Top Shoe Brands You Need to Know for Style and Comfort

In today's fashion-forward world, selecting the perfect pair of shoes goes beyond mere aesthetics; it combines style, comfort, and durability. Several brands have risen above the rest, consistently delivering exceptional footwear that caters to diverse tastes and needs. Whether you're on the hunt for athletic sneakers, luxury heels, or reliable everyday wear, the right brand can make all the difference. To explore a curated list of the top shoe brands renowned for their quality and innovation, read on below.

Illustration of shoes

Best brands of shoes in 2025

Nike

Nike, founded in 1964, is a leading global producer of athletic footwear, manufacturing over 800 million pairs of shoes in 2023 alone, and holds a significant 16.4% global market share in 2024, making it the most valuable apparel brand with a brand value over $30 billion. The company's digital presence is also strong, with over 124 million visits to Nike.com in March 2024, and it continues to innovate with products such as the Air Max line. Shop the latest Nike collection.

Adidas

Adidas, a leading sportswear brand, manufactured 419 million pairs of shoes in 2022, achieving a 14.7% market share in the sneaker segment, with footwear accounting for 55% of its sales; despite a slight revenue decrease of 2.22% to $23.19 billion in 2023, Adidas maintains its position as a major player in the athletic footwear market, targeting 100% use of recycled polyester by 2024, and with a significant portion of its market dedicated to men (73%). Explore their diverse product range on the official Adidas website.

New Balance

New Balance, a leading athletic footwear and apparel company, boasts an 88% brand awareness among sneaker owners in the U.S. as of 2024, with a 40% favorability rating, and holds approximately 4% of the global shoe market share while experiencing a significant 23% revenue increase reaching $6.5 billion in 2023, driven by their popular models and strategic collaborations. New Balance has also climbed to the 6th spot of the most popular basketball shoes in the NBA during the 2022-23 season, capturing a 2.3% share. As a company committed to social responsibility and innovation, New Balance continues to expand, with plans to open 90 new stores in 2024. Check out their products at New Balance's website.

Puma

Puma, founded in 1948 by Rudolf Dassler, is the third-largest sportswear manufacturer globally, achieving record sales of €8.6 billion in 2023, with footwear representing over 50% of their sales, specifically €4.58 billion. Puma's direct-to-consumer sales increased by 17.5% in 2023, indicating strong brand desirability and a growing online presence. The brand has been trying to incorporate more edge and uniqueness into their designs with collaborations with celebrities and fashion designers. Puma targets an operating profit of between €590 million and €670 million. Explore their diverse product line.

Reebok

Reebok, established in 1895 as J.W. Foster and later rebranded, became a leading athletic footwear brand, notably achieving the number one market share in the U.S. during the 1980s and experiencing record net sales of $1.39 billion in 1987 after acquiring Avia; the brand is known for innovative designs such as the Nano X4 and classic styles like the Classic Leather. Reebok continues to produce high-quality fitness and running shoes, with the Floatride Energy line being a core part of their current offerings, although the brand was sold by Adidas in 2022 for 353 million euros. You can explore their products here.

Converse

Converse, established in 1908, is a renowned American brand, which has sold over 600 million pairs of their iconic All-Stars by the end of the millennium, capturing a significant 70-80% of the basketball shoe market in the 1960s and remains a popular lifestyle choice with over $2.4 billion in revenue in 2023, while 19% of sneaker owners in the US are likely to purchase again. As of 2023, footwear accounts for nearly 89% of their total revenue. You can find their products at Converse's official website.

Under Armour

Under Armour, established in 1996, has become a prominent sportswear brand, achieving the second-best selling position in the U.S. market, with a 20% sales increase in one year, and its footwear sales reached $1.38 billion in 2024, demonstrating significant growth, while they also have a 14% share of the US apparel market. Their innovative technologies, such as UA Flow, UA HOVR, and UA Charged, have contributed to their success in producing high-performing athletic shoes, which have seen a 27% revenue increase recently; their popular models include the Curry line and Speedform series, recognized for their unique designs and performance. You can explore their wide range of athletic shoes on their official website.

Asics

Asics, founded in 1949 in Japan with the philosophy of "a sound mind in a sound body," is a leading producer of athletic footwear, particularly in performance running, where they command over 10% of the global market, while in the overall sport lifestyle footwear market their share is 4.3% in 2024. The brand, initially known as Onitsuka, gained recognition for its innovative designs like the "Tiger Stripes" first featured on the Mexico 66 and has consistently delivered high-performance shoes such as the GEL-KAYANO™ (first released in 1993) and GEL-NIMBUS™ (first released in 1999) series. Despite a small 1.6% share of the broader global sportswear market in 2024, Asics enjoys a high level of customer loyalty, with 75% of their owners in the U.S. likely to purchase again. Asics continues to evolve with new cushioning technologies and designs, like the Metaspeed line, solidifying their position as a top choice for runners and athletes worldwide.

Skechers

Skechers, founded in 1992, has grown to be a leading global footwear brand, achieving a record annual revenue of $8 billion in 2023, representing a 7.5% year-over-year increase, with a market share of approximately 6% as of Q3 2024, and enjoys a high brand loyalty with 82% of owners in the US likely to repurchase; the company has received numerous accolades, including being named "Company of the Year" multiple times by Footwear Plus and Footwear News, and it is known for its comfort technology and diverse product range for men, women, and children. You can find more about their products.

Vans

Vans, established in Anaheim, California, is a popular American brand recognized by over 80% of sneaker owners in the US, holding a 6.1% share of the US footwear market in 2021, and while experiencing a 24% decrease in global revenue in fiscal year 2024, they still sold over 105 million pairs of shoes in 2023, appealing particularly to Gen Z, with 39% of sneaker owners from this generation owning a pair. You can find their products on their official website: Vans Official Website.