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The trend of chunky shoes has breathed new life into some classic shoes. New Balance has a wide range of chunky shoes (some modern, some retro) that fit a wide range of design tastes.
Here are some of the most popular types of New Balance chunky shoes:
- New Balance 57/40 – A modern take on the classic 574 with chunky midsole (click here to view)
- New Balance 608 – A “dad shoe” leather trainer gym shoe with bulky design (click here to view)
- New Balance 550 – A chunky retro basketball shoe popularized in the 80’s (click here to view)
- New Balance 990 – Chunky 90’s inspired athletic shoes made in the USA (click here to view)
- New Balance 9060 – 90’s inspired shoe with chunky exaggerated “pod” midsole (click here to view)
- New Balance 993 – Another 90’s inspired athletic shoe with thicker design (click here to view)
- New Balance 997H – A sleek, retro suede/mesh upper on a thick, chunky midsole (click here to view)
- New Balance CT302 – A modern platform shoe inspired by 80’s tennis shoes (click here to view)
- New Balance 1540 – A modern running shoe with bulky design and extra support (click here to view)
- New Balance 2002r – A chunky shoe inspired by early 2000’s athletic shoes (click here to view)
The chunkiest shoe on this list is probably the New Balance 57/40 which has the foam mudguard wrapped around the midsole to add bulk to the shoe. For a sleeker (but still chunky shoe) I would suggest the New Balance 997H, which has a retro design on top of a thick, stacked midsole.
The most popular shoe on this list currently is the New Balance 550 shoes, which are retro basketball shoes that are now worn as lifestyle shoes.
In this article let’s take a closer look at some of the most popular options on this list so you can get a better idea what type of New Balance bulky shoes might be best for you.
New Balance Chunky Shoes
New Balance 57/40
The New Balance 57/40 is a modern take on the popular, classic New Balance 574 shoes (New Balance 574 vs 57/40). This updated version features a thick, chunky foam mudguard that wraps around the midsole of the shoe.
The 57/40 New Balance chunky shoe is made with a combination of suede and mesh, which gives it a breathable feel. Here is a video of how the 57/40 responds on my foot:
The 57/40 is available in both men’s and women’s versions. I found these shoes to fit true to size regarding length. However, it is worth noting that they are built on a slimmer last than the 574. If you are interested in these shoes, this is where you can read more about 57/40 sizing.
New Balance 608
The New Balance 608 is a “dad shoe” leather gym trainer (best New Balance Dad Shoes). It has a bulky design built for support and stability. The 608 is made with a sturdy leather upper. This shoe features the New Balance “Abzorb” midsole which helps reduce impact stress under the foot.
Here is a video of how the 608 New Balance bulky shoe responds on my foot:
The 608 is available in both men’s and women’s versions. I found these shoes to fit true to size regarding length and width. If you are interested in these shoes, this is where you can read more about 608 sizing.
New Balance 990
The New Balance 990 is a chunky 90’s style athletic running shoe. It is part of New Balance’s Made in USA collection. This shoe features a suede and mesh breathable upper, and has a versatile design that allows it to be used for exercise, or to be paired with jeans.
Here is a video of how this 990 New Balance chunky shoe responds on my foot:
The 990 is available in both men’s and women’s versions. I found these shoes to fit true to size regarding length and width. If you are interested in these shoes, this is where you can read more about 990 sizing.
New Balance 993
The New Balance 993, much like the 990 above, is another chunky 90’s style athletic running shoe. I personally thought the 993 was a little more comfortable under the foot than the 990. And the 993 design is also a bit bulkier than the 990.
Here is a video of how the 993 New Balance chunky shoe responds on my foot:
The 993 is available in both men’s and women’s versions. I found these shoes to fit true to size regarding length and width. If you are interested in these shoes, this is where you can read more about 993 sizing.
New Balance 997H
The New Balance 997H is a sleeker (but still chunky) shoe. It has a retro design on top of a thick stacked midsole. The upper itself is inspired from 90’s retro lifestyle shoes. The 997H will be the most lightweight option on this list.
Here is a video of how the 997H New Balance chunky shoe responds on my foot:
The 997H is available in both men’s and women’s versions. I found these shoes to fit true to size regarding length and width. If you are interested in these shoes, this is where you can read more about 997H sizing.
New Balance CT302
The New Balance CT302 has a stacked platform midsole and is built with exaggerated details inspired by classic 1980’s tennis shoes. The upper is made of leather with suede detailing. Because of the platform midsole, this shoe will be heavier than most other options.
Here is a video of how the CT302 New Balance bulky shoe responds on my foot:
The CT302 is a unisex shoe. I found these shoes to fit true to size regarding length and width. If you are interested in these shoes, this is where you can read more about CT302 sizing.
New Balance 2002r
The New Balance 2002r is a chunkier shoe inspired by early 2000’s athletic shoes. It features an upper that is very breathable. This shoe features the New Balance “Abzorb” midsole which helps reduce impact stress under the foot.
Here is a video of how this 2002r New Balance chunky shoe responds on my foot:
The 2002r is available in both men’s and women’s versions. I found these shoes to fit true to size regarding length and width. If you are interested in these shoes, this is where you can read more about 2002r sizing.
New Balance 1540
The New Balance 1540v3 is a running shoe that provides extra support. It is made using New Balance’s ROLLBAR technology, which is a medial post that runs through the heel of the shoe to add extra support in an attempt to prevent improper rearfoot movement.
Because of these added support features, the 1540 has a thick, chunky design. Here is a video of how the 1540 New Balance bulky shoe responds on a foot:
The 1540 is available in both men’s and women’s versions. I found these shoes to fit true to size. They are made using the SL-2 last which creates a roomier forefoot and deeper toe box area. If you are interested in these shoes, this is where you can read more about 1540 sizing.
How to Size Your New Balance Chunky Shoe
Recently I tried over 30 types of New Balance shoes (list of New Balance shoes) and I found the large majority of them to fit true to size regarding both length and width. However, there were some exceptions.
I found all the New Balance chunky shoes featured on this page to fit within the realm of “true to size”. If you are concerned about sizing, I would recommend visiting the resources linked below:
Are New Balance Shoes Wide or Narrow?