FuelCell 996v6

Wide toe box. Love these shoes. Bought 2 pair to replace the pair I bought last year.

Extremely comfortable and attractive; I’m not slipping in the court and because of the bottoms the shoes don’t pick up sand and gravel. Will buy again and have recommended to friends!

Love these shoes. They give my feet on court stability and are so comfortable.

Gift for female college student. Great sales so I said all of you choose a shoe. They did and happy!

These used to be my favorite court shoes - then it seemed like there must have been some kind of design change and the fit, the comfort and the support all didn’t work for me any more. HOWEVER the FuelCell 996v6s that I purchased in October 2025 are fantastic again! Great support, especially in the heel, wide toe box, good cushioning. I wore them from day 1 without an issue. I did buy half a size larger than usual and the wide fit (even though I usually wear regular fit) based on other reviews and it seems to be the answer.

Last year, I bought the 966 Tennis shoe, light blue. I Loved them!! As they wore down, I thought I found a tennis shoe I was comfortable in, not too bulky but had a lot of support. This year (2025) the treads had worn down and I needed new shoes. So, I went to the same NB store and requested again the same blue 966, they did not carry that anymore, so I ordered the soft green, 4 days later, I received an email, Out of Stock. So I was in the store and decided to go with the all White, same shoe 966, so I thought......the back of the sole is different and fits a bit more bulky on my foot. I didn't try them on in the store because I figured it was the same shoe!! the next day I had a match and no shoe, so I wore the white. They're actually fine, but definitely not the same slim blue 966.

I ordered an 8 wide and these are VERY tight. My other New Balance shoes (several pairs) are the same size but have adequate space in the toe box.

I agree with others that the D wide width should be wider. I’m lucky that my husband has a shoe stretcher so won’t have to return them. It’s also stiffer than earlier versions of the 996

I’m resuming pickleball after back surgery earlier this year. I was seeking shoes that would maximize my stability as I move laterally, giving me one less thing to worry about. Reviews of the 996 Fuel Cell were encouraging, and because I’ve been pleased with other New Balance shoes I’ve owned I chose these. They’ve been exactly what I wanted. I’ve worn them during my physical therapy sessions and they almost feel like part of my feet. Solid, comfortable, reliable.

Love the green. Its more subtle/nuetral than the pic appears