I was always a perfect size 9, why don't I fit in a size 9 in the new Cross-Trainer shoes?

Cross-trainers are made to move both forward and side-to-side. They are fortified along the forefoot to give support for lateral movement. They are perfect for all around exercising, basketball, tennis and sports where lateral movement is necessary.

I was always a perfect size 9. How come the shoes I tried on in size 9 seem tight?

One of our toughest jobs here at the store is to teach our customers that shoes vary in size even within a single brand like New Balance. In some shoes you may be a 9 medium, in some shoes you may be a 9 wide and in others you may be a 9.5 medium. Some shoes have wider toe boxes so the shoes seems to fit like bigger shoes do.

Another reason is that when most people hit the age of 40 or 50, the natural cushioning of the foot starts to spread out. Although the bones may no longer be growing, the spreading of the foot may result in the need for a bigger size.

Finally, if someone gains weight or goes through a pregnancy, the skin stretches and even when the weight is lost, usually the foot winds up wider than it started.

Can I draw the outline of my foot on a piece of paper and have you tell me what size I need?

We can determine the length of shoes you need by the outline of your foot. However, the determination of the correct width takes into account more than just the measurement of your foot from side to side. The height of your instep is also a key factor in determining the proper width. You can have a foot that measures narrow from side to side but if you have a high instep you might actually need a wide. Only taking both factors into account can you determine the proper width and you can't do that from a two dimensional piece of paper.

Why does New Balance change styles so often?                 

Most shoes donšt sell as well in the second year of production, so New Balance updates most styles each year. Some shoes, know as "Core" or "Heritage" shoes, stay around for at least two years at a time.

Wow a Chihuahua.