Does your boy have a “complicated” foot shape such as wide or extra wide feet or maybe you simply prefer New Balance shoes over other shoe brands? New Balance is known for manufacturing high-quality shoes that are capable of accommodating different foot shapes. Let’s take a look at the best New Balance shoes for boys.
Not all New Balance shoes are made the same way or provide the same features. There are certain models that are more supportive, lightweight, flexible and durable than others. Some styles are also deeper than others, making them ideal for children with wide feet and high insteps.
My Experience Fitting Children’s Shoes – Over a Decade of Shoe Fitting Experience
I have been fitting children’s shoes and orthotics for the last 10 years, working for a specialized children’s shoe store that focuses on children with foot and leg problems, but we provide regular shoe fittings as well. We need to carry top-quality shoes that are available in different widths, as that’s the only way we can guarantee to fit every single child.
I am familiar with which are the best shoe brands and the best shoe styles among those brands from actually having fitted and tested the shoes on different children’s feet.
I only review shoes that I have fitted before, as that is the only way for me to tell how well-made the shoes are, the amount of support that they provide, and how they fit.
The Best New Balance Shoe Style for Boys
Velcro
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride
- Hook and loop closure
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide and extra wide widths
- Oversized opening for easy on and off
- Lightweight injection-molded EVA foam midsole provides lightweight cushioning
- Hook and loop closure
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Customizable fit adjusts to your child’s foot shape
- Extra Deep
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
- Mesh upper for durability and comfort
- Extra deep
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
- Removable insoles
- Extra deep
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Synthetic and mesh upper
- Rubber outsole pods
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Leather and mesh upper
- Mesh collar and tongue are padded with foam for a great fit and added comfort
- Extra deep
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
- Fits orthotics
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Velcro closure
- Generous toe box and instep to accommodate and support your toddler walker’s needs
- Extra deep
- Order this shoe a whole size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths
- Velcro closure
- ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
- Mesh upper material features no-sew overlays for a sleek fit and feel
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
Lace-Up
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide feet
- Lace-up closure
- Strong rubber outsole and cushioned midsoles
- Suede/mesh upper provides durability and breathability
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your toddler’s current foot size
- Fits medium, wide, and extra wide feet
- ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
- Leather/mesh upper
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- ENCAP midsole cushioning provides good arch and heel support
- Leather and suede upper
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- NDurance rubber outsole technology provides superior durability in high-wear areas to help get more out of the shoes
- Lace-Up closure
- Non-marking outsole
- Order this shoe a whole larger than your child’s current foot size
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Fresh Foam midsole cushioning
- TPU heel clip for stability
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- ENCAP midsole cushioning provides good arch and heel support
- No-sew tip for durability where kids need it most
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Suede and mesh uppers
- Padded tongue and collar offer a snug, comfy fit
- ENCAP® midsole technology provides support and maximum durability
- Dual-layered EVA midsole for cushioning
- Order this shoe a half size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- Lace-up closure
- Dual-layer midsole construction featuring top-bed foam cushioning and underfoot Fresh Foam X
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
- Available in medium and wide widths
- The ABZORB midsole absorbs impact through a combination of cushioning and compression resistance
- Order this shoe half a size larger than your child’s current foot size
Unsure About What Shoe Size You Should Order?
In each of the descriptions of the shoes, I indicate whether you need to order a half size or a whole size bigger than your child’s foot size to provide the correct amount of growing room.
Do You Have a Specialized Children’s Shoe Store in Your Area?
Did you know that your child won’t get any of the benefits that the shoes have to offer if you don’t provide him with the correct shoe size? I am always emphasizing to parents to take their kids to their local children’s shoe store, where a shoe fitter can properly measure their feet and find shoes that properly fit the shape of their feet.
I created a resource that showcases the best fitting children’s shoe stores by state:
The Best Kids’ Shoe Stores in the United States – Where to Go for Proper Fittings
How to Retrieve Your Child’s Exact Foot Length and Shape
If after looking at that resource you still can’t seem to identify a shoe store in your area, then proceed to take a look at an article I created that describes the simplest, yet most effective way to figure out your child’s foot size from home:
How to Measure Your Kids’ Foot – 2 Simple Steps to Determine Foot Length and Foot Width
In that article I help parents determine their child’s exact foot size and whether the child has narrow, medium, wide, or extra wide feet. I also will be able to tell you whether your child has a high instep or not.
I decided to recreate the most important questions that parents have asked me at the shoe store about these shoes:
1️⃣ Can my Child Wear the Shoes as her Everyday Pair of Shoes?
Yes, your child can wear the shoes I recommended for her everyday activities. The shoes offer good support for your child’s feet and are lightweight and flexible at the same time.
2️⃣ Are the Shoes Durable?
Yes, your child will likely outgrow the shoes before they get worn out.
3️⃣ Can These Shoes Fit Different Foot Shapes?
The New Balance shoes that I recommended can fit children with medium, wide, and extra wide feet. The shoe can also accommodate the shape of children with high insteps.
4️⃣ Do the Shoes Come with Removable Insoles?
Yes, and you can easily pull them out if you need to fit an orthotic.
5️⃣ Can You Fit Orthotics Inside the Shoes?
Yes, these are some of the best fitting shoes for children who wear orthotics.
6️⃣ Are the Shoes Machine Washable?
No, I don’t recommend putting the shoes in the washing machine.
7️⃣ Are the Shoes Easy to Get On and Off?
Yes, the shoes have oversized openings for easy on and off.
What I LIKE about the New Balance shoes I recommended above:
➡️ PRO #1 These shoes fit extremely well and they are very versatile as they offer enough support to be worn for everyday activities.
➡️ PRO #2: Easy On & Off! You won’t have to struggle every time you are putting your child’s shoes on since they open up nice and wide. If your child is old enough, he won’t have any trouble putting on the shoes by himself.
➡️ PRO #3: They can fit children with extra wide feet and high insteps.
➡️ PRO #4: I love how lightweight and flexible the shoes are. Great for children who are running around all day!
➡️ PRO #5: They accommodate any type of orthotics (including AFOs and SMOs).
➡️ PRO #6: The shoes are available in different widths and they come in half sizes and while you might believe this is a given for most shoes, there are a lot of kids’ sneakers out there that are available in whole sizes only.
What I DON’T LIKE about the New Balance shoes I recommended above:
CON #1: The shoes don’t fit boys with narrow feet.
CON #2: The shoes are not machine washable.
If you want to access a selection of the best New Balance shoes for girls, go to the link below:
New Balance Shoes for Girls Reviewed – Lightweight, Supportive, Deep, and Fits Orthotics!
Are Any Other Shoe Choices Available?
Do not hesitate to contact me directly at my e-mail if you have any further questions or if you need a different pair of shoes for your child. My e-mail address is:
fittingchildrensshoes@gmail.com
Is there another New Balance shoe style that has worked well for your child’s feet? Please share your findings below so other parents can benefit from them.
If my child measures 10 E on a Brannock Jr while his orthotic is against his foot, do I need to order a 10.5 in this shoe? He was 9.5 size in length on one foot, but the arch length indicated size 10. Thank you!
Hi Nicole,
I hope you are well. I am a little bit confused, it seems like you measured his feet while he was standing on the orthotic. That won’t give you the correct measurement.
Please measure his feet without the orthotic. We usually want to go a half a size to a whole size longer of the size that the child measures in the Brannock device. Since he is wearing an orthotic it’s highly likely that he will need a whole size longer. However, the final shoe size he will take depends on which orthotic he is wearing as some orthotics take more space than other.
If you are confused as how to measure his feet you can get back to me with pictures of his feet standing on the Brannock device (make sure his heels are all the way back and that he is standing straight) and I will be able to tell you which shoe size to get. You can send me the pictures here: fittingchildrensshoes@gmail.com