The ultimate guide to Nike shoes: Your questions answered…

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Everything you need to know about Nike shoes

One of the largest (and most popular) sportswear brands in the world, few people haven’t heard its name – and for good reason. With a mission to “bring inspiration and innovation to every athlete in the world”, Nike has become synonymous with groundbreaking innovation, empowering movements and sporting excellence.

Nike has etched its way from running tracks to your local high-street, and has solidified its position as the uncontested trainer giant by continuously developing high-performance designs over the last 50 years.

But, what secrets does the almighty Swoosh hold, who owns the brand and how do you pronounce Nike? Our complete guide answers the most frequently asked questions about Nike, featuring everything from shoe size charts to brand history and styling tips.

Nike’s history: When was Nike founded & who by?

You could be forgiven for thinking that Nike must have been founded long before 1964 – it is, after all, the largest manufacturer in athletic footwear and sportswear. Bill Bowerman, a track-and-field coach, and track athlete and business student at the University of Oregon, Phil Knight, started selling Onitsuka Tiger footwear from the boots of their cars at track meets under the name ‘Blue Ribbon Sports’.

It wasn’t until 1971 that the pair began to sell their own shoes, with the now world-famous “Swoosh” logo and brand name, Nike; both of which were put forward by Carolyn Davidson, a graphic design student at Portland State University.

It seems unbelievable now that Phil Knight apparently didn’t love the logo, but with looming production deadlines, said it would grow on him in time. The brand name hasn’t been a part of the logo since 1995 – so it really must have grown on them! Today, Nike shoes are predominantly made in China and Vietnam, with factories also in Indonesia and Thailand.

Previously the Chairman and CEO of Nike (now Chairman Emeritus), Phil Knight owns Nike – along with his son, Travis Knight, and the trusts/holding companies they control standing as the largest Nike shareholders. With Nike currently said to be worth an incredible $34.35 billion, Phil Knight was recently ranked by Forbes as the 26th richest person in the world.

What does Nike stand for?

We dig deeper into the origin of Nike’s name & how to pronounce it.

In Greek mythology, Nike was the Winged Goddess of Victory and according to legend, she would appear in battlefields to reward champions with glory and fame. We don’t know the extent to which Carolyn Davidson looked into Nike’s name origin, but it’s certainly very fitting for a sports brand worn by so many athletic greats!

Contrary to popular belief, Davidson’s Swoosh was not designed as a tick mark, but as Knight requested, a logo that “had something to do with movement”. For many people, the design is now synonymous with style, success, fitness and determination.

The great debate: How to pronounce Nike

One of life’s big questions – the answer to “how do you pronounce Nike?” has been disputed almost as much as the ‘scone’ debate (let’s not go there). Believe it or not, there is a correct way to say the brand’s name – and it may not be the option you’re used to if you’re in the UK.

Proven by Phil Knight himself when two men sent a letter asking if it was Nike or Nikey, the correct way is the latter, pronounced “Nai-kee”. We’re as shocked as you are!

Nike shoe size guide

One of the most asked questions: do Nike trainers run small or are they true to size? As with many brands, Nike trainers are converted from American sizes so there’s potential for inconsistency. This can depend on the style you’re going for as some models are reported to fit true to size, but when compared to brands such as adidas, some customers find that Nike shoes run smaller in both length and width so recommend buying at least a size up.

The only way to be sure is to shop in-store, so our shoe-fitting experts can measure your feet and help you to find the right size. But, if you can’t make it to your local store, our Nike shoe size charts for men, women and kids will help you to find your size.

Nike shoe size chart for men

UK US (MENS) EUR CM
6 6.5 39 24.5
6 7 40 25
6.5 7.5 40.5 25.5
7 8 41 26
7.5 8.5 42 26.5
8 9 42.5 27
8.5 9.5 43 27.5
9 10 44 28
9.5 10.5 44.5 28.5
10 11 45 29
10.5 11.5 45.5 29.5
11 12 46 30
11.5 12.5 47 30.5
12 13 47.5 31
12.5 13.5 48 31.5
13 14 48.5 32

Nike shoe size chart for women

UK US (Women’s) EUR CM
3 5.5 36 22.5
3.5 6 36.5 23
4 6.5 37.5 23.5
4.5 7 38 24
5 7.5 38.5 24.5
5.5 8 39 25
6 8.5 40 25.5
6.5 9 40.5 26
7 9.5 41 26.5
7.5 10 42 27
8 10.5 42.5 27.5
8.5 11 43 28
9 11.5 44 28.5
9.5 12 44.5 29
10 12.5 45 29.5

Nike shoe size chart kids (infants & juniors)

UK US (C = Child, Y = Youth) EUR CM
1 1.5C 16.5 7.5
1.5 2C 17 8
2 2.5C 18 8.5
2.5 3C 18.5 9
3 3.5C 19 9.5
3.5 4C 19.5 10
4 4.5C 20 10.5
4.5 5C 21 11
5 5.5C 21.5 11.5
5.5 6C 22 12
6 6.5C 22.5 12.5
6.5 7C 23.5 13
7 7.5C 24 13.5
7.5 8C 25 14
8 8.5C 25.5 14.5
8.5 9C 26 15
9 9.5C 26.5 15.5
9.5 10C 27 16
10 10.5C 27.5 16.5
10.5 11C 28 17
11 11.5C 28.5 17.5
11.5 12C 29.5 18
12 12.5C 30 18.5
12.5 13C 31 19
13 13.5C 31.5 19.5
13.5 1Y 32 20
1 1.5Y 33 20.5
1.5 2Y 33.5 21
2 2.5Y 34 21.5
2.5 3Y 35 22
3 3.5Y 35.5 22.5
3.5 4Y 36 23
4 4.5Y 36.5 23.5
4.5 5Y 37.5 23.5
5 5.5Y 38 24
5.5 6Y 38.5 24
6 6.5Y 39 24.5
6 7Y 40 25

How to style Nike trainers…

Keep reading for our top tips for styling Nikes for every occasion.

They may have found popularity on sports tracks, fields and courts, but today there are no limits on wearing Nike footwear for a whole host of occasions. With the brand offering comfortable fits in colourways and designs to tick every box, you’ll have no trouble finding your perfect pair.

With denim jeans

Dress code stating casual but not sure how to wear your Nikes with jeans?

Here, it’s more about choosing the right jeans to wear with your Nikes. To master this classic look, your jeans should fit well. Baggy trousers and trainers can look overly scruffy, so pick a tailored style (that could be straight-leg, slim-fit or skinny) and make sure to choose a length that works with your sneaker’s silhouette.

For example, high-top trainers will look good with cropped jeans or ankle grazers, but low-top styles will better suit full-length denim. Choose understated black or blue jeans and keep your sneakers looking box-fresh with some shoe protection spray or dab-on whitener.

To the office

This one may need careful consideration and depends on your company’s dress codes, but in some cases, wearing your Nike trainers to work isn’t a complete no-go. With many job fields leaning towards smart-casual clothing (this includes dress-down Fridays!), it’s a great opportunity to sneak a sleek pair of Nikes into a work outfit.

Choose your kicks carefully though; steer clear of canvas, knit or mesh and instead opt for leather or suede options in block colours like black or white for a clean yet contemporary look. Choosing Nike designs with less obvious branding can also work well for more formal environments.

For a night out

To trainer, or not to trainer, that is the question.

With the relaxation of dress codes throughout offices, bars and even clubs, the fact that 20% of people have still been turned away from a nightspot for wearing trainers is a hot topic, so we wrote a blog post about it.

In short, if you want to wear trainers on a night out, you’re taking a risk. However, if casual footwear is simply more your style or you live for danger, try smarter all-black or navy Nikes with minimal detailing – white trainers, bright colourways and obvious logos guarantee a premature taxi ride home.

How to wash Nike trainers

The temptation is strong, but Nike warns against putting your trainers in the washing machine as they could lose their shape, fade or break your machine. Also, don’t use harsh cleaning products such as bleach to avoid ruining your precious sneakers.

Nike’s recommended method is simple and only requires a dry brush (or old toothbrush), some mild laundry detergent and a soft cloth or microfibre towel. Bear in mind that leather or suede Nike shoes may also need specialist cleaning solutions. Find out more about revitalising your favourite footwear in our shoe care guide.

  1. Gently remove dry dirt from the shoe’s exterior with a soft-bristled brush, focusing on any hard-to-reach areas (an old toothbrush would come in handy here).
  2. Mix a small amount of the detergent into a large bowl of warm water to make a mild cleaning solution.
  3. Remove the laces and submerge them into the cleaning solution, massaging any particularly grubby areas. Pat with a dry cloth and leave to air-dry. Repeat if there are any stubborn marks or opt for a new pair here.
  4. Dip the brush into the soapy solution and scrub the outsoles and midsoles, again making sure you pay attention to any grooves or detailing.
  5. Clean the uppers with a cloth or soft-bristled brush, dampened in the mild solution.
  6. Use a clean, dry cloth or microfibre towel to wipe any remaining suds and dirt away, repeating this process if necessary.
  7. Allow your shoes to air-dry for 24 hours away from any heat or light sources.
  8. If your insoles need freshening up, use a deodorising spray or a pair of odour-control insoles. For more expert tips on how to keep your kicks odour-free, check out our handy guide.

Where to buy Nike trainers

Has our guide tempted you to treat yourself to a brand-new pair of Nikes? It’s your lucky day; our selection of cheap Nike trainers for men, women and kids offers the latest styles at incredible prices.

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