This New Balance 515 Sizing Guide uses direct comparison photos where I put my 515 shoes next to other popular shoes so you can see the difference in sizing. I will also discuss things like weight, width, flexibility, heel drop, and sole height. After trying these shoes, do New Balance 515 shoes run big or small?
New Balance 515 shoes fit true to size for most people. However, some people find that the 515 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. New Balance now also has it’s own sizing guide available at NewBalance.com that has helpful sizing tips for the 515 – click here to view that sizing guide at NewBalance.com (paid affiliate link takes you to NewBalance.com).
It’s important to note that this shoe is built using the SL-2 last, which is designed to create a wider forefoot area and a deeper toe box (show me comparison sizing photos for the 515). However, the SL-2 will *most likely* not be wide enough in standard form to overcome the need for wide sizing. In most cases, even on a wider last like the SL-2, you should still order wide sizing if you normally order wide sizing in shoes.
Let’s start this New Balance 515 Sizing Guide by looking at the direct side-by-side comparison photos of my New Balance 515 shoes compared to other popular shoes. Then let’s discuss how other design specs of this shoe differ from other options.
New Balance 515 Sizing Photos
All photos below use a size 12 men’s shoe. The style used for these photos is the New Balance 515v3.
New Balance 515 vs Under Armour HOVR Sizing
New Balance 515 vs Reebok Classics Sizing
New Balance 515 vs Vans UltraRange Sizing
New Balance 515 vs Vans Old Skool Sizing
New Balance 515 vs Skechers Go Walk Sizing
New Balance 515 vs Saucony Shadow 6000 Sizing
New Balance 515 vs Nike Blazer Sizing
New Balance 515 vs Nike Air Max Excee Sizing
New Balance 515 vs Nike Air Force 1 Sizing
New Balance 515 vs Hey Dude Wally Sox Sizing
New Balance 515 vs Crocs Sizing
New Balance 515 vs Converse Pro Leather Sizing
New Balance 515 vs Converse Chucks Sizing
New Balance 515 vs Adidas Superstar Sizing
New Balance 515 vs Adidas Gazelle Sizing
New Balance 515 vs 574 Sizing
New Balance 515 vs Adidas Cloudfoam Sizing
New Balance 515 vs Vans Authentic Sizing
New Balance 515 vs Brooks Glycerin Sizing
New Balance 515 vs 997 Sizing
New Balance 515 vs 880 Sizing
New Balance 515 vs 2002r Sizing
Do New Balance 515 Shoe Fit Wide or Narrow?
The New Balance 515 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.
To give you a better idea how wide the 515 fits, here is the Balance 515 compared to my Nike Blazer (which have a narrow design):
As you can see, the 515 shoe fits wider than the narrow Nike Blazer.
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.
To get a better idea of how wide these shoes are, below is the width of my New Balance 515 shoes compared to Crocs (which are well-known for having a wide, roomy toe box):
Below is a photo of me measuring the width of the outsole on my 515 men’s size 12 shoes:
Do New Balance 515 Shoes Run Big or Small?
When I compared the New Balance 515 sizing to other types of popular athletic-style shoes pictured above, I found the fit to be similar (maybe a tiny bit smaller regarding length). If you are in-between sizes, it would probably be best to size up.
To read more about sizing, visit my New Balance Sizing Comparison Guide.
How Much Do New Balance 515 Shoes Weigh?
My size 12 men’s New Balance 515 shoes weigh 0.74 pounds per shoe.
Recently I tried over 30 different types of New Balance shoes. To read about how these shoes compare to other New Balance shoes, visit my New Balance Weight Guide.
New Balance 515 Material
Yes, the New Balance 515 shoes are breathable. Here is a close-up look at the breathable material on my Numeric shoes:
How Flexible are New Balance 515 Shoes?
Flexibility can play a large role in the fit and comfort of a shoe.
The New Balance 515 shoes have a flexible design that feels responsive on my foot. In the videos below, I tried to capture how flexible these shoes are:
Do New Balance 515 Shoes Fit Tall?
New Balance 515 Sole Height
I found the New Balance 515 sole height for my size 12 shoes to be slightly under 1.5 inches tall near the heel. Overall, this is a very standard heel height that is very similar to other types of athletic casual shoes.
In the photo below, I tried to capture the heel height, and the overall height of the 515 shoe:
Do New Balance 515 Shoes Fit Comfortable?
New Balance 515 Padding
The New Balance 515 shoes do have padding around the collar and tongue which helps create a comfortable, but dependable fit. Here is a look at my New Balance 515 shoes near the collar:
Does the New Balance 515 Have a Removable Insole?
Yes, the New Balance 515 has a removeable insole in case you need to clean or swap your insole. Here is a look at the removable insole in my New Balance 515 shoes:
How Thick is the New Balance 515 Insole?
I measured my New Balance 515 foam insole to be slightly under a quarter-inch thick. This insole thickness is comparable to many other types of New Balance shoes.
515 Comparisons
To read more about how the New Balance 515 compares to other similar shoes, visit my articles linked below:
New Balance 515 Sizing Conclusion
In my experience, the New Balance 515 fits true to size. However, some people find that this shoe runs a bit smaller than normal shoe sizing.
When I compared the sizing of the 515 to the sizing of other popular casual shoes, I found the sizing to be very similar. I ordered my normal sizing and it fit comfortably, but if you are in-between sizes, it might be best to size up.
I found the New Balance 515 shoes have a regular width. If you need a narrow design, I found the New Balance 720 shoes to fit more narrow.