Reviewer Victoria Hvostik
I find the Fitsmart Low comfortable and easy to wear around town. Support is not great, especially in the area around the ball of the foot; it almost feels more like a slipper than a shoe & you wouldn't want to go hiking or standing all day in these. They do run a bit long and narrow - I dropped 1/2 a size and added a width to get it to be perfect, which it now is. It's a very nice looking shoe and fits perfectly into the "dress sneaker" category. I'd buy them again, which I can't say for all of my shoes, but again I want to caution that they are not designed for all-day standing or extensive walking; they are casual, light-duty shoes.
Reviewer Bruce D Saunders
I have lyme disease which results in my feet often being painful, so finding a pair of shoes that is comfortable is essential to me....and rarely found. These shoes definitely meet the requirements!!! They're lightweight and comfy, easily worn all day. I normally wear an 11, but sometimes a 10 1/2. I ordered a 10 1/2 and they fit perfect.
Maybe I'm slow or missing something, but these shoes are slipons. I view the laces as decorative.
Reviewer Tina M Reynolds
shoes, just shoes
Reviewer trevstonlongworth
I normally only wear 574's from New Balance, but I purchased these because they share the same shoe last and they're similar. I can't say that I like them as well, but they're alright.
I believe the mid-soles are different, and while I think I like the 574 mid-sole better, the 565 doesn't seem bad. One thing I definitely don't like as well is the lack of mesh in the all-suede upper. They probably don't breath as well, but that's not a huge factor for me in a suede shoe. I just like the looks of the mesh/suede combo better then the all-suede shoe.
I saved my final criticism for last, because it applies to both the 565 and 574 models of "Lifestyle and Retro" shoes. These are the ones with model numbers that start with "ml". I don't like them because they appear to be the hipster version of New Balance shoes, with laces that usually match the suede. Like any good hipster shoe, they seem to be more narrow, which is antithetical to the very thing that made the 574, and probably 565, popular shoes in the first place (i.e. spacious.) Even though these are supposedly made on the same shoe last as other models in the line, they definitely don't have the advertised toe depth of the SL-2 shoe last. I've also noticed that many New Balance shoes made on the SL-2 last don't seem to be as wide as they used to be, so that issue probably isn't for the lifestyle and retro shoes alone.
Seems strange that New Balance would ruin a popular line of shoes by changing the very things that made them popular, but that's what they seem to be doing. For customers that want a more narrow 574, it seems like New Balance would just suggest the 363 or one of their models made on narrow shoe lasts. Regardless, I wish they'd leave the SL-2 shoes alone, so that customer who appreciate them can continue to do so. I've worn them for 20 years and the only thing that will stop that is if New Balance changes the shoes so much that they're not the same.
Reviewer Ken Fishbein
I purchased these leather sneakers for my son. He is quite please with them. They appear to be well made. He hasn't worn them yet so time will tell but so far he's happy with them after trying them on.
Reviewer Frank Sellin
Great buy for a quality brand.
Reviewer asha cobb
Great shoe especially at the special price
Reviewer Jeremiah L Graves
My 13yr-old son purchased these with his birthday money. We looked at the "known" brand, and these were about half the price, and with better reviews! He has not been disappointed at all. We did order a half size larger, based on the comments/feedback, and they fit great.
Reviewer Jose H Belaval
I got these for my daughter,she had been eyeballing them for a while.Every time we went to the mall she would ask for them,so I checked Amazon.As expected,they had them and at a lower price,which is why I shop here.Got them a few days later and everyone is happy now.
Reviewer Vincent L O'Mara Jr
I always buy sketchers as they accomadate my extra wide width , these are very comfy and
Look great will buy in another color
