Finding the right fit is essential when comparing two iconic brands like Nike and New Balance. Both giants in the sportswear world have subtle differences in sizing, and understanding these can help you avoid any frustration. This guide breaks down the key distinctions, so whether you're a seasoned sneakerhead or just looking for your next pair of comfortable kicks, you'll be able to shop confidently and find the perfect fit, in regards to their sneaker lineups at least.
How should they fit?
Nike and New Balance offer a diverse selection of sneakers, catering to various needs and preferences, from casual shoes to top-tier basketball shoes built for performance on the court. Therefore, ensuring the proper fit of your shoes is paramount for sustained comfort, be it during athletic activities or everyday routines.
Clarks recommends maintaining approximately one finger's width of space between your longest toe and the shoe's end, ensuring the natural bend aligns with the balls of your feet. Moreover, Clarks suggests incorporating a slight allowance for wiggle room in your footwear to prevent the onset of blisters. Ideally, the widest part of your sneakers should snugly cradle the balls of your feet.
With that covered, let's delve into a comparative analysis of the size charts for these two brands.
Nike vs New Balance size guides
It's widely considered that New Balance sneakers run slightly bigger than Nike shoes by roughly around 0.5 to 1 US size. This is evidenced below as a US size 6 from Nike measures 0.3cm smaller than a US size 6 from New Balance.
When it comes to width, both brands make it slightly easier than other brands to find the right fit. Nike has a width chart that indicates when you should opt for a wide-fitting shoe (e.g., a men's US 10 with a foot width of 4.2 inches is considered wide), whereas New Balance has a guide to widths, although doesn't explain when you need wide-fitting shoes.
Thankfully, more general information can be found online regarding what the different width categories mean for shoes. Here is a breakdown of the codes for a Men's US 8 shoe:
- B - Approx. 8.73cm
- D - Approx. 9.68cm
- 2E - Approx. 10.64cm
- 4E - Approx. 11.59cm
Remember, shoe width varies depending on size—so a US size 6 will have a different width than a US size 12, whether you're looking at standard or wide-fit options. This is important to remember when browsing sneakers from brands like Nike and New Balance.
Which shoes fit wide feet?
In our experience, New Balance shoes typically boast a slightly wider profile compared to Nike, making them a preferable choice for individuals with wider feet. Moreover, New Balance offers various widths of some of its most popular shoes, including the USA 990v6s. This expansive selection provides added assurance for a comfortable fit, no matter what model you're interested in.
Meanwhile, Nike addresses the wide-fit requirement through its line of broad-fitting shoes, like the popular Revolution 7s. Some of the top Air Force 1 models are known to offer a slightly broader fit too, based on our firsthand experience, making them a compelling option for those seeking a roomier design too.
Therefore, both Nike and New Balance cater to diverse foot shapes and sizes, showcasing commendable efforts to ensure inclusivity and comfort.
Which shoes run narrow?
Both brands recognize that some of their shoes are slightly narrower, or feel narrower than others. In Nike's case, runners, like these Phantom Run Flyknit 2s, can feel slightly narrower due to the mesh uppers being designed to conform to the shape of your feet for a secure and snug fit whilst exercising.
This is also said to be the case amongst some of Nike's Free range due to the internal webbing providing a tighter lock-in, something we cover in more detail in our Nike vs. Reebok sizing guide.
If you're a little worried about the width of Nike trainers, then we'd suggest opting for a pair of Air Force 1s, or some of the best Jordan 1 Lows or Mids, as they both typically feature slightly wider toe boxes than runners.
You may also find some of New Balance's runners to be slightly narrower due to their more feet-hugging, knitted designs. However, as touched on earlier, New Balance states that it offers the largest selection of shoe widths, ranging from 2A X-Narrow to 6E XX-Wide, with the aim being to have a pair of sneakers to suit every foot type available.
Therefore, it seems that both Nike and New Balance have shoes that run narrower than others. If you're a little uncertain about which size to get though, we'd recommend trying on both Nike and New Balance shoes in a physical store to double-check you've found the right fit.
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With these key differences in Nike and New Balance sizing now clear, you should feel confident in finding the perfect fit for your next pair. Check out our guide to Nike vs adidas sizing next to ensure you're fully prepared for your next shoe purchase.