New Balance Model Numbers
Athletic shoes are a high technology product. There are dozens of design and material variables that go into the manufacture of of a running shoe that may be different from the variables of a walking shoe. Here is a short guide to help you decipher New Balance model numbers.
The New Balance model numbers are broken down into three parts.
The letters prior to the number designate the gender and the purpose the shoe was designed for.
M / MR = Men’s Running
W / WR = Women’s Running
MT = Men’s Trail
WT = Women’s Trail
MO = Men’s Outdoor
WO = Women’s Outdoor
MW = Men’s Walking
WW = Women’s Walking
MX = Men’s Cross-Training
WX = Women’s Cross-Training
CT / MC = Men’s Tennis
WCT / WC = Women’s Tennis
KJ = Kid’s Running
KV = Kid’s Running with hook and loop closure system
KT = Kid’s Tennis
KX = Kid’s Cross-Training
RC = Racing Comp
The numbers on the shoes do not relate specifically to special codes, but they are a way of identifying the different models from each other. Generally speaking, the higher the number, the more technology there is featured in the shoe. This does not necessarily mean that the highest number is the best shoe for everyone. The shoes are all listed on the website, with the technology features that are included in each style.
The letters after the numbers generally designate the color of the shoe. For example, WB would be White/Blue and BK would be Black. There are exceptions to this. For example; in the model M1122MC, the “MC” designates that it is a motion control shoe. Another example would be W767ST where the “ST” designates that it is a stability shoe.
