New Balance is well-known for having a large selection of wide shoes to help those of us with larger feet. But what about the 574? Are New Balance 574 shoes wide or narrow fit?
The New Balance 574 shoes are designed to have a slightly wider, roomier fit. They are built using the SL-2 last, which creates a wider forefoot and deeper toe box. Still, this will likely not be enough to overcome the need for wide sizing. If you normally order wide sizing, you should still order wide sizing for the 574. In the article below I have side-by-side photos comparing New Balance 574 width to the sizing of other popular shoes.
I took side-by-side comparison sizing photos so you can compare the width of New Balance 574 to the width of other popular shoes. Click here to jump ahead to the men’s photos. Click here to jump ahead to the women’s photos.
In this article let’s take a closer look at how wide the New Balance 574 fits. If you have narrow feet, here is a list of alternative options that might be better options for skinnier feet.
Does the New Balance 574 Fit Wide?
Yes, as we discussed above, the New Balance 574 is designed to have a roomy, wider fit. The New Balance 574 shoe is built using the SL-2 last, which is designed to create a wider forefoot and deeper toe box area.
It’s important to understand that although the SL-2 last creates a wider fit compared to normal lasts, it won’t be enough to overcome the need for wide sizing. You will likely still need to order wide sizing if you normally order wide sizing in shoes. The SL-2 will feel just a tiny bit wider than standard shoes (show me how this shoe responds on a foot).
To give you a better idea how wide the 574 fits, here is the Balance 574 compared to my Nike Cortez shoes. The Nike Cortez are well-known for having a narrow, shallow toe box (both size 12).
As you can see, the 574 shoe fits wider than the narrow Nike Cortez.
But, again, even though this shoe is a little bit wider than regular shoes, it likely won’t be enough to overcome the need for wide sizing. This style is available in wide sizes.
To get a better idea of how wide these shoes are, below are photos of both men’s and women’s New Balance 574 width (in standard width) compared to Crocs. Crocs are well-known for having a wide, roomy toe box (men’s photo first):
As you can see, even though the New Balance 574 has a wider design than normal athletic shoes, it still isn’t as wide as Crocs.
Regarding Length: New Balance 574 shoes fit true to size for most people. However, some people find that the 574 fits just a little bit smaller than their normal shoe size regarding length. If you are in-between sizes, it may be best to size up for length (you can read more about 574 length sizing here).
New Balance 574 Width Photos for Men
All the photos below use a size 12 men’s shoe in standard width so you can compare the width of New Balance 574 shoe to other popular shoes. To jump ahead to the women’s photos, click here.
New Balance 574 (right) vs Reebok Classics Sizing
New Balance 574 vs Adidas 2k Boost Sizing
New Balance 574 vs Vans UltraRange Sizing
New Balance 574 vs Vans Slip On Sizing
New Balance 574 vs Vans Old Skool Sizing
New Balance 574 vs Skechers Go Walk Sizing
New Balance 574 vs Saucony Shadow 6000 Sizing
New Balance 574 (left) vs Numeric 272 Sizing
New Balance 574 vs Nike Cortez Sizing
New Balance 574 vs Nike Blazer Sizing
New Balance 574 vs Nike Air Max 90 Sizing
New Balance 574 vs Nike Air Force 1 Sizing
New Balance 574 vs Hey Dude Wally Sox Sizing
New Balance 574 vs Crocs Sizing
New Balance 574 vs Converse Pro Leather Sizing
New Balance 574 vs Converse Chucks Sizing
New Balance 574 vs Adidas Superstar Sizing
New Balance 574 vs Adidas Gazelle Sizing
New Balance 574 (left) vs 515 Sizing
New Balance 574 vs Asics Sizing
New Balance 574 vs Adidas Cloudfoam Sizing
New Balance 574 (left) vs 993 Sizing
New Balance 574 vs Under Armour HOVR Sizing
New Balance 574 vs Brooks Adrenaline Sizing
New Balance 574 (left) vs 860 Sizing
New Balance 574 (left) vs 5740 Sizing
New Balance 574 (left) vs 1540 Sizing
New Balance 574 (left) vs 880 Sizing
New Balance 574 (left) vs 720 Sizing
New Balance 574 (left) vs 237 Sizing
New Balance 574 Width Photos for Women
All photos below use a women’s size 7 shoe in standard width.
New Balance Women’s 574 vs Skechers D’Lites Sizing
New Balance Women’s 574 vs Vans Sizing
New Balance Women’s 574 vs Under Armour Sizing
New Balance Women’s 574 vs Nike Air Max 90 Sizing
New Balance Women’s 574 vs Nergize Sizing
New Balance Women’s 574 vs Keen Sizing
New Balance Women’s 574 vs Hey Dude Wendy Sox Sizing
New Balance Women’s 574 vs Crocs Sizing
New Balance Women’s 574 vs Converse Chucks Sizing
New Balance Women’s 574 vs Adidas Sizing
New Balance Women’s 574 (right) vs 860 Sizing
New Balance Women’s 574 (right) vs 880 Sizing
New Balance Women’s 574 (right) vs 327 Sizing
New Balance Women’s 574 vs Nike Air Max 1 Sizing
New Balance Women’s 574 vs Nike Blazer Sizing
New Balance Women’s 574 vs Air Force 1 Sizing
New Balance Women’s 574 vs Brooks Adrenaline Sizing
New Balance Women’s 574 vs Asics Gel Kayano Sizing
New Balance 574 Alternatives for Narrow Feet
The New Balance 574 are retro casual athletic shoes that have a versatile design that can be easily paired with jeans and also used for occasional running or walking.
If you have narrow feet, and are concerned that the wide design of the 574 might not work for you, there are a few New Balance shoes that are similar, but have a design better-equipped for narrow feet. Here’s what you need to know.
New Balance 990v5
The New Balance 990v5, much like the 574, has a retro-athletic style, but is built using the SL-1 last, which is designed to produce a more regular fit. Plus, the 990v5 is available in narrow sizing. The 990v5 is popular due to its comfort, and due to the fact that it is made in the USA (the 574 is not). Just like the 574, the 990 can be worn casually or for occasional exercise. Click here to see how the 990v5 responds on my foot.
Below is a comparison of the 990v5 vs 574 width (574 on right):
New Balance 57/40
The New Balance 57/40 is a modern-take on the 574. It has a bulkier design with a foam mudguard around the midsole. New Balance created the 57/40 on a slimmer last, meaning it has a more-narrow fit than the classic 574. This is how the 57/40 responds on a foot.
Below is a comparison of the 57/40 vs 574 width (574 on right):
New Balance 237
The New Balance 237 is a similar to the 574 in that it has a retro-athletic design. The 237 was originally created to be a running shoe in the 1970’s. It has a lightweight, easy-to-wear design. I personally found it to not fit as wide as the 574, so it might be a nice alternative for narrow feet. This is how the 237 responds on a foot.
Below is a comparison of the 237 vs 574 width (574 on right):
New Balance 327
The New Balance 327 is another retro style shoe, but it has a more unique outsole. It has a studded outsole that also wraps up the back side of the heel to make this shoe unique. The 327 has a more regular width than the 574. This is how the 327 responds on a foot.
Below is a comparison of the 327 vs 574 width (574 on right):
New Balance Fresh Foam 1080
I’d be remiss to not mention my favorite New Balance shoe. When I recently tried over 30 different types of New Balance shoes, this shoe was the most comfortable, and provides sink-in, squishy softness under the foot. It is a modern running shoe, and because of that, it has a sleeker design than the 574, and will be a better option for narrow feet. This is how the 1080 responds on a foot.
Below is a comparison of the 1080 vs 574 width (574 on right):
New Balance 1540
The 1540 is a popular athletic shoe. It is built to prioritize stability and support. Just like the 574, it is built with the SL-2 last, which creates a wider forefoot and deeper toe box. So, how is this shoe good for narrow feet? Well, unlike the 574, the 1540 is actually offered in narrow sizing, and therefore is a nice option for those who have narrow feet and need a supportive athletic shoe. This is how the 1540 responds on my foot.
Below is a comparison of the 1540 vs 574 width (574 on right):
