• New Balance

  150 Fifth Ave., at 20th St.; 212-727-2520

  If New Balance’s new store had its way, it would put podiatrists out of business. Hypercustomization is the secret. The staff is schooled in ailment prevention and aims to steer you to just the right shoe by observing your gait, then recommending a shoe with the weight, cushioning, and support structure best for your feet and activity of choice (trail running, marathoning, walking, tennis, “barefoot” running). Oh, and you can watch 880 running shoes being made in the glass-walled in-store workshop while you wait.

From the 2012 Best of New York issue of New York Magazine