New Balance wide football boots stand out for one reason: New Balance is the only big brand that makes its own declared wide last (2E), on selected Furon, Tekela and 442 models, including the junior 442 Academy. The 442 v3 with a separate tongue is the widest of the lot. The Furon is a narrow speed boot, and the Tekela has a low, pointed toe box.
Below we explain what 2E means, how far you can trust the label, how each line fits, what the tiers change and which size to go for. The list at the top of this page shows every New Balance boot we rate for wide feet.
New Balance makes part of its range in 2E. That is a width label from the American system: D is standard, E is wide and 2E is extra wide. It does not tell you how many millimetres you gain, because there is no international standard for width classes. Treat the label as a guide and check the fit for yourself.
Which 2E versions you can get depends on size and colourway. Look for Wide in the product name at the retailer, or use a width filter if there is one. Reviewers report that 2E is not always consistent in width, length and volume. A New Balance boot is not automatically wide just because the brand sells wider fittings.
One reviewer found an older Furon 2E slightly narrower than the standard version. Putting a 2E label on a narrow model does not make it a wide one.
Which New Balance lines are wide, standard or narrow?
Our verdicts are based on manufacturer information, fit notes from retailers and what players report.
Wide: New Balance 442 v3
The New Balance 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 microfibre made to look like leather, and it is a little stiff at first. Do not expect it to stretch like the old leather 442s did. The toe box is low.
It fits true to size, and half a size down is uncomfortable. 2E is available in selected colourways.
Moderately wide: New Balance Tekela v5
The New Balance Tekela v5 has decent width through the forefoot and midfoot and a roomy ankle opening, but the toe box is low and pointed and the forefoot fits fairly snugly. The 2E version, spotted on the Team among others, is wider. Sources disagree on sizing: the more detailed test says half a size up, while another list says true to size.
Our call is to try half a size up. It suits moderately wide feet and technical players, not high toes or very wide feet.
Narrow to standard: New Balance Furon v9
The New Balance Furon v9 is built on a narrow speed last, with a simple one-piece mesh upper and a TPU film. It fits snugly and is seen as the widest of the speed boots, but it is not one for genuinely wide feet. The heel is one of the best in the tests.
Plenty of players go half a size up. The 2E suits moderately wide feet, with a caveat. A high instep does not sit well in it, especially in the Pro with its low toe box. If you want speed with some room, see our page on speed football boots.
What is the difference between Elite, Pro and Team?
New Balance uses Elite (top), Pro and Team, plus Academy for kids.
| Tier |
What changes |
What it means for fit |
| Elite |
Top version |
Moulds 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, denser upper |
Thicker, gives less |
| Team |
Basic finish |
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 varies from version to version, and that has more say over your instep adjustment than the last does. The separate tongue carries over to the Pro and Team. No source confirms that every tier shares the same last, so our working assumption is one last per line. Our page on cheap wide fit football boots shows how the lower tiers can work as a budget route.
Start from your normal size. Each line behaves a little differently.
- 442 v3: true to size. Half a size down is uncomfortable. If you have a wide foot in a standard fitting, go for the 2E rather than a bigger size.
- Tekela v5: try half a size up, especially if your forefoot is on the wide side.
- Furon v9: many players go half a size up, because it fits snugly.
- A bigger size mostly adds length, not width. If the length is right but the sides pinch, choose the Wide or a wider model. Going up a size is not the answer.
If you want a model matched to your complaint, the football boot adviser takes your size and playing surface into account. Our size converter compares UK, EU and US sizes.
The 442 Academy Junior comes in Wide. Several parents say it is the only boot their wide-footed child does not complain about. One parent describes it as a normal wide fit rather than an extra wide one.
Check with the retailer whether the Wide is available in your child’s size. Leave 8 to 12 millimetres of growing room, and read more in our guide to football boots for kids with wide feet.
New Balance with a high instep or flat feet
For a high instep the 442 v3 with a separate tongue is a workable option, as long as your toes are happy with its low toe box. For flat feet, the 442 v3 with a separate tongue is the one singled out for flat and wide feet. The Furon and the Tekela are less suited to a high instep. See football boots for a high instep for more.
If no New Balance boot fits, these are the alternatives to look at.
For more background, read our page on extra wide football boots and wide fit. Away from the big names there is sometimes a suitable last too, see other brands for wide feet. Check size by size with the retailer which 2E versions are in stock.