How Do Vans Fit Compared To Converse, Nike And Adidas

The Vans company was launched in 1966, renowned today for creating market leading performance skate shoes what are comfortable in and out of the skate park. This article looks in depth at how all the most popular Vans styles fit compared to other sneaker giants such as Converse, adidas and Nike.

To be completely certain you buy the correct size, a little further down, you will find a shoe sizing guide on how to acquire this product without making a sizing mistake.

Do Vans Shoes Run True to Size?

Good news, Vans shoes run pretty much true to size, hurray! But what does this actually mean? So Vans shoes are sized according to to American US authentic sizing, which means that they are neither smaller nor larger than the standard sizes. The best way to choose your size is to measure your feet, or simply if you wear size 9 in popular shoe brands, then Vans 9 would be your normal sizing.

How do Vans fit compared to Nike?

How a shoe fits compared to Nike is a commonly asked question when discussing foot size and sizing guides. Vans and Nike are actually pretty different when it comes to shoe sizes. Depending on whether they are male, female, or kids’ models you’ll find a real difference in sizing.

Compared to Nike, male Vans shoes run large. You should buy your Vans in a full size or at least a half size smaller than Nike.

Female models are running a bit larger than Nike. You should buy your Vans in a half size smaller than Nike.

Kid’s models tend to run small so make sure to buy Vans kids shoes one size larger than your kid’s Nike sneakers.

Do Vans fit like Converse?

As was the case with Converse shoes, Vans sizes can also cause problems. In this case, the measurement is done in the American style, so that a 9.5 UK corresponds to a 10.5 (US). However, when looking at a 10.5 (US) we see that it is closer to 10 than to 9.5.

In order to ensure you get the right size we recommend asking for a smaller size and where possible try out in the store before buying and check which size is the one that best suits your foot.

Vans Sizing Compared To Adidas

Vans shoes for men are larger than Adidas so if you’re comparing against a Adidas Gazelle against a Vans Old Skool your going to need to buy your Vans in a full size smaller than Adidas.

Compared to Adidas , Vans sneakers for women are a bit larger. You should buy your Vans in half a size smaller than Adidas. But, Vans shoes for kids are a bit smaller than Adidas, so buy Vans shoes for kids half a size larger than Adidas.

Vans Size Chart

Below is a really helpful table, pulled directly from the Vans site that will give you a quick understanding of exactly how Vans shoes fit. By measuring your foot and using the guide below, you will be able to see the exact centimetres that each shoe measures, without room for confusion. The size is usually true to size since this manufacturer fits whole sizes and half sizes. Also being a sports-style shoe, Vans are known for being wide shoes, perfect for those who like a wide sizing.

how do vans fit

What are the most popular Vans styles?

Vans Authentic

We can talk about Vans Authentic as the shoes that started the empire that the Californian brand, founded in Anaheim in 1966, preserves today. With total security and confidence, in fact. After all, it is very likely that without this pair, there would be no Old Skool or Sk8-Hi. This is the first Vans model, so its design is the simplest of all the flagship models of this famous brand. The Vans Authentic, like all Vans, has a chunky rubber sole and a low top, lace-up, cotton upper. It is distinguished from the Vans Era by the lack of ankle reinforcement, which you will notice when additional seams are not available.

Where to Buy?

The following retailers usually have a broad selection of sale and new release Vans Authentic: END Clothing, Size? and Office.

Vans Era

In the 1970s, Vans – which named its models with numbers such as #75 – commissioned a pair of local skaters named Stacey Peralta and Tony Alva to develop a design. From the union of both, the ones are known today as the Vans Era would be born. The result is a shoe that is very simple in conception and technique, but with infinite combinations in terms of aesthetics. The aesthetic section is essential. The combinations of materials, colours, and patterns are endless.

Where to Buy?

END Clothing usually has the biggest range of Vans Era, but also check out Size? and Office.

Vans Old Skool

The 1970s, or more precisely 1977, was the year that Paul Van Doren released the iconic Vans model. Vans Style 36, or simply Vans Old Skool, quickly became the go to sneaker style for American skateboarders. As is often the case, the path of these shoes from sport to everyday style turned out to be very short.

Vans Old Skool, which debuted in the 1970s under the name “Style 360”, is now one of the brand’s most recognizable shoes and certainly the heritage of the so-called “skate style.” The famous Vans Old Skool model has been the pioneer of this brand from the beginning. For the first time, natural leather was used. Full-grain leather was used to create a distinctive strap, which was placed on the side of the shoes to increase durability. In addition, suede leather was sewn onto the front of the shoes to protect the toes from skateboard chafing.

Where to Buy?

END Clothing has a huge range of Vans Old Skool, as does Schuh and JD Sports

Vans SK8 Hi

The Vans Sk8-Hi, the iconic lace-up high-top sneaker inspired by the classic Old Skool, features a sturdy canvas and suede lining with tonal stitching, padded ankle gussets, and Vans vulcanized waffle outsoles. Made of canvas, the Vans Sk8-Hi is protected with a fleece lining that offers insulation, comfort, and extra warmth for your feet. The flagship colourways consist of three colors: black, blue and white.

Where to Buy?

The following retailers usually have a broad selection of sale and new release Vans Sk8 Hi: END Clothing, JD Sports and Office.

Vans Slip-on

As its name suggests, the Vans Slip-On are slip-on, comfortable, casual shoe, popular with both men and women. The Vans Classic Slip-on is one of the most popular styles in the Vans archive, highly breathable thanks to the canvas with which they are made and they also have the advantage of not having laces, making them extremely easy to put on and take off.

Where to Buy?

Head to Office for a big range of Vans Slip-on as well as END Clothing, JD Sports and Schuh.

Final thoughts

When it comes to choosing your next pair of Vans shoes, there are no rules about what men or women should wear: you are free to choose the style that you like best. Do not measure your foot in the morning because the activity you do during the day will cause your foot to widen slightly. It is better that you measure your foot at the end of the day. What if you are right between two sizes? In that case, we recommend that you choose the larger size. Hope that this article has been helpful.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Vans run big or small compared to Converse?

Compared to Converse, Vans shoes run big, so you should buy your Vans shoes a full size smaller. That means, if you wear size 9 in Converse, you need size 8 in Vans.

Do Vans run the same size as Nike?

No, Nike and Vans are not the same sizes. Vans shoes for men and women are running a bit large than Nike, while kids models are a bit smaller than Nike kids models. This means that the male and female models should be taken in a smaller size, while the children’s model should be taken in a larger size.

Do Vans run big or small compared to Converse?

Compared to Converse, Vans shoes run big, so you should buy your Vans shoes a full size smaller. That means, if you wear size 9 in Converse, you need size 8 in Vans.

Do Vans run the same size as Nike?

No, Nike and Vans are not the same sizes. Vans shoes for men and women are running a bit large than Nike, while kids models are a bit smaller than Nike kids models. This means that the male and female models should be taken in a smaller size, while the children’s model should be taken in a larger size.

Do Vans and Adidas fit the same?

No, Adidas and Vans are not the same. Depending on whether your looking at shoe size difference of a male, female, or child model. Male and female Vans models are larger than Adidas, while kid’s models are smaller than Adidas.

Do Vans run smaller than Adidas?

Male and female models run big, while kid’s models run small. This means that the male and female models of Vans sneakers should be purchased in a smaller size than Adidas, whilst children’s Vans models should be purchased in a larger size.

Are Converse and Nike sizes the same?

They are pretty similar. Male and kid’s models are almost the same, which means that if you wear size 8 in Nike, buy size 8 and in Converse. Female models compared to Nike are a little smaller, so you should buy half a size up in Converse.

Should you size up or down in Vans?

Vans are true to size, so you can buy the size you usually wear. For example, if you wear size 8 in other shoes, you can buy size 8 in Vans. You don’t have to worry but keep in mind that Vans models are a little wider.

Are Vans narrow or wide?

Vans shoes have a medium width and are not considered narrow shoes. If you have wide feet, Vans are a good choice for you. You should also consider buying a half size up if your feet are wider.

Do Vans Loosen Up?

Yes, Vans do stretch. There are a whole host of reasons why you might need to stretch your canvas shoes, from taming them to making them looser, so they don’t squeeze you. A good way to do this is to make a couple of balls out of newspaper or roll up several pairs of socks. Tuck the paper or socks into the sneakers and make sure they are tight enough to stretch the material. Wait one night and remove the stuffing the next morning. If they are still a little tight, repeat the process until they are well stretched.

Do Vans shoes run small or large in size?

Vans shoes are true to size. Choose the size of the Vans sneakers according to the size of the regular sneakers you wear.