Customer Reviews New Balance MW1569 - GORE-TEX®

I bought these shoe (or are they boots?) just prior to a trip out West. I had a pair of hiking boots I'd planned on wearing. Unfortunately, the hiking boots got misplaced, so I ended up wearing these for several, 3-5 mile day trips through the Sonoran Desert. They are very light, they broke in quickly with no blisters. The comfort was exactly what I've come to expect from New Balance (one of the rare major shoemakers that produce numerous models with wide sizes). Arch support was good, without being excessive or uncomfortable. I had to cross a wash at one point, and they proved they were effectively waterproof. Although with a relatively low top, you don't want to be wading in high water with them. They are tough enough for hiking though rocky scrabble and yet they were nice enough to go out to eat in. Comfort and looks. What more do you need? Well, after two weeks of constant wear, with about 30 miles of rough desert hiking, they still look new, with very little visible wear. They feel solid, as if they're built to last. I no trouble recommending them, and I'd certainly buy a new pair if these were lost.

I really like the style of the boot, but the 13N is too short. I will try the 14N and report back. thanks Zappos for your great return policy!

Lightweight, comfortable shoes protect your feet from the elements, water resistant and great arch support.

I always have trouble finding 6E shoes/boots. I found this pair on Zappos, and it is an absolutely wonderful fit! Great in size and width. Thanks!

Feel great right out of the box. I have had trouble in the past getting boots that fit, even some NB. These are perfect and comfortable. Thanks Zappos!

I looked for months in new paper ad sale books for New Balance shoes, couldn't find what I was looking for a tall man with my sizes 15 EE. These shoes are hard to find but a friend told me about Zappos and I was surprised all the shoes they had to offer and their customer support staff was excellent help was just a call away. Great job. Keep up the excellent customer service. Thanks.

I use these boots regularly for hiking. They're tough, waterproof and very comfortable. I have a hard to fit foot and these are one of the few boots that fit. They're even better with an insert for additional support. They run one size short.

Great shoe for winter walks. Had no break in time. Love 'em! Only negative - not made in U.S.A.

I have weak ankles and needed stabilization without wearing support socks. This shoe is a miracle. Not only is it extremely comfortable for daily wear it stabilizes my ankles and I can walk freely. It took about a week to break them in and my oh my I am walking on cloud nine. Worth every penny!

I was looking for a tough shoe for the office and job site. As an outside sales rep in the constructions industry, I needed a shoe to do both. Look good and act tough. I normally wear a 13 and found out this was far too tight. Ordered a 14 and it was perfect. I needed a bit more arch support for some plantar pain, but really like the shoes. Fix that with an insert.

Glad New Balance makes boots for really wide feet. These are great. Waterproof, already broken in. Great boots.

I wear 10.5. Regular width. Occasionally 11. Ordered 10.5. but tried the wider version. Too short but I enjoyed the side roominess. Exchanged for 11. When I opened the 11 box, I thought they had sent something completely wrong. It looked very small. I checked and it was the right size, put them on, still too short. Then I read the reviews that talked about going up a full size. I am thinking that if I go up a full size from normal, maybe I don't need wide then. I just put in my custom orthotics. Now they both seem a touch too short. Really REALLY comfortable but just that little bit too short. In other words, I would suggest at minimum ordering a half size larger than normal and to be safe order a half and a whole size larger. This must be common as the first pair I got had "Gore Tex" tags on both shoes. (which I apologize didn't make it back in the return). The next pair only had the tag on one shoe and the box had an extra wrapping about it, I am guessing these were returned previously.

Buy one full size up. The quality just not there. I bought a pair of the MW1569s after much research, deliberation and trying on other brands/ models of hiking boots. These boots run one full size too small. That means if you are normally a size 9½, you should order a size 10½. I normally wear a size 9½ 4E width. I ended up going with a size 10½ 4E. My experience with these shoes has been pleasurable - they fit really well with almost no breaking in required. These shoes are the most comfortable hiking boots that I have worn. My last hiking boot purchase was the New Balance Rainier MO1500. The quality of construction and materials is compromised over previous models from New Balance. My older New Balance Rainier MO1500 boots were rated "Best Backpacking Hiking Boot" by Backpacker Magazine in 2009. They were extremely well made, tough heavy duty upper and rugged Vibram soles. Mine still look amazingly rugged and clean. I do not expect this new pair of New Balance MW1569 boots to hold up as well as the MO1500s, not at all. The quality is just not there. I have so far legged about 20 miles with my MW1569s and already I am seeing the inside orange trim behind the ankle wearing down and discoloring. Not cool. Not what you would expect from such an expensive pair of boots. The soles of the MW1569 are clearly not as rugged as the Vibram soles of my older MO1500s. New Balance neglected to utilize the time-proven Vibram sole technology with the MO1569 boots. Shame. Now, I am not saying that these newer MW1569 boots do not stick to rocks and boulders. They are very sticky, much like the Vibram soles but these soles do not seem to have the rugged quality of Vibram soles. I am speaking from experience here. I strongly feel that these new MW1569 boots are going to last me about three seasons. That is how the (lack of) quality feels. It is just not like what New Balance used to be. To New Balance: Hey, I love you guys. Do not get me wrong, but I want to wear New Balance. The MW1569 boots are the first pair of hiking boots which do not cause any hot spots on my feet. For me, these boots come about as close as you can get to that walking on a cloud feeling. They sort of fit like a glove, Like they are supposed to. So, New Balance, why did you compromise on the construction of your newest flagship boots? This is your best effort? Please tell me these boots will last me more than three seasons. These boots have almost exactly what I needed. A pain-free and comfortable fit, sticky soles and waterproof GoreTex. They are also not very heavy, either. Good stuff. But, the lack of quality in the construction of these new boots leaves me with the feeling that these boots will not last like such an expensive pair of boots should. Come on New Balance, get this right next time around.

I have worn New Balance 8.5 6E for years, love them. Ordered 8.5 6E, way too small. Returned them for 9 6E. Still too small. Gave up! Wife says the box fits better than the shoe; I'll stay barefoot.

Great boots! Very comfortable.New Balance did a Great job on these.Very happy with the way these have lasted..

I've had numerous New Balance products over the years including currently. These were too small.

Just what I hoped I would be ordering. Owned an earlier model and loved them, but no longer available. I have Achilles tendon issues and these boots do not pull down at the site causing more discomfort later after my walking/hiking. Received these boots right on time. Great that I can add my orthotics for even more support.

Best exchange and return policy I have ever encountered. The easiest company to deal with. It is the ONLY place I will purchase my shoes.

This is probably my 10th pair of this particular style of shoe. Love it and hope to wear it for years to come. Not this pair! Many more pairs. Love this shoe!

I purchased these because of the availability of a 4E width, the waterproof (Gore-Tex) upper, and their light weight. I hope to hike with them for eight days on a trip in two months. I was delighted with how immediately roomy and comfortable these were on wearing. I walked around town with them for six hours and found them to continue to be comfortable and apparently well made. I am optimistic that these will work well on future hikes, but I will try to report back in a few months. I use Powerstep inserts on all my shoes, so I cannot speak to arch support.

Received them yesterday. Unpacked them today and went on a short 2-mile hike and they felt great! Strangely, while the soles looked unused the uppers appeared to have tiny scratches. Looks only cosmetic though, and I'm still one happy camper.

These are the first shoes my boyfriend says he didn't have to "break in"...this is also the first pair that is available in width 6E. He says they are very comfortable and his feet don't spill over the sides like in the 4EE widths. Purchased the size 12 width 6E, worth the price!

I bought the boots after careful review. They are great. I used them on my WALK across Scotland on the John Muir Trail. About 145 miles. Good grip, No leakage and just generally they were great. Might be a bit heavy. The REASON i am returning this pair is to request that you have NB confirm the size. I ORDERED 81/2 $X. AFTER about 25 miles I had a BLACK Right Big Toe and discoloration in toes 2and 3. I know they are marked 8 1/2 BUT I don't think they are that size..

Great boot. Very comfortable and little to no break in required. Width ran small for me.

These work very well. I know my size in New Balance so these are a good fit for me. Light weight yet supportive and substantial. I appreciate the waterproof feature for shallow water. These are my daily hiking shoe now.