Sneaker fit is a key concern for serious runners (for serious walkers, too, though the consequences of a bad fit may not be as immediately noticeable with walkers).

In the shoe business, we hear everyday "Oh, I'm a size 10, etc..." It is EXTREMELY unlikely that all your shoes in your closet fit, if they are ALL a size 8, or all a size 9, or 10, etc... Different brands build their shoes around different lasts, for different problems, for different fits. New Balance is a key example of this. A women came to me in the shoe store today and asked for the 811 on the SL-2 last. She knew her stuff. 811 is a WONDERFUL walking shoe and a great choice for many feet.

Also at work, we commonly see runners (new runners, mostly) with black toenails and tendon damage. In running shoes you absolutely MUST expect to fit at least a 1/2 size larger than your standard shoe. You should also be trying 1 full size larger. The length, particularly in New Balance running shoes, is what we in the business call "a short fit." Additionally, for the serious walker/runner you should anticipate that the feet will swell when you are engaged in the activity, and also consider your sock weight. This means, for the most part, going with a wide width in a running shoe, if you normally wear a medium.

New Balance widths are as follows: 4A, 2A= Narrow

B= Medium in Womens, Narrow in Mens

D= Wide in Womens, Medium in Mens

2E= Extra Wide in Womens, Wide in Mens (* in a running shoe, MOST men seem to need 2E.)

4E= Extra, Extra Wide in Womens [Not present in many styles-- but more offerings than most other brands!!] Extra- Wide in Mens

6E= New Balance seems to only offer 1 style in Womens, in this width, and I believe its 811-- There are a handful of men's styles available in this width. Men's 811, Men's 845 are two better examples.

*This bears mentioning too. If you are running on macadam on a regular basis, you really, really need to invest in a great pair of sneakers. Otherwise, if possible, get on grass, or trails. Macadam can cause you a world of hurt if you are not extremely careful. (I think, even if you are careful, there's no good reason to run on such a surface!!]

New Balance is known in the business as NBAS-- New Balance Athletic Shoe. They prefer such a term as opposed to the generic word Sneakers. This is a company that knows their stuff and knows it extremely well. If you over-pronate, they have the shoe for you. If you under-pronate, they have the shoe for you. Extremely narrow feet? They have your perfect shoe. Extremely wide feet are not a problem either!!

Also, people often come in and ask why we sell New Balance for 90 bucks when Kohls has them for 30. That's because ALL NEW BALANCE ARE NOT CREATED EQUAL. There are low end styles you can purchase from big box stores, and there are specialty shoes that New Balance sells thru merchants who measure customers' feet (if you are a runner and you don't know what a Brannock Device is, you need to get to a real shoe store right away!!) If you are a serious runner and you're wearing a New Balance 300 series, you're not doing enough for your feeet, and it will come back to haunt you!! I can't say it enough, get thee to a REAL shoe store.

*not affiliated with corporate New Balance (we sell the brand, and others, and we know our stuff!!)