Does Adidas Run Big or Small? How Do Adidas Shoes Fit?

Adidas shoes are among the most popular in the footwear category. They offer the perfect blend of attractiveness, performance, and comfort. It’s no wonder, therefore, that Adidas has been growing constantly as a brand in the United States ever since it first launched.

The sportswear giant has launched many shoe categories for different target audiences. They have shoes for athletes, casual wearers, runners, walkers, and so on. And all of these variations come in different shapes and sizes.

So, it gets really confusing for the consumer to get the size right when it comes to choosing a pair of Adidas shoes.

Unfortunately, fit and comfort are two of the most important aspects of choosing the perfect shoes for yourself. If you get the sizing wrong, you will not be able to experience the many benefits of the design and support features incorporated into your favorite pair of shoes.

So, whether you are looking to buy a pair of athletic shoes that you can wear to the gym or some lifestyle sneakers to rock a casual outfit, getting the size right should be your utmost priority.

When it comes to Adidas, the question has to be asked – do the brand’s shoes run big, run small, or run true to size?

In this article, we’ll find out.

Are Adidas Shoes True to Size?

Generally, most Adidas shoes are true to size. So, you can order your favorite pair of kicks from Adidas as per your usual size, and they should fit you perfectly.

So, Adidas typically tries to design their shoes so that they do not run big or small but instead follow the standard size chart to keep things simple. However, this is not true for all their products.

It is impossible to maintain the same consistency for all shoes unless the brand is making products for a single category only. But since Adidas is exploring markets like running shoes, walking shoes, lifestyle shoes, and so on, they use different lasts and designs that can alter the size requirements for the wearer.

For example, the popular Adidas Ultraboost range is designed specifically for runners and offers a snug and comfortable fit. As such, people usually recommend that you order these shoes after going up half a size from your usual preference. That means if you usually wear a size 8 pair, you should order an 8.5 if you want to purchase Ultraboosts.

Similarly, many customers have reported that Adidas Cloudfoam can feel too loose if you order them true to your usual size. So, it’s recommended that you go down by half a size if you want to get a pair of them.

Barring a few exceptions like these shoes, Adidas generally tries to keep all their shoes true to size to prevent confusion among consumers and minimize returns due to sizing errors.

Do Adidas Shoes Run Big or Small?

Generally speaking, Adidas shoes neither run big nor do they run small compared to the standard sizing charts. Instead, most of their shoes are designed to be true to size to ensure minimal confusion when ordering online.

However, there are some exceptional products in the Adidas footwear category that may run big or small because of their design and performance features.

For example, most Adidas Ultraboost models are designed to fit snugly around the wearer’s feet, leaving minimal room for wiggling. This is done to ensure that the shoes don’t start slipping or getting loose during long runs.

Unfortunately, the lack of space in the toe box might be uncomfortable for some people. As such, they tend to order half a size up. So for many people, Ultraboosts actually run small.

On the other end of the spectrum, many users, especially female consumers, have reported that Adidas Cloudfoam often runs big compared to the traditional size chart. In such a case, it’s always advisable to go half a size down from your usual.

Lastly, we have the Adidas Gazelle, a great alternative if you’re looking for casual lifestyle sneakers. If you have regular feet, Gazelles run true to size for you. However, if you have wide feet, then these shoes will run small because of their sleek appearance.

As such, these shoes can either run small or true to size, depending on your requirements and feet anatomy.

Apart from these select few exceptions, Adidas always prefers to make its products fit true to size for everyone.

Are Adidas Shoes Narrow or Wide?

The width of different Adidas shoes can vary depending on the build, design, and features that they offer. However, most of the brand’s footwear products are comparatively wider compared to other sportswear companies like Nike.

But this does not mean that Adidas shoes are inherently wide. Their designs are just less sleek when compared to traditional Nike kicks.

Moreover, Adidas also prefers to leave some wiggle room in the toe box to increase breathability for your feet. Thus, they also keep the front of the shoes slightly wider to offer more space, making the overall appearance wider.

Apart from the natural width offered due to the design and build of various Adidas shoes, you can also select your own preferred measurements from the following options: Extra Narrow (XN), Narrow (N), Medium (M), Wide (W), and Extra Wide (XW).

Should I Size Up or Go Down for Adidas?

Generally, if you are ordering a pair of Adidas shoes, it is recommended that you stay true to your usual size. You do not need to size up or down when it comes to Adidas because most of its products follow the standard size chart.

However, there are some exceptions where you might need to either size up or size down to get the perfect fit.

The Ultraboosts, for example, might be running small for certain people who like to have some wiggle room in the toe box. So, you should size up by around half a size to get the perfect fit.

Similarly, while CloudFoams can also run true to size, sometimes they prove to be too big for the wearers. In such a case, you will need to go down by half a size to get a comfortable and snug fit for yourself.

Because there are variations in the design and functional features of different Adidas shoes, it’s only natural that they have different size trends. For example, running shoes need to be tighter to prevent slipping and maximize responsiveness. So, they might run small for certain people.

In conclusion, you should usually be okay if you order your usual size when purchasing a pair of shoes from Adidas. But in the case of some exceptional products that run big or small, you might need to go down or go up by half a size to accommodate the size differences.

Adidas Shoe Sizing Guide

Now we know that Adidas shoes generally run true to size. But it’s also a fact that there are some exceptions that may be running big or small.

So, there’s always an element of risk when you’re ordering online and need the shoes to fit you perfectly.

In such a case, it’s always best to take a look at the Adidas size chart.

Adidas Men’s Shoe Size Guide

Men’s shoes typically tend to be larger and start at a bigger size. As such, they have a different size chart compared to women’s footwear.

Adidas Women’s Shoe Size Guide

Adidas women’s shoe range is slightly smaller compared to the men’s category. The shoes are smaller and come in fewer sizes. Here is a detailed breakdown of the women’s size chart for Adidas:

How Tight Should My Adidas Shoes Be?

The tightness and fit of your Adidas shoes should depend on your requirements and the type of shoes that you have purchased.

For example, Adidas running and athletic shoes tend to be more snug and form-fitting. They are designed to prevent slipping or loosening due to heavy shock absorption. So, these kinds of shoes should be strapped comfortably and snugly around your feet.

On the other hand, lifestyle shoes should be more relaxed. They usually have larger toe boxes, offering more wiggle room for your toes and maximum breathability to your feet.

Lastly, you have shoes that are more versatile, like the Adidas Ultraboost DNAs. These shoes are tight enough to support athletic and sports-related activities. But they are not too tight that you’ll feel uncomfortable in them if you wear them throughout the entire day.

Ultimately, the tightness and feel of your Adidas shoes will depend on your personal preferences. But it should be noted that your shoes should not be too tight that they restrict your movements or cause pain in your feet.

Don’t miss:

Adidas vs Nike Sizing
Does Nike Run Big or Small
What are Adidas Ultraboosts Good For
Can I Use Crocs for Running

Final Words

Adidas does not require any introductions. It is one of the most popular brands in the sportswear category.

While they have diverse product lines, their footwear business drives the brand forward because of its thriving success. Adidas shoes are versatile, stylish, and durable and come with many performance-enhancing features.

They are also generally true to size, which increases customer satisfaction and reduces return rates. So, most of their products do not run big or small as they follow the standard size charts used on a universal basis.