Nike vs ASICS Sizing

Someone in red socks wear a pair of black Nike shoes featuring white Swooshes on the left. On the right, someone in blue ASICS knitted shoes with black and orange details.
Credit: Nike & ASICS


Someone in red socks wear a pair of black Nike shoes featuring white Swooshes on the left. On the right, someone in blue ASICS knitted shoes with black and orange details.
Credit: Nike & ASICS

Finding the right fit for sneakers, especially when choosing between popular brands like Nike and ASICS, can be a daunting task. Fortunately, our comprehensive guide is here to simplify the process and ensure you make the perfect choice for your feet.

We understand the challenges of purchasing some of the best sneakers around online, and sizing is a crucial aspect. That's why we've broken down discrepancies between Nike and ASICS below, providing a detailed comparison of lengths and widths. Armed with this information, you can shop confidently, knowing you'll get the ideal size for your feet from these top-tier sneaker brands. Remember, though, it's not just about the numbers; factors like material and design also play a role in overall comfort, but more on that later.

So, whether you're a seasoned runner in search of top-notch running shoes or simply on the lookout for a fresh pair of sneakers, our guide is your ultimate resource for achieving the perfect fit with Nike and ASICS. Let's dive into the details and make your footwear shopping experience a breeze.

How should they fit?

To ensure you're wearing the right size sneakers, it's crucial to understand how your shoes should fit. So, before we delve into comparing Nike and ASICS size charts, let's first discuss what to look out for in your fit.

For optimal fit, Clarks suggests leaving roughly one finger's width of space between the end of your shoes and your longest toe, while the bend of the sneakers should align with the balls of your feet.

Although this is a general rule that applies to all shoe types, it still holds true for many athletic footwear, including some of the best tennis shoes from brands like Nike and ASICS.

A highlighter yellow and pink knitted Nike running shoe with a white midsole on one side above a teal ASICS shoe featuring a white midsole and yellow trim.
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Credit: Nike & ASICS

After determining the length of your foot, it's important to ensure that the widest part of your foot, which includes the ball area and metatarsal bones, fits comfortably within the widest part of the shoe. This will prevent the trainer from compressing your foot inward and allow for adequate room to accommodate the width of your foot.

To help you figure out the right size for you, check out our guide on how to measure your shoe size right here for all the information you need to make sure you're comfortable in your sneakers.

Nike vs ASICS size guide

After establishing how both sportswear brands should fit, it's time to take a closer look at how Nike and ASICS footwear compare in terms of size.

Nike vs ASICS sneaker size chart comparison, with Nike's chart in orange and ASICS' in blue.
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Credit: Soleracks & ASICS

We can see from the two charts above that Nike and ASICS sneakers are identical in length for the most part; however, there are a few exceptions to this rule as you head toward some of the larger sizes.

For instance, when you compare a US 8 from Nike with an 8 from ASICS, you'll find the ASICS trainers equate to an EU 41.5, half an EU size larger than Nike. You'll then find an even bigger disparity if you compare a US 17 from Nike with a 17 from ASICS, which is a whole size and a half larger in EU measurements.

When purchasing Nike or ASICS shoes, it's important to consider both the length and width. However, unlike length, assessing the width of sneakers is not as simple since it can differ among different models.

For instance, you'll probably find a lightweight, streamlined pair of running shoes to be much thinner than some of the best Air Force 1s, which typically offer a roomier fit. This is most likely because one is built for performance, while the other is designed for everyday wear these days, despite its roots placed firmly in basketball.

Nike Air Force 1 Low "Bronzine Gold" product image of an off-white low-top featuring various overlays in gold and yellow.
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Credit: Nike

Because of this, we'd say athletic trainers and sports footwear from both brands may fit narrower compared to typical shoes worn for daily activities. The one exception to this you may find is the width of some of Nike's best basketball shoes, which typically come with wider outlines for a more supportive and comfortable fit on the court.

Which shoes fit wide feet?

On the topic of wider-fitting shoes, you may be interested in which Nike and ASICS shoes are best suited to wider feet.

As mentioned, Nike's Air Force range tends to run a little wider than some of Nike's other, narrower sneakers. One of the reasons for this is that the Air Force 1 was originally built for basketball which, as touched on above, tends to feature sneakers that run wider.

Nike provides additional details on this matter. As an illustration, Nike suggests opting for wider-fitting shoes if you have size 8 feet that measure 3.9 inches or more in width. Conversely, ASICS has developed its own width chart (shown below) ranging from 2A to 4E to aid you in choosing the appropriate footwear for wider feet.

ASICS width chart in blue and white.
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Credit: ASICS

Both Nike and ASICS provide a range of specialised shoes for people with wide feet. Nike, for instance, offers an extra-wide version of its Pegasus 40s, whereas ASICS has a wide and extra-wide fit available for almost all of their sneaker collection.

Which shoes run narrow?

We've previously mentioned that athletic sports shoes generally have a slightly narrower fit compared to regular trainers meant for everyday wear. Now, let's focus on specific models from Nike and ASICS that you should keep an eye out for.

For Nike, the brand has acknowledged that some of its Free shoes may feel tighter than expected, which is due to their internal webbing technology designed to provide a secure fit. Additionally, certain models within Nike's Flyknit range may also fit snugly because the knitted mesh material conforms to the shape of the wearer's feet.

ASICS GEL-CUMULUS 24 product image of a black knitted shoe with white details and a gradient midsole with bubbles in the heel.
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Credit: ASICS

For ASICS, most of its shoes seem to come with a standardised D width. However, you can also find narrow-fit variations of the GT-2000 10 if narrow shoes are what you're after.

In the end, it appears that both Nike and ASICS offer a range of trainers in both wide and narrow fits. This means that there should be shoes available from both brands to accommodate various foot sizes and shapes.

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