ASICS Trainers : Can anyone advise re sizing... - Couch to 5K

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ASICS Trainers

Maggie-Moo profile image
Maggie-MooGraduate
36 Replies

Can anyone advise re sizing please.

I have bought a kids size 5 but inside they are labelled 39 which is normally a 6

Unfortunately they will be going back as too big !

Thanks

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Maggie-Moo profile image
Maggie-Moo
Graduate
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36 Replies
MissUnderstanding profile image
MissUnderstandingAdministratorOn a breakGraduate

There’s a size guide on sportshoes.com which I’ve got a screenshot of here. ASICS junior size 5 looks to be a 39. If you want a size 5 (38), it looks like you’d need to order a junior 4.5.

I’ve never had any luck buying junior running trainers! I’m not sure whether they’re smaller versions of the adult ones or whether they’ll have less cushioning to account for smaller people wearing them. Maybe someone else will know!

Shoe size chart
Cmoi profile image
CmoiGraduate

I know I'm asking a stupid question   Maggie-Moo , but are you sure they're too big? Assuming they're for you, that is. Obviously you don't want your feet to be sliding about, but you certainly don't want tight shoes either, particularly bearing in mind that your feet may well swell as you're running.

For example, in normal shoes I'm generally size 5, sometimes 4.5 (38, 37.5) but in running shoes I take size 5.5 or 6 (38.5 or 39). The fit of different brands and manufacturers' conversions vary, but generally speaking I'd advise sizing up rather than down if you're between sizes. I've never bought from junior ranges, so can't help re that.

If you're interested, there's further advice re buying running shoes here: healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

nowster profile image
nowsterGraduate in reply toCmoi

Socks can help, too.

But for running, you really don't want your toes to be touching the ends of the shoes. You need a bit of space for the toes to splay forward a bit.

Instructor57 profile image
Instructor57Graduate

Great advice already, I would certainly suggest as mentioned by Cmoi that you would probably need bigger than your normal shoe size .Maybe at least one size up , possibly a size and a half.

Could I hazard a guess that you bought them from the ASICS web site?

I was going to buy my last pair on-line and was looking at their site and noticed that if you select size 5 (UK) it shows size 6 US and size 39 Eur as being equivalent. I gave up in the end as those did not match what was in my current pair (that fit!!). I went and bought my new pair from a sports shop where I could try them on.

:) :) :)

MissUnderstanding profile image
MissUnderstandingAdministratorOn a breakGraduate in reply to

Are you talking about juniors or women’s styles? I was literally just looking at this (I’m getting towards replacing my trusty GT2000s) and a 5 is a 38.

To be honest, I don’t always find the advertised sizing that helpful. I’ve got a pair of Saucony size 6 which are perfect. I’ve just sent back a size 6 in a different style which are too small. There are massive advantages to being in a shop and able to try several styles and sizes! Ditto sports bras!!

ASICS size guide
Maggie-Moo profile image
Maggie-MooGraduate

They are definitely Junior girls. Bright pink !!!!!

MissUnderstanding profile image
MissUnderstandingAdministratorOn a breakGraduate in reply toMaggie-Moo

Argh. Having a day of it today. Deleted wrong reply of mine. Apologies!

Weirdly, for ASICS, it appears that adult male and junior size five are both 39, but a women’s size 5 is a 38. Hidden must have been looking at a junior or men’s five rather than a women’s one. Hopefully it’s useful to know that junior shoe sizing is a bit weird!

Out of interest, I’ve just looked at Nike for comparison and their women’s size for a 5 is a 38.5, but for men a 5 is a 38. So strange.

This is a whole thing I never paid any attention to before!

Cmoi profile image
CmoiGraduate in reply toMissUnderstanding

This is what I mean by manufacturers' conversions varying! My Decathlon Kalenji Jogflow are supposedly UK 5.5, US 8, EU 39, but my other shoes are labelled UK 5.5, US 7.5, EU 38.5. To make it even more mysterious all say 24.5cm!

I'm pondering buying an insanely cheap pair of used Salomon trail shoes on Vinted just to check the sizing, fit and feel. They're size 38.2/3!

Maggie-Moo profile image
Maggie-MooGraduate in reply toCmoi

I’m on a mission now! I’ve got 3 pairs of Nike trainers. Junior x2 size 5 eu 38 & 24cm. Ladies 4.5 eu 38 & 24cm.

The ASICS junior 5 are eu 39 & 24.5cm

Tomorrow I’m taking them back!

MissUnderstanding profile image
MissUnderstandingAdministratorOn a breakGraduate in reply toMaggie-Moo

Good luck!! Hope you find something that suits! We always love pictures of shoes on here!!!

Maggie-Moo profile image
Maggie-MooGraduate in reply toCmoi

Just find a shoe that is 24cm! I’ve done that today. I swapped the Juniors for a ladies size 5 EU 38. Job done !!!!

in reply toMissUnderstanding

That is what I see on filtering for size 5 shoes for women.

MissUnderstanding profile image
MissUnderstandingAdministratorOn a breakGraduate in reply to

All that means is you’re filtering for shoes that are size 4, size 5 and size 39. Sorry, I don’t think I’ve properly understood what you’re saying here.

Perhaps it’s best to leave it that buying shoes online is often tricky!

in reply toMissUnderstanding

Hi, the only filter selected was for size five, when the options for euro sizes is expanded to show the options there, only 39 is displayed. If size 39 is also selected as a filter, the UK size 5.5 also appears. My point was that when selecting a filter for one size, the options available for euro do not match their size guide chart for equivalent sizes.

MissUnderstanding profile image
MissUnderstandingAdministratorOn a breakGraduate in reply to

The filtering system appears to be a bit quirky! ASICS also sell “unisex” shoes which appear to follow the men’s sizing, where a 5 is a 39 not a 38. They appear when you’re searching in the women’s running and I can see someone might be caught out thinking that a unisex 5 is the same as a women’s 5. Each individual shoe takes you to the relevant sizing guide though. There’s something very depressing that the unisex one takes you straight to “men’s shoes”.

The main difficulty appears to be that women’s sizes differ from junior, men’s and unisex sizing.

I now feel that I know a lot more about ASICS sizes than I ever did before!

Unisex shoe guide
Maggie-Moo profile image
Maggie-MooGraduate in reply toMissUnderstanding

I’ve bought a ladies 5 today eu 38 & 24cm. They fit hurray !!!!! 😀👟

MissUnderstanding profile image
MissUnderstandingAdministratorOn a breakGraduate in reply toMaggie-Moo

Yay!!!! So pleased you’ve found some that work for you.

in reply toMissUnderstanding

I suppose that then leads to the question, "What is the difference between an man's shoe, a woman's shoe, a junior shoe and a unisex shoe?" Is it just style, size and colour, or are their differences in the construction? Who makes the decision on the target gender for a specific shoe? Says the woman who generally goes for pink running shoes!! :)

I know in the UK there is a VAT difference between children's and adults shoes so there is a need to distinguish those.

MissUnderstanding profile image
MissUnderstandingAdministratorOn a breakGraduate in reply to

ASICS says they have different construction for men’s and women’s shoes…

asics.com/gb/en-gb/asics-ad...

When I’ve tried men’s and junior shoes, I’ve found that even when the size is correct, they’re not that comfortable because the padding feels like it’s in the wrong place. Differences in the shoe shape would explain that.

They seem to do most styles in a men/women version. Sometimes the colours are the same. There’s a new pair of novablast lite show in the same bright pattern that comes in both men’s and women’s versions. I’m watching for that one to go in the sale. They’re so pretty!

Other styles have different colour ways-I’ve noticed that I almost always prefer the men’s colours!

Leotigris profile image
LeotigrisGraduate in reply toMissUnderstanding

yes, why do women's shoes always come in such horrendous colours.

XenaZelda profile image
XenaZeldaGraduate in reply toLeotigris

I Know they are aren't they! when looking at the shoes the mens colours are so nice, although i did manage to get a fuschia pink pair (so purchased 3 x pairs that were in the sale for £57 reduced from £135!) and i am not a pink kinda gal! but i love the colour now. I also find that womens running gear is made to show off the body, not every woman wants to show off her body, i have searched and searched for sweat wicking long line (not tight) running tops, but can i find them noooooooo, also why do they not come with pockets! do we not need to carry things like men do? i find the mens gear so much better so i wear a men's soft shell gillet to put all my things in and also i cannot find a pair of long running shorts for women, they are all skimpy and short, while mens can come in longer length, so if i have to i will buy a men's shorts!.

Leotigris profile image
LeotigrisGraduate in reply toXenaZelda

yes, pockets! when will manufacturers understand that everyone needs pockets, not just men.

MissUnderstanding profile image
MissUnderstandingAdministratorOn a breakGraduate in reply toLeotigris

Pockets are everything!

Maggie-Moo profile image
Maggie-MooGraduate in reply toMissUnderstanding

Seems like I opened a can of worms with my ASICS post. I agree about the tops though. I have horses and the training tops are the same. They don’t look so good on top of a sexy sports bra for average women as they do on a size 8 that’s 5ft 10 with no boobs! Apologies in advance to all you lucky slim ladies!!! 😆

XenaZelda profile image
XenaZeldaGraduate

I wear ASICS and I’m usually a size 7 but found them far to tight so got a half size up 7.5 and they are perfect, I have read lots of reviews on ASICS and most say get a half size up

Newbierunner84 profile image
Newbierunner84Graduate

I’m normally a 7 but for my ASICS I have to go to a 8 or 8.5. I really wanted some Gel Nimbus 24s but despite trying different sizes, I finally had to accept they were not right for my feet shape 🙁

Leotigris profile image
LeotigrisGraduate

I'm wondering whether it might be better to completely ignore UK sizing and always go by the EU sizing?

nowster profile image
nowsterGraduate in reply toLeotigris

This is what I have to do with Vibram FiveFingers. The translation into UK/US sizes is unreliable. I know I'm EU 46 in most styles. (This took some trial and error.)

The fitting for VFFs is different: you do want the longest toe to just be within touching distance of the end, because of the way the shoe behaves in use.

For more conventionally shaped shoes (eg. VivoBarefoot) I'll size up slightly to allow for splay space.

Woody_53 profile image
Woody_53Graduate

When I decided to go for the C25K, I went to a specialist running shop in Cheltenham. They put me on a treadmill to assess my running style, then brought out a pair of Brooks. I'd never heard of them, but they fitted perfectly. The chap then n said that I needed a half size larger to allow for expansion whilst running. They cost twice as much as I had ever paid for generic trainers but I bought a second pair last year. No injuries and I've graduated twice.

Long story short, if there's a good running/sports shop in your area, it might be an idea to avail yourself of their expertise.

Newbie59 profile image
Newbie59Graduate

I've only ever bought one pair of running shoes (shock horror!). They are Asics support shoes and still good. I take a shoe size 4 (37) but the shop advised going up one full size to a 5. They seemed massive in the shop but he was absolutely right as these shoes were perfect from the word go.

Maggie-Moo profile image
Maggie-MooGraduate in reply toNewbie59

I’ve done exactly the same! I’m a 4 and have bought size 5 ASICS. My Nike Milers are 4.5.

Hedgehogs123 profile image
Hedgehogs123Graduate in reply toNewbie59

Me too, I have ASICS size 5 even though for normal shoes, I'm a size 4. My Brooks are the same, always a size 5. Strangely though I've just bought some saucony trail shoes size 5 and they feel a bit tight on the toes but actually very comfortable on my hill training at the weekend

Kirst13 profile image
Kirst13Graduate

My latest pair are Asics. Got them in a running shop and we went up a full size (2 half sizes) from my usual size. I had done a long run that morning and do find that they feel a little bigger, but think that might be better for my feet. I did get asked by the young shop assistant if they were for walking- but that's a whole different story 🤔😂

lourunrun profile image
lourunrunGraduate

This doesn't exactly answer your question, but this (below) is a really useful guide to compare brand sizes. I have a pair of UK5 Brooks and bought a pair of size 5 Topos before I found this guide. They were just a bit too small and I returned them for a 5.5 which are fine (I think, altho' I haven't taken them out for a run yet, only worn them around the house), which corresponds with the brand comparison chart on this site.

runningxpert.com/en/inspira...

Runninggirl59 profile image
Runninggirl59Graduate

I'm a bit late to the party but I also wear asics juniors, I'm a small Size 2 ( more stumps than feet!) But I have two pairs both 3.5. I also have to make sure I don't lace them too tight or my feet go dead. So my advice us size up. Good luck

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