Wearing a good pair of athletic shoes that fit just right prevents injury and enhances your performance, be it in running or other forms of physical activity. New Balance's custom fit shoes factor in size, foot width, and different levels of support, as well as 31 unique foot lasts (or foot shapes). With such a wide range of choices, how do you make sure your New Balance shoes fit correctly? The first step is not to get overwhelmed by the long parade of options. Then, consider three things before beginning your search: purpose, support level, and size and fit. What kind of workout or sport will you be using the shoes for? Do you prefer lightweight shoes or are your feet prone to injury and thus require special cushioning? Lastly, be sure to choose the right size and width for your unique pair of feet. The type of physical activity should determine the type of shoes you buy. New Balance has several specific categories and subcategories of men's and women's athletic footwear. Baseball, Tennis, Competition, Golf, Lacrosse (Women), Basketball (Men), Cross-Training (Men)

Your feet interact with footwear in different ways as your activities—such as running or jumping—change. Choosing from the right category increases the level of comfort and stability your shoes give. If you have more than one sport in mind, choose a model that provides support for the more strenuous activity, or get a pair for each sport if possible. Cushioning (or support) provided by New Balance athletic shoes ranges from minimal lightweight support to maximum motion control cushioning. Some runners, especially during competition, prefer lightweight running shoes that allow them to feel the ground more. However, a barefoot feel comes at the expense of having less foot support, so others prefer more cushioning. Each type of footwear support offers unique advantages; New Balance customers may choose according to their personal preference or to accomidate special medical requirements. Optimum control, barefoot feel Support for moderate to severe pronation Lightweight, high traction for competition

Support for moderate pronation If your feet have no special medical conditions, choosing shoes with minimal support should be fine. However, overpronators are better off with footwear with motion control support, so if you experience foot pain after running, assess the degree to which your feet pronate.best nike shoes for casual wear Pronation—the degree to which your foot rolls inwardly while running—can either be neutral, moderate, or advanced. best running shoe for knee problemsNew Balance shoes provide different levels of support for different levels of pronation. best shoes bad knees runningWithout adequate support, feet that excessively pronate are prone to injury. why running shoes are expensive

If your pronation level falls under neutral, you have more options available. Slight inward rolling from the outer heel to the front Last ground contact is at the center Cushioning (Neutral), Minimal, or Spikes/Competition Excessive inward rolling from the outer heel to the midfootnike shoes online canada sale Foot remains inward until it leaves the groundpuma sports shoes collection Somewhere between severe and neutral pronation. To find out your feet's pronation level, check your most worn out footwear for signs of overuse at the inner forefoot of the sole, or videotape your feet from behind while running on a treadmill to observe whether your foot leans inward too much. After you have created a short list of your preferred models according to shoe type and support, it is time to choose the right size and fit.

When buying athletic footwear, generally choose one half-size larger than your dress shoes. Aside from foot length, New Balance shoes also have foot width options, which vary slightly between men's and women's styles. Most shoes are too wide for you Most shoes are a bit spacious in width Most shoes are snug or slightly narrow Most shoes are too narrow You always need shoes that are wider at the ball If you are trying to decide between two sizes or widths, always choose the bigger one. New Balance offers shoe lasts that combine different toe box, instep, and heel fit variations. The NBJ shoe last, for example, provides a really snug, foot-hugging fit. If you are looking for a particular fit in one or more areas of the shoe, check out the shoe models made from shoe lasts that match your preference. CW-2, PL-0, PL-8, RL-1, SL-1, WX-001 AL-1, MB-001, MF-001, MF-004, MX-001, PL-0, PL-8, RL-1, SL-1 AL-3, MF-002, MOL-1, SL-2, SL-3 AL-3, MF-002, MOL-1, SL-2, TSL-1, NL-0, NL-1

You can also refer to shoe lasts if you want to avoid features like a high instep. If you are not picky and if most shoes fit you comfortably, a standard fit is a dependable choice. For the best results, visit a New Balance outlet near you. A store attendant can guide you through the whole process of choosing according to type, support, pronation level, and foot size. When trying on shoes, try to go later in the day since your feet expand throughout the day. Try on both shoes with your usual athletic socks, and if your feet differ in length or width, choose the size that better fits your larger foot. Do not hesitate to choose a bigger size than usual since your feet expand during workouts. Lastly, test run the shoes in the store. New Balance shoes come designed to fit directly out of the box without any need to break them in. The perfect fit is snug at the heel and around your arch but leave wiggle room for your toes at the toe box. You should also feel all your bones fit well to sit on the base of the shoe.