New Balance Size and Fit Guide

Founded in Boston, Massachusetts in 1906, New Balance is one of the world’s oldest performance footwear brands. Presiding over factories worldwide including the USA and UK, the company is renowned for its heritage designs and performance innovations. Throughout the ’80s and ’90s, New Balance designers such as Steven Smith and Stephanie Howard helped pioneer the “dad shoe” aesthetic, a style which has become synonymous with the brand and remains influential in shaping the wider footwear landscape.

New Balance shoes are engineered with an array of different materials and technical textiles. The company proudly offers a wider range of sizes than its peers, most notably when it comes to narrow and wide widths. Today, the bulkier, retro-inflected models are geared toward lifestyle audiences, while the more aerodynamic shoes are suited to running and performance. Sizing may differ slightly depending on the shoe.

Below, a guide to New Balance sizing and how it differs from other shoes.

How Do New Balance Sneakers Fit? 

Generally, New Balance sneakers fit true to size. However, there are certain silhouettes that may be slightly roomier or more narrow (outlined below). People who have wider feet may prefer to go up a half size for extra space, while those with narrower feet may prefer to go down a half size for a snugger fit around the forefoot. Those who live in colder climates and often wear thicker socks are advised to go up a half size for additional room.

New Balance shoes come in multiple widths, rather than straightforward numeric sizes. They are as follows: Extra Narrow, Narrow, Medium, Wide, Extra Wide and XX Wide. These sizes correspond to the shape of the foot and differ from men to women. For more information, visit New Balance.

Below, an in-depth guide to sizing for some of the most well-known New Balance models.

New Balance 550 Sizing

Designed by sneaker icon Steven Smith and released in 1989, the New Balance 550 enjoyed a short cultural prominence in the early ’90s before being revitalized in 2020.

The New Balance 550 fits true to size. Some people note that they find the 550 to be slightly tighter than other shoes, but not to the extent it merits going up a half size. It is normal to find the 550 has slightly more room at the heel. 

If you have wider feet, it is possible to go up a half size for extra room (but note that the retro-style, leather construction will stretch out over time and with wear). This applies to all inline releases as well as collaborations with the likes of Aimè Leon Dore.

New Balance 574 Sizing

Released in 1988, the 574 adapted New Balance’s road and trail-running technology to a low-top design.

The New Balance 574 fits true to size. The 574 is a sensible choice for those with wider feet since the shoe has slightly more room at the toe box and a relatively wide footbed.

New Balance 990 Sizing

First unveiled in 1982 as part of New Balance’s premium Made in USA line, the 990 combines craftsmanship with innovative performance technology. 

The New Balance 990 fits true to size. However, this may differ slightly depending on the variation. For example, the v2 has a narrower toe box, which means some people may prefer to go a half size up for more room. Meanwhile, the v5, which is available in additional width options, is slightly smaller than the v3 and v4, but this should not affect sizing (exceptions include people with wide or narrow feet).

The New Balance 993 features a similar profile to the 990, but is slightly heavier with extra cushioning. It fits true to size and features a little more room than the 991 and 992.

New Balance 327 Sizing

Debuted at Paris Fashion Week in January 2020, the New Balance 327 is highlighted by enlarged “N” logos on the lateral panels.

The 327 fits true to size. However, unlike other retro models such the 574, the 327 has a narrower shape around the toe box. Because of this, those with wider feet may opt to go a half size up for extra room. The same rules apply to other models in the New Balance stable such as the 237.

New Balance 2002R Sizing

The New Balance 2002 was first showcased in 2002 as a luxury running sneaker before being relaunched in 2020. Upon its return, it was renamed the 2002R.

The New Balance 2002R fits true to size. This also applies to the 1906 silhouette, which was included as part of the same “Protection Pack” in 2021, with both shoes incorporating similar soles.

How Comfortable Are New Balance?

New Balance’s expansive footwear range is tailored for different needs, with the brand’s sneakers widely considered among the most comfortable produced today. 

For everyday walking, a shoe with Fresh Foam technology like the 1080 provides an ideal balance of comfort and durability, while models from the 990 series such as the 990v4 and 990v5 are equally suited to all-day wear. The 993, 327, 57/40 and 574 are other renowned New Balance shoes favored by people on their feet all day.

Trainers like the 520, 608v5 and 623v3 are versatile designs that have been fine-tuned for recreational sports. New Balance also provides a range of comfort inserts that are designed for everything from pain relief to arch support and impact absorption.

Sizing Similar to New Balance

Generally, New Balance shoe sizes are transferable 1:1 between brands. Some measurements may differ slightly but not to the extent that merits going down or up a half or full size. Nonetheless, it’s often falsely suggested that you should select your New Balance shoes in a half or full size smaller than Nike and adidas shoes as they tend to run bigger, particularly in terms of width. There may be minor differences in terms of toe-box shape, but unless you have particularly narrow or wide feet, normal sizing should suffice. Thus, if you wear a US 9.5 in Nike or adidas shoes, you should select a US 9.5 in New Balance shoes.

This is also true of performance-oriented brands, which remain the same as New Balance in terms of sizing. Broadly speaking, ASICS shoes provide a tighter fit around the foot than New Balance models, but most can select their normal size. Despite their maximalist makeup, particularly the bigger midsole, this also applies to HOKA shoes, while Saucony are also constructed similarly. Brooks is a notable exception, where the brand recommends going a half size larger than what you wear in casual or dress shoes. Thus, if you wear a US 9.5 in New Balance shoes, you should select a US 10 in Brooks shoes.

New Balance Women’s Size Conversions

There is a size difference of approximately 1.5 US sizes when converting men’s to women’s sizes in New Balance shoes. For example, a men’s US size 6 is roughly equivalent to a women's US size 7.5. This is also true of women’s to men’s sizes. 

All widths remain unchanged. A “Medium” width in men’s is also a “Medium” width in women’s.

New Balance Size and Fit FAQ

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