For about 20 yrs I'd owned & enjoyed the New Balance 846 & previous models for general walking and every day use & the 623 and previous models for outdoor work. During the past couple of years, possibly due to aging, I began to feel that the last on the 846 and 623 was too narrow in the toe box and arch areas. I decided to try the MW927 because the SL-2 last yielded a shoe that was wider in the toe area and had a narrower heal. Although the 927 is a somewhat bulkier shoe and less stylish that the 846 (also feels heavier than either the 846 & 623)it is more comfortable in my situation.

I'm now wearing a black pair of 927's for dress and white ones for general use, including outdoor work. I try faithfully to change shoes daily to give them ample time to dry out. Also, as with any shoe with a leather upper, they need to be kept out of the soaking wet grass and weeds or removed to dry reasonably soon after getting wet. I now own several pairs of the 927 and will be purchasing the new 928 replacement model.  I rarely wear "dress shoes" or work shoes anymore, just my 927's.

So far durability is on par with the New Balance 623 and 846 and all previous models of those shoes. I've never had any complaints about durability. Like with almost any material item, abuse it and it has a shorter life span than if it were cared for properly. Use it real hard and the life span is shorter. Periodically clean the shoe and apply a good leather conditioner for longer life--it has a leather not synthetic-material upper. I wear the shoes for traveling, shopping, exercising, digging holes, climbing a ladder, shoveling & plowing snow, mowing grass, pruning trees and shrubs, and shooting of ground hogs and skunks.  Seems to work for everything!!

Unless you have foot issues you won't be purchasing the 927 for its cutting-edge style. Style wise it gets shuffled to mid pack. Comfort wise it can lead.  I suspect the market for this shoe is older men and classy, stand out- styling isn't generally their thing.