Which is better for standing or walking all day?

The 574. Its ENCAP midsole pairs a soft EVA core with a firm polyurethane rim, which holds up better over long days than the 997H's plain EVA.

The 574, mainly because of its rubber outsole. The 997H uses an EVA outsole that abrades faster, though some 574 owners report early failures, so quality is not guaranteed.

Is the 997H worth stepping up to?

Only if weight and a slimmer look matter more to you than support and width options. Otherwise the 574 covers more feet and more miles.

Do wide feet fit either shoe?

The 574 comes in wide and extra-wide, so it is the clear choice for broad feet. The 997H is sold in a single standard width.

Which runs truer to size?

The 574 is generally described as true to size, though a few owners find it tight. The 997H has too few ratings to call it either way, so try your usual size first.

Which is better for the gym?

Neither is a training shoe. The 574's firmer sole suits walking and casual wear; the 997H is a lifestyle sneaker with a soft EVA sole.

New Balance 574 Core vs New Balance 997H V1

The 574 is the safer everyday pick: it has decades of feedback, ENCAP cushioning, and comes in wide and extra-wide widths. The 997H V1 is lighter, sleeker, and rated slightly higher, but on far fewer ratings and with a softer EVA outsole that wears faster. Buy the 574 for all-day walking and wide feet; buy the 997H for a trimmer retro look and less weight.

Choose the New Balance 574 if you want a proven everyday shoe with real arch support, wide sizing, and a firmer, more durable ride.
Choose the New Balance 997H V1 if you want a lighter, slimmer retro runner and prefer a soft EVA sole over a structured one.

Prices

New Balance 574 Core: $72.98 at Shop Simon (checked today)
New Balance 997H V1: $55.52 at Amazon (checked today)
Difference: the New Balance 997H V1 is $17.46 cheaper than the New Balance 574 Core today

New Balance 574 CORE Black Grey Men's Sneakers ML574EVB

What separates them

	New Balance 574 Core	New Balance 997H V1
Cushioning	ENCAP midsole: EVA core with a firm polyurethane rim for stability	Plain EVA midsole, softer and less supportive
Outsole	Rubber outsole, more abrasion-resistant	EVA outsole, lighter but wears faster
Weight	About 11.8 oz	About 11 oz
Width options	Normal, wide and extra wide	Standard width only
Upper	Suede, mesh, leather and polyester mix	Suede and mesh
Sizing range	Runs from US 2 to 18	US 5 to 12
Track record	4.3 from about 2,120 ratings	4.5 from about 146 ratings
Style	Chunky 1988 runner silhouette	Slimmer, streamlined profile

Specs compared

Spec	New Balance 574 Core	New Balance 997H V1
Outsole	Rubber	EVA outsole
Midsole	Foam, Polyurethane, EVA	Lightweight EVA midsole
shoe_size	11	—
color	Black	—
size	110	—
Gore-Tex	No	—
Manufacturer Color	Black/White	—
Gender	Unisex	—
Insole	Synthetic, Textile	—
Size (US)	13, 14, 11, 12, 17, 15, 16, 6.5, 14.5, 9.5, 18,…	—
Series	New Balance 574	—
Weight (oz)	11.8	—

Show all 21 specs

Spec	New Balance 574 Core	New Balance 997H V1
Fastening	Laced	—
Age Group	Adult	—
Lining	Synthetic, Mesh	—
Upper Material	Mesh, Leather, Polyester, Suede	—
Width	Extra Wide, Normal, Wide	—
Sizes	—	5 — 12
Weight	—	311.3 grams (11 oz)
Upper	—	Lightweight and breathable suede mesh upper
Closure	—	Adjustable lace closure

New Balance 574 Core vs New Balance 997H V1

Prices

New Balance 574 Core vs New Balance 997H V1

Prices

New Balance 997H V1

What separates them

Price history

Prices at every store