I’ve compared Vans vs Adidas sizing across many of their most popular styles and I have found the sizing to be pretty consistent. I feel like Adidas fits just a little bit looser than Vans, but not so much that I needed to adjust my sizing.
***UPDATE: Both Vans and Adidas now have their own sizing tutorials to help you find the right fit based on your specific foot size. Click here to view the Vans sizing tutorial available at Vans.com (affiliate link takes you to Vans.com). Click here to view the Adidas sizing tutorial available at Adidas.com (affiliate link takes you to Adidas.com). This is a great place to start for both brands.
I’ve worn the Vans Sk8-Hi, Vans Atwood Mid, Vans Slip On, Vans Old Skool, Vans Authentic, Vans UltraRange EXO, Adidas Superstars, and Adidas Gazelle shoes, and I would consider them all to fit true to size. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t small differences in their sizing.
For a quick example of Vans vs Adidas sizing, here’s a look at my Adidas Superstar shoes size 12 (left) compared to my Vans Sk8-Hi shoes size 12 (right). Both shoes are pushed up against the door so that they are evenly aligned:
As you can see above, the Adidas Superstars run just a little bit longer. For me personally, the difference was not drastic enough to cause me to adjust sizing, but you may need to adjust based on your own preferences. Vans shoes can have a snug design for performance, so if you are concerned they may be too small, sizing up a half size might be best.
In this article let’s take a closer look at Vans vs Adidas sizing using real comparison photos of some of their most popular styles. I will give you my personal opinion on how they fit, and discuss some things to consider when buying these shoes.
Vans vs Adidas Sizing
Vans Authentic vs Adidas Gazelle Sizing
The Adidas Gazelle shoes run a little bit longer than the Vans Authentic shoes. There is some padding in the Adidas Gazelle that the Vans Authentic doesn’t have, which makes the fit closer, but I still felt like the Adidas Gazelles had the looser fit. Here’s a look at mine, both size 12:
And here are these shoes stacked where you can see the Adidas Gazelle clearly has more length. Again, I would caution you that although the Adidas is a bit looser, it was closer than it looks due to the padding around the collar.
Vans Authentic vs Adidas Superstar Sizing
I felt like the Adidas Superstars also fit just a little bit bigger than the Vans Authentics. Just like the Adidas Gazelles above, these Adidas Superstars have more padding than the Vans Authentics, which makes the fit closer than it looks. Here’s a look at mine, both size 12:
And here are these shoes stacked where you can see the Adidas Superstars clearly has more length. Again, I would caution you that although the Adidas is a bit looser, it was closer than it looks due to the padding around the collar.
Adidas Superstars vs Vans UltraRange Sizing
In my experience, the Adidas Superstars and the Vans Ultrarange EXO sizing was the same. I would recommend you to order the same size for both shoes. Here are mine, both size 12:
Adidas Gazelle vs Vans UltraRange Sizing
As I said at the top of the article, in my experience Adidas shoes run just a slight bit bigger than most classic Vans skate shoes. Well, the Vans UltraRange is Vans’ more modern style, and it runs bigger than the classic skate shoes, and is a perfect match in sizing compared to the Adidas Gazelle regarding length. I did feel like the Adidas Gazelle was the more narrow fit between the two.
Here are mine, both size 12:
Adidas Superstars vs Vans Sk8-Hi Sizing
Like other classic Vans shoes, I personally found the Vans Sk8-Hi to run a little smaller than the Adidas Superstars. The Adidas Superstars have more padding around the collar and behind the foot, which makes the fit a bit closer than it appears. Still, I felt like the Adidas Superstars were looser. Here are mine, both size 12:
And here is a look at the Adidas Superstars size 12 stacked with the Vans Sk8-Hi size 12:
Adidas Gazelles vs Vans Sk8-Hi Sizing
I also found the Adidas Gazelle to fit just a little bit longer than the Vans Sk8-Hi. Just like the Adidas Superstars above, it’s important to mention that there is more padding in the Adidas Gazelle than the Vans Sk8-Hi, and this makes the overall fit a bit closer than it appears. Still, I felt like the Adidas Gazelle was looser on my foot. Here are mine, both size 12:
And here is a look at the Adidas Gazelle shoes size 12 stacked with the Vans Sk8-Hi shoes size 12:
Adidas Nizza vs Vans Slip On Sizing
These Adidas Nizza shoes I found to have almost an identical fit to the classic Vans Slip On Shoes. Both have a snug, narrow design that is common in skate, street-style casual shoes. Here are mine, both size 12:
Adidas Nizza vs Vans Sk8-Hi Sizing
Again, another type of classic Vans shoes that have a very similar fit to the Adidas Nizza shoes. Here are my Adidas Nizza size 12 shoes compared to my Vans Sk8-Hi size 12 shoes:
Adidas Nizza Sizing vs Vans Old Skool
Again, just like the first two Vans shoes above, I have found the Vans Old Skool shoes to fit almost identical to my Adidas Nizza shoes. If you made me choose, there might be just a tiny bit more room in the Adidas Nizza, but not enough to alter sizing.
Adidas Nizza vs Vans UltraRange Sizing
I have found the Vans UltraRange shoes to fit a bit looser than other types of classic Vans shoes. The Adidas Nizza fit a little bit smaller than these Vans UltraRange shoes, but I don’t think I’d call it a half-size difference. Here are mine, both size 12:
Adidas Nizza vs Vans Authentic Sizing
These Vans Authentic shoes are another type of classic Vans shoes that have an almost identical fit compared to Adidas Nizza shoe sizing. Both shoes have a snug, narrow design. Here are mine, both size 12:
Adidas Nizza vs Vans EVDNT Sizing
The Vans EVDNT shoes are another pair of Vans that I felt like ran a little bit bigger than classic Vans shoes. And because of that, I found these Vans EVDNT shoes to also fit a bit looser than my Adidas Nizza shoes. Here are mine, both size 12:
Vans vs Adidas Fit Information
Are Vans Wider Than Adidas?
In my experience, Vans are not wider than Adidas. I have tried the Vans Old Skool, Vans Authentic, Vans Sk8-Hi, Vans Slip On, Vans UltraRange EXO, Adidas Superstars, and Adidas Gazelles. In my experience, many of these shoes do have a narrow design.
- To order Vans wide sizing, you actually need to go to the Vans “Custom” page, where you can make custom changes which include ordering custom wide fit shoes. Click here to view the custom wides available at Vans.com (affiliate link takes you to Vans.com).
- Adidas has a few different styles that are available in wide sizing. Click here to view these Adidas wide sizing shoes available at Adidas.com (affiliate link takes you to Adidas.com).
Vans Sk8-Hi Shoes
The first thing you need to understand about Vans sizing, is some of Vans’ skate shoes are designed to fit snug for performance. Here’s what Vans has to say about fit (source):
“Please note, by design, our high performance skate shoes tend to fit snug, so you may want to select a half size larger. Alternatively, if you have a wide foot, you may purchase one size larger to compensate for the width or check out designing your own pair of wide Customs!”
To order Vans Sk8-Hi wide sizing, you actually need to go to the Vans “Custom” page, where you can make custom changes which include ordering custom wide fit shoes. Click here to view the custom wides available at Vans.com (affiliate link takes you to Vans.com).
In my experience, Vans Sk8-Hi shoes fit is true to size. Again, as we discussed earlier, the Vans skate shoes can have a snug fit (and these do), but my normal sizing feels fine because I do not have wide feet.
Click here to buy the Vans Sk8-Hi shoes available at Vans.com (affiliate link takes you to Vans.com). There are multiple colors and styles available, including the option to customize. To read more, visit our Vans Sk8 Hi Sizing Guide.
Vans Old Skool Shoes
Vans Old Skool shoes are another type of classic skate shoe that also work really well as casual shoes. They can pair easily with both jeans and shorts. This is another shoe that will have a snug fit to enhance performance.
To order Vans wide sizing, you actually need to go to the Vans “Custom” page, where you can make custom changes which include ordering custom wide fit shoes. Click here to view the custom wides available at Vans.com (affiliate link takes you to Vans.com).
In my experience, Vans Old Skool shoes fit is true to size.
Click here to buy the Vans Old Skool shoes available at Vans.com (affiliate link takes you to Vans.com). There are multiple colors and styles available, including the option to customize. To read more about sizing, visit our Vans Old Skool Sizing Guide.
Vans UltraRange EXO Shoes
These Vans UltraRange shoes are some of my favorite shoes to wear because of how lightweight they are. My size 12 shoes only weigh 0.63 pounds per shoe. They are very comfortable and don’t weigh your foot down.
In my experience these shoes have more of a traditional fit compared to other Vans styles. They were not quite as snug. – I found them to fit comfortably true to size.
Click here to buy the Vans UltraRange EXO shoes available at Vans.com (affiliate link takes you to Vans.com). There are multiple colors and styles available, including the option to customize. To read more, visit our Vans UltraRange Sizing Guide.
Vans Authentic Shoes
Vans Authentic shoes are casual skate shoes that have a versatile design. In my experience, these shoes fit true to size, but did have a snug fit. If you have wide feet, you will want wide sizing.
To order Vans wide sizing, you actually need to go to the Vans “Custom” page, where you can make custom changes which include ordering custom wide fit shoes. Click here to view the custom wides available at Vans.com (affiliate link takes you to Vans.com).
Click here to buy the Vans Authentic shoes available at Vans.com (affiliate link takes you to Vans.com). There are multiple colors and styles available, including the option to customize. To read more about fit, visit our article about Vans Authentic Sizing.
Vans Slip On Shoes
The Vans Slip on Shoes are probably their most classic style. These shoes are ultra comfortable and very easy to wear. Overall, I found these shoes to fit true to size, and to fit very similar to all other Vans (photo below comparing this shoe to Vans Sk8-Hi).
To order these shoes in wide sizing, you actually need to go to the Vans “Custom” page, where you can make custom changes which include ordering custom wide fit shoes. Click here to view the custom wides available at Vans.com (affiliate link takes you to Vans.com).
Click here to buy the Vans Slip On shoes available at Vans.com (affiliate link takes you to Vans.com). There are multiple colors and styles available, including the option to customize. To read more, visit our Vans Slip On Size Guide.
Adidas Superstar Shoes
These classic Adidas Superstar shoes have more padding around the heel than many of the classic Vans shoes, but even with the padding I didn’t feel like these Adidas Superstar shoes felt as narrow and snug as many of the classic Vans skate shoes do.
I would recommend ordering your normal sizing for the Adidas Superstars. I found them to consistently fit a bit looser than the classic Vans skate shoes.
Adidas Gazelle Shoes
These Adidas Gazelle shoes may fit a tiny bit longer than classic Vans skate shoes, but I actually think there are a lot of similarities between these types of shoes, including width. I found the Adidas Gazelle shoes to have a narrow design much like Vans.
I would recommend you to order your same sizing between Vans and Adidas Gazelle shoes (be prepared for a snug design). To read more, visit my Adidas Gazelle Size Guide. Here’s a look at mine:
Vans vs Adidas Sizing Summary
I’ve worn the Vans Sk8-Hi, Vans Era, Vans Atwood Mid, Vans Slip On, Vans Old Skool, Vans Authentic, Vans UltraRange EXO, Adidas Superstars, and Adidas Gazelle shoes, and I would consider them all to fit true to size. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t small differences in their sizing.
In general, I would say that I’ve found Adidas to fit just a little bit looser than Vans, but not so much that I needed to adjust my sizing. One reoccurring theme especially for Vans shoes and even some Adidas shoes is a narrow design. If you have wide feet, buying wide shoes if possible is probably best.
- To order Vans wide sizing, you actually need to go to the Vans “Custom” page, where you can make custom changes which include ordering custom wide fit shoes. Click here to view the custom wides available at Vans.com (affiliate link takes you to Vans.com).
- Adidas has a few different styles that are available in wide sizing. Click here to view these Adidas wide sizing shoes available at Adidas.com (affiliate link takes you to Adidas.com).
For additional Vans sizing comparisons, visit our article that compares Vans vs Converse shoe sizing.
Sizing Info: As I mentioned at the top, both Vans and Adidas now have their own sizing tutorials to help you find the right fit based on your specific foot size. Click here to view the Vans sizing tutorial available at Vans.com (affiliate link takes you to Vans.com). Click here to view the Adidas sizing tutorial available at Adidas.com (affiliate link takes you to Adidas.com). This is a great place to start when comparing Vans vs Adidas sizing.