How to Buy Chinese Running Shoes by CM Size: Li-Ning, Xtep, Anta, and Qiaodan
The fastest way to buy the wrong Chinese running shoe is to trust the US size on the listing.
Li-Ning, Xtep, Anta, Qiaodan, 361 Degrees, and BMAI can be excellent value. But the sizing tables are not always translated cleanly for US buyers, and different retailers may show slightly different conversions for the same shoe.
The short version: buy Chinese running shoes by centimeter length first, EU size second, and US size last. If you have wide feet, this matters even more, because sizing up for width can easily create heel slip and bad lockdown.
Quick answer
- Measure your foot in centimeters.
- Use the longer foot, not the average of both feet.
- Match CM or EU size on the actual product page.
- Do not blindly order your normal US size.
- If you have wide feet, do not size up more than half a size unless returns are easy.
Why CM sizing matters
US shoe sizing is a label. Centimeter length is a measurement.
That difference matters because imported Chinese running shoes often pass through several layers before they reach you: Chinese brand chart, retailer conversion, marketplace listing, and sometimes a translated US-size table. One small mismatch in that chain can put you in a shoe that is too short, too long, or just wrong.
CM sizing cuts through most of that noise. If your longer foot measures 27.0 cm, you can start with the shoe’s 27.0 cm or closest EU equivalent instead of guessing whether that brand’s US 9 means the same thing as Nike, ASICS, or New Balance.
The 5-step sizing method
- Stand on paper late in the day.
- Wear the socks you run in.
- Trace both feet while putting full weight on them.
- Measure heel to longest toe in centimeters.
- Use the longer foot when choosing size.
Do not measure while sitting. Your foot spreads under body weight, and that is the size the shoe has to handle during a run.
What to do if your feet are wide
Wide feet make Chinese running-shoe sizing trickier because most models do not come in formal 2E or 4E widths.
That leaves three options:
| Situation | Best move | Risk |
|---|---|---|
| Slightly wide forefoot | Try true CM size first if the model has enough toe room | May still feel snug at the sidewall |
| Between two sizes | Consider half size up if heel lockdown looks secure | Can make the shoe too long |
| True 2E or 4E foot | Choose a real wide-width brand instead | Single-width imports may not solve the problem |
| High instep | Check upper volume and tongue pressure | Sizing up may not add enough vertical room |
Length and width are different problems. A longer shoe is not automatically a wider shoe. It may only move the flex point forward and make the heel less secure.
CM vs EU vs US: which should you trust?
Use this order:
- CM / JP / Mondopoint length
- EU size
- Brand-specific US conversion
- Marketplace title or generic US dropdown
The product page’s own chart matters more than a random conversion table. If a retailer shows CM and EU together, use those first. If the listing only shows US sizes with no chart, I would be careful, especially for expensive shoes or hard-to-return imports.
Example: a 27.0 cm foot
If your longer foot measures 27.0 cm, do not simply order whatever you wear in Nike or New Balance.
Instead:
- find the product’s CM row
- check the matching EU size
- confirm whether the retailer calls that US 9, US 9.5, or something else
- read reviews for “runs short” or “true to size”
- only size up if the shoe is known to run short or your toes need a little more room
This is boring. It also saves returns.
Brand notes
| Brand | Sizing approach |
|---|---|
| Li-Ning | Use CM/EU first; Red Hare and Yueying listings can vary by seller |
| Xtep | Check the exact model chart; 2000km is a better wide-foot starting point than many race shoes |
| Anta | Treat US conversion carefully and read fit notes before buying |
| Qiaodan | Race-oriented models may fit snug, so returns matter |
| 361 Degrees | Use product-specific chart; do not assume Western-brand equivalence |
These are not hard rules. They are buying rules: slow down at the size chart before the shoe becomes expensive.
When to size up
Size up half a size only when at least one of these is true:
- your measured foot is between two sizes
- reviews repeatedly say the shoe runs short
- your toes touch the front at true CM size
- the retailer allows easy returns
- you know the heel and midfoot still lock down well
Do not size up just because your foot is wide. That is the classic wide-foot mistake.
When not to buy
Skip the shoe if:
- there is no usable size chart
- returns are unclear
- the listing uses only US sizing with no CM or EU reference
- reviews mention narrow toe box and you already have wide feet
- you need 2E or 4E and the shoe is single-width
There will always be another interesting Chinese trainer next month. Bad fit is not worth forcing.
Best Chinese shoes to research first
If you are wide-footed and still want to explore Chinese running shoes, start with the models that make the most sense for fit:
- Xtep 2000km 5 Pro if room and daily usability matter most
- Li-Ning Yueying 6 Pro if you want a cushioned Li-Ning daily trainer
- Li-Ning Red Hare 9 Ultra if you want the hype shoe and your feet are only slightly wide
- Best Chinese super trainers for wide feet if you want the full shortlist
Bottom line
Chinese running shoes can be a great buy, but they punish lazy sizing.
Measure in centimeters, use the product-specific chart, treat US sizing as a translation, and be honest about width. If your foot truly needs 2E or 4E, a single-width import is still a gamble. If your foot is only slightly wide, CM-first sizing gives you the best chance of getting the fun without the fit disaster.
New to the category? Start with the Chinese running shoes for wide feet guide, then compare the best Chinese super trainers for wide feet.