New Balance 813 Sizing Guide w/ Photos [Fit Big or Small?]


This New Balance 813 Sizing Guide uses direct comparison photos where I put my 813 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 813 shoes run big or small?

New Balance 813 shoes fit true to size for most people. However, some people find that the 813 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.

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 813). 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 813 Sizing Guide by looking at the direct side-by-side comparison photos of my New Balance 813 shoes compared to other popular shoes. Then let’s discuss how other design specs of this shoe differ from other options.

New Balance 813 Sizing Photos

All photos below are a size 12 men’s shoe. The exact version of 813 used for these photos is the New Balance 813v1.

New Balance 813 On My Foot

To give you an idea how the 813 responds on a foot, here I am wearing mine:

New Balance 813 vs Skechers Afterburn Sizing

new-balance-813-vs-skechers-afterburn-sizing

New Balance 813 vs Adidas 2k Boost Sizing

new-balance-813-vs-adidas-2k-boost-sizing

New Balance 813 vs Reebok Classics Sizing

new-balance-813-vs-reebok-classic-sizing

New Balance 813 vs Vans UltraRange Sizing

new-balance-813-vs-vans-ultrarange-sizing

New Balance 813 vs Skechers Go Walk Sizing

new-balance-813-vs-skechers-go-walk-sizing

New Balance 813 vs Saucony Shadow 6000 Sizing

new-balance-813-vs-saucony-6000-sizing

New Balance 813 (right) vs 1540 Sizing

new-balance-813-vs-1540-sizing

New Balance 813 vs Nike Air Max Excee Sizing

new-balance-813-vs-nike-air-max-excee-sizing

New Balance 813 vs Under Armour HOVR Sizing

new-balance-813-vs-under-armour-sizing

New Balance 813 (left) vs 577 Sizing

new-balance-577-vs-813-sizing

New Balance 813 vs 574 Sizing

new-balance-813-vs-574-sizing

New Balance 813 (left) vs 877 Sizing

new-balance-877-vs-813-sizing

New Balance 813 (left) vs 928 Sizing

new-balance-928-vs-813-sizing

Do New Balance 813 Shoes Run Big or Small?

Although normal sizing worked for me, the New Balance 813 shoes do run just a tiny bit smaller than similarly-styled shoes. If you prefer a loose fit, you may need to size up a half size.

To read more about sizing, visit my article that talks about New Balance Shoe Sizing.


Do New Balance 813 Shoe Fit Wide or Narrow?

The New Balance 813 is a leather walking/casual shoe built with motion-control technology for stabilized support. This 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.

new-balance-813-on-foot

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 813 shoes in standard width compared to the Nike Air Monarch 4E (which is a popular extra wide shoe) both size 12:

new-balance-813-vs-nike-air-monarch-sizing

Below is a photo of me measuring the width of the outsole on my 813 men’s size 12 shoes:

new-balance-813-width-measurement-outsole

These New Balance 813 outsole width measures slightly under 4.75 inches for a size 12 men’s, which is similar to other types of New Balance walking shoes.


How Much Do New Balance 813 Shoes Weigh?

My size 12 men’s New Balance 813 shoes weigh 1.04 pounds per shoe.

new-balance-813-weight

Recently I tried 33 different types of New Balance shoes. Overall, these shoes are one of the most lightweight leather walking shoes that New Balance offers.

To read about how these shoes compare to other New Balance shoes, visit my article about the weight of New Balance shoes.

Are New Balance 813 Shoes Breathable?

The New Balance 813 shoes are not one of New Balance’s most breathable options. It’s important to understand that these shoes are built for for padded comfort and stability. They are made with thick padding for cushioning, and they are made with leather uppers which help provide stability and support.

Here is a close-up look at the material on my 813 shoes:

new-balance-813-material

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:

new-balance-propel-breathable

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 813 provides.

If you are looking for a more breathable New Balance walking 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.

I also like the New Balance 877 as a breathable walking shoe option.

The main takeaway is don’t expect the New Balance 813 shoes to be the most breathable option. But what this shoe lacks in breathability, it makes up for with stability, comfort, and support.

New Balance 813 On Foot

Here I am wearing my New Balance 813 shoes, which I found to have a comfortable fit:

How Flexible are New Balance 813 Shoes?

Flexibility can play a large role in the fit and comfort of a shoe.

The New Balance 813 shoes have a design that is flexible enough to walk in. But, remember, these shoe are made using leather uppers. They provide more support than lightweight running shoes, but because of that, they aren’t as flexible.

In the videos below I tried to capture how flexible these shoes are:

Do New Balance 813 Shoes Fit Tall?

New Balance 813 Sole Height

I found the New Balance 813 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 813 shoe:

new-balance-813-sole-height

New Balance 813 Heel Drop

When I measured my New Balance 813 shoes using an 8-inch Digital Outside Caliper, I found the heel drop to be approximately between 13 and 14mm.

Here I am measuring the heel drop of the New Balance 813 shoes:

new-balance-813-heel-drop
813-heel-drop

**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 813 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 813 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 813 heel drop and how it compares to other options.

Do New Balance 813 Shoes Fit Comfortable?

To read more in depth about comfort, visit my article Are the New Balance 813 Shoes Comfortable?

New Balance 813 Padding

The New Balance 813 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 813 shoes near the collar:

new-balance-813-padded-collar

Does the New Balance 813 Have a Removable Insole?

Yes, the New Balance 813 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 813 shoes:

new-balance-813-insole

How Thick is the New Balance 813 Insole?

I measured my New Balance 813 insole to be slightly under a quarter-inch thick. This insole thickness is comparable to many other types of New Balance shoes.

new-balance-813-insole-measurement

813 Comparisons

To read more about how these shoes compare to other options, visit my articles linked below:

New Balance 813 vs 928

New Balance 813 vs 577

New Balance 813 Sizing Conclusion

In my experience, the New Balance 813 fits true to size. That said, some people find this shoe to fit slightly small compared to normal shoe sizing. If you prefer a loose fit, you may need to size up a half size.

The New Balance 813 shoes have a regular width that I would describe as not too narrow nor too wide. This shoe is available in wide sizes.

If you are looking for a wider, roomier shoe, I would recommend the New Balance 993.

Paul Johnson

Paul is a lead content creator for Workwear Command. He has had several blue-collar jobs which have provided him a wide range of experience with tools and gear. He also has a business degree and has spent time in business casual office settings.

Recent Posts