Chunky shoes have been making waves in the fashion industry, bridging the gap between comfort and statement style. These bold footwear choices have gained popularity for their thick soles and eye-catching designs, adding an edgy touch to any outfit. Various brands have emerged as leaders in this trend, offering a range of options from the avant-garde to the timelessly classic. If you're interested in discovering which brands top the list for the most stylish and comfortable chunky shoes, read on to find out.
Illustration of chunky shoes
Best brands of chunky shoes in 2025
Balenciaga
Balenciaga is a renowned luxury fashion house that has significantly impacted the chunky sneaker market, particularly with its iconic Triple S model, which features three sole sections stacked on top of each other. This design has garnered substantial attention from sneakerheads and on social media, contributing to the brand's dominance in the high-end fashion segment. Under the creative direction of Demna Gvasalia since 2015, Balenciaga has experienced significant growth, with the brand estimated to have reached $2 billion in revenue by 2022. The brand's influence is evident in its market share, with Balenciaga being one of the top mentions in cities like New York, London, and Paris for dad shoes. Balenciaga's innovative and avant-garde designs have solidified its position as a leader in the chunky sneaker market.
Nike
Nike stands as a dominant force in the footwear industry, particularly in the chunky shoe segment, with a staggering 38.2% market share in the total footwear market as of 2022. In athletic footwear, Nike holds a 30% market share, and an impressive 38.5% in the sneaker market. The company's success is further highlighted by its 86% market share in performance basketball shoes as of 2019. Nike's global revenue from footwear reached $29.2 billion in 2022, accounting for 62.5% of its total revenues. With over 800 million pairs of shoes produced annually, Nike's influence in the footwear market is unparalleled. For more detailed statistics about Nike shoes, you can visit Nike shoes statistics.
New Balance
New Balance has emerged as a significant player in the chunky shoe market, leveraging its strong presence in the sneaker industry. In 2022, the brand achieved a record-high shoe revenue of $4.23 billion, with footwear accounting for 80% of its total revenue. New Balance holds a 4% global market share and a 10% market share in the US, with its sneakers making up 7.3% of the global and 3.4% of the US sneaker market. The brand's popularity was further boosted by its presence in the NBA, where it reached a 2.3% share in the 2022-23 season. New Balance's strategic growth and innovative products have made it a favorite among sneaker enthusiasts. For more detailed New Balance shoe statistics, click here.
Fila
Fila is a prominent player in the chunky sneaker market, known for its iconic and stylish designs. With a brand awareness of 86% among sneaker owners in the United States, Fila enjoys a significant presence, and 13% of sneaker owners in the U.S. own Fila shoes. The brand's loyalty is also notable, with around 8% of sneaker owners likely to purchase Fila again, indicating a strong customer loyalty of 62% among its owners. Fila's market share and customer loyalty contribute to its standing as one of the best producers of chunky shoes. The brand's popularity is further enhanced by its innovative designs and high-quality products.
Dr. Martens
Dr. Martens is a renowned brand with over 60 years of heritage, celebrated for its iconic and culturally significant chunky shoes. The brand, which originated in 1945, has become a symbol of self-expression and rebellious attitude, particularly popularized in the 1960s and 1970s by various subcultures. In recent years, Dr. Martens achieved a milestone by reaching £1 billion in annual revenue for the first time in FY23, with a direct-to-consumer (DTC) mix of 52% and strong growth in EMEA, including a 20% DTC growth in the region. Despite current challenges in the US market, the brand remains committed to its DOCS strategy and sustainability initiatives. Dr. Martens operates in over 60 countries and sells over 11.5 million pairs of footwear annually. For more information, visit their official website.
Gucci
Gucci, as one of the leading luxury brands, has made a significant impact in the chunky shoe market with its high-quality and distinctive designs. In 2023, the global chunky sneakers market, which includes brands like Gucci, was valued at USD 45.1 billion and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.9% from 2023 to 2030. Gucci's strong retail presence, with 183 stores in the Asia-Pacific region, contributes to its dominance in the luxury footwear segment. The brand's success is also driven by its high brand awareness and customer loyalty, characteristics that are crucial for luxury brands. Gucci's revenue is largely attributed to leather goods and shoes, making it a key player in the luxury footwear market. For more information, visit Gucci's official website.
Skechers
Skechers is a leading producer of chunky shoes, experiencing significant growth driven by this trend. In 2023, the company is expected to achieve $8.1 billion in revenue, a 55.8% increase from 2019, with international markets accounting for 60% of their sales. The brand saw a notable boost in the fourth quarter of 2018, with sales exceeding $1 billion, partly due to the chunky sneaker trend. By 2022, Skechers shipped nearly 267 million pairs of shoes worldwide, and their direct-to-consumer retail market share rose to 38%. The company's strong global infrastructure and strategic distribution channels have been key to their success. For more detailed insights, visit Skechers Shoes Statistics.
ASICS
ASICS has emerged as a leading producer of chunky shoes, particularly in the running and sports segments, with a notable 600% growth in 2024, making it the fastest-growing sneaker brand on StockX. The success of models like the Gel-1130 and Gel-Kayano 14, along with newer silhouettes such as the Gel-NYC and GT-2160, has significantly contributed to this growth. ASICS held a 0.79% global shoe market share in 2022, with footwear sales comprising 82.3% of the company's total net sales. The brand's performance running and core performance sports shoes were top sales contributors, generating $1,766 million and $370 million respectively in 2022. ASICS' innovative GEL™ technology has been a key factor in its popularity among runners. For more detailed statistics, visit ASICS shoes statistics.
Puma
Puma is a notable producer of chunky shoes, holding a significant presence in the global footwear market. As of 2022, Puma has a 1.2% share of the global shoe market and a 4% share of the athletic shoe segment in the United States. The company has seen continuous growth in footwear revenue, reaching $4.6 billion in 2022, with a projected increase to $6.2 billion by 2030. Puma also maintains a 5.1% share in the trainers market and is the fourth most popular basketball shoe brand in the NBA, averaging a 3.4% share over the past five seasons. With 35 million pairs of shoes produced annually, Puma's influence in the footwear industry is substantial.
Alexander McQueen
Alexander McQueen is renowned for its innovative and stylish footwear, particularly its chunky shoes, which have contributed significantly to the brand's growth. In 2020, despite the pandemic, Alexander McQueen had a record year with revenues exceeding EUR500 million, a figure five times greater than in 2010, with a compound annual growth rate of about 15% over the past six years. The brand's chunky-soled sneakers have been a key driver of this success, appealing to a wide range of customers, including younger clientele. Under Sarah Burton's creative direction, the brand has expanded its product assortment, including popular accessories like the chunky-soled trainers, which have been a hit in retail networks across North America and Asia-Pacific. This strategic expansion has helped Alexander McQueen maintain its position as a rising star in the luxury fashion industry.
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