As the high street declines and more and more shops are closing their doors, buying your sneakers online is becoming the norm, but this means you can’t try them on before you buy – so you might be left asking how do Nike Air Force 1 fit? Do AF1s run true to size? Can I fit into Grade School sneakers? Well, lucky for you, we’re going to answer any and all questions you might have about Air Force 1 sizing right here, right now, and we’ll also cover everything to do with Grade School sizing, because you could be saving some money without even realising!
As you probably know if you’re a sneaker lover, your shoe size can vary from brand to brand, but you might be surprised to know that your size can also change within the same brand. Nike Air Force 1, Air Max 90s, Dunks and Jordans all fit slightly differently, that’s why you need a definitive Air Force 1 size guide, so you can learn exactly what size to cop before hitting that ‘add to bag’ button.
How Do Nike Air Force 1 Fit?
Of all of Nike’s silhouettes, the Nike Air Force 1 arguably runs biggest. Classic Nike AF1s, the Nike Air Force 1 Sage and the Nike Air Force 1 Shadow all run big – the toe box is designed to be extra roomy, so if you get your true-to-size fit, you’ll find that they crease a lot easier because of the extra room, they don’t feel as comfy and your toes might rub more. Here at The Sole Supplier, we always go down at least half a size when we’re getting our Nike Air Force 1s! However, if your half-down-size isn’t available, you can always get your true to size fit and add an insole, this will fill some of the space in the toe box and deliver a more snug fit!
I always thought I was a size 5 until I started buying sneakers.
Paige, a writer at TSS, floats between a size UK 4.5 and UK 5 in AF1s depending on stock, and here’s what she had to say: “I always thought I was a size 5 until I started buying sneakers – now I have every size from 4 to 6.5 in my collection. For Air Force 1s, 4.5 delivers the perfect fit. They fit snugly, but not too snug, so the toe box doesn’t crease as much and they’re comfortable straight away. I’ve had to buy a size 5 in Shadows before because of stock, but once I added an insole, they were perfect! I don’t think I could get away with going a whole size down but hey, one day we might find out.”
Can I Wear Grade School Sneakers?
The short answer is yes! If you’re between the sizes of UK 3.5 and UK 6, you can buy and fit into Grade School sneakers which are usually about £40 cheaper than their adult counterparts. In terms of fit, there’s not much difference in sizing at all. The toe box can feel a little narrower, but for the size 6s among us, you can opt for a 24.5cm size 6 or a 25cm size 6 – so there’s a little wiggle room. When it comes to Grade School Air Force 1 sizing, all you need to know is that the same rules apply; you should still go half a size down if you can!
What I also love is that Grade School sizing is varied enough that if my size isn’t in stock, I still have the option to go up a size.
Tegan, Head of Creative at The Sole Supplier, opts for Grade School Nike sneakers whenever she can! She says: “I’m a size 4 so Grade School Nike Air Force 1 are perfect for me! I don’t have wide feet, so the toe box fits spot on, plus, they’re way cheaper than the adult sizes. What I also love is that Grade School sizing is varied enough that if my size isn’t in stock, I have the option to go up a size then get an insole. There’s a lot of misconceptions that Grade School sneakers are just for kids and teens, but if you can fit into them and they look exactly the same as the adult version, why not go for it?”
Are Nike Air Force 1s Comfortable?
Arguably one of the most comfortable Nike silhouettes out there, the Nike Air Force 1 is fitted with the brand’s Air unit underfoot which is meticulously designed by Nike engineers to ensure your weight is evenly spread throughout your foot. Not only does this ensure the Nike AF1 is comfortable enough for all-day wear, it means the shoe delivers on stability, keeping you steady on your feet whether you’re playing ball, lifting weights or going for brunch!
Air Force 1s are my go-to for city breaks, autumn walks and days roaming around London!
Kelly, a writer at TSS, says: “I always grab my AF1s if I know I’m going to be on my feet a lot that day. They’re my go-to for city breaks, autumn walks and days roaming around London! They’re so comfortable I don’t ever have to worry they’re going to rub or cause me any pain, and it helps that they’re bang on trend, too.”
Nike Air Force 1 Sizing For Wide Feet
If you have wide feet, you can still find the perfect pair of Nike Air Force 1s for you! As we mentioned earlier, the AF1 has quite a lot of space in the toe box, so we would recommend getting your true to size fit if you have wide feet. If you size down, you risk the sides of the toe box rubbing and generally just making the shoe uncomfortable!
Women’s Nike Air Force 1 Sizing
Both women’s and men’s Nike Air Force 1s fit the same. If you’re a size UK 6, you can go for a Grade School silhouette, a men’s sneaker or a women’s size and they’ll all fit the same! Lucky you. If anything, there might be slight differences in the width of the toe box, but the difference will be so small you’ll barely notice. So, one more time for the people at the back, men’s and women’s Nike Air Force 1s fit the same and you should go for half a size down in both.
Make sure to check out our other Sole Women's size guides below for all the best sizing tips and advice:
