GOOD SHOES. REAL LIFE. An independent guide for men 35+ Research in progress
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New Balance 1890

For men 35+: fit, comfort, weather and wear.

New BalanceRunner shape

New Balance 1890

Image: New Balance

Reviews

10 of 11 reviews recommend it.

1 has reservations.

Overall review score8.1/1011 authors

1890

  • True to size or large; narrow

ABZORB 1890

  • True to size; narrow

$200Mid-rangeprice at the maker's store$180–$200 across versions

Find on Google

Do New Balance 1890 run big?

Length

  • True to size.

1890

  • Reports differ: true to size or large.

ABZORB 1890

  • True to size.
21

Reported sensations

  1. Width

    • Reports differ: narrow or regular.

    1890

    • Narrow fit.

    ABZORB 1890

    • Narrow fit.

  2. Around the toes

    • Reports differ: roomy or tight.

Are New Balance 1890 comfortable all day?

Through the day

  • All dayComfortable.

Weight on foot

  • Feels light.

Where do they grip or slip?

Grip underfoot

  • Holds on wet ground.

How do they hold up over time?

What wears or breaks?

1
Reported locations, not a failure rate.

1Upper

  • Tearing.

Will they keep their looks?

  • Holds up with wear.

See them on video

YouTube ↗

Action Bronson x New Balance 1890 "Cyborg Tears": Review & On-Feet

YouTube ↗

Action Bronson - New Balance - 1890 - BAKLAVA - Sizing Info - Detailed Look - Brand New Silhouette

YouTube ↗

New Balance x Action Bronson 1890 'Planet Frog" - In-Depth Review

YouTube ↗

Stone Island x New Balance 1890 "Covert Green": Review & On-Feet

New Balance 1890 unboxing review — why I love these shoes

New Balance ABZORB 1890 Linen/Punch Yellow

Action Bronson New Balance 1890 Review: A Sneaker ...

New Balance 1890 review — Is the new 1890 worth it?

More videos
YouTube ↗

Action Bronson x New Balance 1890 Worth Buying?

YouTube ↗

Stone Island x New Balance 1890 - Deep Forrest - Review & On Feet

YouTube ↗

Action Bronson New Balance 1890 Review After a Week of Wear

YouTube ↗

New Balance 1890 x Stone Island - Full Review

YouTube ↗

Worth The Price? New Balance 1890 Dark Metallic Silver

YouTube ↗

New Balance 1890 Review: Is it Worth Buying?

YouTube ↗

Action Bronson x New Balance 1890 "Hornet Tusk": Review & On-Feet

YouTube ↗

New Balance x Joe Fresh Goods 1890 Fingerwaves Review

YouTube ↗

Joe Freshgoods x New Balance 1890 "Finger Waves" & "Naughty Things": Review & On-Feet

Action Bronson's New Balance 1890 'Hornet Tusk' Review by sipsandsneaks

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Your scenario

What would each wear cost you?

Enter your price, frequency and expected years.Your assumptions · not the model’s measured lifespan
How this is calculated

Price ÷ (days per week × 52 × years), with one wear per day, rounded up to the next cent. Price and lifespan here are your scenario, not observations from other owners.

About our research

Based on 22 reviews and other sources.

We compare owner feedback and reviews for fit, comfort and wear. Model details come from maker and retail information.

How we put the guide together →

Compare with similar pairs

Similar uses, different fits and trade-offs. These are reports about each model, not a head-to-head test.

New Balance 1890 vs Lems Primal

Also used for walking. Compare length.
New Balance 1890
New Balance 1890
Lems Primal
Lems PrimalSee this model
What mattersNew Balance 1890Lems Primal
Length
  • True to size.

1890

  • Reports differ: true to size or large.

ABZORB 1890

  • True to size.
  • Some reports disagree: small.

Primal 2

  • Reports differ: small or true to size.

Primal 3

  • Reports differ: small or true to size.
Width
  • Reports differ: narrow or regular.

1890

  • Narrow fit.

ABZORB 1890

  • Narrow fit.
  • Reports differ: regular or wide.

Primal 2

  • Reports differ: regular or wide.

Primal 3

  • Reports differ: narrow or wide.
Toe box
  • Reports differ: roomy or tight.
  • Roomy.

Primal 2

  • Roomy.

Primal 3

  • Roomy.
All day on your feet
  • All dayComfortable.
  • All day walkingComfortable.

Primal 2

  • All day walkingComfortable.

Primal 3

  • All dayComfortable.
Weight on the foot
  • Feels light.
  • Feels light.

Primal 2

  • Feels light.

Primal 3

  • Feels light.
Maker price$179.99–$199.99 (price at the maker's store)$125–$130 (regular price at the maker's store)

Maker prices recorded 2026-09-26 / 2026-09-28.

New Balance 1890 vs Lems Primal Zen

Also used for walking. Compare length.
New Balance 1890
New Balance 1890
Lems Primal Zen
Lems Primal ZenSee this model
What mattersNew Balance 1890Lems Primal Zen
Length
  • True to size.

1890

  • Reports differ: true to size or large.

ABZORB 1890

  • True to size.
  • True to size.
Width
  • Reports differ: narrow or regular.

1890

  • Narrow fit.

ABZORB 1890

  • Narrow fit.
  • Reports differ: narrow or wide.
Toe box
  • Reports differ: roomy or tight.
  • wide feetRoomy.
  • Reports differ: roomy or tight.
All day on your feet
  • All dayComfortable.
  • All dayComfortable.
Weight on the foot
  • Feels light.
  • Feels light to some wearers, heavy to others.
Maker price$179.99–$199.99 (price at the maker's store)$130–$150 (regular price at the maker's store)

Maker prices recorded 2026-09-26 / 2026-09-28.

New Balance 1890 vs New Balance 204L

Also used for walking. Compare length.
New Balance 1890
New Balance 1890
New Balance 204L
New Balance 204LSee this model
What mattersNew Balance 1890New Balance 204L
Length
  • True to size.

1890

  • Reports differ: true to size or large.

ABZORB 1890

  • True to size.
  • Reports differ: small or true to size.
Width
  • Reports differ: narrow or regular.

1890

  • Narrow fit.

ABZORB 1890

  • Narrow fit.
  • wide feetNarrow fit.
  • Reports differ: narrow, regular or wide.
Toe box
  • Reports differ: roomy or tight.
  • thick socksRoomy.
All day on your feet
  • All dayComfortable.
  • All dayComfortable.
Weight on the foot
  • Feels light.
  • Feels light.
Maker price$179.99–$199.99 (price at the maker's store)$119.99 (price at the maker's store)

Maker prices recorded 2026-09-26 / 2026-09-25.

New Balance 1890 vs New Balance 740

Also used for walking. Compare length.
New Balance 1890
New Balance 1890
New Balance 740
New Balance 740See this model
What mattersNew Balance 1890New Balance 740
Length
  • True to size.

1890

  • Reports differ: true to size or large.

ABZORB 1890

  • True to size.
  • Reports differ: small, true to size or large.
Width
  • Reports differ: narrow or regular.

1890

  • Narrow fit.

ABZORB 1890

  • Narrow fit.
  • Reports differ: narrow or regular.
Toe box
  • Reports differ: roomy or tight.
  • Reports differ: roomy or tight.
All day on your feet
  • All dayComfortable.
  • All day standingComfortable.
  • All day walkingComfortable.
Weight on the foot
  • Feels light.
  • Feels light.
Maker price$179.99–$199.99 (price at the maker's store)$114.99 (price at the maker's store)

Maker prices recorded 2026-09-26 / 2026-09-25.

New Balance 1890 vs New Balance 991

Also used for walking. Compare width.
New Balance 1890
New Balance 1890
New Balance 991
New Balance 991See this model
What mattersNew Balance 1890New Balance 991
Length
  • True to size.

1890

  • Reports differ: true to size or large.

ABZORB 1890

  • True to size.
  • True to size.

991 Made in UK

  • Reports differ: true to size or large.

Made in UK

  • Reports differ: true to size or large.

991v2

  • True to size.
Width
  • Reports differ: narrow or regular.

1890

  • Narrow fit.

ABZORB 1890

  • Narrow fit.
  • Reports differ: narrow or wide.

991 Made in UK

  • Reports differ: narrow or regular.

Made in UK

  • Reports differ: narrow or regular.

991v2

  • Reports differ: narrow or regular.
Toe box
  • Reports differ: roomy or tight.
  • Reports differ: roomy or tight.

991 Made in UK

  • Tight.

Made in UK

  • Roomy.

991v2

  • Roomy.
All day on your feet
  • All dayComfortable.
  • All dayComfortable.

991v2

  • All dayUncomfortable.
Weight on the foot
  • Feels light.
  • Feels light.

991 Made in UK

  • Feels light.

Made in UK

  • Feels light.
Maker price$179.99–$199.99 (price at the maker's store)$269.99 (price at the maker's store)

Maker prices recorded 2026-09-26 / 2026-09-25.

New Balance 1890 vs New Balance 992

Also used for walking. Compare length.
New Balance 1890
New Balance 1890
New Balance 992
New Balance 992See this model
What mattersNew Balance 1890New Balance 992
Length
  • True to size.

1890

  • Reports differ: true to size or large.

ABZORB 1890

  • True to size.
  • Runs large.

992

  • Reports differ: true to size or large.

Made in USA 992

  • Reports differ: small, true to size or large.
Width
  • Reports differ: narrow or regular.

1890

  • Narrow fit.

ABZORB 1890

  • Narrow fit.

992

  • narrow feetSnug across the foot.

Made in USA 992

  • Reports differ: regular or wide.
Toe box
  • Reports differ: roomy or tight.

992

  • Roomy.

Made in USA 992

  • Roomy.
All day on your feet
  • All dayComfortable.
  • All day standingUncomfortable.
  • All dayComfortable.

Made in USA 992

  • All day walkingComfortable.
Weight on the foot
  • Feels light.
  • Feels light to some wearers, heavy to others.
Maker price$179.99–$199.99 (price at the maker's store)$199.99 (price at the maker's store)

Maker prices recorded 2026-09-26.

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Updated Sep 2026 · How we research