The French Days by Brands
The French Days by brands bring together selections from seven equipment manufacturers: adidas for performance, adidas Originals for archive sneakers, Nike, Puma, Asics, and two handball specialists, Hummel and Kempa. It's a handy entry point when you already know the fit of a brand, its cushioning technologies, or the model you're targeting, whether for running, the gym, or the city.
For those who already know which brand they want.
What sets the seven brands in the selection apart
Each brand in the selection has its own area of expertise. adidas covers sports practice, from football to running, while adidas Originals, identifiable by its trefoil, reissues archive models like the Samba or the Gazelle. Nike focuses on its foams and Air cushioning unit, Puma on its nitrogen-injected Nitro foam, and Asics on the gel housed in the sole, launched in 1986. Hummel and Kempa primarily target handball players, offering team apparel, indoor shoes, and balls. During the French Days, these brands can be found at reduced prices for a few days in spring and autumn.
By brand
The French Days are organised by brand:
- Nike.
- adidas, performance and sport.
- adidas Originals, archive sneakers.
- Puma.
- Asics, running and Gel sneakers.
- Hummel, teamwear and handball.
- Kempa, handball.
Sizing and fit: comparing from one brand to another
The same shoe size doesn’t fit the same way across all brands. The most reliable reference is the length of the foot in centimetres, measured standing, heel against a wall, then compared to the guide of each manufacturer. The archive sneakers adidas Originals, like the Samba, have a narrow and low shape that can sometimes be uncomfortable for wider feet, while some Asics running shoes come in a wider width. For apparel, bust and arm length serve as the basis, taking into account the stated cut: a handball shirt is meant to be fitted, while a lifestyle sweat is more roomy.
The other French Days
The French Days are also available by category: sneakers, lifestyle, football, running, outdoor, indoor, racket sports, combat sports, on the French Days page.
From Herzogenaurach to Kobe: the story of the brands
Several brands in the selection share a common history. adidas, founded in 1949 by Adolf Dassler in Herzogenaurach, Bavaria, and Puma, established in 1948 by his brother Rudolf in the same city, were born from the separation of the two brothers. Asics comes from the company created in 1949 in Kobe by Kihachiro Onitsuka; its name, adopted in 1977, takes from the Latin motto Anima Sana In Corpore Sano. Hummel, founded in 1923 in Hamburg, owes its name to the bumblebee, and Kempa bears the name of Bernhard Kempa, a figure in German handball who left his name to a famous aerial pass. Finally, Nike takes its name from the Greek goddess of victory.
Good deals all year round
Good deals can also be found in the good plans, promotions, clearance, sales, Black Friday. The new arrivals showcase the latest collections, and items shipped in 24h are prepared and dispatched within 24 hours. The highlights of the year follow a stable order: Black Friday at the end of autumn, the end-of-year holidays, the winter sales, the French Days in spring, then the summer sales and back-to-school.
Frequently asked questions
Why does adidas have three stripes on its shoes?
The three stripes were originally reinforcements sewn onto the sides of the shoe to better hold the foot. adidas made it its signature from the beginning, and the pattern adorns both its shoes and its apparel today.
Who designed the swoosh for Nike?
The swoosh was designed in 1971 by Carolyn Davidson, then a graphic design student in Portland. This curved line evokes movement and speed and has accompanied the brand since its first shoes.
Why does Hummel display chevrons on its jerseys?
The double chevrons, placed on the shoulders and sleeves, are Hummel's graphic signature. They make its jerseys recognisable from afar, both on the field and in the stands, especially in handball.
Since when have the French Days been around?
The event was launched in 2018 by several French online retailers, following the model of major Anglo-Saxon sales events. It returns twice a year, in spring and then in autumn, for a few days.
Are clothing sizes the same for Nike and Puma?
Not always: each brand has its cuts, more or less fitted depending on the ranges. You compare your bust and waist measurements to the manufacturer's guide, taking into account the cut specified on the product sheet.
