New Balance wide soccer cleats stand out because New Balance is the only major brand that offers an official wide width of its own: 2E on select Furon, Tekela and 442 models, including the junior 442 Academy. The 442 v3 with a separate tongue is the widest of the bunch. The Furon is a narrow speed cleat, and the Tekela has a low, pointed toe box.
Below we cover what 2E means, how much you can trust the label, how each line fits, what the tiers change and which size to choose. The list at the top of this page shows our picks from the brand. Most American players already know the width letters from their sneakers, so this is the one cleat brand where the code on the box actually helps.
How do New Balance soccer cleats fit in width and length?
New Balance makes part of its soccer lineup in 2E. That label comes from the American width system: D is standard, E is wide and 2E is extra wide. It doesn’t tell you how many millimeters you gain, because there is no international standard for width classes. Treat the label as a guideline and check the fit yourself.
Which 2E versions you can get varies by size and colorway. Search the retailer for Wide in the product name, or use a width filter if there is one. Reviewers report that 2E is not always consistent in width, length and volume. An independent overview of the brand’s cleats also warns that a New Balance cleat isn’t automatically wide just because the brand sells wider widths.
One reviewer found an older Furon v6 in 2E slightly narrower than the standard version. Putting a 2E label on a narrow model doesn’t turn it into a wide one.
Which New Balance lines are wide, standard or narrow?
Our verdicts are based on manufacturer information, retailer fit notes and player feedback.
Wide: New Balance 442 v3
The 442 v3 is fairly wide, with a roomy heel. The Elite comes with either a separate tongue or a knit tongue. The separate-tongue version gives you more adjustment over the instep and suits wider or flatter feet.
The upper is padded microfiber designed to mimic leather, and it is a bit stiff out of the box. Don’t expect it to stretch like the old leather 442s did. The toe box is low.
It fits true to size, and going half a size down is uncomfortable. 2E is available in select colors. The 442 v2 is still easy to find.
Moderately wide: New Balance Tekela v5
The Tekela v5 has good width through the forefoot and midfoot and a roomy ankle opening, but the toe box is low and pointed and the forefoot fits fairly snug. In 2E, which shows up on the Team version among others, it gets wider. Sources disagree on sizing: the more thorough test says half a size up, while another list says true to size.
We suggest trying half a size up. It works for moderately wide feet and technical players, not for tall toes or very wide feet.
Narrow to standard: New Balance Furon v9
The Furon v9 is built on a narrow speed last, with a simple one-piece mesh upper and a TPU film. It fits snug and is considered the widest speed cleat, but it is not for truly wide feet. Its heel ranks among the best in the tests.
Many players go half a size up. The 2E works for moderately wide feet, with some caveats. A high instep doesn’t fit well, especially in the Pro with its low toe box.
What is the difference between Elite, Pro and Team?
New Balance uses Elite (top tier), Pro and Team, plus the Academy for kids.
| Tier |
What changes |
Effect on fit |
| Elite |
Top version |
Molds to your foot the most. On the 442 v3 with a separate or knit tongue |
| Pro |
On the 442 v3, a TPU plate instead of nylon and a denser upper |
Thicker, less give |
| Team |
Basic build |
Stiffer and simpler |
| Academy (junior) |
Kids’ version, the 442 Academy comes in Wide |
See the kids’ section below |
On the 442, the tongue construction also differs by version, and that affects how much you can adjust over the instep more than the last does. The Pro and Team keep the separate tongue. For the older 442 v2 Team TF, New Balance recommended sizing up on the product page. For the v3 that hasn’t been confirmed. No source confirms that all tiers share the same last, so we work on the assumption of one last per line.
Which size should you pick in New Balance wide soccer cleats?
Start with your usual size, then adjust by line. To compare sizes with other brands, use our size converter.
- 442 v3: true to size. Half a size down is uncomfortable. If you have a wide foot and the standard width is too tight, go with the 2E instead of a bigger size.
- Tekela v5: try half a size up, especially with a wider forefoot.
- Furon v9: many players go half a size up, because it fits snug.
- A bigger size mostly adds length, not width. If the length is right but the sides pinch, pick the Wide or a wider model. Sizing up won’t fix it.
Want a model matched to your fit problem? The cleat advisor factors in your size and surface.
New Balance wide soccer cleats for kids
The 442 Academy Junior comes in Wide. Several parents say it is the only cleat their wide-footed kid doesn’t complain about. One parent describes it as more of a regular wide fit than an extra wide one.
Check with the retailer whether the Wide is in stock in your child’s size. Leave 8 to 12 millimeters of growing room, and read more on our page about wide kids’ soccer cleats. Keep in mind that youth versions of the lower tiers often come only in MG, TF or indoor, which our guide to FG vs AG cleats explains.
New Balance with a high instep or flat feet
For a high instep, the 442 v3 with a separate tongue can work, as long as your toes are fine with its low toe box. For flat feet, the same 442 v3 with a separate tongue is the one our sources recommend for flat and wide feet. The Furon and the Tekela are less suited to a high instep. See soccer cleats for a high instep for more.
Alternatives to New Balance wide soccer cleats
If no New Balance fits, these are the alternatives to look at.
- For extra wide feet without a wide label: Puma King 20, Nike Phantom 6, Skechers SKX_2 and Razor 2.
- For an actual wide label: the Mizuno Monarcida Neo III Select, sold as wide fit. Also read about Mizuno for wide feet.
- For narrow feet: the Furon is the widest speed cleat, while the Mercurial, F50 and Ultra are narrower.
For more background, read our page on extra wide soccer cleats and wide fit. Even beyond the big names you can sometimes find a last that fits, see other brands for wide feet. As for which 2E versions are in stock, check size by size with the retailer.