Shoe Size by Brand
Nike, Adidas, Vans, Doc Martens — they all fit differently. Enter your usual US size and we tell you what to actually order for each brand.
How to measure your foot at home
Don't trust your "usual" size — feet change with age and weight, and shoe brands disagree on what "size 8" even means. Measuring your foot once gives you ground truth.
You'll need:
A piece of paper, a pencil, and a ruler or tape measure.
Step-by-step:
1. Stand on the paper on a hard floor with your weight evenly distributed. (Sitting underestimates your size — feet spread when bearing weight.)
2. Trace around your foot with the pencil held perpendicular to the floor.
3. Measure heel to longest toe in millimeters or 1/16 inch. Your longest toe isn't always your big toe — for many people it's the second toe.
4. Measure both feet and use the larger one. Most people have feet that differ by 2–6 mm.
5. Measure at the end of the day when feet are slightly swollen. That's your true size.
Tip for half-sizes
If you fall between sizes, size up for athletic shoes and boots (room for socks + movement) and stay at your usual size for dress shoes or designer sneakers (cleaner silhouette).
Why do shoes fit so differently across brands?
Two pairs of "US 9" sneakers from different brands can feel one full size apart. There's no global standard for shoe lasts (the wooden/plastic form a shoe is built around), and each brand uses different volumes, widths, and toe-box shapes.
European brands (Adidas, Puma, Birkenstock, Salomon) often use the European size as the master and convert to US — and the conversion isn't always accurate.
Skate brands (Vans, Converse) historically ran loose to accommodate thick socks and impact padding — most still do.
Performance brands (Nike Pegasus, Hoka, On) are designed snug at the heel and roomy at the toe for running biomechanics.
Frequently asked questions
Do Nike shoes run small or large?
Most Nike sneakers run true to size. Exceptions: Air Force 1s run ½ size large (size down), Jordans run narrow (size up if you have wide feet), and Pegasus running shoes are TTS but the toe box is snug.
Should I size down for Vans?
Yes. Vans Old Skools and Authentics run about ½ size large. Size down half a size, especially if you wear thin socks.
Are Doc Martens true to size?
No — Doc Martens run ½ to 1 full size large. Size down. Their boots are also rigid and need 2–3 weeks of break-in.
How do I pick a Birkenstock size?
Birkenstocks are sized in EU only. Convert your US size to EU and then go down one Birkenstock size if you're between (your foot should sit within the cork footbed, not over the edges).
What about wide feet?
New Balance, Brooks, and Hoka offer the most wide-foot-friendly sizing. Nike (especially Jordans) and most European brands are narrow. If you have wide feet, size up ½ in narrow brands or check for "wide" / "2E" versions.