Most of the tech we see in skate shoes today didn’t start in skateboarding – it was borrowed, reimagined, and repurposed from other sports. Long before brands started building shoes for flick and feel, skaters were making do with Chucks and Keds, whatever had a flat sole and could survive a session. Fast forward to now, and the demands couldn’t be more diverse, from big stair skaters needing impact protection to tech skaters chasing durability and boardfeel. Shoes had to evolve, and they did.
One upside of major athletic brands entering the scene is their decades of design to pull from, archives full of ideas ready to be rebuilt for skateboarding. Case in point: New Balance’s revival of the 770, originally a 90s cross-trainer that later found favor with tennis players. Built for agility, stability, and cushioning, its DNA already checks many boxes skaters look for, including flexibility for lateral movement, plus durability and padding to handle high-impact abuse.
For the skate-ready version, New Balance Numeric re-engineered the 770 with a double-layered toe cap for added toughness, a Footframe system that molds stability around your midfoot, and a lightweight, resilient midsole for long sessions on concrete. Truth be told, the silhouette looks more like a battle tank than a sneaker, but the design and tech engineered for the streets is what piqued our interest to do this review. Read on below to see how the 770 performed in our wear test.
The NB# 770 fits true to size.
Overall, the durability of the NB 770 is solid. For our 10 hour wear test, the upper and outsole were the main points of focus. Starting with the upper, the main toe piece extends into the midfoot and rises straight from the sole, giving it plenty of volume. This is a big plus for achieving a strong flick. At the same time, the large exposed area increases the risk of abrasion. As expected, the double stitched toe panel showed noticeable wear: the stitching tore, the panel began to separate, and two holes formed in the first layer of the double layered toe cap in the kickflip zone.
The cupsole sidewall is fairly soft, which also helps with flick control but led to visible wear. By contrast, the outsole proved very durable, showing almost no signs of use after testing. Finally, although mostly cosmetic, the collar around the top lace loops also showed clear signs of wear.
The sole construction of the NB 770 is central to its cushioning performance. Built as a cupsole, the outsole is made up of multiple layers working together. The main cushioning layer sits directly above the outsole and is a grey foam that is noticeably thicker in the heel while still maintaining enough volume in the forefoot to provide protection there as well. A standout feature of this foam is its impressive compression resistance – it feels firm yet responsive. On top of that, a foam insole adds an extra layer of step-in comfort. Together, these components deliver a stable, consistent, and protective cushioning performance.
At first glance, the NB 770 looks like a classic cross training shoe, offering a versatile and familiar style. The shape runs relatively straight through the midfoot and widens toward the forefoot, finishing with a rounded toe. As noted earlier, the toe design and material make for an excellent flick.
The heel is fairly slim, while the lightly padded tongue keeps the shoe looking sleek from above. From the side, it shows a bit more volume, but the NB 770 never feels bulky when worn or skated. It strikes a balanced look and fit that feels both functional and refined.
The boardfeel of the NB 770 was solid and required very little break-in time, which is impressive given the stable sole and upper construction. The forefoot layers are thinned to improve contact with the board, but the sole itself remains relatively thick and firm. As a result, the boardfeel is very good, though not quite on the level of vulcanized or thinner cupsoles.
The grip, however, is exceptional. Not just for a cupsole, it even rivals some vulcanized models. Deep grooves in the tread pattern make the sole flexible from the first session, and combined with the soft rubber outsole, the sole adapts to the concave and grips extremely well.
For comfort, the shoe is very light, and the tongue straps help keep the tongue securely in place. The padded tongue and collar lining protect the foot while providing a stable fit.
The NB 770 incorporates several construction elements that work together to create a remarkably stable foothold. Stability is especially strong in the midfoot and heel, while the perforated forefoot material feels slightly soft and roomy.
The main talking point, however, is the shoe’s unconventional sole design. The sole is slimmer than the upper, which might suggest a compromise in stability, but testing proved otherwise. The high heel collar supports the ankle, and the extended external heel counter, along with the TPU arm integrated into the lateral sidewalls, provides reliable support that maintains the shoe’s structure throughout our ten-hour test. A snug fit, achieved through strategically placed padding, further enhances both stability and comfort.
New Balance brings fresh energy to the skate shoe scene by adapting their trainer heritage for skating with the 770. The shoe delivers excellent grip, very good stability, and an outstanding flick, though durability falls short in high-abrasion areas.
