Total Fit ®

88 Point

Fit from every angle.

More than length. More than width. 88 points of fit go into making every New Balance shoe.

From initial concept to product development to our rigorous testing program, we examine our shoes inside and out, checking and rechecking each critical point to make certain it is precisely calibrated to provide you the best fit you've ever had.

A difference you'll feel with every step of the way in your relationship with RUNNING.

Creating Your Fit

Unlocking Fit's Combinations

88 critical points of fit go into every New Balance shoe, giving us 88 different ways we can customize our shoes to best fit your foot. And since a better fitting shoe means a better performing you, it's just the thing to help you love RUNNING more. Read more to see how we make it happen.

Only 4 in 10 adults wear properly fitting shoes. That means 60% of the population is experiencing some form of foot pain due to poor fit. Pain hurts your performance and leads to injuries.

But getting a proper fit is a painless process. Sometimes, it’s as simple as moving up or down a shoe size. And, because we are the only major footwear manufacturer to offer all our footwear styles in a wide variety of sizes, you can always get the shoe you want in the size you need.

A shoe that’s too wide causes pain and injury. Too narrow, again pain and injury. But when your shoe fits just right, there’s nothing to stand in your way.

Because we’re the only major footwear manufacturer to offer the majority of our shoe models in multiple widths, from narrow (2A) to extra-extra-wide (6E), you’ll never have to choose between the shoe you want and the shoe that will help you be your best.

Men versus women. Wide feet versus narrow. Runners versus football players. Each have very different performance needs that go beyond measurements to the very core of how their shoe is constructed.

We’ve developed more than 30 different foot models - or "lasts" - around which our shoes are created. Each last is designed for a specific foot shape to ensure that your shoe can not only withstand the specific demands of your athletic endeavors, but help you love them more.

No two 12 4E’s are the same. So, even if you know the correct size and width of your foot, you could find yourself experiencing problems like blisters or Plantar Fasciitis. But with the right insole, you can fine-tune the fit your shoe so that it perfectly matches the specific structure of your foot and maximizes your comfort.

By offering more insoles and sizing options we’ve made it easy to get your perfect fit. All our insoles come in whole sizes (versus small, medium, large) so they require little or no trimming to fit comfortably in your shoes. They’re also tapered at the toe to allow your toes freedom of movement within your shoes.

88 Point

The Science of Fit

Since the beginning, innovation has driven our mission to make the best fitting, best performing shoes available. To continue that legacy, we created the New Balance Sports Research Lab - a state-of-the-art facility designed to test, validate and inform the design and development of all our new products and technologies.

88 Point

Putting Total Fit to the test

Every style we produce goes through our rigorous fit testing process. From first prototype to final product, 5 lengths in every width the style is offered in, both men's and women's, are tested internally by New Balance employees and externally by thousands of wear test volunteers across the globe.

So, no matter what shoe you pick up, you can take comfort in knowing that it met our rigorous standards - and those of runners just like you.

88 Point

Better Fit. Better Feel.

Better You.

Fit really comes down to a feeling, and the technologies that go into our shoes are what forge the intangible bond that turns a shoe into your shoe.

From the materials your shoe is constructed out of to the components that help you meet the challenges of your sport, these innovations bring out the best in your relationship with RUNNING.

88 Point

The Health of Fit

Finding your fit isn’t always about performance, sometimes it’s a step towards a healthier life. New Balance’s commitment to fit—and our variety of sizes and widths—have made us the number one referred brand by medical professionals. For over 20 years, we have had partnerships with organizations including the American Podiatric Medical Association and the Pedorthic Footwear Association. Through these, we have worked hand in hand with some of the foremost doctors in their fields to design shoes and orthoses to alleviate problems caused by disease, overuse and injury.

More recently, New Balance has partnered up with Pri-Med, a community of healthcare providers. Over the past three years New Balance has helped to instruct medical professionals nationwide on the importance of educating their patients on finding the proper fit for their individual needs. Not surprisingly, New Balance seems to come up a lot. Learn more about Pri-Med.

88 Point

The Execution of Fit

Everyday we start with the same exact goal - to make our shoes fit better. That means creating problems, not just solving them. This "what if" mentality forces us to rethink everything - not just whether a measurement is correct, but if the measurement device is accurate.

This constantly evolving process ensures that no stone is left unturned and that all our shoes fit consistently across the spectrum of sizes and widths. When each point of fit is precisely calibrated to hit your foot in a specific place, this attention to detail is what guarantees a long, beautiful relationship with RUNNING.

What is the Running Gait?

The running gait is a unique set of actions and reactions that your foot performs while in motion to support, cushion, and balance your body. A runner's gait can be characterized as having four distinct phases:


  1. Impact phase
  2. Support and mid-stance phase
  3. Push-off and propulsion phase
  4. Flight and recovery phase

Each phase of the running gait has unique requirements including the level of cushioning, support, and flexibility.

What is Pronation?

Pronation is simply a normal foot in motion, from foot-strike on the outside of the heel through the inward roll of the foot. Pronation occurs as the foot rolls from the outer edge to the inner edge. Everyone pronates, and the initial pronation is considered an important and healthy response to the intense amount of shock imposed upon the foot and is integral to propelling you forward. If the foot pronates too much or too little and does so frequently, several biomechanical problems may result that will cause a decrease in performance and increase the possibility of injury.

What is Over-pronation?

Over-pronators are individuals who demonstrate excessive amounts of pronation and arch deflection anywhere from heel strike to toe off. They exhibit excessive inward motion and are best served with shoes offering medial (inside edge) support via a Medial Post or shoes featuring the ROLLBAR® technology. Motion Control shoes offer the highest level of over-pronation correction.

Stability shoes usually incorporate either the TS2® Transitional Support System, a Medial Post to help prevent over-pronation, or simply offer a high level of overall support.

What is Under-pronation?

Under-pronators generally land in a significantly supinated position and experience very little pronation, meaning from impact to toe-off their foot rolls inward less than the norm. They do not have enough inward motion and therefore can benefit from neutral cushioned-based shoes, which allow and promote the foot to follow the natural pronation movement. A neutral-cushioned shoe will also absorb the shock imposed upon the foot during impact to help under-pronators that lack the benefits of natural pronation movement.

How to tell what I am?

One way to tell what your running gait is to take the wet test. First pour a small amount of water into a shallow pan. Next, place your foot into the pan just enough to wet the sole of your foot. Once your foot is wet, step onto a piece of thick paper. Finally, look at the mark on the paper.

Normal Arch
If you see about half of your arch then your foot has a normal pronation.

Flat Arch
If you see your entire foot then your arch collapses too far inward, meaning you’re an over-pronator.

High Arch
If you see very little of your foot then your arch doesn’t collapse enough, meaning you are an under-pronator.

The Components of Fit

With a little knowledge, understanding the elements that make up Total Fit is easy. The following questions will give you the basics about some of the most common elements, but if after reading you still have questions, you can always ask an expert at New Balance for more guidance.

Find Your Total Fit

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Sizing tips

Find out how to determine the size and width of your foot for yourself.
Sizing Tips
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