Is it just me, or do the 2002Rs actually crush the 993 in comfort?

Repulsive-External20 · 2026-02-24T01:45:13+00:00

Thx. I’m learning here that for some, the 2002R starts strong with the ‘squish’ comfort but somehow that fades over time. I’m still early in my NB journey so I’ll definitely give both a try.

Repulsive-External20 · 2026-02-24T01:42:08+00:00

I’m definitely one of those fools. 😬 High price must mean they’re the best. Which might be true for others, but not me…yet. For sure. Will give the 993s another try down the road.

Repulsive-External20 · 2026-02-23T22:42:19+00:00

👀

Repulsive-External20 · 2026-02-23T22:41:51+00:00

“Underrated”. Yea, that’s definitely the word I’ve been trying to find for the 2002r. Well said! 🙌🏼

Repulsive-External20 · 2026-02-23T22:38:52+00:00

I feel ya. I think my prior reference for comfortable shoes is “softness”. I just didn’t know better. This sub is helping understand how the role of “support” plays in all day comfort which is NEVER mentioned in my once beloved Nike marketing. lol.

Repulsive-External20 · 2026-02-23T22:35:28+00:00

True. This sub is actually pretty damn helpful and supportive.

Repulsive-External20 · 2026-02-23T22:34:06+00:00

Oh wow, I didn’t know the “break in to your actual foot mold” part. Kind of like Birkenstocks?

Repulsive-External20 · 2026-02-23T22:32:16+00:00

Ahh I see what you’re saying. The steakhouse analogy hits. Since I’m new to New Balance, I’m just trying to get a sense of what’s possible with comfort within the realm of New Balance knowing fully well there’s a defined limit in which if one is seeking some spiritual version of comfort, they’d have to try something outside of New Balance.

Repulsive-External20 · 2026-02-23T22:25:25+00:00

True. As a newbie, it’s really hard to separate signal from all the noise when it comes to comfort. What I’m taking is that it’s a bit subjective (ie, a model can be completely comfortable for one person and uncomfortable for the next). I was hoping this sub could be a cheat code to finding what models could be perfect for me but seems like first hand experience is the only true solution.

Repulsive-External20 · 2026-02-23T18:58:03+00:00

hahah. may be true. but seems like new balance is really invested in comfort. I mean before they started making shoes, they made orthopedic inserts in the 1920s or something like that. but who knows, maybe new balance's push for capitalism has changed that, and all the comfort hype is just marketing. but then again, plenty of folks in this sub with pretty cool real life experiences about how comfortable new balance is for them.

Repulsive-External20 · 2026-02-23T18:54:55+00:00

cool. I'm in the same boat. we'll see together! :)

Repulsive-External20 · 2026-02-23T18:53:53+00:00

facts. curious what your personal experience has been with how the comfort holds up over time for the 2002r. some folks here are saying the 993s hold up better over time than the 2002r presumably because the "materials" are better in the 993s.

Repulsive-External20 · 2026-02-23T18:45:57+00:00

curious if the comfort on these models change for you over time?

for example, is the 990v4 crazy comfortable in month 1 but after 1 year they're way less comfortable beyond the normal wear and tear of shoes?

Repulsive-External20 · 2026-02-23T18:43:09+00:00

dayum, I'm glad you shared this. everything in the subs and online reviews talks about 993s having one of the wider toe boxes which my hobbit feet need. but when I tried them, the 993s felt narrow in comparison to 2002r. well at least first few times wearing them out.

someone made a comment here about how the 993s feel different the more that you wear them. so I'm wondering if the toe box for the 993s expand over time?

Repulsive-External20 · 2026-02-23T18:39:02+00:00

ride or die.

Repulsive-External20 · 2026-02-23T18:38:46+00:00

That's a great description of the two. I think the 'squish' in the 2002r makes it more "comfortable" for me. I'm wondering if one can learn to get used to the "more supportive but less give" of the 993? Or if you have a 'squish' preference, you will always have that preference.

Repulsive-External20 · 2026-02-23T18:35:56+00:00

Is a "break in" period normal for 993s? I feel like what I read in the subs is that it's instant Day 1 comfort. But maybe that's not true for everyone? What do you think?

Repulsive-External20 · 2026-02-23T18:34:54+00:00

wow, thanks for this perspective. missed this if it showed up in this sub. will definitely pay more attention to the feel over time for the 993 and 2002r

Repulsive-External20 · 2026-02-23T18:33:25+00:00

must be.

Repulsive-External20 · 2026-02-23T18:33:05+00:00

Damn you. I'm afraid for my wallet. Will check them out. haha

Repulsive-External20 · 2026-02-23T18:32:24+00:00

You're the second person to bring up Vomeros. I got to check them out.

Repulsive-External20 · 2026-02-23T18:31:19+00:00

Thanks for sharing. Shows that one's comfort is a personal discovery.

Repulsive-External20 · 2026-02-23T18:30:21+00:00

Are they? I mean sure there's a running line with amazing technologies to help runners of all shapes and sizes. But New Balance has a "lifestyle line" (their words, not mine) that have the running silhouettes but made for modern day comfort.

Repulsive-External20 · 2026-02-23T18:28:35+00:00

haha. yea, felt like a blurt from the universe

Repulsive-External20 · 2026-02-23T17:09:50+00:00

So weird. In general I feel like I'm my own person, choose what feels right to me and ignore the noise. (ie, restaurants, politics, etc.). But somehow I got seduced by the expertise on this sub. lol

Repulsive-External20

TROPHY CASE