If I owned stock in New Balance, I'd start selling it, 'cause they won't last much longer making shoes this poorly. These NB 623's, size 7-1/2, were purchased 6/13/11, and made my feet hurt after the first light gym workout.  When it happened again after the 2nd workout, I switched back to my 20 year-old Nike Airliners (which I was hoping to replace) for the 3rd workout, and my feet were fine. So it's New Balance, not me.  The problem may be with NB's inconsistent sizing.  My beloved old size 7-1/2 NB 608's fit like a glove.  But these new size 7-1/2 NB 623's are much larger-- identical, in fact, to the size 8 NB 621's that I had previously purchased (and also made my feet hurt, but that's another review).  Have never worn a more uncomfortable athletic shoe.  And now I'm out $100 on two pairs of unwearable gym shoes, so New Balance has lost a customer for life.