Blog
New Balance 550 Size Chart – Do New Balance 550 Run True To Size?
New Balance 550 has a clean, minimal design of a basketball shoe of the 1980s, with a retro look of the famous shoe designer Steven Smith in 1989.
Do New Balance 550 run true to size?
This article provides the detailed fitting of this lifestyle shoe. It also helps you find your perfect shoe size when switching from other footwear models to New Balance 550.
Contents
Do New Balance 550 Run True To Size?
New Balance 550 run true to size as other New Balance sneakers and those of popular brands. This sneaker best fits narrow and standard feet.
If you are between sizes or wear shoes with thick socks, size up half a size to get a more comfortable fit.
You should also size up if you have wide feet, flat feet, or half sizes.
New Balance 550 Size Guide
Length
Generally, the New Balance 550’s length runs true to size like your other sneakers. Yet, a few customers find it slightly longer than expected.
Try the sneakers or check its sizing chart to find your best shoe length.
Width
Width is another vital factor in choosing sneakers like the New Balance 550.
The shoes accommodate various foot shapes, thanks to their 2 width options – standard and wide widths.
Those with standard feet will find the shoes fit perfectly without feeling too tight or loose. Those with wide feet will have a chance to get their favorite colorways of this sneaker.
An important note for wide-foot sneakerheads – size up 0.5 sizes bigger than usual to have more room for your toes. With the correct shoe width, you can enjoy the classic style and have all-day comfort.
Arch support
New Balance 550 provides excellent arch support for you. Its midsole is made of EVA foam using ENCAP technology, providing maximum cushioning and support.
The EVA foam is durable and hard to compress or break down with wear. This NB sneaker even fits those with high arches.
Add an insert to the sneakers if you have special arch support requirements (for example, flat feet or more arch support). These sneakers have a removable insole, making it easy to wash or add shoe inserts when necessary.
Toe Box
The toe box of the New Balance 550 is roomy and comfortable.
This toe box allows generous space for your natural toe movement with no cramps. Plus, it avoids toe blisters and other foot problems caused by a narrow toebox.
But, some people found that the NB 550’s toebox was still too roomy or narrow. In these cases, you should size up if you have wide feet, or prefer a loose fit. And size down if you have tiny feet or prefer a snug fit.
New Balance 550 Sizing Chart
Men’s Size Chart
| US Men | UK | EU | Length (cm) |
| 1 | 0.5 | 32.5 | 19 |
| 1.5 | 1 | 33 | 19.5 |
| 2 | 1.5 | 33.5 | 20 |
| 2.5 | 2 | 34.5 | 20.5 |
| 3 | 2.5 | 35 | 21 |
| 3.5 | 3 | 35.5 | 21.5 |
| 4 | 3.5 | 36 | 22 |
| 4.5 | 4 | 37 | 22.5 |
| 5 | 4.5 | 37.5 | 23 |
| 5.5 | 5 | 38 | 23.5 |
| 6 | 5.5 | 38.5 | 24 |
| 6.5 | 6 | 39.5 | 24.5 |
| 7 | 6.5 | 40 | 25 |
| 7.5 | 7 | 40.5 | 25.5 |
| 8 | 7.5 | 41.5 | 26 |
| 8.5 | 8 | 42 | 26.5 |
| 9 | 8.5 | 42.5 | 27 |
| 9.5 | 9 | 43 | 27.5 |
| 10 | 9.5 | 44 | 28 |
| 10.5 | 10 | 44.5 | 28.5 |
| 11 | 10.5 | 45 | 29 |
| 11.5 | 11 | 45.5 | 29.5 |
| 12 | 11.5 | 46.5 | 30 |
| 12.5 | 12 | 47 | 30.5 |
| 13 | 12.5 | 47.5 | 31 |
| 14 | 13.5 | 49 | 32 |
| 15 | 14.5 | 50 | 33 |
| 16 | 15.5 | 51 | 34 |
| 17 | 16.5 | 52 | 35 |
| 18 | 17.5 | 53 | 36 |
| 19 | 18.5 | 54 | 37 |
| 20 | 19.5 | 55 | 38 |
Women’s Size Chart
| US Women | UK | EU | Length (cm) |
| 3 | 1 | 33 | 19.5 |
| 3.5 | 1.5 | 33.5 | 20 |
| 4 | 2 | 34.5 | 20.5 |
| 4.5 | 2.5 | 35 | 21 |
| 5 | 3 | 35.5 | 21.5 |
| 5.5 | 3.5 | 36 | 22 |
| 6 | 4 | 37 | 22.5 |
| 6.5 | 4.5 | 37.5 | 23 |
| 7 | 5 | 38 | 23.5 |
| 7.5 | 5.5 | 38.5 | 24 |
| 8 | 6 | 39.5 | 24.5 |
| 8.5 | 6.5 | 40 | 25 |
| 9 | 7 | 40.5 | 25.5 |
| 9.5 | 7.5 | 41.5 | 26 |
| 10 | 8 | 42 | 26.5 |
| 10.5 | 8.5 | 42.5 | 27 |
| 11 | 9 | 43 | 27.5 |
| 11.5 | 9.5 | 44 | 28 |
| 12 | 10 | 44.5 | 28.5 |
| 12.5 | 10.5 | 45 | 29 |
| 13 | 11 | 45.5 | 29.5 |
| 13.5 | 11.5 | 46.5 | 30 |
| 14 | 12 | 47 | 30.5 |
| 15 | 12.5 | 47.5 | 31 |
NB 550 Size Vs Other NB Sneakers
New Balance 550 has the exact fit as almost all other New Balances. Yet, there are still some differences among them.
For example, the New Balance 990 and 550 have similar fit regarding cushioning and support. These two sneakers share the same ENCAP midsole technology.
However, the lifestyle sneaker 550 provides less stability and performance than the running one 990.
Check more: Gucci Shoe Size Chart
NB 550 Size Vs Other Shoe Brands
Compared To Adidas
New Balance 550 and Adidas Stan Smith share the same fitting. In other words, these sneakers run true to size.
However, the New Balance has slightly more cushioning and support than the Adidas. NB’s toebox is also roomier.
Read more: Adidas Shoe Size Chart
Compared To Nike
New Balance 550s are smaller than Nikes of the same US size. You should refer to the CM size when switching from Nike to New Balance.
For instance, if your Nike size is US 10 ( 27.1 CM), your New Balance 550 should be US 10 (28 CM). In this case, you should choose New Balance 550 in 27.0 CM or 27.5 CM.
- Nike Air Force 1
New Balance 550 and Nike Air Force 1 feature a retro design setting. While Air Force 1 is famous for its timeless chunky sole, the 550 is well-known for its excellent ENCAP midsole technology.
- Nike Air Jordan 1
The New Balance 550 runs smaller than the Nike Air Force 1. The latter is slightly longer but has a more spacious toebox. If you are between sizes, you should size down 0.5, especially with Air Force 1.
- Nike Dunk
Nike Dunk has the same fit and length as the New Balance 550.
However, the width of the New Balance shoes is narrower than the Dunk, providing a snug fit until fully broken in.
Size up 0.5 for these two sneakers if you have wide feet.
Compared To Crocs
Crocs are well-known for their wide-fit design. These clogs have a generous toe box area, ideal for relaxing your toes.
You should size up 0.5 when switching from Crocs to New Balance 550. This rule can apply to those with standard or wide feet.
Tips To Check Your Shoe Fit
Measure Your Feet
You should try on shoes at the end of the day, as your feet swell during the day.
Use a ruler or a measuring tape to get the exact feet’s length and width, and get these numbers in centimeters or inches.
Check The Size Chart
Refer to the New Balance 550 size chart after getting your foot measurements to find your correct shoe size.
Choose Your Correct Width
Since the New Balance 550 is available in two widths, you should get the width that best fits your foot shape.
Size Up If You Wear Socks
Try on the sneakers with the sock type you want to wear daily to get a proper fit. The sock’s thickness can affect the shoe’s overall fit.
Be Patient For A Break-In Period
NB 550 has a leather upper, which needs a break-in period. It may be stiff initially but should become softer and mold to your foot over time.
New Balance 550 perfectly matches your feet if you have enough space in the shoes to move your toes. Your feet can slide forward without slipping your heel.
There is no pinching, rubbing, or excessive movement while wearing them. Otherwise, the shoe can be too tight or too loose.
FAQs
1. What If I Have Two Different Size Feet?
If you have a difference in your foot size, you should:
- Choose the largest number if you are between sizes or if one foot has a bigger size than the other.
- Wear socks with thickness based on the size difference.
- Measure your feet at the end of the day to get the right numbers.
- Tighten or loosen the shoe’s laces to get the best fit of your left and right shoe.
2. Do New Balance 550 Stretch?
The upper of the New Balance 550 is made of synthetic leather and mesh. These materials provide excellent breathability, yet they don’t stretch too much. The shoes only stretch to mold to your feet and hold them as you run.
3. Do New Balance 550 Crease?
New Balance 550 can crease because it is made of artificial leather using the board-lasting technique and the stiff cup sole. The pressure on the toe box can crease and even crack the shoe when wearing it over time.
You can erase the creases by covering a wet towel over the creases then ironing them for a few minutes.
4. Who Should Consider Before Buying NB 550?
New Balance 550 is not for you if:
- You prefer minimalist, lightweight footwear
The New Balance has a considerable weight due to its retro design and chunky sole. It may not be your best choice if you prefer lightweight, minimal shoes.
- Your feet are too wide or narrow
While the New Balance 550 provides two widths, they are hard to fit wearers with special foot widths.
You should check your foot measurements and get advice from a footwear specialist before getting a pair of NB 550.
- You have foot problems or require extra orthotics
The NB 550 offers a comfortable fit. Yet, it can’t meet special requirements like custom insoles, advanced orthotics, or foot issues.
- You need shoes for a kind of sport
The New Balance is a general lifestyle sneaker and is designed for daily street wear.
Thus, it might not suit sport-specific needs like walking, basketball, running, or hiking. You should choose athletic shoes for those requirements.
- Your footwear budget is limited
The New Balance 550 is more expensive than other casual shoes. You should choose a more affordable option if you have a tight shopping budget.
Final Words
The New Balance 550 runs true to size like your other lifestyle sneakers. They need a short break-in period and slightly stretch to mold to your feet as you walk or run.
You can pick up one in their two-width options or size up if you experience heel slippery, wide feet, or half sizes. Plus, you can size up a little bit if you often wear shoes with socks or thick socks.
You should also know that New Balance provides a free return/exchange policy for mistake-makers. Ask for your retailer’s policy before purchasing to learn more about this policy.