Which shoe brands run small or large?

Of the 20 brands we track, 6 run small (size up), 7 fit true to size, and 7 run large (size down). Fit is a brand-level tendency, not a guarantee — the table below ranks every brand from the most undersized to the most oversized, with the typical adjustment and how confident we are in it. Tap any brand for its full size chart.

Every brand, ranked by fit

Brands ordered from runs-smallest to runs-largest. Offset is in US size steps relative to true-to-size (0).
Brand Fit verdict Typical adjustment Confidence
Converse Runs small Size up a full size 78%
Jordan Runs small Size up a half size 75%
Nike Runs small Size up a half size 78%
Salomon Runs small Size up a half size 71%
UGG Runs small Size up a half size 67%
Vans Runs small Size up a half size 70%
Adidas True to size Start with your usual size 80%
ASICS True to size Start with your usual size 72%
On True to size Start with your usual size 70%
Puma True to size Start with your usual size 65%
Reebok True to size Start with your usual size 65%
Saucony True to size Start with your usual size 70%
Skechers True to size Start with your usual size 71%
Brooks Runs large Size down a half size 68%
Hoka Runs large Size down a half size 72%
Birkenstock Runs large Size down a half size 68%
Crocs Runs large Size down a half size 70%
Dr Martens Runs large Size down a half size 74%
New Balance Runs large Size down a half size 72%
Timberland Runs large Size down a half size 72%

Confidence reflects sample size, source agreement, and whether lab measurements back the number — see how we calculate fit.

How to use the adjustment

Treat the offset as a label adjustment after you have a length anchor, not as a reason to guess blindly. In this dataset the tracked spread runs from Converse (−1 size (small)) to Timberland (+½ size (large)), so most brand switches are a half-size decision rather than a completely different sizing system.

  • Measure your foot first if you are between sizes or buying a new category.
  • Do not stack adjustments: if a model page says size up, follow the model page over this brand-level average.
  • Check width separately — a brand that runs long can still feel tight in the forefoot.

Shoe brands that run small

These fit shorter than the label — most buyers go up. Common with narrow, performance-derived lasts.

  • Converse — size up a full size (−1 size (small))
  • Jordan — size up a half size (−½ size (small))
  • Nike — size up a half size (−½ size (small))
  • Salomon — size up a half size (−½ size (small))
  • UGG — size up a half size (−½ size (small))
  • Vans — size up a half size (−½ size (small))

Brands that fit true to size

Start by checking your usual US size; width is the main thing to watch.

  • Adidas — start with your usual size
  • ASICS — start with your usual size
  • On — start with your usual size
  • Puma — start with your usual size
  • Reebok — start with your usual size
  • Saucony — start with your usual size
  • Skechers — start with your usual size

Shoe brands that run large

These fit longer than the label — most buyers size down.

  • Brooks — size down a half size (+½ size (large))
  • Hoka — size down a half size (+½ size (large))
  • Birkenstock — size down a half size (+½ size (large))
  • Crocs — size down a half size (+½ size (large))
  • Dr Martens — size down a half size (+½ size (large))
  • New Balance — size down a half size (+½ size (large))
  • Timberland — size down a half size (+½ size (large))