# Nike vs Adidas (2026): cashback, caps, and exclusions compared

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A comparison of Nike and Adidas on cashback through ShopBack: per-order caps, excluded product lines, and how to avoid the common exclusions that catch shoppers off guard.

By Jia, Editor-in-Chief (https://discover.shopback.com/authors/jia). Published: 2026-08-13. Last updated: 2026-08-13.

Verdict: Both Nike and Adidas pay percentage cashback on eligible purchases through ShopBack, but both carry meaningful exclusions. Nike caps cashback per order and excludes new releases, Air Jordans, and SNKRS purchases; Adidas excludes Y-3, Yeezy, Samba, Gazelle, and orders over $1,500. Checking the exclusion list before you buy matters at both stores.

## How does cashback work at Nike and Adidas on ShopBack?

Nike cashback on ShopBack covers eligible purchases on Nike.com, with a cap per order. The rate is periodically boosted well above its standard level. New releases, Air Jordans and Air Jordan Retros, and anything bought through the Nike SNKRS app are always excluded regardless of promotion.

Adidas cashback on ShopBack is a flat percentage on eligible adidas.com purchases. Co-branded collaborations such as Y-3 and Yeezy, and the Samba, Gazelle, Spezial, and EVO SL styles are excluded. Orders over $1,500 and those containing 9 or more of the same item are also excluded.

## How do the cashback structures differ between Nike and Adidas?

Nike applies a cap per order, so a single large order earns cashback only up to the stated maximum regardless of total spend above the cap. Adidas does not state a per-order cap in its current terms, but its order-value ceiling ($1,500) and same-item quantity limit (9 or more) limit very large purchases.

Both are Fashion-category merchants on ShopBack, paying a percentage of the qualifying order subtotal excluding taxes, fees, and gift card purchases. Both exclude orders using promo codes not featured on ShopBack, though Adidas notes that certain codes (rather than all unlisted codes) can void eligibility.

## Which product exclusions catch shoppers off guard?

At Nike, the SNKRS app exclusion is the most common surprise: if you find a product in the SNKRS app and complete the purchase there, no cashback applies. Buy through Nike.com after clicking through from ShopBack instead. Air Jordans, new releases, and HyperAdapt, HyperIce, and Hurley wetsuit products are also excluded.

At Adidas, the Samba and Gazelle exclusion surprises many shoppers: despite being two of the best-selling casual silhouettes, both are listed as excluded lines alongside Y-3, Yeezy, Spezial, and EVO SL. Check the current exclusion list on the ShopBack Adidas page before buying any popular Adidas style.

## Nike vs Adidas cashback on ShopBack

- Cashback type: Nike: Percentage on eligible Nike.com purchases, capped per order | Adidas: Flat percentage on eligible adidas.com purchases
- Per-order cap: Nike: Yes; current cap shown on the live ShopBack Nike page | Adidas: None stated in current terms
- High-order restriction: Nike: Per-order cap limits returns on large orders | Adidas: Orders over $1,500 or with 9 or more of the same item excluded
- Notable excluded lines: Nike: New releases, Air Jordans and Retros, SNKRS app purchases | Adidas: Y-3, Yeezy, co-branded lines, Samba, Gazelle, Spezial, EVO SL
- Promo codes: Nike: Codes not featured on ShopBack can void cashback | Adidas: Certain promo codes can void cashback

## FAQ

Q: Which pays more cashback, Nike or Adidas?

A: Rates vary with promotions and are not fixed at either brand. Nike applies a per-order cap that limits returns on larger orders; Adidas does not state a per-order cap in its current terms. Compare the live rates on the ShopBack Nike and ShopBack Adidas pages before buying.

Q: Do Air Jordans earn ShopBack cashback at Nike?

A: No. Air Jordans and Air Jordan Retros are excluded from Nike cashback, along with new releases and anything bought through the SNKRS app. Buy eligible products on Nike.com via a ShopBack click-through instead.

Q: Are Adidas Sambas or Gazelles eligible for ShopBack cashback?

A: No. The Samba, Gazelle, Spezial, and EVO SL styles are specifically excluded from Adidas cashback, along with Y-3, Yeezy, and other co-branded collaborations. Check the exclusion list on the ShopBack Adidas page before buying.

Q: Can I earn ShopBack cashback on both Nike and Adidas?

A: Yes. Both are in-network ShopBack merchants, and you can hold cashback sessions with each. Check the exclusion lists for both before buying, since each brand excludes popular product lines that many shoppers expect to earn on.

## Sources

Facts on this page were checked against these primary sources on 2026-08-13:

- Nike: official site: https://www.nike.com (accessed 2026-08-13)
- Adidas: official site: https://www.adidas.com (accessed 2026-08-13)
- ShopBack: official site: https://www.shopback.com (accessed 2026-08-13)

About the author: Jia, Editor-in-Chief, ShopBack. Jia is Editor-in-Chief of ShopBack’s editorial team. She covers consumer pricing, sale-cycle timing, and retailer comparisons across Australia, Singapore, and the United States. Her reporting draws on ShopBack’s internal merchant pricing data and primary sources including retailers’ own sale histories and government statistics. Author page: https://discover.shopback.com/authors/jia. Full bio: https://www.shopback.com/blog/authors/jia.
