Women’s Common Projects Sizing — How the Achilles Low Fits Compared to Nike and Adidas
Common Projects women sizing is one of the most-searched topics among first-time buyers, and for good reason — the Italian-made Achilles Low fits differently than the athletic sneakers most of us grew up wearing. The brand sizes its sneakers in European sizing only, and the last is noticeably narrower and longer than a typical Nike or Adidas court shoe.
We designed this guide to answer the sizing questions our customer-service team hears every day. You’ll learn how to measure your foot, how the Achilles Low compares to other popular sneakers, and what to expect from the first wear to the broken-in feel a few weeks later.
How Common Projects Sizes Compare to US Women’s Sizing
Common Projects uses Italian (EU) sizing, which runs about one full size larger than standard US women’s sizing. A US women’s 8 corresponds roughly to an EU 38, but the conversion isn’t perfect — the brand’s last is also cut narrower and slightly longer than most American athletic shoes.
In practice, many customers find that going down a half EU size from their usual conversion delivers the best fit. If you normally wear a US 8 (EU 38.5–39 in most brands), a 38 in Common Projects often feels closer to true-to-size. The standard shoe-size conversion charts treat EU and US sizes as directly interchangeable, but every brand’s last is unique — measuring your foot in millimeters is the most reliable starting point.
Measuring Your Foot for the Achilles Low
Stand on a piece of paper with your heel against a wall, mark the tip of your longest toe, and measure the distance in centimeters. Common Projects publishes an internal length chart: 24 cm typically fits a 37, 24.5 cm a 37.5, 25 cm a 38, and so on in half-size increments.
If your measurement falls between two sizes and you have average to narrow feet, size down. If your feet are wider or you prefer a roomier toebox, stay at the larger mark. The leather upper stretches about a quarter size over the first month of wear, so a snug day-one fit usually opens up to comfortable by week three.
Width Considerations
The Achilles Low is built on a narrow European last. Customers with wide feet or high arches often report that even the correct length feels tight across the ball of the foot. Common Projects does not offer width options, so if you know you need a wide fit in other brands, consider sizing up a half size or exploring the women’s sneaker styles that use a slightly more forgiving last.
Comparing the Achilles Low to Nike, Adidas, and Vans
If you wear a US 8 in Nike Air Force 1 or Adidas Stan Smith, you’ll likely wear a 38 in Common Projects Achilles Low — one half to one full EU size smaller than the Nike or Adidas EU equivalent. Both Nike and Adidas tend to run a bit generous in length and offer a wider toebox, so the narrower Italian last feels snugger even at the same stated size.
Vans and Converse, which also run narrow, offer a closer comparison. A US 8 in Vans Old Skool often translates directly to a 38 or 38.5 in Achilles Low, depending on whether you size Vans snug or with a bit of extra room. The key difference is that Common Projects leather stretches and molds to your foot, while canvas sneakers stay closer to their day-one shape.
What to Expect During the Break-In Period
The Achilles Low is constructed from full-grain Italian leather with minimal padding, so the first few wears feel stiff — especially across the tongue and around the heel counter. Most customers report noticeable softening after 8–10 hours of wear, and a fully broken-in feel by the end of the first month.
If the sneaker feels uncomfortably tight on day one, you likely need to size up. A correct fit should feel snug but not painful — you should be able to wiggle your toes, and the leather shouldn’t pinch across the widest part of your foot. Minor heel slip is normal at first and will disappear as the leather conforms to your foot’s shape.
For readers who want a deeper dive into fit nuances across the full lineup, our guide to sizing every Common Projects silhouette covers the Tournament, Retro Low, and other styles that size slightly differently than the Achilles.
When to Size Up, When to Size Down
Size down a half EU size if you have narrow to average-width feet, prefer a streamlined look, and don’t mind a snug first wear that will stretch. Size up a half size if you have wide feet, high arches, or plan to wear thicker socks — the leather will still mold to your foot, just with a bit more initial room.
If you’re between two measurements and the half-size isn’t available, go with the larger size and add a thin insole if needed. The Achilles Low in white is the brand’s most popular silhouette and tends to restock frequently, so waiting for your exact half-size is often worth it rather than forcing a full-size jump.
Finding Your Achilles Low Fit
Getting common projects women sizing right comes down to three steps: measure your foot in centimeters, compare that number to the internal length chart, and remember that the narrow Italian last typically requires sizing down a half EU size from your usual athletic-sneaker conversion. The leather will stretch and mold to your foot over the first month, so a snug initial fit is part of the design.
If you’re still unsure between two sizes, err on the side of the larger option — you can always add a thin insole, but a too-small sneaker won’t stretch enough to fix a painful fit. Most of our customers find that once they’ve dialed in their Achilles Low size, every other Common Projects silhouette follows the same rule.
Notes
Common Projects women sizing runs about a half to full size small compared to US athletic brands like Nike and Adidas. The Italian last is also narrower, so many customers size down a half EU size from their usual conversion but find the width snug at first. The leather stretches over the first month to a comfortable fit.
Not necessarily. Even though Common Projects uses EU sizing, the brand’s last is narrower and often runs smaller than other European sneaker brands. Measure your foot in centimeters and compare it to the internal length chart rather than relying on a generic EU conversion table.
Most customers report that the Achilles Low softens noticeably after 8 to 10 hours of wear and reaches a fully broken-in feel within three to four weeks. The full-grain leather stretches about a quarter size, so a snug day-one fit is normal and intentional.
The Achilles Low is built on a narrow last, so customers with wide feet often need to size up a half EU size for comfort. The leather does stretch, but if the ball of your foot feels pinched even after sizing up, the silhouette may not be the best match for your foot shape.
Return policies vary by retailer. If you order directly from Common Projects, unworn sneakers in original packaging are typically eligible for exchange within 14 days. Check the specific return window and condition requirements before removing tags or wearing the shoes outdoors.
Men’s and women’s Common Projects both use EU sizing, but the women’s range starts at smaller sizes and the last proportions differ slightly. A women’s 38 and a men’s 38 are not interchangeable — always shop within the correct gender category and use the measurement chart for that range.