I love these shoes.  They are a high-quality item and because of this, there is a break in period with these shoes.  Most new shoes, including other New Balance that I have, are comfy right away because they are cheaply made with more flexible softer materials.  These shoes are much stiffer and built to last, so don't judge them right away, let them break in and they are great.  I put my custom insoles in them right away, they fit great.  I wear them salt-water fishing, on rocky shorelines and rocky jetty's so they take a lot of abuse and they are holding up great.
I have had them for about 4 months now.
They have been soaked in salt water, rinsed with fresh and dried dozens of times, still, they look like new.
I went to the new balance outlet store right by the house and tried them on, but ultimately I bought them on Amazon because they were half the price and I like money.