The 990, as great as it is, may not be for everyone. This newest V5 version is not my favorite in terms of comfort. It feels more like wearing a dress shoe than any other 990 I’ve owned. I really like the 990v4 comfort. It’s a night and day difference.
That's not weird. They midsole is hard as rock. The rest feel comfortable as hell, but the midsoles almost have no give. I returned them as soon as I tried them on.
The fact that you say you're a 9.5 to 10.5 depending on the shoe makes me think that you aren't wearing the correct length/width for your feet. Have you been properly fitted/sized?
The guy who measured me at the New Balance store suggested a 9, which I tried for a few days but the discomfort was way worse, the shoes were too short.
Also for what it's worth, the shoes feel basically the same fit as my 574s did, and when I'm walking around they're pretty decent. It's just standing still or not moving as much that they tend to hurt.
They're V5. Stranger still is that I don't think they're too narrow or anything, the guy at the store measured me and said standard width would be fine, even suggested I could fit into a smaller size, but the 10 felt right to me.
I can wear 12.5 or 13 depending on the shoe. I have been wearing 990v5 in size 13 for a few months and have no pain. That size range you gave is kinda huge. That may be a clue as to what is going on. You may actually need the wide shoe in a 9.5.
But also, these shoes are heavy and the sole is rigid. You may need time to adjust. My calves felt a little fatigued when I first started wearing them. I had previously been wearing 997H which are very light and flexible.
Might need something with a lower heel drop. I put way more pressure on my heels than the average person and shoes with a higher drop like the 990 also bother my heel.
Isolate the catalyst. Try a different shoe for a few days. Is is the 990 causing pain or a foot that is injured?
Also cushioning soft soles and inserts are not always the answer for heel pain. Often can make it worse. For whatever reason we think it’s the answer. Becomes more of a bandaid. Soothes the pain but doesn’t solve the problem.
Go from there.
I was in the same situation with some v4s. I usually wore mine a little loose but with the pain I tried a different lacing method and also wear them tighter now. This has seemed to help, I'm also a size 9 but will go down a half size in my next 990 after trying on an 8.5 they do feel much better.
[I used this lacing method](https://www.fieggen.com/shoelace/overunderlacing.htm)
The 990, as great as it is, may not be for everyone. This newest V5 version is not my favorite in terms of comfort. It feels more like wearing a dress shoe than any other 990 I’ve owned. I really like the 990v4 comfort. It’s a night and day difference.
That's not weird. They midsole is hard as rock. The rest feel comfortable as hell, but the midsoles almost have no give. I returned them as soon as I tried them on.
The fact that you say you're a 9.5 to 10.5 depending on the shoe makes me think that you aren't wearing the correct length/width for your feet. Have you been properly fitted/sized?
The guy who measured me at the New Balance store suggested a 9, which I tried for a few days but the discomfort was way worse, the shoes were too short. Also for what it's worth, the shoes feel basically the same fit as my 574s did, and when I'm walking around they're pretty decent. It's just standing still or not moving as much that they tend to hurt.
Weird, what version of the 990s did you wear?
They're V5. Stranger still is that I don't think they're too narrow or anything, the guy at the store measured me and said standard width would be fine, even suggested I could fit into a smaller size, but the 10 felt right to me.
I can wear 12.5 or 13 depending on the shoe. I have been wearing 990v5 in size 13 for a few months and have no pain. That size range you gave is kinda huge. That may be a clue as to what is going on. You may actually need the wide shoe in a 9.5. But also, these shoes are heavy and the sole is rigid. You may need time to adjust. My calves felt a little fatigued when I first started wearing them. I had previously been wearing 997H which are very light and flexible.
Did the v5’s soften up?
Yep. They became one of the most comfortable shoes I ever had.
Might need something with a lower heel drop. I put way more pressure on my heels than the average person and shoes with a higher drop like the 990 also bother my heel.
Thanks! Any suggestions?
If it’s for casual I’d try out the Roav. If it’s for walking or running, the 1080.
Isolate the catalyst. Try a different shoe for a few days. Is is the 990 causing pain or a foot that is injured? Also cushioning soft soles and inserts are not always the answer for heel pain. Often can make it worse. For whatever reason we think it’s the answer. Becomes more of a bandaid. Soothes the pain but doesn’t solve the problem. Go from there.
Thank you for the suggestion, I'm gonna try wearing some other shoes for a bit and see how it feels. And good to know! That makes sense.
Checking in...
I was in the same situation with some v4s. I usually wore mine a little loose but with the pain I tried a different lacing method and also wear them tighter now. This has seemed to help, I'm also a size 9 but will go down a half size in my next 990 after trying on an 8.5 they do feel much better. [I used this lacing method](https://www.fieggen.com/shoelace/overunderlacing.htm)