New Balance 327 Sizing: Do They Run Big, Small or True to Size?

The New Balance 327 fits true to size in length. Order the US size you normally wear in New Balance, Nike or Adidas and you will almost always land on the right number. The catch is the shape: this is a slim, tapered shoe, so it feels snugger than its length suggests.

That snug feel is the part that sends people to the returns page. If your feet are narrow or average, stay true to size and enjoy the clean fit. If they are wide, the usual fix is half a size up, or a wide width where one is offered.

Length is honest, the shape is not roomy

Plenty of retro New Balance models run a little long, which is why we suggest going down half a size in the 550 and 530. The 327 does not do that. Measured against your foot, the interior is about what the size label promises, with only a modest amount of space in front of the toes.

Where it differs from those models is the cut. The upper tapers toward the front and holds the midfoot closely, and the sleek profile leaves less air around the foot than a chunky lifestyle shoe. Reviewers who call the 327 "small" are usually describing that closeness, not a short insole.

The wraparound outsole and the oversized N logo make the shoe look wider than it is. Do not let the silhouette fool you into assuming there is a roomy interior. The visual bulk is mostly in the sole and the overlays.

What to order by foot type

Narrow and average feet

Take your true size. The shoe wraps comfortably, the heel stays put and you will not need extra lacing tricks. If you sit between sizes and your foot is on the slim side, the smaller size will give you a sleeker, more secure fit.

Slightly wide feet

True to size is still the right call for most people. Expect some pressure across the ball of the foot for the first few wears while the suede and mesh soften. If you hate that sensation, go up half a size and lace the shoe a little more firmly through the midfoot.

Wide feet

Go up half a size, because staying at your true size tends to feel cramped, especially at the toes. A half size up adds both length and a little extra room across the forefoot, which is the best you can do in a shoe built this slim. If you already know you need a 2E or wider in other New Balance models, check whether your colorway is offered in that width before you buy, since width availability on lifestyle models is limited.

How the 327 compares with other sneakers

The simplest way to size a shoe you have never tried is to anchor it to one you own. Here is how we would translate common sizes.

• From the New Balance 550: if you wear a half size down in the 550, return to your true size in the 327. The 550 is long and loose in the heel, while the 327 is more precise.
• From the New Balance 530: same logic. The 530 is roomy and the 327 is not, so go true to size instead of half down.
• From the New Balance 9060: the 9060 is chunkier with a more forgiving toe box, so wide-footed 9060 wearers should consider half a size up in the 327.
• From Nike lifestyle shoes: the 327 is slimmer than most Nike lifestyle sneakers. Your usual Nike size works for narrow and average feet, and half a size up helps if you wear a roomier fit.
• From Air Force 1: the Air Force 1 runs half a size big, so if you take a 9.5 there, expect a 10 in the 327.

Comparisons like these are guides, not guarantees. Different feet respond differently to the same shoe, so treat them as a starting point and check the return policy.

Why it feels snug: a quick look at the design

The 327 borrows from 1970s New Balance running shoes. That heritage explains the sleek upper, the exposed foam and the big letter on the side. Shoes from that era were cut slimmer than today's lifestyle sneakers, and the modern 327 keeps the proportion while adding a wide, wraparound outsole for style and stability.

The practical result is a shoe that looks chunky from the side and fits close from above. If you judge fit by looking at the sole, you will overestimate the room inside. Judge it by the upper, which is narrower than it appears.

Materials and break-in

The upper mixes suede or synthetic overlays with lightweight mesh, and the exact blend changes between colorways. Mesh panels give a little as you wear them, and suede relaxes slowly. Most people feel the tightest spot at the toe and across the ball of the foot, and it generally loosens over a handful of wears rather than a long break-in.

The shoe is light and flexible, so it feels easy to walk in once it settles. The midsole is soft enough for all-day wear, but this is a lifestyle sneaker, not a running shoe. If you want something for training, look at a proper running model instead and size it by our running shoe fit guide.

Lacing, insoles and heel fit

Because the 327 is slim, small changes in setup matter more than they do in a roomy shoe. Skip the top eyelet if the instep feels tight, and use the heel lock if your heel lifts. The stock insole is thin, so a half size up plus a cushioned aftermarket insole is a sensible combination for people who want both room and comfort.

Orthotics are a different story. A thick orthotic eats volume in a shoe that has little to spare, so if you wear one, go up half a size and remove the factory insole first. Heel slip is uncommon at true size. If your heel does move, tighten the laces before changing the size.

People with high arches or a high instep notice the closeness first. For them the Air Force 1 or the 530 are easier, because their uppers sit higher over the foot. The 327 favors low to medium volume feet.

Men's and women's sizing

The 327 is sold in men's, women's and some unisex or kids' versions. New Balance men's and women's sizes differ by 1.5 sizes: a men's 8 equals a women's 9.5. When you are shopping across the two, convert by that rule or use our men's to women's guide.

Women's pairs are typically cut in standard B width, while men's use D, so a woman with a wide foot sometimes does better in the men's version. It is a cheap experiment if the retailer offers free returns.

New Balance size chart

Use the charts below to convert between US, UK and EU, and to see the real foot length each size fits. The CM (JP) column is the number printed on the box, which is longer than your foot.

For example, New Balance's chart puts a 27 cm foot at a men's US 9. Measure your foot using our foot measuring guide, then read across to your size. If you land between two sizes, the 327's slim cut is the reason to lean up rather than down.

Buying online: a quick checklist

1. Measure both feet in the evening and use the longer one. Feet swell during the day.
2. Read across to your size in the chart above, and note whether your width is standard or wide.
3. Check the retailer's return window before you order, and keep the tags and box.
4. If you are on the edge between two sizes, pick the larger one when your feet are wide and the smaller one only when they are narrow.
5. Wear the shoes indoors for a day. If your toes still touch the front or the sides rub after that, exchange them.

It sounds fussy, but one exchange costs less than a pair that sits in the closet.

Common mistakes with the 327

• Sizing down out of habit. Half a size down is the 550 and 530 rule. In the 327 it usually backfires on toe room.
• Judging by the first fifteen minutes. Mesh and suede need a few wears. Walk around the house before deciding.
• Ignoring sock thickness. A sock change can alter the fit more than half a size.

Our recommendation

Order your true size. That is the right answer for narrow, average and slightly wide feet. Go up half a size if your feet are wide, if you wear thick socks, or if you simply prefer a roomy feel. Avoid going down. For more on how New Balance fits overall, see our New Balance sizing guide, or run your measurements through the shoe size calculator.