When it comes to Nike vs adidas football boots, the line matters more than the brand, because both make wide and narrow lines. At Nike, the Phantom 6 and the Tiempo are wider than the Mercurial. At adidas, the Copa Pure and the Copa Mundial are wider than the Predator and the F50. In fact, the widest Nike (Phantom 6) and the widest adidas (Copa Pure IV or Copa Mundial) are closer to each other than the widest and narrowest lines within either brand.
Below we show which lines are wide at each brand, how the sizing runs and where the sources disagree. Our verdicts are based on manufacturer information, fit notes from retailers and what players report. We do not run lab tests. The two cards at the top of this page show the Nike Phantom 6 and the adidas Copa Pure side by side.
Neither brand has a separate wide range, but both have lines built on a wider last. Nike itself describes the Mercurial as close-fitting and recommends the Tiempo or Phantom for wide feet.
At adidas, the Copa models are the widest, followed by the Predator. The F50 is narrow. If you are trying to find a home for a wide foot, look at the line first and the brand second.
Nike and adidas compared line by line
The table sets the main lines side by side, with the zones where pressure tends to build.
| Model |
Forefoot |
Instep |
Heel |
Material |
Size |
Who it suits |
| Nike Phantom 6 |
Extra toe height and forefoot width, wider than any Mercurial |
High volume, stretchy knit tongue |
Wide midfoot and roomy heel |
Flyknit or Gripknit, no break-in |
About a quarter of a size long |
Wide feet, high instep, kids with wide feet |
| Nike Tiempo Maestro |
Low, pointed toe box |
Low volume |
Wide, round heel |
TechLeather, does not stretch |
True to size, do not size down |
Wide midfoot and heel |
| Nike Mercurial Vapor and Superfly |
Narrow last, low pointed toe box |
Low volume |
Wraps tightly around the foot |
Atomknit, barely any stretch |
Snug, half a size up for more room |
Narrow to standard feet |
| adidas Copa Pure IV |
Roomy forefoot, high toe box |
Separate tongue, deep lacing |
Strong heel lock, a narrow heel can slip |
Calf leather, stretches |
Elite true to size |
Wide forefoot, high instep |
| adidas Predator |
Medium to wide forefoot, high toe box |
Moderate, FT version roomier |
External heel counter, a narrow heel works loose |
Textile mesh, 30 to 45 minutes of breaking in |
True to size |
Medium to fairly wide feet |
| adidas F50 Hyperfast |
Narrow to standard |
Low volume |
Suits a narrow heel |
Thin speed synthetics, no stretch |
True to size |
Narrow to standard feet |
Nike: Phantom wide, Mercurial narrow
The Nike Phantom 6 is the widest Nike, with extra toe height and a broad midfoot and heel. It has plenty of volume and suits a high instep. Bear in mind that the heel on the Low is particularly roomy, which lets a narrow heel slip.
The Tiempo Maestro is wide in the midfoot and heel, with a low toe box. The Mercurial Vapor and Superfly are the narrowest Nikes, junior sizes included, and we do not recommend them for wide feet. There is more on our page on Nike boots for wide feet.
adidas: Copa wide, Predator in the middle, F50 narrow
The Copa Pure IV has a roomy forefoot but a tapered midfoot. The Copa Mundial is built on a classic, wider last. The Predator has a medium to wide forefoot with a high toe box, but a tapered midfoot, and it needs breaking in.
The F50 Hyperfast is narrow to standard with low instep volume and is not designed for wide or flat feet. The F50 EVO and the Messi Elite are the more forgiving variants. There is more on our page on adidas boots for wide feet.
Which run bigger or smaller: Nike or adidas?
On the product pages of models such as the Tiempo Legend 10 Academy and the Vapor 17 Elite, Nike states that the boot fits snugly and that you can order half a size up for a roomier fit. The Phantom 6 runs about a quarter of a size long. The Tiempo Maestro is true to size and you should not size down. If you are unsure about sizing, read how Nike football boots fit.
At adidas, the Copa Pure IV Elite is true to size, and half a size down gives a glove-like fit once it is broken in. The Copa Mundial runs long, so go half a size to a full size down. The Predator is true to size. adidas also sells sizes in thirds, such as 46 2/3 and 47 1/3, which gives you more options than Nike does. Our guide on how adidas football boots fit goes into the detail.
Going half a size up for a roomier fit makes the boot longer, not wider. So do not size up for width.
Where do the sources disagree?
Sources differ on the adidas Predator. Some say it suits both wide and narrow feet, while others call the 2026 version narrower than its predecessor, with a tapered midfoot. We go with the more thorough review and rate it medium to fairly wide, with a caveat for a wide midfoot.
On the F50 Elite, one review leaves it off its list for wide feet, while another source calls the midfoot surprisingly roomy. Again we go with the more thorough review and call the F50 narrow to standard.
Nike or adidas for kids with wide feet
At Nike, the Phantom 6 is the pick for wide children’s feet: according to the sources, the junior sizes consistently come up wider. The Mercurial junior is the narrowest Nike. adidas makes junior versions of the Copa Pure (League and Club), the Predator (League and Club) and the F50, and of those the Copa Pure suits a wide foot best.
Leave room for growth and for thick football socks. There is more in our guide to wide fit kids football boots.
How to choose between Nike and adidas
- Wide forefoot and high instep: Nike Phantom 6 or the laced adidas Copa Pure IV.
- Wide midfoot and heel: Nike Tiempo Maestro.
- Classic leather: adidas Copa Mundial.
- Narrow or standard feet chasing speed: Nike Mercurial or adidas F50.
The most useful thing is to compare two lines head to head: Nike Tiempo vs adidas Copa and Mercurial, Phantom or Tiempo. If you are dealing with more than one complaint, use the football boot adviser.