Adidas sneaker sizing starts with the model, not a blanket size-up rule
Choose an adidas sneaker size with model-specific guidance for Samba OG, Gazelle, Campus 00s, Superstar II and Ultraboost, plus label and width checks.
Start with the size indicated by adidas’ foot-length chart or a well-fitting adidas pair—not an automatic half-size adjustment. Adidas recommends your usual size for the Samba OG, standard Gazelle, Campus 00s and Superstar II listings checked below. But those recommendations do not mean the shoes offer the same toe shape, width or room above your foot.
The useful question is not just “Does adidas run small?” It is “Which adidas model, and where does it feel tight or loose?”
Sizing starting points by model
These are adult-model recommendations from adidas US, checked November 3, 2026. The product codes keep the advice tied to a specific version rather than every shoe bearing the same family name.
| Model and product code | Adidas’ recommended starting size |
|---|---|
| Samba OG — B75806 | Your usual size |
| Gazelle — BB5476 | Your usual size |
| Campus 00s — HQ8708 | Your usual size |
| Superstar II — JI0079 | Your usual size |
Samba OG: check the tapered toe box
True-to-size length can still come with a snug toe box. In its independent testing, RunRepeat found the Samba OG slightly narrower than its sneaker average at the widest forefoot area, with a tapered big-toe area and limited space above the toes.
Start at your usual adidas size, then check whether the front squeezes your toes. If length already feels right, trying a roomier model may be more useful than adding length to escape the taper.
Gazelle: try your usual size before sizing down
Adidas’ standard Gazelle listing says true to size. Meanwhile, RunRepeat’s wearer-vote result calls the Gazelle slightly large. Its testers found a close but non-constraining fit on medium-width feet, with a relatively shallow toe box.
That disagreement is a reason to compare sizes, not a universal instruction to go smaller. Try half a size down only if your usual size leaves excess length or a loose hold—and confirm that the smaller pair does not crowd your toes. This guidance concerns the standard Gazelle, not automatically the Indoor, Bold or ADV.
Campus 00s: roomier across the forefoot, but not necessarily taller
RunRepeat’s Campus 00s tests found an accommodating forefoot, a rounded toe box and substantial tongue and collar padding. However, the tested toe box had less vertical room than its sneaker average.
The Campus 00s is therefore worth trying if the Samba OG feels too tapered. Do not size down simply because the shoe looks bulky: exterior volume and usable space inside are different things.
Superstar II: use the exact version’s recommendation
For the Superstar II listed above, adidas recommends your usual size. Treat that as the starting point rather than assuming advice for another Superstar edition applies. During try-on, check toe clearance inside the shell-toe area as well as heel hold; changing size should improve the overall fit, not trade one problem for another.
Ultraboost needs its own version check
Adidas’ July 2024 Ultraboost sizing guide recommends true to size for Ultraboost 5. It also recommends the usual size for most wearers of 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0, but half a size up for wider feet in those versions. So even within Ultraboost, “always size up” is too broad.
For Yeezy models, use the separate Yeezy shoe size guide rather than transferring these Originals recommendations.
Establish your adidas size, then test the fit
If you do not have a reliable adidas reference, measure your feet at the end of the day and consult the official footwear chart. Read the heel-to-toe measurement row, not just the JP label: adidas lists 26.3 cm heel-to-toe against US men’s 9, US women’s 10 and JP 270. Those are different kinds of numbers, not interchangeable measurements.
For unisex listings, check whether the selector is showing men’s or women’s sizing. If your reference pair is Nike, use the adidas-versus-Nike conversion guide first.
Try both shoes with the socks you intend to wear, then walk. The goal is toe wiggle room with a snug, comfortable midfoot and heel:
- Toes reaching the front: compare the next half size up.
- Correct length but squeezed sides or toe tops: compare another model or an explicitly offered width before adding more length.
- Excess length and a loose heel: compare half a size down, provided toe room remains comfortable.
Keep the pair that balances toe room, forefoot comfort and heel hold—not the one that merely matches the size you expected to buy.