New Balance 998 ‘Grey Day’ (U998TA) Review

If I’m being honest, there’s no greater feeling than making a stop at your local outlet store and finding a solid pair for a crazy good deal. Although this has happened to me on numerous occasions over the years, my latest outlet find might just be one of my best New Balance steals, yet.

Located on the back, discount wall at my local New Balance outlet I found a pair of the 2023 New Balance 998 ‘Grey' Day’ for a box price of $79.99 with an additional 30% off. With the final price being $60.61 after tax, this was a no-brainer pickup that had me hyped for the entire weekend.

If you’ve been following me for a while you know the New Balance 998 has been my favorite silhouette from the brand for a while and one that I’ve been mesmerized by since I purchased my first pair back in 2014. This latest pair was one I liked since it originally dropped, but wasn’t a must-have at the time.

Fast-forward to today and I’m excited to have added this pair to my collection and now the hard part begins of trying to decide which laces to wear. (Good problem to have)

Watch The Video Review:

New Balance 998 Quality And Craftsmanship

When it comes to New Balance Made in USA quality, you’d be hard pressed to find sneakers crafted with better materials and construction. The Boston-based brand is known for sparing no expense when it comes to the material choices on its ‘Made In USA’ silhouettes, and this pair is no exeception.

How Good Are The Materials?

Pigskin Suede: Starting off with the suede, New Balance opted to go with a long-haired variety that adds a lot of texture and character to the shoe. This material makes up the majority oft of the shoe and comes in a light-tan/grey color that offers a nice backdrop the remaining hits of blue suede that also make their way on the shoe.

Although not as textured as the long-haired suede elements of the shoe, the Navy hits of suede that appear on the base of the laces and along the heal are equally as impressive and deserving of high marks.

Breathable Mesh: Under the pigskin suede, you’ll find a lightweight and breathable style of mesh commonly found on the silhouette. It comes in a few shades lighter than the suede, but adds a subtle touch of contrast that works help bring together the shoe’s understated color-pallete.

Leather Branding: The New Balance ‘N’ logo that’s prominently located on both medial and lateral sides of the shoe is comprised of leather done in a white base and navy overlay. Coupled with the navy suede panels, the leather accents bring just enough pop of color to the otherwise monochromatic color scheme.

How Good Is The Craftsmanship?

I’ve come to expect near-perfect craftsmanship with New Balance’s ‘Made In USA’ line and this pair stood up to those high standards. No wild stitching issues or glue stains on my pair and everything was in right place. While some outlet pairs can be ‘factory seconds’ or ‘b-grade’ pairs, this looked to be a normal pair.

Interest In Picking Up A Pair? Click The Link Below To Purchase From Joe’s New Balance Outlet

New Balance 998 Fit and Comfort

The 998 is equipped with New Balance’s ABZORB midsole, which delivers solid underfoot cushioning without feeling overly soft or unstable. It’s not the plushest ride in the NB lineup, but it’s supportive, balanced, and perfect for day-to-day wear—especially if you’re on your feet a lot.

In terms of sizing, I went true to size (US12) and had no issues. The shoe does have a slightly narrow fit, especially through the midfoot, so those with wider feet may want to consider going up a half size or trying them on first if possible. That said, once broken in, the 998 tends to mold to your foot pretty nicely.

My Final Verdict

Great outlet finds don’t happen every day, but when they do, they hit just right—and this pair is proof. Not only was it a steal price-wise, but it also happens to be one of the nicer 998 colorways to drop in recent memory. Premium materials, classic styling, and a model that’s close to my sneaker heart? That’s an all around win that I can highly recommend.

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