This New Balance 608 Sizing Guide uses direct comparison photos where I put my 608 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 608 shoes run big or small?
New Balance 608 shoes fit true to size for most people. They have a fit that is very comparable to other types of casual sneakers. I ordered my normal sizing and they fit comfortably. New Balance now also has it’s own sizing guide available at NewBalance.com that has helpful sizing tips for the 608 – click here to view that sizing guide at NewBalance.com (paid affiliate link takes you to NewBalance.com).
When I compared the sizing of New Balance 608 to the sizing of other popular athletic shoes, I found the 608 to fit true-to-size regarding both length and width. For example, here is my New Balance 608 (on the right) compared to Adidas 2k Boost:
And here is my New Balance 608 sizing compared to Under Armour:
I ordered my normal sizing for the New Balance 608 and they fit comfortably. Let’s start this New Balance 608 Sizing Guide by looking at other direct side-by-side comparison photos of my New Balance 608 shoes compared to other popular shoes. All photos below use a version 608v5.
New Balance 608 Sizing Photos
New Balance 608 On My Foot
In my experience, the New Balance 608 shoes have a comfortable fit. To give you an idea how the 608 responds on a foot, here I am wearing mine:
New Balance 608 vs Adidas 2k Boost Sizing
New Balance 608 vs Brooks Adrenaline Sizing
New Balance 608 vs Skechers Go Walk Sizing
New Balance 608 vs Nike Air Max Excee Sizing
New Balance 608 (right) vs 860 Sizing
New Balance 608 vs Crocs Sizing
New Balance 608 vs Under Armour HOVR Sizing
New Balance 608 (right) vs 990 Sizing
New Balance 608 (right) vs 624 Sizing
Do New Balance 608 Shoe Fit Wide or Narrow?
In my experience, New Balance 608 shoes do not fit too wide or too narrow. Overall, the toe box area has average width. For comparison, here is my New Balance 608 compared to Adidas 2k Boost:
If you have wide feet: To get a better idea of how wide these shoes are, below is the width of my New Balance 608 shoes (in standard width) compared to the Nike Air Monarch 4E (which is a popular extra wide shoe):
Below is a photo of me measuring the width of the outsole on my 608 men’s size 12 shoes:
These New Balance 608 outsole width measures approximately 4.75 inches for a size 12 men’s, which is a pretty standard width compared to the New Balance shoes that I have tried.
The main takeaway is expect these 608 shoes to fit true to size. They are also available in wide sizes.
Do New Balance 608 Shoes Run Big or Small?
When I compared the New Balance 608 sizing to other types of popular athletic-style shoes pictured above, I found the fit to be very similar. In my experience, the New Balance 608 shoes fit true to size.
To read more about sizing, visit my article that discusses how New Balance Shoes fit.
How Much Do New Balance 608 Shoes Weigh?
My size 12 men’s New Balance 608 shoes weigh 0.97 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 article that compares New Balance Weights.
Are New Balance 608 Shoes Breathable?
The New Balance 608 shoes are not one of New Balance’s most breathable options. It’s important to understand that these shoes are built for for comfort and stability. They are made with leather uppers that help provide that support, but they won’t be the most breathable option that New Balance offers.
Here is a close-up look at the material on my 608 shoes:
New Balance offers a wide selection of breathable shoes. Many of their running shoes are very breathable. For example, here is the the New Balance Propel that I own:
You can actually see light passing through the shoe.
But it is important to understand that many New Balance running shoes won’t provide the same level of support and stability that the 608 provides.
If you are looking for a more breathable New Balance casual shoe that also provides stability and support, I would suggest considering the New Balance 847v4 walking shoes. They are made with breathable mesh on the upper, but still have the New Balance ROLLBAR technology for stability and the TPU heel insert for enhanced support.
The main takeaway is don’t expect the New Balance 608 shoes to be the most breathable option. But what this shoe lacks in breathability, it makes up for with stability and support.
How Flexible are New Balance 608 Shoes?
Flexibility can play a large role in the fit and comfort of a shoe.
The New Balance 608 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 608 Shoes Fit Tall?
New Balance 608 Sole Height
I found the New Balance 608 sole height for my size 12 shoes to be approximately 2 inches tall near the heel. This heel height is very similar to many other types of New Balance shoes that I have tried.
In the photo below, I tried to capture the heel height, and the overall height of the 608 shoe:
New Balance 608 Heel Drop
When I measured my New Balance 608 shoes using an 8-inch Digital Outside Caliper, I found the heel drop to be approximately 10mm.
Here I am measuring the heel drop of the New Balance 608 shoes:
**It is important to understand that although I tried my best to get accurate measurements, the best way to measure heel drop is to cut the shoes in half and use an industrial caliper. Obviously, I didn’t want to destroy my shoes, but this is a convenient alternative way to measure the New Balance 608 heel drop.
The point is, think of this number as an approximation. For all official measurements, it would be best to reach out to New Balance directly.
The heel drop won’t affect how the New Balance 608 shoes fit, but it can affect how comfortable it is for you to use. To read more, visit my article that discusses the New Balance 608 heel drop and how it compares to other options.
Do New Balance 608 Shoes Fit Comfortable?
To read more in depth about comfort, visit my article Are the New Balance 608 Shoes Comfortable?
New Balance 608 Padding
The New Balance 608 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 608 shoes near the collar:
Does the New Balance 608 Have a Removable Insole?
Yes, the New Balance 608 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 608 shoes:
How Thick is the New Balance 608 Insole?
I measured my New Balance 608 insole to be slightly under a quarter-inch thick. This insole thickness is comparable to many other types of New Balance shoes.
608 Comparisons
To read about how the 608 compares to other options, visit my articles linked below:
New Balance 608 Sizing Conclusion
In my experience, the New Balance 608 sizing fits true to size. When I compared the sizing of the 608 to the sizing of other popular casual shoes, I found the sizing to be very similar.
The New Balance 608 shoes have a regular width that I would describe as not too narrow nor too wide. These shoes are available in wide sizes.
If you want to compare the 608 to other popular types of New Balance casual shoes, I also tried the New Balance 574 and the New Balance Fresh Foam 5740.