****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
Well after having to re-order for the third time I finely got the right size shoe to fit. A little disappointing because the sizing is so far off. I used their shoe size glide to help find the correct size and it doesn’t work as far as this New Balance shoe size is stated, what I’m saying is somehow another at the factory they have missed labeled this shoe wrong. The shoe chart size information I entered which is a size “9” shows me I needed to order a size “9-1/2”, so I ordered per their instructions, received the first pair which I think is one of their better made walking shoes at this price if caught at sale price that day of ordering for $88. Bucks, yes one day they were $124. Bucks??? Anyway, I tried the shoe on and my big toes were jammed into the end. That was the first return. So I took the next step thinking well maybe a size “10” should work, received shoes and I’ll be dog if they weren’t any bigger than the “9-1/2” shoes, their sizing is really screwed up somewhere at the factory, it isn’t Amazon’s fault it’s the labeling, this is where having “Amazon Prime” is a “GREAT Value” instead of waiting for all the paper work and such I just paid in full for another pair of shoes and of course in two day their at your door step. Well the size “10s” didn’t fit either; I sent them back after contacting Amazon for help, especially since the shoes went up in price to $124. Bucks, they were very willing to work with me on keeping the price at $88. Bucks, but I decided to just wait, and sent the shoes back, I did wait a few weeks and the price went back down and I went ahead a ordered a size “10-1/2” and low and behold they “FIT”. I’d say to anyone that it’s a crap shoot on getting the right size, took me three times to do it. I love the quality of the shoes really nicely made, not the cheaper made New Balance ones for $45.Bucks, it’s worthy of the price and more at $88. Bucks’ I can’t write here to say what size to order but looks like it would seem a size 1 & ½ bigger worked for me, maybe that’s the way it is but I finely have to say it was worth reordering to get the right size because I like the weight and fit of the shoes. Hope this helps someone when ordering.This particular New Balance style has been a favorite for walking, hiking, and yard work for years. However, this time they blew it.The 10.5D (Med) pair was barely long enough for my feet. The toe end actually cramped my toe. Should have been 1/4 to 5/16 longer. The width was very snug - more like a narrow. The lace area was spread so wide, socks showed half way down the tongue. A very badly sized pair. Needless to say, there is no way a normal 10.5D foot would be able to function in those shoes.Also bought 11D in this style and found it to fit about like my old 10.5, so even there the sizing was not accurate. But at least they fit. (Note: After three days of testing the 11D, I find the toe box still slightly cramped, as if the width is just a bit narrower than needed. That should change when toe is stuffed with damp paper and a shoe tree to spread it.)After over 60 years of buying shoes, I find that sellers, whose products I once relied on, have begun to accept almost anything they are sent by their factories. That includes almost all major brands and products, and not just shoes. Sellers don't seem to check to see if products are sized by the norms or of reasonably good quality. So long as there are thousands of miles between the buyer and the factory this will problem will continue.Revised review: after several weeks of testing, the 969 11D is proving to be just too tight in the toe box for long walks or even as work shoes in the yard. Stuffing toe and using shoe tree to enlarge the area did not work because there was too little give in the leather. Fit ok for an hour or so, then tightened up again. For size comparison, I tried other 11D shoes and found they fit normally, with room in the toe for expansion while working.Too bad. I always have liked NB shoes, but their quality control has slipped.This is the first time I have ordered shoes on line. I have always had to go to the store to try on shoes to make sure they fit the first time. I decided to try these shoes on line based on my past experience with them from brick and mortar (B&M) stores as always fitting on the first try. I can say that I will be very happy with these shoes overall, but will have to break them in for a few weeks to get them to form to my feet. They did not fit comfortably on the first try. They are very stiff, and I get the feeling that they will conform after a few weeks of breaking them in. I would have bought them in a B&M store, but they are just not available in my area. Having said all of this, they were delivered very quickly, and in excellent condition upon arrival. Had they fit on the first try, I would have rated them a 5 star. Since they require a break-in period to get them to be comfortable, I am willing to give them 4 stars. Thanks for reading, and give this store a try.I was concerned about sizing after reading some of the reviews, but I found these fit like every other New Balance I've ordered, which for me means going 1/2 size larger than I would normally wear. They are quite a bit lighter than the 956 model I am replacing, which is nice, but they are still waterproof, and they have a nice aggressive tread. The fit overall is classic New Balance, with a good feel and good support where I need it. I've been wearing them for six months now, and I have to say that they are lasting much better than any other New Balance I've bought in the last five years. In particular I'm impressed with the durability of the heel cup, which, pun intended, has been an Achilles heel of every hiking shoe I've bought in the last ten years. So far I'm very impressed.
