Sizing guide Updated

New Balance 480 Sizing Guide: Does It Run Small or True to Size?

Short answer

The New Balance 480 masterfully adapts a classic 1983 basketball silhouette into a low-profile lifestyle and skate shoe, delivering a fit that runs true to size (TTS) for narrow to standard widths. Departing from traditionally wide New Balance models, this court-inspired design offers a snug feel across the midfoot and arch.

Runs true to size

Cross-sizing: what size to buy

Find a shoe you already own and read across to the New Balance 480 size to buy.

  • Nike Dunk Low

    Your usual Buy
    US 10 10
    EU 44 44

  • Nike SB Dunk Low

    Your usual Buy
    US 10 10
    EU 44 44

  • Nike Air Force 1

    Your usual Buy
    US 10 10.5
    EU 44 44.5

  • New Balance 550

    Your usual Buy
    US 10 10
    EU 44 44

  • Adidas Samba

    Your usual Buy
    US 10 10
    EU 44 44

Fit Notes

Nike Dunk Low
Both silhouettes share 1980s basketball origins and have an identical overall length. However, because the New Balance 480 features a narrower midfoot and a more pronounced arch bump, wide-foot wearers should step up to a US 10.5 (EU 44.5) to alleviate lateral tightness, while standard feet can remain true to size.
Nike SB Dunk Low
The Nike SB Dunk Low is notorious for a very snug interior due to heavy tongue padding and internal elastic straps. The New Balance Numeric 480 (NM480) mirrors this plush, skate-ready padding but offers superior vertical toe height despite a slightly pointier toe shape. If you wear a US 10 in the SB Dunk, you can comfortably select a US 10 in the NM480.
Nike Air Force 1
The Nike Air Force 1 is well-known for running large and roomy, leading many buyers to size down half a size from their true baseline. Since the New Balance 480 maps directly to modern standard industry measurements, if you wear a US 10 in the roomy Air Force 1, you must size up half a size to a US 10.5 (EU 44.5) in the 480 to match that fit length and avoid constriction.
New Balance 550
The New Balance 550 is known for its stiff leather, highly restrictive toe box, and narrow midfoot. While the standard baseline remains true to size for both models, the New Balance 480 is far more forgiving in the forefoot, providing a taller vertical ceiling that prevents uncomfortable toe rubbing.
Adidas Samba
The Adidas Samba features an exceptionally flat, low-profile, and narrow last with minimal internal volume. It is critical to apply the compensation factor here: wide-foot wearers who frequently size up to a US 10.5 in the Samba just to find extra width can return to their true length of US 10 in the New Balance 480. This is because the 480 provides vastly superior underfoot cushioning and generous vertical forefoot space, eliminating the need to compromise length for width.

Sizing FAQ

Does the New Balance 480 run true to size?

The New Balance 480 runs true to size (TTS) for individuals with narrow to average foot profiles. It conforms to modern, standard industry shoe measurements, meaning that consumers can typically buy their standard sneaker size. However, unlike traditional New Balance designs that feature spacious, rounded lasts, the 480 utilizes a highly streamlined court-inspired last that wraps tightly around the midfoot. Because of this narrow horizontal layout, wide-foot wearers, individuals who prefer a looser fit, or those buying the heavily padded Numeric version frequently choose to go up a half size to ensure comfortable wear and avoid excessive pressure on the sides of the feet.

Is the New Balance 480 good for wide feet?

The standard standard-width (D) version of the New Balance 480 is generally not recommended for individuals with wide feet. Laboratory testing confirms that the shoe’s internal width of 87.4 mm is about five millimeters narrower than the standard average, which can cause significant lateral squeeze, rubbing, and hot spots. The shoe does provide a generous vertical toe box height of 34.2 mm, which helps prevent vertical friction against the toenails, but the horizontal constriction across the midfoot and forefoot remains restrictive. For a comfortable fit, wide-foot consumers should size up by at least half a size or seek out the dedicated "Wide" (2E) version. It is worth noting that the 2E wide model primarily widens the forefoot, while the midfoot and arch remain relatively snug and form-fitting.

How is the arch support on the New Balance 480?

The New Balance 480 offers very pronounced and highly structured arch support, characterized by a rigid, elevated medial arch bump built directly into the footbed. For individuals with normal to high arches, this design provides exceptional, stabilizing support that aligns the foot and reduces strain during all-day casual wear or high-impact activities. However, for flat-footed wearers, this aggressive support structure is a common source of discomfort, as the rigid arch bump can press hard against the bottom of a collapsed foot, causing a localized pinching or poking sensation. Over a dedicated break-in period of several weeks, the leather uppers will soften and expand, and the midsole cushioning will compress, allowing the foot to settle more naturally into the footbed and mitigating the intensity of the arch bump.

Specs & Sizing

Weight 395 g
Retail price $90
Price on Amazon $50-$100
Release year 1983
Upper Leather (often synthetic) for durability and sporty look
Midsole Rubber-based with beefy cushioning, Ortholite insert
Outsole Rubber court outsole with pivot point
Technologies Ortholite insert, Flextended saddle, Sturdy heel counter
Fit & sizing True to size, but consider sizing down to avoid heel slip