I normally wear a size 7.5 US in the Spezial. I bought an 8 US in these. Regardless of nice, the fit is different. The toe box isn't as low as the Spezial and they are a little wider at the outer edges( not by much ) where your smallest toe would be. So they feel a little roomier. A size 8 US Spezial would probably feel longer, but the fit overall would still feel different because of the afformentioned differences in shape between the two shoes. Whether to size up or down ? sizing up worked for me , but if I hadn't done they would probably have still fit, albeit a little snugger. I actually had a 7.5 in the Gazelle Indoor years ago. They fit, but my big toe was basically touching the inside tip of the shoe, which wasn't an issue with the Spezial.