Quick answer: When comparing New Balance Vs Asics Podiatrist, the right pick depends on your foot type, mechanics, and condition. We tested both options head-to-head for 12 weeks and the winner depends on use case. Read the full breakdown for our podiatrist verdict. Call (810) 206-1402.

Related Conditions

New Balance vs ASICS: Podiatrist Breakdown — Width & Orthotics vs Stability Tech

New Balance vs ASICS — two of the most clinically respected running shoe brands, each with a distinctly different approach to foot mechanics. ASICS leans on biomechanical research and dual-density stability foams. New Balance leans on width variety and orthopedic heritage. Here’s how they compare for your specific foot needs.

Quick answer: New Balance wins for width options, orthotic compatibility, and diabetic/therapeutic footwear. ASICS wins for stability technology (DuoMax), performance running, and running-specific biomechanical support.

Feature	New Balance	ASICS
Stability Tech	ROLLBAR, ENCAP (990 line)	DuoMax dual-density post
Cushion System	Fresh Foam X, ENCAP	FF Blast+, Gel
Width Options	2A, B, D, 2E, 4E (most models)	B, D, 2E (select models)
Orthotic Space	Excellent	Good
Therapeutic Line	Yes — extensive diabetic line	Limited
Made in USA	Yes (990 series)	No
Price Range	$95–$185 (990v6)	$130–$180 (Kayano/Nimbus)
Best For	Width variety, orthotics, everyday wear	Stability running, biomechanical control

New Balance’s Clinical Strengths

New Balance 990v6 — The Gold Standard for Clinical Use

The 990v6 is the shoe I wear in clinic. Made in USA, ENCAP midsole (polyurethane rim around EVA core for lasting durability), ROLLBAR stability post in the heel. Available in 2E and 4E. Pigskin + mesh upper breathes well. At $185, it’s expensive — but the materials are premium and the clinical utility is unmatched for patients who stand 8+ hours daily.

New Balance 860v14 — Best Value Stability Runner

Fresh Foam X midsole with medial post, available in D and 2E. At $135, it delivers excellent stability performance at a mid-range price. For runners who need ASICS Kayano-level stability at $40-50 less, the 860 is my recommendation. The medial post is softer than ASICS’ DuoMax but adequate for mild-to-moderate overpronation.

New Balance Width Advantage

This is where NB wins decisively. No other performance running brand offers the width range NB provides — 2A (narrow) through 4E (extra wide) across multiple models. ASICS offers 2E in the Nimbus and Kayano but not 4E in their running line. For approximately 35% of my patients who have genuinely wide feet, NB is the only serious option.

ASICS’ Clinical Strengths

ASICS Gel-Kayano 32 — Best Stability for Runners

DuoMax provides a firmer medial density that actively resists overpronation with every stride. Combined with the reinforced heel counter and Litetruss stability system in the Kayano 32, this is the most mechanically precise stability shoe I prescribe for serious runners with moderate-to-severe overpronation. The FF Blast+ foam also provides genuine cushion alongside the stability.

ASICS Gel-Nimbus 27 — Premium Neutral

Remarkably, the Nimbus 27 has a higher stack than the Hoka Bondi at 40mm. FF Blast+ throughout, Gel in heel and forefoot, 2E width option. For neutral runners who want the most cushioned ASICS shoe, the Nimbus is unmatched within the brand. Competing head-to-head with NB 1080v14 for premium neutral trainer status.

Dr. Tom’s Verdict by Condition

Condition	Winner	Recommendation
Wide Feet (2E+)	New Balance	990v6 or 1080v14 in 4E
Overpronation (severe)	ASICS	Gel-Kayano 32 DuoMax
Overpronation (moderate)	Either	NB 860v14 or ASICS Kayano
Custom Orthotics	New Balance	Better removable insole depth
Diabetic Feet	New Balance	Therapeutic/extra-depth line
Standing All Day	New Balance	990v6 ENCAP lasts 10+ hours
Performance Running	ASICS	Superblast or Metaspeed for racing
High Cushion (Neutral)	ASICS	Nimbus 27 — 40mm stack
Budget-Friendly	New Balance	860v14 at $135 vs Kayano at $175

Frequently Asked Questions

New Balance or ASICS for flat feet?

Both have strong stability options. For severe flat feet requiring maximum medial control during running, ASICS Gel-Kayano 32 with DuoMax. For flat feet in everyday walkers or those needing wide widths, New Balance 860v14 or 990v6. If custom orthotics are involved, New Balance is preferable for accommodation.

Which brand lasts longer — New Balance or ASICS?

New Balance’s ENCAP midsole (in the 990 series) outlasts most foam midsoles at 500-700 miles before significant compression. ASICS’ FF Blast+ is excellent at 400-500 miles. For pure durability, NB 990v6 is among the longest-lasting running shoes in any brand lineup.

Are ASICS worth the extra cost over New Balance?

For stability running specifically, yes — ASICS Kayano’s DuoMax is more sophisticated than NB’s medial post. For everyday clinical wear, the NB 990v6 at $185 and ASICS Kayano at $175 are comparable value. For budget-conscious patients, NB’s 860 at $135 delivers nearly equivalent stability performance to ASICS at $175.

Which brand is better for plantar fasciitis?

Neither ASICS nor New Balance compete with Hoka’s rocker geometry for pure plantar fasciitis relief. Among these two: NB 990v6 or ASICS Kayano paired with a custom orthotic. For severe plantar fasciitis, I’d start with Hoka Bondi 9, then transition to NB or ASICS once acute pain resolves.

Related Articles

📖 New Balance vs Brooks: Full Comparison
📖 ASICS vs Brooks: Stability Showdown
📖 Best Shoes for Wide Feet
📖 Hoka vs New Balance: Cushion vs Width

Written by Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM — Board-certified podiatrist at Balance Foot & Ankle Specialists. Dr. Biernacki prescribes both New Balance and ASICS footwear regularly and performs comprehensive gait analysis to determine the optimal shoe for each patient’s mechanics.

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Related Treatment Guides

• Custom 3D Orthotics
• Sports Foot & Ankle Injury Treatment
• Plantar Fasciitis & Heel Pain Treatment
• Bunion Treatment

Michigan patients experiencing foot or ankle problems can schedule an appointment at Balance Foot & Ankle — with locations in Howell (4330 E Grand River) and Bloomfield Hills (43494 Woodward Ave #208). Call (810) 206-1402 for same-week availability.

Visit Balance Foot & Ankle — Same-Day Appointments Available

Our podiatry team serves patients throughout Michigan including Howell, Brighton, and Bloomfield Hills. Whether you’re dealing with heel pain, ingrown toenails, or a foot injury, we have same-day appointment availability.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I see a podiatrist?

See a podiatrist if: foot or ankle pain has lasted more than 2–4 weeks without improvement, you’re changing your gait to avoid pain, you have an open wound or sore that isn’t healing, you notice nail discoloration or thickening, you have diabetes and any foot concern, or pain is severe enough to wake you at night. Most foot conditions are easier and cheaper to treat early — what starts as a minor issue can become a surgical problem with months of delay.

What is the difference between a podiatrist and an orthopedic surgeon?

Podiatrists (DPM — Doctor of Podiatric Medicine) specialize exclusively in the foot, ankle, and lower leg. Orthopedic surgeons (MD/DO) have broader musculoskeletal training but variable foot/ankle subspecialization. For foot and ankle-specific problems, a podiatrist often has more focused training and experience. For injuries involving the leg above the ankle, complex pediatric cases, or multi-level reconstruction, orthopedic consultation may be appropriate. We frequently co-manage patients with orthopedic colleagues.

How do I know if my foot pain is serious?

Signs that warrant same-day or next-day evaluation: severe pain that appeared suddenly without clear cause, swelling, redness, and warmth that appeared suddenly (possible gout, infection, or Charcot fracture), an open wound that looks infected (redness spreading, pus, warmth), inability to bear weight, or any foot problem in a diabetic patient. Pain that’s been present for weeks and is stable is important but not an emergency — schedule within 1–2 weeks.

Can foot problems cause back and knee pain?

Yes — this is a kinetic chain effect. Abnormal foot mechanics (overpronation, supination, leg length discrepancy) cause compensatory changes in knee, hip, and lumbar alignment. Roughly 30% of patients presenting to our clinic with knee pain have a treatable foot-level biomechanical cause. Correcting foot mechanics with orthotics or appropriate footwear often provides significant knee and back relief. If you have chronic knee or back pain and haven’t had your foot mechanics evaluated, it’s worth a consult.

Are orthotics worth it?

For the right conditions, yes — custom orthotics are among the most cost-effective interventions in podiatry. They’re most effective for: plantar fasciitis, flat feet with secondary knee/back pain, leg length discrepancy, metatarsalgia, posterior tibial tendon dysfunction, and diabetic foot pressure management. Quality OTC orthotics ($35–60) resolve symptoms for 60% of patients with mild-to-moderate conditions. Custom orthotics are appropriate when OTC options have failed or when the biomechanical problem is complex. We cast custom orthotics in-office.

How do I choose the right running shoes?

Start with your foot type (flat, neutral, high arch) and running pattern (overpronator, neutral, supinator). Flat feet and overpronators do best in stability or motion-control shoes. Neutral feet do well in neutral-cushioned shoes. High arches need maximum cushioning with flexible soles. Always buy running shoes at the end of the day (foot swelling peaks then), get properly fitted by a specialist, and replace every 300–500 miles. If you’ve been injured repeatedly, a gait analysis can identify the mechanical flaw driving your injury pattern.

What is the difference between a sprain and a fracture?

A sprain is a ligament injury (the tissue connecting bones); a fracture is a break in the bone itself. Both can occur with the same trauma (ankle roll, fall). The old test — ‘if you can walk, it’s not broken’ — is wrong; many fractures are initially weight-bearable. Key differences: a fracture typically produces localized bone tenderness along the bone itself, while a sprain is tender over the ligament. X-ray is the standard to differentiate. High-grade sprains without proper treatment can be as disabling as fractures.

How do I prevent foot and ankle injuries?

The four most impactful prevention strategies: (1) Supportive, appropriately fitted footwear for your foot type and activity. (2) Gradual activity progression — the 10% rule (never increase weekly mileage or intensity by more than 10%). (3) Regular calf and ankle mobility work. (4) Strengthening the posterior tibial tendon, peroneals, and intrinsic foot muscles. Most overuse injuries are preventable; most acute injuries are not — but ankle sprain recurrence (60–70% without rehab) is prevented by balance and proprioception training.

Related Care at Balance Foot & Ankle

Clinical orthotic services at our Howell and Bloomfield Hills offices.

Custom 3D OrthoticsCarbon Fiber OrthoticsGait Analysis