How do Adidas shoes fit? The guide to choosing the right size
Between the legendary Stan Smith, the essential Samba, and the once highly coveted Yeezy, choosing the right size at adidas can quickly become a headache. The German brand is renowned for its many ranges of sneakers, whether colorful, made from original materials, or from iconic collaborations, but not all of its models fit the same way. Some run large, others tighter, depending on the material, shape, or range.
If you don’t have the opportunity to try them on in-store, here is a complete guide to understand how adidas fits for its different shoe models and find your ideal size.
The adidas DNA: comfort, precision, and sports heritage
Before we look at which size you should choose, let’s revisit the adidas philosophy. Since its beginnings in the 1950s, the brand with the three stripes has always sought to create shoes that adapt to the feet. While other brands prioritized performance, adidas chose to focus on natural comfort and stability.
The Boost soles, Primeknit mesh, and the more rounded construction at the heel contribute to this feeling of soft cushioning. However, this ergonomics can give the impression that some pairs fit larger. The foot has more room in the sneaker, and the fit becomes more flexible.
Why don’t all adidas fit the same?
The role of materials
The main factor that makes the difference in sizes between two models is its material. Logically, a pair made of rigid leather like a Stan Smith or a Superstar will not fit the foot in the same way as a adidas Handball Spezial in suede or an Ultraboost in Primeknit. The same size will therefore not yield the same result on the feet depending on the model, especially once the pair has relaxed a bit.
The design and the sole
Beyond materials, the ranges within a brand vary greatly in terms of designs. Running models like the adidas Adizero have a sporty cut, tight at the heel and fitted at the front, to support the foot during exertion. In contrast, lifestyle or OG models (Gazelle, Samba, Campus) have a flatter and wider fit, inherited from the time when sneakers were designed for everyday use, not for running.
The origin of the model
Finally, the place of design can sometimes influence certain pairs from collaborations, such as the Yeezy or exclusive editions to the US. These are calibrated according to American standards, often a bit smaller than European sizes. A discrepancy that explains why a Yeezy size 42 may feel tighter than a Stan Smith of the same size.
Choosing your adidas size according to your use
For lifestyle use: Stan Smith, Samba, Gazelle, Campus
Spotted on street corners, these models are icons of the brand with the three stripes. The Stan Smith and Samba in leather as well as the Gazelle and Campus often in suede fit correctly and tend to relax slightly. You can therefore take your usual size.
Be careful though, the Samba and Gazelle, very trendy right now, have a slightly narrower upper, so if your foot is wide, take a half size up to avoid being too tight.
For sports use: Ultraboost, NMD, Adizero
For athletes, mainly runners, adidas ranges emphasize foot support. The Ultraboost, with its Primeknit mesh, fits the foot perfectly. Here, it’s better to stick to your usual size.
On more technical models like the Adizero, designed for performance, the upper is more fitted: a half size up will be more comfortable, especially for long distances.
For exclusivity: Yeezy
The Yeezy (350, 700, or Foam Runner) fit small. Their compressed design and the shape of the slipper mean that most people who have tried and adopted them recommend going up half a size or even a full size.
Finding your size at Adidas: the only number that matters
adidas always indicates the length of the foot in centimeters on the label of its shoes. This is the most reliable reference for ordering online. A foot of 27 cm generally corresponds to a 42 EU, and a 28 cm to a 43 ⅓ EU.
To measure your foot, simply place a sheet of paper against a wall, put your foot on it, heel firmly against the wall, and draw a line where the longest toe stops. Then, simply measure the distance. If you are between two sizes, add about 0.5 cm of margin, especially for rigid or leather models.