Nobody does fit better At New Balance we have one goal - to give you the best fitting pair of shoes you've ever had. Measuring 88 critical points of fit, we look at the foot from every angle, lenght, width, last and insole, to create a shoe that feels like it was specifically designed for you.

How do they fit? New Balance is the only manufacturer to offer a majority of shoe models in multiple widths, from narrow 2A to extra-extra-wide 6E. Just like people, feet come in all shapes. New Balance knows that proper fit means multiple widths, not just multiple sizes.

What is a last? A "Last" is a wood, plastic or metal model of the foot on which shoes are constructed. The shape of the last affects the width, length and fit of the shoe. Each New Balance Last is engineered to provide a unique fit and size profile to fit a unique foot shape. The most popular lasts are "SL-1" and "SL-2", a standard straight last and one with a higher instep and deeper toe box.

Last Construction Types
SL-1 Fit: A Last with a typical forefoot and toe box design which provides a conventional fit through the shank and instep for normal to low arch foot types.		SL-2 Fit: A Last with more volume in the toe box, a higher instep and a narrower heel. Designed to accommodate normal to high arch foot types.

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

Board Lasted
Board lasted shoes have a sturdy insole board running the entire length of the footbed. This type of construction provides the greatest stability.

Combi-Lasted
Combi-lasted shoes employ slip lasting in the forefoot for enhanced flexibility and an insole board in the rearfoot to control excess motion.

Strobel Lasted
Strobel lasted shoes are constructed wih a thin material acting like a sock liner stretched along its perimeter. The construction provides an excellent blend of stability and flexibitlity.

Slip Lasted
Slip lasted shoes are constructed without an insole board. This provides the greatest flexibility and the lightest weight.

How do I know if my heel width is narrow?
There really is no way to measure your heel. If you find through your life that your heel has been lifting in your shoes, it's likely you have a narrow heel.

Some women have really skinny heels and the heels lift right out of the shoes. They feel like they are constantly walking out of their shoe, every step they take. So a lot of women who wear narrows have a 4E foot but a 2A heel which is what SL-2 and RL-2 lasts are for, they have a narrow heel.

Find all Women's SL-2 and RL-2 last or Men's SL-2 and RL-2 last shoes currently in stock.

Another clue that you're a narrow is when you tie your shoes, the two sides are pulled all the way together. When you look at the laces if the laces are going forward and parallel that's perfect. If the laces are really very close together then the shoe is too wide and you should be ordering a narrower width shoe.

What Is Pronation?