This one is new… but it doesn’t feel unfamiliar.
The New Balance ABZORB 2010 is a brand-new model from New Balance, yet the moment you see it on foot, it feels like something pulled straight out of the early 2000s.
That’s not an accident.
This shoe clearly borrows DNA from familiar silhouettes like the 990 V4, the 2002R, and the 1906R, which is probably why so many people are already paying attention to it.
And of course, the first question everyone asks is the same one every time: New Balance ABZORB 2010 sizing. Do these fit big, small, or true to size?
I’ve already spent real time with the 2010. I own multiple pairs, I’ve worn them, broken them in, and even compared notes with my wife after she tried them on herself.
So this isn’t guesswork or first-impression talk. This is based on actual wear.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through how the New Balance ABZORB 2010 really fits, where it feels snug, where it feels forgiving, and who might want to size up, size down, or stick true to size.
If you’re trying to figure out whether this model runs big, small, or somewhere in between, this should clear things up before you pull the trigger.
Oh, and if you’re cross-shopping models, it’s also worth checking out how the New Balance 740 fits compared to the 2010.
New Balance 2010 Sizing
Quick Sizing Takeaway (For Those in a Hurry)
If you just want the short version on New Balance ABZORB 2010 sizing, here it is:
- Runs true to size for most people
- Go with your usual made-in-Asia New Balance size
- Midfoot feels slightly snug, especially out of the box
- Toe box length is spot on, no need to size up for length
- Wide feet: workable, but expect some midfoot tightness
- Sizing up is not recommended unless you’re extremely wide
For those who want the full breakdown…
Now, if you’re the type who wants to know why it fits this way, how it compares to models like the 2002R or 1906R, and what that snug midfoot actually feels like on foot, let’s slow it down and get into the details.
I’ll be honest. I had no clue how the ABZORB 2010 was going to fit before I tried it on. On paper, it looks like it could go either way. So I did what I always do when I’m unsure. I grabbed two sizes.
Normally, I split sizing depending on whether a New Balance is Made in USA or Made in Asia.
My feet measure true size 9, slightly on the wider side, somewhere between a D and an E.
I tried my true size 9 and a half size down (8.5), which is what I usually wear in Made in USA New Balances like the 992, 993, and most of the 990 series.
The surprise came pretty quickly…
True Size 9
Starting with true to size, the size 9 felt comfortable right away. Length-wise, it felt correct.
The toe box gave me enough room, and I didn’t experience any heel slippage at all thanks to the shoe’s solid heel lockdown.
Compared to models like the 2002R, 1906R, 860v2, 1500, and 991, the fit felt very familiar. If you already own any of those, this will feel right at home.
Now, I won’t pretend they’re perfect. The midfoot does feel snug, especially right out of the box, but it wasn’t painful to the point I would go up a half size, but still noticeable.
Almost like the shoe hugs the middle of your foot a bit tighter than most New Balance models.
I did feel my big toe gently brushing the side of the toe box, but it never crossed into discomfort for me. If you have a really wide foot, that’s something you should think about.
Related: If you’re coming from a more classic New Balance model, you might want to check out how the New Balance 574 fits and see how its sizing compares to the ABZORB 2010.
Half Size Down (8.5)
That slight brushing at the big toe became something I couldn’t ignore, and I knew I’d regret it after a full day of wear.
Then I tried the half size down, and for me, that was a no-go. The length technically worked, just under an index finger of space, but the toe box felt cramped.
So where does that leave things?
The ABZORB 2010 does not fit like a 992, a 1000, or a 990. If you usually size down in those, don’t assume the same applies here.
This fits much closer to models like the 860v2, 2002R, 1906R, 1500, and 991. If you know your size in those, that’s your answer.
For most people, true to size is the safest move. These fit like your typical Made in Asia or UK New Balance, not like the roomier Made in USA pairs.
The midfoot runs a bit narrow, which also means the NB 2010 is not a wide-foot-friendly shoe.
Going up half a size won’t magically fix that, since you’ll just end up with extra length and a sloppy toe box.
I’ve worn multiple pairs of 2010s at this point, and even my wife confirmed the same thing on her end. She went true to size and felt comfortable immediately.
This shoe doesn’t have that dense, premium feel of a 992, and because of that, true to size just works.
Related: For those cross-shopping lifestyle pairs, I’ve also broken down whether the New Balance 530 runs big or small, and how that compares to the fit of the New Balance 550, since both feel very different on foot than the 2010.
New Balance ABZORB 2010 Collabs Sizing
I’ve been able to spend time with a few of the ABZORB 2010 collaborations, and sizing-wise, the good news is that they all fit the same as the regular 2010.
I tested the WTAPS x New Balance ABZORB 2010, the Joe Freshgoods x New Balance ABZORB 2010, the Rich Paul x New Balance ABZORB 2010, and the Kith x New Balance ABZORB 2010, and the fit across all three felt consistent with the standard GR pairs.
That means the same things still apply:
- Length feels correct going true to size
- The midfoot runs a bit snug, especially right out of the box
- Toe box space stays the same, with no added room or compression
- Heel lockdown feels identical, with no extra slipping
If you already know your size in the regular ABZORB 2010, I wouldn’t overthink it for the collabs. Stick with that same size, and you’ll get the same on-foot feel.
Related: If you’re looking at slimmer, more fashion-forward silhouettes, my New Balance 327 sizing guide goes into whether that model fits true to size or needs adjusting.
New Balance 2010 Size Chart
Men
| US Men | US Women | UK | EU | CM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 5.5 | 3.5 | 36 | 22 |
| 4.5 | 6 | 4 | 37 | 22.5 |
| 5 | 6.5 | 4.5 | 37.5 | 23 |
| 5.5 | 7 | 5 | 38 | 23.5 |
| 6 | 7.5 | 5.5 | 38.5 | 24 |
| 6.5 | 8 | 6 | 39.5 | 24.5 |
| 7 | 8.5 | 6.5 | 40 | 25 |
| 7.5 | 9 | 7 | 40.5 | 25.5 |
| 8 | 9.5 | 7.5 | 41.5 | 26 |
| 8.5 | 10 | 8 | 42 | 26.5 |
| 9 | 10.5 | 8.5 | 42.5 | 27 |
| 9.5 | 11 | 9 | 43 | 27.5 |
| 10 | 11.5 | 9.5 | 44 | 28 |
| 10.5 | 12 | 10 | 44.5 | 28.5 |
| 11 | 12.5 | 10.5 | 45 | 29 |
| 11.5 | 13 | 11 | 45.5 | 29.5 |
| 12 | 13.5 | 11.5 | 46.5 | 30 |
| 12.5 | 14 | 12 | 47 | 30.5 |
| 13 | 15 | 12.5 | 47.5 | 31 |
| 14 | 13.5 | 49 | 32 | |
| 15 | 14.5 | 50 | 33 | |
| 16 | 15.5 | 51 | 34 | |
| 17 | 16.5 | 52 | 35 | |
| 18 | 17.5 | 53 | 36 | |
| 19 | 18.5 | 54 | 37 | |
| 20 | 19.5 | 55 | 38 |
Women
| US Women | US Men | UK | EU | CM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 2.5 | 2 | 34 | 21 |
| 4.5 | 3 | 2.5 | 34.5 | 21.5 |
| 5 | 3.5 | 3 | 35 | 22 |
| 5.5 | 4 | 3.5 | 36 | 22.5 |
| 6 | 4.5 | 4 | 36.5 | 23 |
| 6.5 | 5 | 4.5 | 37 | 23.5 |
| 7 | 5.5 | 5 | 37.5 | 24 |
| 7.5 | 6 | 5.5 | 38 | 24.5 |
| 8 | 6.5 | 6 | 39 | 25 |
| 8.5 | 7 | 6.5 | 40 | 25.5 |
| 9 | 7.5 | 7 | 40.5 | 26 |
| 9.5 | 8 | 7.5 | 41 | 26.5 |
| 10 | 8.5 | 8 | 41.5 | 27 |
| 10.5 | 9 | 8.5 | 42.5 | 27.5 |
| 11 | 9.5 | 9 | 43 | 28 |
| 11.5 | 10 | 9.5 | 43.5 | 28.5 |
| 12 | 10.5 | 10 | 44 | 29 |
| 12.5 | 11 | 10.5 | 45 | 29.5 |
| 13 | 11.5 | 11 | 45.5 | 30 |
| 13.5 | 12 | 11.5 | 46 | 30.5 |
| 14 | 12.5 | 12 | 46.5 | 31 |
| 15 | 13 | 13 | 48 | 32 |
New Balance 2010 Width Chart
| Code | Men | Women's |
|---|---|---|
| 4A | — | X-Narrow |
| 2A | X-Narrow | Narrow |
| B | Narrow | Standard |
| D | Standard | Wide |
| 2E | Wide | X-Wide |
| 4E | X-Wide | XX-Wide |
| 6E | XX-Wide | — |
How to Measure Your Feet for the New Balance ABZORB 2010
Before you overthink sizing charts or start debating half sizes, it’s worth slowing down and getting your foot measurements right.
Because the ABZORB 2010 runs a bit snug through the midfoot, knowing your true size makes the decision much easier.
Here’s the best way to do it, from most accurate to least.
1. Try the ABZORB 2010 in Person (Best Option)
If you can find the 2010 in-store, this is hands down the best move. Trying them on lets you feel right away whether true to size feels secure or slightly tight, especially across the middle of the foot.
When you try them on:
- Wear the socks you actually plan to wear day to day
- Lace them up properly, don’t just slip them on
- Stand up and walk around for a few minutes
- Pay attention to midfoot pressure and heel movement
If the midfoot feels snug but not painful, that’s normal out of the box. If it feels sharply tight or uncomfortable right away, that’s worth noting.
2. Get Measured by a Fitting Professional
If trying the shoe on isn’t an option, getting measured in-store is the next best thing.
A proper fitter can:
- Measure both foot length and width
- Tell you if your foot leans narrow, standard, or wide
- Help you understand whether a snug midfoot is something you’ll tolerate or want to avoid
This step matters more than people think, especially with a model like the 2010 that fits differently through the midfoot than many other New Balance sneakers.
3. Measuring with a Brannock Device
If you have access to a Brannock device, use it the right way.
- Stand up, don’t sit
- Place your heel firmly against the back cup
- Put full weight on your foot
- Measure both feet and use the larger one
Pay attention to:
- Overall length
- Width (D, E, etc.)
- Where your arch sits on the device
That number is your true size. From there, you can confidently decide whether true to size makes sense for the ABZORB 2010.
4. Measuring at Home with Pen and Paper
If you’re measuring at home, this method still works well if you do it properly.
What you’ll need:
- A piece of paper
- A pen or pencil
- A ruler or tape measure
- A wall
Steps:
- Place the paper flat on the floor against a wall
- Put on the socks you plan to wear with the 2010
- Stand with your heel touching the wall
- Put full weight on your foot
- Mark the tip of your longest toe
- Measure from the wall to the mark
- Repeat with the other foot and use the longer measurement
- Match that measurement to New Balance’s size chart to find your true size.
Extra Tips That Actually Matter
These small details can make a real difference:
- Measure later in the day
Your feet swell as the day goes on. Evening measurements are more accurate.
- Always measure both feet
Most people have one foot slightly larger.
- Think about socks
Thicker socks add pressure in the midfoot. Thin socks make a snug fit feel easier to live with.
- Don’t trust how the shoe looks
The ABZORB 2010 looks roomy, but fit is all about what it feels like once your foot is inside.
Once you know your true size, choosing the right size in the ABZORB 2010 becomes much more straightforward.
Final Thoughts
On paper, the New Balance ABZORB 2010 looks like it should fit just like a bunch of other New Balance models. On foot, it has its own personality.
For me, going true to size was the right call. The length feels right, the heel stays locked in, and while the midfoot does feel a bit snug at first, that tightness eases up with wear.
If you’re used to models like the 2002R, 1906R, or 860 V2, the 2010 won’t feel foreign at all. If you usually size down in Made in USA pairs like the 992 or most of the 990 series, this is one of those times where sticking to your normal size makes more sense.
If you’ve tried the New Balance 2010 sizing for yourself, I’d love to hear about it.
Did you stay true to size, or did the midfoot feel snug enough to make you second-guess it? And if you’ve worn other New Balance models, how did the 2010 compare for you in terms of fit?