, more all-day comfort, but heavier and more aggressively dad-shoe in silhouette. Step up in price, step up in comfort.
• New Balance 574 – Similar low-profile everyday runner silhouette at a lower price point. Not MIUSA, but widely available and versatile.
• New Balance 2002R – The comfort benchmark in this category. Less distinctive design but more versatile colorways and better all-day cushioning.

Final Verdict

This New Balance 998 review ends with a genuine surprise — the 998 turned out far better than expected. A shoe I dismissed as a 997 knock-off turned out to be one of the most comfortable, well-built, and underrated sneakers in my rotation. The Brown and Green colorway is polarizing but I love it — that neon green accent against the chocolate suede is genuinely striking. These stay in my collection for the long haul, and I’m already watching for the next colorway worth owning.

If you spot these under $150, buy them without hesitation.

• Comfort: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
• Design: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Value: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
• Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

FAQ

Does the New Balance 998 run true to size?

Yes — true to size, similar fit to the 997 series. No adjustments needed from your standard New Balance size.

Is the New Balance 998 comfortable for all-day wear?

Yes — very comfortable. The ABZORB cushioning and breathable mesh lining hold up well over long days. There’s a slight heel elevation that takes a few wears to feel natural, but it’s not a break-in issue. I’d confidently wear these for a full day of walking or errands.

How does the New Balance 998 compare to the 997?

The 998 is lighter and more breathable than the 997. The 997 has slightly more cushioning and a different silhouette — a bit more substantial underfoot. Both are Made in USA. The 998 is the better everyday wear option; the 997 has more prestige cachet in the collab versions.

Is the New Balance 998 worth the full retail price of $235?

Yes — Made in USA construction at $235 is competitive with comparable heritage runners. That said, it frequently appears on sale at 40–50% off, and that’s the better entry point. Check the New Balance sneaker deals page for current pricing.

What outfits work best with the New Balance 998?

The low profile silhouette works with straight-leg jeans, joggers, sweats, and wide-leg chinos. Colorway matters here — earth-tone wardrobes will get more daily use out of the Brown/Green. If your closet is mostly dark neutrals, look for grey or navy colorways that give you more flexibility.