I’ve been wearing New Balance for quite awhile but I’m having issues with their quality as well as the model that I like was discontinued. Realistically, though, do I have any other choice because I need supportive shoes for flat feet in a wider width?
I typically wear these shoes 4-5 days a week for working and for walking as exercise. Any non-New Balance recommendations?
No specific recommendations but here’s a sampling.
Do you have a skateboard/surf shop near you? My son has big, wide, flat feet. They’re basically shaped like the shoebox shoes come in. He’s been buying “e’s” brand for years because they’re the only comfortable shoes he can find. They last a long time, too.
I have a pair of Merril hiking boots that I really like, so I bet their walking shoes would be good, too. I have flattish feet, but I use custom orthotics.
Brooks is a good brand for wide feet. Go to a good athletic store and have them fit you.
I wear Merrell walking shoes in a regular width. I generally buy wide-width shoes, but these have plenty of room for my fat feet.
Are you also over-pronating (common to people with flat feet. See here what overpronation is: - YouTube)?
If yes, find shoes that correct over-pronation (the inside is slightly inclined to opposite direction of the foot’s inclination so the foot stays parallel to the ground)
I personally use Nikes. Problem is they don’t last too long either. The inside of the sole loses the inclination and becomes flat and when that happens they are practically useless. I don’t keep mine more than 6 months
The cushioning material is only good for 300-500 miles anyway. It also age hardens even without use.
Thanks, everyone for the suggestions! Yes, I am an overpronater. I’m going to start poking around this weekend to see if I can find something better. It’s frustrating to spend so much money on shoes and then be displeased with them.
Size 12-W here (women’s, that is). And I pronate too much naturally though I don’t think my feet quite fall into the “flat” category.
I’ve had New Balance that have done just fine for me - but what I’d really urge is that you go to a full-service shoe store and get carefully fitted. You may also want to consider custom orthotics to help with the pronation issue. My feet don’t feel right if I’m on them too much and don’t have my orthotics.
I actually just got a new pair of shoes a couple weeks ago, and I honestly don’t know what brand they were - I tossed my old ones (New Balance) in the bin on the way out and left the box there.
Interesting that you’re having problems with quality on your NBs…I switched to them, from Adidas and Nike, about a decade ago, and I’ve always found them to be high-quality shoes (to the point where I now won’t even consider another brand of athletic shoes).
OTOH, where are you buying your NBs? The styles which they sell at general-market sporting-goods or shoe stores (like Dicks or Sports Authority) tend to be different from what they sell at running stores (or at New Balance stores). If you’re buying the former, they tend to be the brand’s less-expensive models, and maybe the quality isn’t up to par. And, as Mama Zappa notes, going to a full-service store can help with getting a proper fit.
I have prescription orthotics that I wear all the time. I almost always get fitted properly at a New Balance Store or a running store. (The exception would be if I need new shoes within 6 months’ time I’ll probably buy the exact same model on Zappos.
The main issue with my NB is that this is the third pair that I’ve had problems with the tread starting to peel significantly (in different spots on the shoe) within the first two months of owning them. This last pair was 7 weeks old, to the day, when I took them back and I hadn’t even worn them as frequently as I normally do. They did give me another pair in exchange.
And, as I said, the model that I liked was discontinued and these ones just aren’t that great. You know that feeling when you first put on a new pair of shoes and it’s just awesome? Yeah, none of that with these. Why did I buy them in the first place? I’ve been not myself and preoccupied for quite awhile and I was just going through the motions when I got them.
Sticks and Scones
Me too! I had a few foot injuries before my doctor figured out that was why.
I wear Brooks. Look for a pair that has a wider band on the inside than the outside. Your feet are tending to lean inward so this will help by giving more support on that side of the shoe. Brooks are expensive, about 100 bucks a pair, but trust me they are worth it! I walk 10 miles a day and usually run 2 miles a day and these things last me at least a year! Usually two but I tend to run through things like rivers and ruin them with foul odor. Good luck- just get a pair that fits the shape of your foot because they vary a lot to fix problems like overpronating.
Also had issues with New Balance. Switched to Sketchers and am happy, though only a couple weeks into them.
That would be an improvement. This last pair was $170. 
When I started running as an adult a few years ago, I went with a pair of moderately-priced New Balance shoes. They were OK for me starting out, but after about 6 months I realized I needed a wider shoe, and tried a pair of Asics (21xx series). They have been great for me and many of their models are offered in wide sizes (2E and 4E). They cost just under $100 if you can get them on sale or online. Once you find something that works, stick with it.
I will also echo the advice above about visiting a real running shoe store and letting them assess your stride to find the best shoe for you.
I can’t wear running shoes from a regular sports store. They can’t carry assorted widths. Just too many sizes.
I go to Joe’s NB Outlet store.
ANY Size and width you want AND at a great discount.
I’ve ordered N.B. from Joe’s also and it agree it is a great place.
Atrex. I used to wear New Balance. Atrex is better.
Exactly what I came here to say.