This paper proposes a new approach of adaptive sliding mode controller designs for multiple‐input multiple‐output nonlinear systems with uncertainties of unknown bounds and limited available inputs. The goal is to obtain robust, smooth, and fast transient performance for real sliding mode control so that the phenomena of the slow response and the gain overestimation in most adaptive sliding mode controller designs can be greatly improved. We introduce an Integral/Exponential adaptation law with boundary‐layer targeting the reduction of the chatter levels of the sliding mode by significantly reducing the gain overestimation while simultaneously speeding up the system response to the uncertainties. The gain is further reduced when the system state is in the boundary layer. The simulation and experimental results demonstrate the proposed design. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.