Ask ten sneaker buyers what size they wear and you will get one number. Ask them what size they wear in Hoka, in Yeezy or in New Balance, and the answers start to drift. Every brand cuts its lasts a little differently, and the same EU 42 can feel snug in one box and roomy in the next. This guide walks through how the main brands at Tempo Kicks actually fit, so the pair you unbox is the pair you keep.
Two things to know before we start. First, every size on Tempo Kicks is listed in EU sizing, with a per-brand converter on each product page that shows the matching US Men's or US Women's size. Second, the fit notes below are also summarised on our Size Guide, which you can open from any size grid.
Start with your foot, not your usual size
The fastest way to end a sizing debate is a tape measure. Stand on a sheet of paper with your heel against a wall, mark the tip of your longest toe and measure the distance in centimetres. Do it in the evening, when feet are at their largest, and add about half a centimetre of wiggle room. Match that number against the foot-length column of the Size Guide and you have your baseline EU size. Everything below is a brand-specific adjustment to that baseline.
Nike: true to size, with two exceptions
Nike's running line is the easiest to size. Daily trainers such as the Pegasus Premium and the Vomero Plus fit true to size for most people, with a toe box that is neither narrow nor cavernous. Race shoes like the Alphafly 3 and Vaporfly 4 also run true to size, but they are deliberately snug in the forefoot: a racer that lets your foot slide around is a racer that wastes energy. If you are between sizes and buying a racer, stay with your usual size rather than going up.
The first exception is Nike Mind. The 001 and 002 are built on a different idea of fit, with a sock-like upper and a foam-node sole, and they run very small. Go up two full sizes from your usual Nike running size: an EU 42 in a Pegasus means an EU 44 in a Mind. The second exception is the Air Force 1, which has always been on the roomy side: if you sit between two sizes, the smaller one usually works.
Air Jordan
Jordan retros follow the standard Nike scale. The Air Jordan 1, 4 and 11 fit true to size for most feet, with one nuance worth knowing: the Air Jordan 11 fits slightly long, so if you are between sizes, the smaller size is the safer pick. Browse the current Jordan line-up with that in mind.
adidas: know which adidas you are buying
adidas is really three brands when it comes to fit. Performance running, such as the Adizero Adios Pro 4, fits close and true to size, in the same spirit as Nike's racers. Lifestyle models like the Adistar Jellyfish by Pharrell are more relaxed; your true EU size is the right call.
Then there is Yeezy, which deserves its own rules. The Yeezy Boost 350 V2 runs small and narrow: go up half a size, and a full size if you have wide feet. The Foam Runner and the Yeezy Slide are made in whole sizes only, so if you normally wear a half size, round up rather than down. Our size grids flag these models with a red sizing tip so you cannot miss it.
Hoka: roomy on purpose, so do not size up
Hoka has a reputation for generous fit, and it is deserved. The Bondi 9, Hoka's max-cushion daily trainer, gives your toes plenty of space, and first-time Hoka buyers often make the mistake of sizing down because it feels "big" in the box. Resist it: the extra volume is part of how the shoe works over long, easy miles, and the heel still locks in. Order your true size. The same logic applies to the Cielo X1 2.0, Hoka's carbon racer. Expect a closer, faster-feeling fit than the Bondi, but the size you need is the same.
New Balance: true to size, generous width, third sizes
New Balance is the friendliest brand for wider feet. The 2002R Protection Pack fits true to size with noticeably more room across the midfoot than a Nike or adidas runner, so there is no need to size up for width. The New Balance 1000 and the ABZORB 2000, both cut from the same early-2000s running heritage, follow the same rule: your measured EU size, no adjustment.
One detail catches people out. New Balance uses third sizes in EU, so you will see 40 2/3 or 42 2/3 in our size grid instead of 40.5 or 42.5. These sit exactly where you would expect between whole sizes; pick the one closest to your usual half size and you will be fine.
Salomon: half a size up for wide feet
The XT-6, Salomon's trail-turned-lifestyle icon, has a slightly narrow last inherited from its racing roots. Regular and narrow feet should stay true to size; wide feet are more comfortable half a size up. Have a look at the Salomon collection to compare colourways once you have your size sorted.
The cheat sheet
| Brand / model | Fit | What to order |
|---|---|---|
| Nike running (Pegasus, Vomero, Alphafly, Vaporfly) | True to size, racers snug | Your usual size |
| Nike Mind 001 / 002 | Runs very small | Two full sizes up |
| Nike Air Force 1 | Roomy | Round down if between sizes |
| Air Jordan 1 / 4 / 11 | True to size, AJ11 slightly long | Your usual size |
| adidas Adizero racers | True to size, close fit | Your usual size |
| Yeezy Boost 350 V2 | Small and narrow | Half a size up (full size if wide) |
| Yeezy Foam Runner / Slide | Whole sizes only | Round up |
| Hoka Bondi 9 / Cielo X1 2.0 | True to size, roomy | Your usual size, never down |
| New Balance 2002R / 1000 / ABZORB 2000 | True to size, wide-friendly | Your usual size (third sizes in EU) |
| Salomon XT-6 | Slightly narrow | Half a size up if wide |
Still unsure? Use the converter and ask us
Every product page on Tempo Kicks converts the EU size you select into US Men's and US Women's sizing using that brand's own chart, and the size you choose is written on your order as "Your size" so there is no ambiguity when we pack the box. If you are still torn between two sizes, tell us your foot length in centimetres and the model you are looking at through the Contact page, and we will point you to the right one. Then head to the Running or Lifestyle collection and order with confidence.