There’s Tiro 21, Tiro 23, and now even Tiro 24 Track/Training Pants. There’s also funny sizing. So how does a mom know just what to get?
Editor’s Note: Originally published in 2021, we update this post annually to include the new styles and retire the ones that are no longer available.
Your son needs his Tiro pants stash for the summer. But some mothers know just what to get and where, others are still looking for guidance (and links). So, due to your requests, we’ve put everything we know about Tiros into this post (and if we missed anything, feel free to comment below and share info).
There’s pros and cons to this trend.
Pro: A mom doesn’t need to search around anymore for pants or shorts that their son finds acceptable like we needed to in the ‘ol days. Not that it’s necessary to wear Tiros exclusively (Under Armour pants are also considered cool), but it does make it easier when all she needs to do is let him pick the same pants in a few different colors. Add a few T-shirts and their summer weekday wardrobe is done.
Cons: They’re probably more expensive than the alternative (depending on what you were buying before, if you can remember that far back). Usually, previous season Tiros (i.e. Tiro 21s) can be found at discounted pricing (i.e. $20-$25 in kids sizes).
About the Styles
Every couple of years, Adidas introduces a new style. The fit is just about the same, baggier at the top of the leg and tapered at the bottom. There’s a zipper on the bottom which has some function. And, there’s the iconic stripes down the sides. The Tiro 17s were a half stripe style with some mesh around the waist. They are not available anymore. The Tiro 19s feature a full stripe style with an asymmetrical strip of fabric across the front of the leg. Those are also no longer available. The Tiro 21s have a three-quarter stripe down the side and a piece of mesh over the top of the stripes. Tiro 23s have a diagonal stripe that goes around the bottom of the leg. Really, it’s all the same. Boys who are wearing the same clothes every day all winter long, though, like when there’s something that’s “new.”
An important note on colors and prices: The Tiro 21s were disappointing in that they did not come in the popular black on black color, rather there was a black/grey. Those who wanted black/black tried to snatch up the remaining Tiro 19s. I suppose Adidas got the memo because Tiro 23s and now the Tiro 24s as well come in black/black.
Whenever a new style comes out, the previous one is suddenly available at a discount, as with anything. So, the older the style, the better the price. Now that there is a Tiro24, the Tiro 23s have been slightly discounted.
About the Fit
Adidas pants are known to run large. For example, a boy who is a size 8-10 will start to wear a size small (until he reaches size 12 likely). A medium will definitely fit a boy who is wearing sizes 12-16. The Adidas sizing chart is not particularly accurate. We found that the larger boys’ sizes are larger than the smaller mens sizes. So, if your son needs something bigger than a medium, but the large is too large, try the mens’ x-small or small.
There are also toddler/little kids sizes and they likely overlap with the xx-small and x-small.
About the fit on Tiro 23s: Whether these feel slimmer or looser than the Tiro 21 will be different for every boy. You might need to buy a couple sizes and return the first time. Consistent with our experience on previous styles, once a boy outgrows the size medium, the next best size to get is a men’s XS. These will be smaller than the kid’s large. The kid’s large and the men’s small will be similar in sizing, except the kid’s one will have a shorter length.
About the Quality
When boys play rough, like any other clothing, Tiros will tear. But if they do make it through boy #1, they’ll still look great enough to pass on to boy #2. We’ve had boys pass along Tiros (miraculously, it’s a hand-me-down they actually accept).
Bottomline
For the best value, go with Tiro 21. If your son mostly only wants black/black, go with Tiro 23.
Where to Buy
Adidas will have the largest range of the latest style (Tiro 24 only), except they will always only be full price ($45 for kids and $50 for adults) and coupon codes are not applicable.
Amazon will often have the best prices on Tiro 21s and Tiro 23s. Tiro 24s are full price.
Here is where you can find each style in different size categories:
Thanks! This post is really helpful. Have you come across men's TALL Tiros for really tall boys?
Amazon lists Tall in their sizing, try it out. My son is 15 and 6’3 and wears a men’s XL regular with basketball sneakers. But if he would wear low sneakers it would be short. Hope this helps.
Thank you so much! Mine is 15 and 6'4" and quite slim so XL would probably be too big
This post is perfection and so timely!! I’ve found also on Nordstrom rack but obviously that’s hit or miss. Also beware on Amazon the search for Adidas Tiros also brings up pants that look like the sports material but may be Terry or Sweatshirt material so make sure to read descriptions or any details you can. Even with this I’ve received unexpected pants, but you can only try your best.
The tire 21s are beauties
Can you tell me where to get them from not from amazon
This is super helpful, thanks! Any advice on sports shirts for boys?
Hi any idea on the difference between the soccer and lifestyle?
I wish this article was written months ago….!
Which tiros are tapered at the calves? Training or tracking? My 9 yr old son is very skinny and his tiros 19 hang around his legs!
This is so helpful!!!! Wow, well done and so timely!
I would love some info on where to find the ‘extended sizing’ Tiros (extended sizing is what Adidas calls ‘plus’ sizes). My son is in between regular and husky, but not husky per se (I hope I’m making sense, lol. He basically needs an inch or two more in the hip area than the regular Tiro has. When we went up a size, the Tiros got waaay too long. I would hem them but the zippers close downward and end on the ankle, so I can’t shorten. Help! Would really welcome advice from someone who needs similar and has found a solution. Ty!)
The top of the bottoms are so ugly
Are the patches good quality?do they stay on? The reviews says doesn’t last long and I don’t wanna send to camp with them coming off and I won’t be there to fix it…
Anyone tried them? Any links for strong iron on patches would be appreciated:)
My son is more husky and I found these “adidas Men’s Aeroready Sereno Slim Tapered-Cut 3-Stripes Pants” was bigger on the waist with a tapered leg so no taking in or hemming. Hope this helps.
Tiros are also sold at Kohls. Look for coupons or sales!
they are so comfortable
Thanks Etty!
We tried the Adidas Sereno slim tapered but the length was waaaay too long (he’s 5’ 2”). Chaval they can’t really be shortened because of the ankle zipper and it was a big expense to have zippered taken out, pants shortened and shorter zippers put in.
Anyone else with a slightly husky boy- have ideas??? We tried the womens on a tip from someone else, but they weren’t cut the best way. He needs only a bit of extra space in the hip/tush/thigh area, otherwise the Tiros are skin-tight in those areas and doesn’t look good at all.
This is an interesting topic and I am looking forward to learning more about the differences between all the types of tiros in this updated blog post!
Is there any update on this year and the new tiros? What do you recommend for my son who needs something smaller than the small?
There is xs kids and xs adults.
Any ideas for a husky boy? He needs xl boys or small/ medium men, but they are all too long.don’t really want to get him a different type of pants as the boys in camp really only wear this one…. Any ideas? Gotta be more people with this challenge:) what are the solutions?:)