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Better Fit and Better Performance from New Balance Shoes

New Balance shoes come in a wide range of widths for men and women. The company specializes in running and athletic shoes, and takes into consideration all widths and sizes because they believe that a better fit produces better performance. The brand focuses on improving technology and production methods to ensure the production of only the best-fitting and best-performing shoes.

Developed in 1906 by a then 33-year old waiter, William J. Riley, the shoes were produced to relieve the pain suffered by people who spent working all day on their feet. Because the shoes fit better and felt better than most of the other brand available, Riley was soon listed in the Boston business directory under 'shoemaker' in 1909. By 1928, Riley was designing running shoes for the Boston running club known as the Boston Brown Bag Harriers, and by 1941, Riley started to create custom-made shoes for running, baseball, basketball, tennis and boxing.

New Balance shoes are referred to as a 2, 3, or 4-digit model number. This was first developed by a man named Arthur Heckler, who was part of the New Balance Company during its early years. This system is used to emphasize their philosophy, 'not any one particular shoe.' Unknown to the general public, the number system also refers to the size and widths of the shoes, and at times when a product is redesigned, the model number is increased by one.

Aside from product quality, New Balance is one of the several shoe companies that still manufacture their products in the United States despite the current global economy. They maintain three factories in Maine and two in Massachusetts, where at least one quarter of all New Balance shoes are produced.

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Aside from the company's flagship stores, New Balance shoes are also sold at The ShoeMart alongside other designer-brand shoes such as Merrell, ECCO and Cole Haan. These products are sold online via their website, http://www.theshoemart.com. The company has a no-questions-asked return policy that is good for a full refund within 365 days, should their customers be unsatisfied with their products. For more information, contact 1-800-850-7463.