As a sneaker fan, it's important to know the differences between Nike vs Jordan sizing to avoid any disappointments when you unbox a new pair of shoes for the first time.
However, comparing these two great sneaker brands is a little different than, for example, comparing adidas and Nike sizing. This is because Nike, one of the biggest sportswear manufacturers in the world, owns the Jordan brand. Therefore, you'd expect the best sneakers from Nike and Jordan would fit the same. However, this isn't the case, especially when you can come across discrepancies between certain sneakers from one brand alone.
As a result, we've compiled all the information you need to know about the size of Nike and Jordan sneakers to help you find the right fit, taking a range of different models and silhouettes into account to cover all bases.
Whether you're looking to buy some of the best Jordans for basketball, or a classic pair of Air Force 1s from Nike, our guide is here to nail that sizing. Let's get into it...
How should they fit?
Before we start looking into size charts, we feel it's important to first know how your shoes should fit. According to Nike, this should be comfortably, with enough room in the toe box of your sneakers to wiggle and stretch to avoid any discomfort.
Also, you shouldn't slip out of your shoes as you walk, or find your ankle constantly rubbing against the collar. These are indications that your shoes don't fit properly, so you may need to adjust by going up or down half a size to address the issue.
To avoid this, Clarks recommends that you leave a gap of approximately one finger's width between your longest toe and the end of your shoe, with the natural bend of the sneaker falling around the ball of your foot.
Things start to get a little tricky though when looking into the width. In this case, Clarks advice is to ensure the widest part of your foot (the ball area and metatarsal bones) fits within the widest part of your shoe, with enough room spare to stop your foot from being compressed inwards.
If they are slightly too long and wide, you might experience your heel slipping out of your sneakers. On the other hand, if they are too short and narrow, your feet may feel restricted and struggle to move at all. Consider these factors carefully when assessing the fit
Nike vs Jordan Size guide
If you have an idea of how to measure your shoe size, one way to ensure a secure fit is by comparing your results to a size chart. In this instance, you only need to check out Nike's size guide as Jordan sneakers fit the same length-wise.
However, figuring out the width of Jordan or Nike shoes isn't so straightforward. Nike does give some indication on when you may need wide-fitting shoes in its guide to measuring shoe size. However, it's not overly clear how different Nike and Jordan models compare in terms of width in the first place.
For example, you may find a pair of Nike Vaporfly 3s roomier than say basketball shoes, as some of the best basketball shoes in the game serve a very different purpose to running trainers.
More specifically, basketball is a game filled with multi-directional movement, so its shoes need to give enough room on either side to keep you comfortable as you perform quick turns of pace.
When it comes to running trainers, they're all about moving forward. That's why they're designed to be as streamlined and as lightweight as possible to keep you zooming ahead and on the right path.
So, for Nike and Jordan sneakers, which shoes should you be looking out for if you have wider feet? Let's take a closer look...
Which shoes fit wide feet?
If you're after a pair of shoes designed specifically for wide feet, Nike has you covered. It has a collection of Extra Wide fitting shoes, although the choice is fairly limited.
You can pick up the Air Zoom Pegasus 40 though, which stands out as a great option to consider if you're after a comfortable shoe for sports and everyday use.
It's worth noting that this selection doesn't include any Jordans. So, if you're after some wide-fitting kicks from the Jumpman brand, you'll have to stick to their regular-fit range.
That said, the Jordan Zion 2 is worth considering in this instance. This is because it comes with a mid-foot strap, allowing you to manually adjust the fit around the widest part of your foot to avoid too tighter fit.
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Which shoes run narrow?
In our experience, performance-based shoes from both Nike and Jordan fit slightly narrower than most, with one exception being basketball shoes, as touched on earlier.
That said, Nike does give some insight into which models to look out for in particular if you need a pair for narrow feet. For example, its Flyknit range can feel tight-fitting at times due to the knitted mesh conforming to your foot.
Moreover, its Free shoes can feel tighter than alternative Nike models due to the internal webbing used. However, this webbing is designed to distribute the pressure around your midfoot for a more comfortable, yet locked-in feel.
Nike also touches on the fact some of its narrower shoes are usually about a centimeter (or about 1/3 inch) narrower than standard-width shoes. Nevertheless, it is important to note that this isn't something you really need to worry about with Jordans.
Based on our experience, most models of Jordan sneakers are roughly the same width, most likely due to the brand's roots in basketball. That said, we'd say you're more likely to find narrower-fitting shoes from Nike than Jordan, so make sure you bear that in mind when browsing the best Air Jordans for your next sneaker purchase.
And with that, we wrap up our comparison of Nike vs Jordan sizing. But hey, if you're still feeling lost and uncertain about which size to go with, here's a tip: hit up your local sneaker store and get up close and personal with a couple of pairs. Trust me, there's no better way to figure out which Nike or Jordan shoes will treat your feet just right than trying them on for yourself!