New Balance 740 Sizing Guide: Does It Run Small or True to Size?

Fit Notes

Adidas Samba

The Adidas Samba features a standard to narrow forefoot construction, contrasting sharply with the New Balance 740's notoriously wide design and spacious toe box. While both shoes run true to size in length, a critical compensation factor applies: if you typically size up in the Samba purely to gain width for wide feet, you should return to your true length (US 10 / EU 44) for the NB 740. Average-footed users will find the NB 740 substantially roomier in the forefoot. Because the 740's upper does not stretch over time, do not size down below your true length to match the narrow feel of a Samba.

Asics Gel-Kayano 14

Both the Asics Gel-Kayano 14 and the New Balance 740 are engineered as supportive trainers with a shared design philosophy that offers generous internal volume and an accommodating fit. Because both silhouettes cater excellently to wider foot shapes and provide a similarly roomy toe box width, their sizing maps perfectly 1:1. If you wear a US 10 / EU 44 in the Gel-Kayano 14, purchase the exact same size in the NB 740 for an identical fit experience, with performance differences limited strictly to ride quality rather than physical dimensions.

Nike Air Force 1

While the Nike Air Force 1 is generally considered true to size, its structured upper provides a much tighter and less forgiving fit compared to the mesh-and-overlay build of the New Balance 740. The NB 740 offers significantly more room in the toe box and a wider baseline width. If you wear a US 10 / EU 44 in the AF1, buy a US 10 / EU 44 in the NB 740. Note that while some users occasionally size down in the AF1 for a highly locked-in lifestyle fit, you should avoid sizing down in the NB 740 due to its completely non-stretching upper materials.

Brooks Adrenaline

The Brooks Adrenaline is a premier stability running shoe engineered to provide a secure yet roomy platform, aligning closely with the inherent structural geometry of the New Balance 740. Since both shoes are built to accommodate standard to wide feet without pinching or restricting the forefoot, their sizing relationships are completely consistent. A US 10 / EU 44 in the Brooks Adrenaline translates directly to a US 10 / EU 44 in the NB 740, ensuring an exact match in length and equivalent anatomical freedom.