Do adidas Sambas run big? How every sneaker we carry fits

The most common question at the sneaker wall, in the store and in our inbox, is some version of "do these run big?" Below is what we tell people, brand by brand, based on selling these every day. Every product page also shows exactly which sizes are on the shelf right now, so if your size isn't listed it's sold out and Notify me sends one email when it's back.

adidas: the Samba runs about a half size big

Yes, the Samba OG runs roughly a half size large. Most people order a half size down from their usual sneaker size — a women's 8 takes a 7.5 — and it stays that way after the leather breaks in. The Samba Jane, the Mary Jane version, follows the same rule. Kids' Sambas too.

Gazelle and the Handball Spezial run closer to true. The Japan and the SL 72 are the narrow ones in the line — true to length, but if you have a wide foot you'll be happier in a Samba a half down or in a New Balance.

Wear the Samba with a straight or wide-leg jean (the Pistola Lexi is the pairing we sell most), a cropped hem showing the sock, or with a midi skirt. The whole adidas wall is on the adidas page.

On: true to length, slightly narrow

Cloud 6, Cloud X, Cloudrunner and Cloudtilt run true to length and a little narrow, so wide feet or thick socks should go up a half size. The Cloudmonster has the most room in the toe box and the most cushion — it's the one we send people to who are on their feet all day. The Roger Advantage, the court shoe, fits like a classic tennis sneaker: true, with a firmer heel. On lives with Vuori and Varley on the body; see the full On page.

New Balance: true and slightly roomy

New Balance is the answer when a Samba feels too narrow. The 327 is the slimmest and flattest of what we carry (still true to size), the 574 is lighter and a little firmer, and the 9060 has the widest forefoot and the most support — the comfortable one for standing all day. Between sizes, go down in the 9060 and stay true in the 327. Full wall on the New Balance page.

Oncept: true to size, made in Portugal

Oncept's leather sneakers run true in whole and half sizes. The Phoenix and Toronto are the roomiest; the Fez court sneaker is the narrowest. If you're between sizes, go down — the leather gives with wear. These are the sneakers for the person who wants a leather shoe that reads as a sneaker, with jeans or a suit; the Oncept page has the men's and women's range.

The short version

• Samba, Samba Jane: half size down.
• Gazelle, Spezial: true.
• adidas Japan, SL 72: true but narrow — wide feet go elsewhere.
• On Cloud 6 / Cloudrunner / Cloudtilt: true, narrow; up a half for wide feet. Cloudmonster: roomiest.
• New Balance 327 / 574: true. 9060: widest; go down if between.
• Oncept: true; down if between. Fez is the narrow one.

Still not sure? Every product page has the size strip; if two sizes are showing and you're between, order both and send one back — the return window is in the footer. Or ask us: info@shopchrome.com answers same day.

See the whole wall — adidas, On, New Balance, Oncept and the rest — on sneakers, or by women's and men's.