Getting the fit right is crucial when it comes to buying new shoes online. That's why we've put together a guide that runs through the differences between Nike vs adidas sizing to help you out when buying from these two gigantic sportswear brands.
While sportswear is at the heart of both, Nike and adidas also produce some of the best sneakers on the market. There lies the issue, however. Not every trainer fits the same, even if they're made by the same company. Just look at either brand's best basketball shoes in comparison to their running trainers; there's a good chance you'll find differences in the fit.
With our guide, though, ill-fitting shoes will no longer be a pain in your sneaker game, as we run through differences in length and width, while also advising on how your sneakers should fit. In fact, that's exactly where we're going to start...
How should they fit?
To choose between Nike and adidas, it's important to understand the proper fit. Their footwear is popular for various activities like training, exercise, and everyday wear, but determining which one will be the best and most comfortable for you requires knowledge of how shoes should fit first.
As a general rule, Clarks recommends leaving about one finger's width between your longest toe and the end of your shoes, with the natural bend occurring around the balls of your feet.
This can be applied to all kinds of footwear, including the Nike Ultrafly or adidas Ultraboost Light running trainers, basketball shoes like the Nike Ja 1s, or sneakers designed for everyday wear.
So, with how your shoes should fit established, it's time to see how the two brands compare for size.
Nike vs adidas size guide
As seen in the picture below, Nike trainers are actually a touch bigger than adidas running shoes, thus making them a full 44 in EU sizing.
As a result, it seems as though Nike shoes, particularly running trainers, fit true to size, while you may need to go half an EU size larger in adidas sneakers. Make sure you check out our guide on measuring shoe size to help you figure out what size you need.
Although the length of your shoes is an important factor in getting the right fit, it is not the only consideration. The width of your shoes also plays a crucial role. However, it can be challenging to compare the width of shoes between different brands, as they may have varying sizes depending on their intended use. Neither adidas or Nike provides a comprehensive size chart to make this comparison easier.
That said, it's worth noting that basketball shoes typically feature wider toe boxes to provide comfort and support during lateral movements that are common in the sport. On the other hand, running shoes are usually designed to be slightly narrower to enhance speed and maintain a streamlined form during forward motion.
If it's wider-fitting shoes you're after, then we'd recommend checking out some of the best Air Force 1s or Nike Dunks, as you should find they come with a little more room than your average pair of Nike or adidas trainers.
Which shoes fit wide feet?
Being a little larger in size, you may find Nike shoes offer a slightly better fit for wider feet; however, it's worth noting adidas offers a selection of exclusively wide-fit footwear. In said range, you'll find a selection of top golf shoes, football boots, and even the Everyset gym shoes.
That said, Nike also has its own collection of wide-fitting shoes, which includes extra-wide variations of the highly popular Nike Pegasus 40s mentioned in our guide to Nike and New Balance sizing.
Ultimately, both brands make significant efforts to accommodate wider feet, ensuring that there is a suitable pair of shoes available to meet the needs of all individuals.
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Which shoes run narrow?
Although we've established that Nike shoes may be a little more comfortable for wide feet, both brands still produce several shoes that you may find fit slightly narrower than most.
adidas Ultraboosts, for instance, are high-performance running shoes that are designed to fit snugly to keep them lightweight and ensure a secure fit.
Flyknit Nike trainers may also exhibit similar behaviour. From our experience, the knitted fabric of Flyknit shoes tends to wrap tightly around the feet, resulting in what can often feel like a snug fit.
Nike also mentions some of its Free trainers can, at times, feel tighter than alternative Nike models due to the internal webbing used to keep your feet in place for a more secure lock-in.
To steer clear of a tight-fitting shoe, basketball shoes are worth considering as they tend to offer a roomier fit. One example is the adidas Harden Vol. 8s, which are designed to accommodate the rapid lateral movements required in basketball and, therefore, typically provide a wider fit compared to adidas Ultraboosts, for instance.
If you're looking for something a little more suitable for everyday wear, then we'd suggest checking out the aforementioned Nike Air Force 1 range, which was originally designed for basketball when it first arrived in 1982.
However, it's important to keep in mind when comparing Nike vs adidas sizing that the difference between shoes' widths may differ for various models. Therefore, we suggest that you try on the shoes you intend to purchase (if possible) to ensure that they suit your feet well. If not, then hopefully our guide has given you a little more insight into which size to go with.
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