Customer Reviews New Balance W1540

I love this shoe! Unlike some of the other reviewers I am actually glad about the change in color and sizing from the previous model of this shoe. I always felt like the older model was much to wide and boatlike. However do to some reoccurring foot issues I went ahead ab bought these because I desperately needed the cushioning they offer and I am so glad I did. The new version is perfect for me, still has decent size toe box but a bit narrower at the heal so it hugs my foot as it should. The cushioning and arch support are great and if you are a big girl like me ( size 12 shoe, 5'11'',and over 300 pounds) this is the shoe you need for support and cushioning if you are starting a walking program.

Shame on New Balance, they said this shoe would replace the W1123 (I called New Balance). They lied. This shoe 4E is much more narrow than the W1123. I put them on and noticed the difference in the shoes. I work 12 hour shifts at a hospital and these shoes were killing my feet within 2 hours. I first bought the 1122,then the 1123,now the 1540 which NB says is the same shoe...no way. Each shoe has gotten smaller and much more narrow. I thought NB cared about the customer, they just care about selling volume. Oh, and NB how sexist of you to make the color purple...yuk..the first 1122 were blue and perfect.

The 1540 doesn't fit at all like the 1123. I have tried, as well as my regular 9 1/2 EE (in the 1123) both the 10 EE and the 9 1/2 EEEE. Neither of these fit at all well. I am so disappointed in New Balance. And I don't know what to try next. Any advice anyone?

Love Zappos, because if I had to try on this many pairs of shoes from store to store, I'd kill myself. But like other buyers, it seems New Balance has made their shoes narrower, and I can't seem to find sneakers that fit right. I feel bad for Zappos because I order 10 to 12 pairs and maybe end up with one pair. I cannot find one decent pair of black leather sneakers that feel right. It's frustrating, but still Zappos is the greatest.

As some have said, I had 1122's and they were wonderful! 1123 didn't compare and I can't wear them for very long periods of time. So, I saw 1540's and was so excited, but by the pictures they looked a little short in the toe area, but I decided to try them anyway, in the normal size I usually wear. Didn't fit...too short in the toe. Width was pretty close. I returned the 7.5 and reordered the 8EE. We will see how these fit. I, too, have been disappointed with NB lately, and the fact that they changed the 1122's in the first place. Why change a great thing? I don't get it! Please, please go back to 1122's in blue. I'm so hoping that my new and half size bigger shoes will fit fine. I'll keep you posted after they arrive.

These are the most comfortable walking shoes I have ever owned. I left the store with them on my feet and wore them the rest of the day with no problem like they were made just for me. I have a wide toe box and narrow heel. Did have to go up a half size.

A great comfortable shoe that has a great look and feel. Do note that I found this shoe to run a whole size smaller as well as width.

Though I bought these elsewhere (I did not have them at the time), I will buy more in the future. The width is wonderful. I wear an 8½WW, but in the 8½4W I will be able to walk and walk. I am taking them to Alaska this summer!

The New Balance W1540 is not a replacement for the W1123. I was a big fan of the W1123 and am so disappointed that I can no longer buy that shoe. The W1123 was so comfortable and roomy. The W1540 runs small and my feet hurt it them, even after a short time. Very disappointed.

I loved the 1123, and wore a size 9½EE because I have to fit some hefty orthotics into my shoes. I have now ordered three different sizes of the 1540 and none of them fit. The 9½EE was way too narrow, and although shorter, was still OK length-wise. The 10EE was still not wide enough, though it was more like the 1123 in length. So then I tried the 9½EEEE. They are still narrower than the 9½EE of the 1123. How can this be? I agree: Shame on New Balance. They have done away with fantastic shoes and replaced them with something that is not a replacement at all, but an entirely different fit.

All Zappos customers be careful whenever the rating say runs narrow. The program at Zappos is bad, three times now I have selected runs narrow and the reviews will show run wide.

About 1/2 size too short. The WR1123 was a great shoe for me. Wish I could still buy that one.

Love this shoe! I have had recent foot surgery and am looking forward to being able to wear it all the time as soon as healing has been completed. I ordered up a half size due to previous customer reviews but did not find this to be the case for me. I had to return those in exchange for my regular size. Also appreciate the lack of seams, which makes for less friction and irritation. A bit pricey for an athletic shoe, but well worth it in comfort. And the Zappos service - superb as usual.

Always wore the 1123, loved it this replacement is narrow and uncomfortable. Highly disappointed I am now looking a a shoe to replace this one.

So not the 1123! This is built on the SL2 last (which is great) but comparing to the 1123, it runs at least a half size short, toe box feels wider, tongue of shoe sticks up way too far, and there is not as much "padding" in the sole. Sadly, I am returning them the same day I received them. Hopefully Zappos will come up with my size in the 1123 somehow, but I'm afraid they're gone for good.

Heavenly! Been wearing NB for 25 years. First pair arrived with unpunched holes in the upper shoe so couldn't evaluate fit, but had ordered 1/2 size larger due to reviews that I find to be incorrect. New pair in my usual size fits perfectly, true to size, and true relief to aching feet. SL-2 wearers: buy this one!

I had the previous number of this shoe and loved it - fit well. This pair is too small.

These are the closest thing to the 1122s! The 1122s were great, then New Balance decided to change them with the 1123s...not the same shoe! Was very disappointed with the 1123s. For some reason, I decided to give the 1540s a try & glad I did! These fit closer to the 1122s than anything I've tried. Just wish they weren't purple.

I need a lot of space around my toes because my feet are very wide and flexible and I do not like being uncomfortable. The last these are made on works great for me, my heels are not particularly wide so the narrower heel with the wider front is just what I need. I also have a high instep, which this shoe allows for. They are a little loose with the deeper toe box but that doesn't matter. I also go up half a size because my toes are a little more straight across than average, and I often wear thicker socks. So I have these in 8 1/2 4E. The previous version of this style did not work for me (felt like it was pushing my toes together even though the space was there, and the arch hurt), but these feel and look great on me. I am so pleased that New Balance made an athletic shoe that fits me, it's so hard for me to find shoes of any kind that fit, but I am active so I want good tread and support. These have become my favorite everyday shoes, and I've been doing a bit of running in them too.

I didn't like the women's 1123. The right shoe heel was smaller than left so I tried another style of New Balance (587) but didn't like it, not enough support. So I decided to try the new 1540 and ordered a half size bigger because of the reviews. It was way too big so I sent it back through Zappos very easy return process. I reordered and received the smaller shoe. I ordered it in the D width, usually wear B, again because of the reviews. It fit well with 2 pairs of socks that I wear in the winter but for summer I ordered another pair in my usual size 6.5 B. The shoes shipped very fast. After starting with a 7 D because of the reviews I now am wearing my usual size, 6.5 B. I believe the 1540 is sized just like the 1122 which I loved. I will be ordering this shoe again. The shoe is very supportive with my custom inserts. No problem getting the inserts in the shoe. The shoe has a nice wide toe area and small heel which is perfect for my feet. If you order this shoe, my advice is start with your usual size and go from there. Zappos makes it very easy to return and your refund is processed quickly. I used PayPal. I am happy that New Balance got rid of the 1123 and that the sizing and fit of the 1540 is just like the 1122. Unfortunately the shoe now costs more than the 1122. If you're listening New Balance, you may be pricing your shoe too high and I'm not sure if I will purchase the shoe again if and when the next model change occurs the price increases.

I have hallux limitus/hallux rigidus in both feet. I wear orthotics. These are the only shoes I can wear comfortably with my orthotics. I wish New Balance made some better colors for us older women with bad feet.

I have yet to find a pair of Natural Balance that are not supportive and cushioned and these are no exception. Have a great profile and look good with a pair of jeans. I ordered a size D width originally and felt narrow and ended up with an E width. I needed to go up a full size (measure a 7.5) for these to feel comfortable.

Based on the previous reviews, I ordered this shoe in the wide. I had to return it for a medium because I found it ran true to size and was not wide on my foot at all. I really like this shoe. I have "difficult" feet and wear it with orthotics. It's the primary shoe that I wear whenever I'm going to be doing a lot of walking. I've ordered the previous model many many times before. I do wish they'd make it in a different color for a change. I love Zappos.

I normally always wear 8 1/2, but I'm finding with New Balance the sizing is different with every pair. I ordered 9 in this style because reviews said it runs small, and the 9's fit perfect. So I said it felt true to size, since I ordered 9 and it fit. But do remember this shoe runs small and order 1/2 size up. I always liked the SL-2 last cause of the narrow heel, but these slip like crazy and feel wider than my other new balance. I have worn new balance for 10 yrs and when I find a shoe I love and fits great, they stop making it and then I have to work and work to find another replacement tennis shoe that works for me, which is challenging because something is going on with New Balance that they aren't making the shoes with the quality and fit they use to have. I put my own orthotics in my shoes, which helps the fit. If my heels didn't slip so, they would be almost perfect.

This is an improvement over their former motion control shoes. They have a better fit in the heel (not too loose) and a wider more comfortable toe box. Also the style is a little more contoured making them look less like a boat. However, that is something you are kind of stuck with in motion control type shoes.