You've found THE pair, your cart is ready, and then doubt sets in: should I get my usual size or not? It's a valid question. The Samba has a bit of a reputation when it comes to fit, and no one wants to return a package.

So, let's keep it short. Adidas Samba shoes fit true to size in length: order your usual shoe size. The only real pitfall is the width. The forefoot is narrow, a direct inheritance from the indoor football shoe from which the model originates. Wide feet? Go up half a size. That's the gist of it. The rest of this size guide is for borderline cases and to get it right the first time.

Key takeaways in 30 seconds

• Length: the Samba fits true to size, take your usual shoe size.

• Width: narrow forefoot. If you have wide feet or a high instep, go up half a size.

• Never go down a size: going down a size will only crush your toes for nothing.

• The right approach: measure your foot in centimeters and refer to the table below. It's the most reliable method, by far.

So, do they run big or small?

Neither. In length, the Samba fits true to size. The heel is well-supported, and your toes won't hit the end when you take your reference size. So, where does the confusion come from? The width. This model is narrow in the forefoot, and many conclude that it runs small. False. It fits true to size, but snugly.

This fitted shape is the shoe's DNA, not a defect. The Samba was designed for indoor football, where a snug fit and direct contact with the ball are desired. The sleek silhouette that everyone is after today for its look comes from that origin. And the leather stretches a bit after a few days, so comfort quickly increases once the pair is broken in.

Specifically, for the first few days, the leather will feel a bit tight on top and at the sides. This is where some people panic and think they've bought a size too small. Be patient. Three or four wears are enough to soften the upper, and the length, for its part, won't change by a millimeter. This is precisely why you shouldn't size up from the start: a Samba that's too big, bought to "anticipate," will end up slipping at the heel. And that's much more uncomfortable than a slight snugness during the break-in period.

Which size to choose depending on your feet

It all comes down to the width of your foot. Here's how to decide in one read:

A principle to remember: with Sambas, never go down a size. The forefoot is already narrow, so going below your size will compress your toes without gaining any support. The most common mistakes we see among those who get the wrong size are:

• Going down half a size "for a slim fit." Bad idea, you only gain discomfort.

• Copying your Nike size. Air Force 1s and Air Max often run larger, and you'll end up with a Samba that's too short.

• Counting on the leather to stretch a full size. It stretches in width, not in length.

• Ignoring foot width, when it's the width, not the length, that determines the +0.5.

• Ordering online without measuring your foot. The classic return scenario.

Should you go down half a size? The purists' debate

Spend two minutes on sneaker forums and Reddit threads, and you'll find two camps. On one side, those who swear you should go down half a size "for a clean, close-to-the-foot fit." On the other, the majority, who stick to their usual size and are perfectly fine. Who is right?

Both, actually. But not for the same feet. The -0.5 only works if you have truly narrow and flat feet, and you embrace the ultra-snug look of the purists. For everyone else, it's a false good idea: the forefoot is already narrow, so you sacrifice comfort without gaining any support. Our position is clear: stick to your usual size, and reserve the half-size down for narrow-footed individuals who are confident in their choice. When in doubt, do not size down.

Adidas Samba size chart (EU, UK, cm)

The most reliable way to get it right is not your size in another brand, but the length of your foot in centimeters. The Samba is sold in the native Adidas size chart (the one with sizes in thirds, like 42 ⅔), so we're using that official chart:

The US column corresponds to men's sizes. If you're thinking in women's US sizes, ignore it and rely on foot length in centimeters, which is universal.

How to truly measure your foot: Place a sheet of paper against a wall, with your heel touching the baseboard. Mark the end of your big toe with a pencil, then measure the distance. Do this in the evening, when your foot has swollen throughout the day. Transfer the value to the table, and you'll have your Samba size. Exactly between two lines? Apply the rule for narrow forefoot: go up a size.

Samba, Gazelle or Spezial: do they size the same?

If you already have other Adidas models in your closet, be careful not to just assume "I'll take the same size." It doesn't work for all of them. Here's how the three most popular retro models compare:

In short: if you wear a 42 in Samba, you'll stay with a 42 in Gazelle, as both share the same narrow base. The Spezial, however, is a tad more generous in the front, so your usual size will suffice. This question comes up constantly because these Adidas models are everywhere right now, and these small fit differences are worth considering before you pay.

The advice we wish we had before buying

Beyond the chart, two or three simple habits can help you avoid returns. Try on your sneakers in the evening, when your feet are at their largest volume. Loosen the laces well to slide your foot in; the Samba's opening is quite closed. And walk around for a few minutes before deciding: a slight discomfort on the side of your little toe in the first few minutes is normal and will go away with breaking them in. Toe compression lengthwise, however, will never go away.

The point everyone forgets: the material. The reference Samba OG, which we're discussing here, is smooth leather, suede toe (the famous T-toe), and a gum sole. This leather stretches more than the all-suede versions, which are already a bit more encompassing, and much more than the canvas variations, which are stiff and not very stretchy. Looking at a textile version? Be more generous with the size, as it's less forgiving of a too-snug width.

Last safety net: free returns. Most retailers offer it, so order your reference size and keep the option open to exchange for half a size if it's too tight in the front. For a model with such a specific fit, this is often the surest method to find the perfect size without guesswork.

How we verified this guide

The recommended sizes here come from the official Adidas conversion chart (foot length in centimeters), cross-referenced with several retailers to avoid any conversion errors, and feedback that consistently appears among Samba wearers in sneaker communities. We do not publish any size values that we haven't been able to confirm from at least two sources saying the same thing. And when a point is truly divisive, like the half-size down, we point it out instead of making the decision for you.

Your questions about Samba sizing

Do Sambas run big?

No. Adidas Sambas fit true to size in length. The feeling of being small comes from the narrow forefoot, not a lack of length.

Do Adidas Sambas stretch?

Yes, a little. The leather softens and molds to the foot after a few days. The shoe size doesn't change, but the width comfort significantly improves. Don't buy them too big expecting this, the effect is moderate.

What size Adidas Samba should I get?

Your usual size if you have narrow or normal feet. Half a size up if you have wide feet or wear thick socks. Hesitating between two sizes? Choose the larger one.

Are Sambas suitable for wide feet?

Yes, provided you go up half a size, or even a full size for very wide feet. The model remains inherently narrow, but this adjustment resolves compression without making them feel too loose.

You now know what size to aim for when buying your Adidas Samba. And since all colors fit the same, you can choose yours with your eyes closed from our Adidas Samba collection, from white to green. Want to compare before deciding? Take a look at the Gazelle, its cousin with an equally sleek fit, or the oversized version with the Samba XLG.