“The right shoes help absorb shock, reduce fatigue, and protect against overuse injuries like plantar fasciitis or tendonitis,” says Anne Sharkey, a board-certified podiatrist and founder of Solely Podiatry based in Austin, Texas. “Investing in quality footwear can improve your overall comfort, posture, and joint health from the ground up.” New Balance fits the bill here, but first, it’s essential to consider which cushioning, fit, and arch type is best for you.
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What To Consider
Cushioning
“New Balance walking shoes often feature a firm, but cushioned midsole, which helps reduce pressure on the joints, especially if you’re walking on hard surfaces,” says Jerick Sobie, the founder of Lucky Feet Shoes and a board-certified pedorthist (a professional trained in modifying footwear to treat foot conditions). Styles with the brand’s Fresh Foam have maximum cushioning, while the 530 feels more subtle. So, evaluate exactly what your preferences and needs are.
Fit
New Balance offers a wide range of widths, including narrow, standard, wide, and extra-wide. “Too many foot issues come from wearing shoes that are just the wrong shape for your foot,” says Sobie. And, I agree. Tight and ill-fitting shoes can aggravate existing foot conditions such as bunions or plantar fasciitis. If you’re unsure which size is best for you, I recommend getting professionally fitted or ordering a couple of different sizes to test.
Arch support
“A good walking shoe should keep your foot stable, absorb impact with each step, and feel secure without being restrictive,” says Sobie. He highlights that many New Balance models offer built-in stability features that help tame overpronation (collapsing arches and inward ankle rolling) and have additional arch support. “At the same time, they don’t feel bulky or stiff, and you still get a smooth, comfortable stride,” he adds. A few styles to keep in mind are the 1906R and FuelCell 996v6.
How We Selected
As a WH fitness commerce editor, serial shoe tester, and daily power walker, I took six pairs of popular New Balance sneakers on strenuous walks for up to five years—yes, you heard that right. I evaluated each for its cushioning, fit, and arch support to see how they live up to my walking shoe standards. It’s safe to say all of them seriously impressed me. But to get all the piping hot shoe tea, read on to see what I mean.
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The New Balance 530 takes the cake as the best walking shoe among its stellar lineup. Ironically, it launched in 1992 as a performance running shoe, but it has since entered a new wave as a prominent style among streetwear. It has a retro aesthetic that I’ve seen on hundreds of people’s feet, and I fully understand why people love it. Heck, I’ve been wearing these on and off for five years. While you can opt for a neutral hue, I couldn’t resist the metallic “pink sugar” and silver contrasting overlays against the white leather.
The cushioning looks standard, but it feels anything but ordinary. The heel feels especially unique in that it provides a subtle sinking sensation that dissipates impact. It’s pretty monumental given the sole isn’t thick, unlike the Fresh Foam line. I can see why it started as a running shoe, although it lacks arch support for long, high-impact activities (in my opinion).
Compared to other models, such as the Fresh Foam 1080v14, the arch support feels minimal. It’s not that my arches don’t feel supported, it’s just not on that level. The Fresh Foam lineup is technically designed for long-distance runners and marathoners, so it shouldn’t sway your decision. The midsole feels more like a light sponge under my arches, which is honestly refreshing compared to thicker models on the market. That said, if you have flat feet or overpronate, a model designed with added stability features, such as 1906R, is a better fit.
These are only available in unisex sizing and don’t offer wide size options. Reviews say they run a half size big, but I found them to be true to size and wide enough (!).
Read more: Best Walking Shoes
| Cushioning | Neutral |
| Fit | Standard |
| Arch Support | Neutral |
If you’re unfamiliar with Fresh Foam, it’s time to know ASAP. Allow me to introduce you: It’s a computer-engineered foam rubber midsole developed using steps from athletes. While it’s ultra tech-savvy, it’s also insanely comfortable, especially the 1080v14. I feel like I’m stepping on a ginormous marshmallow during each wear, hence why it ranks in our best walking shoes guide. These may look thick and voluminous, but don’t be fooled—they don’t feel bulky. It feels and looks premium, so much so that I wear these with elevated fits aside from athleisure.
I swear I’m not biased—WH health and fitness director Jacqueline Andriakos, NASM-CPT shares the same love as I do. “I have a hard time finding walking shoes that are both cushioned and supportive enough for my high arches and sensitive balls of the feet, but that are also narrow enough,” Andriakos says. “These are absolutely perfect if you deal with any foot pain issues or struggle with sneakers being a bit too wide—I have walked over 100 miles in these at this point and have never even had a sore or tender spot from rubbing or chafing (they also required zero break-in period).”
While Andriakos highlights that they fit her narrow feet, the 1080v14 is very size-inclusive with standard and wide fit options, too. I wear the wide width and experience zero friction. As for arch support, it noticeably contours to my high arches. It almost feels like I’m stepping on packing peanuts. It’s designed for neutral arches, so the 1906R or FuelCell 996v6 is your best bet if you struggle with overpronation, given it’s designed with added stability features.
| Cushioning | Maxiumum |
| Fit | Narrow, standard, and wide |
| Arch Support | Neutral |
While I’m unlucky in the bunion department, I’m lucky that I don’t have any major gait stability issues. But I do slightly supinate, which is when the ankles roll outward. It’s not severe by any means, but it’s still not optimal for power walking. I find it instantly corrected when wearing the FuelCell 996v6, thanks to the high collar that locks in my heels and ankles for ultimate security.
These are technically tennis shoes, but they perform well on and off the court. I chose the periwinkle blue colorway, and it looks great with white athleisure when running errands or during mundane strolls. While the arch support could admittedly be better, the nitrogen-infused FuelCell foam—a.k.a springy and responsive cushioning—makes up for it. I pop off my heels straight away upon each step, which honestly surprised me given its low-profile sole.
I find the standard fit runs narrow and tight, which makes it tough to wear for long periods of time. On the bright side, wide sizing is available, but I overall recommend sizing up.
| Cushioning | Neutral |
| Fit | Standard runs narrow, but wide options are available |
| Arch Support | Low |
What Do New Balance Style Numbers Mean?
New Balance notably labels its shoes by style numbers, but it means more than just keeping the iconic lineup organized. The last two digits of each number specify what each model is designed to do. While not every shoe in this guide is classified as one of these, here’s a rundown, according to New Balance.
- 40: These kicks are designed to keep your feet the most stable and in control while providing optimal cushioning. If you overpronate or have low arches, these styles belong in your cart.
- 50: A shoe with this classification is best for power and indoor workouts for its responsiveness—think plyometrics and lifting.
- 60: This tier is designed with second-level stability that isn’t over the top to help minimize overpronation.
- 70: If you need additional security while logging speedy miles, these digits offer light stability while the shoe still maintains a lightweight frame that won’t interfere with race day.
- 80: If you’re a runner, you’re definitely familiar with the Fresh Foam 1080 series. It’s no surprise this style number represents lightweight, high-cushioned shoes designed for high mileage. Just note that these only provide neutral stability.
- 90: If you have every intention of racing the mile or flying past everyone during an upcoming half-marathon, these focus on speed and offer incredible energy return.
Nicolette Accardi is the Fitness Commerce Editor at Women’s Health with a specialty in running content and athleisure. She likes to chase her next best time by testing out shoes and other running gear, and styling her workout clothes as streetwear. She’s also a certified personal trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM). Nicolette studied journalism and health sociology at Rutgers University. She has written for NJ.com, VICE, Rolling Stone, NBC News Select, and U.S. News & World Report.
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