There is no universal Adidas-to-ASICS size conversion. Measure both feet, use the chart for the brand you are buying and check the fit of the specific shoe; the same EU number does not guarantee the same feel.
| Brand | Starting point | Example shoe | What to verify |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adidas | Footwear chart based on foot length in centimetres; a product page may add its own fit note. | Supernova Rise 3, article KK1202: the page reviewed lists a classic last and recommends your usual size. | Use the footwear chart and confirm the note matches the exact version and category. |
| ASICS | Use the size guide and selector for the relevant category alongside its general running-fit guidance. | GEL-CUMULUS 28, reference family 1011C143: the page reviewed lists Standard width. | Check length, toe room, width and heel hold on the current product page. |
How to read this brand comparison
This guide focuses on the sizing systems and advice from Adidas and ASICS. To make it concrete, we use two men's running shoes as examples: Adidas Supernova Rise 3 (article KK1202) and ASICS GEL-CUMULUS 28 (reference 1011C143). These products are examples of how to read each brand's advice, not equivalent shoes being ranked against each other.
Product pages, available sizes, colours and recommendations can change. Confirm the category and current information on the exact item before buying. This is a sizing and fit guide; it does not decide which shoe is better for running or replace trying it on.
Adidas: start with foot length in centimetres
Adidas's men's footwear size chart relates size to foot length and explains how to measure from the longest toe to the back of the heel. Adidas advises measuring at the end of the day. Use that measurement within the correct category rather than translating it directly into another brand.
As an example of product-specific advice, the Supernova Rise 3 page (KK1202) lists a classic last and recommends your usual size. That note applies to the page reviewed, not every Adidas shoe or every Supernova generation. Check the exact product listing in front of you.
ASICS: combine size guidance, width and a fit test
ASICS provides an official size and fit guide and a selector on each product page. In our GEL-CUMULUS 28 example (1011C143), the page reviewed lists Standard width. That detail belongs to the selected version; check which width you are choosing if other options are offered.
ASICS's running-shoe fit guide suggests measuring both feet in running socks and using roughly half to a full thumb of space in front, with the heel held securely. It is a general practical check, not a guaranteed internal measurement for every ASICS shoe or a conversion from Adidas sizing.
Why the EU number is not a reliable conversion
The printed number alone does not describe internal length, forefoot width, instep volume or toe-box shape. Size scales may also use different increments. Even when two charts show the same EU number, the fit can vary between brands and between models from one brand.
That is why the Adidas and ASICS examples are read separately: measure your foot and consult the brand's chart first, then check the exact model's fit note and width. We do not provide a universal conversion table because an EU number alone cannot reliably predict fit.
Measure both feet in your running socks
Measure at the end of the day, when feet may be more expanded. Put on the socks you run in, stand with your heel against a wall on a sheet of paper and mark the end of your longest toe. Measure from the edge of the paper to the mark; repeat with the other foot and use the longer one as your starting reference.
If you also measure circumference or width, record it separately: length does not describe the whole shape of your foot. Then compare the centimetres with the official chart for the correct category and region. Do not immediately round to an EU number you already know; brands may show different increments.
The classic last on the Adidas page and Standard width on the ASICS listing are clues, not measurements of each shoe's usable space. If the forefoot feels compressed, going longer may leave too much room at the toes without fixing side pressure.
Run a fit test that reflects how you move
Try each shoe you are considering in the same type of sock and lace it as you would for a run. Standing up, check that your toes can spread and move without hitting the front. As you walk, the heel should feel secure without requiring such tight lacing that pressure builds across the instep.
Try a short indoor jog if the return policy allows it. Notice slipping, rubbing or pressure at the sides; a shoe can feel comfortable while seated and change when your foot is loaded. If you feel numbness or pain, do not assume that is a normal sizing break-in period.
ASICS's thumb-space suggestion is a visual guide. Toe shape, foot width, the insole and your activity can all change the feel. Look for enough room up front, a comfortable midfoot and a stable heel together.
If you are between sizes
First identify what feels wrong: too short, too much room over the instep, heel rubbing or pressure at the forefoot? Recheck the longer foot against the chart and try both options in the same socks. The larger size may help if your toes touch the front, but it may feel too long if width is the only issue.
The Supernova Rise 3 page reviewed recommends your usual size; treat that as a note for this specific example, not a rule for all Adidas shoes or a conversion to ASICS. For the GEL-CUMULUS 28 example, use ASICS guidance and confirm the width on the product page. Neither note replaces trying the exact shoe: sizing up by half is not an automatic fix, especially if the issue is width.
If neither option feels right, the model's shape or volume may not suit your foot. See our guide to choosing between two sizes and reading EU, UK and US sizes.
Save the reference for your next pair
Before placing the order
- Confirm the exact brand, category and version.
- Measure both feet in your usual socks and note the longer one.
- Check that brand's official chart and use centimetres as well as the EU number.
- Consider length, width, instep, midfoot and heel hold.
- Try the specific shoe and, if possible, jog indoors briefly.
- Check the return policy and keep the tags until you decide.
- Save the model, size and fit notes in SIZES.
A useful comparison is not “my Adidas is a 42, so ASICS must be too.” It is the length of your feet, each brand's guidance and the fit note for the exact shoe. Supernova Rise 3 and GEL-CUMULUS 28 only illustrate how to read those recommendations. Save that context so your next purchase starts with a real reference.
Frequently asked questions
Do Adidas and ASICS running shoes fit the same?
Do not convert an EU number directly. Measure both feet, check each brand's official guidance and test the specific shoe's fit.
Which shoes are used as examples?
Adidas Supernova Rise 3 (KK1202) and ASICS GEL-CUMULUS 28 (1011C143). They show how to read different product notes; the guide is not a model-versus-model comparison.
How much room should there be in front when running?
ASICS suggests roughly half to a full thumb between your toes and the front of the shoe, with a secure heel. Treat this as a guide and check how the shoe feels when you run.
Should I size up by half if I am between sizes?
Not automatically. Check your longer foot, toe room, heel hold and fit in your running socks. If a shoe is tight in width, extra length may not solve it.