Top Picks: Leading Brands Dominating the Sports Shoe Arena

When it comes to finding the perfect sports shoes, selecting the right brand can make all the difference in performance and comfort. From innovative designs to advanced technology, certain brands have continually stood out for their dedication to quality and athlete satisfaction. Whether you’re a casual jogger or a competitive athlete, choosing the right brand can elevate your sports experience. Curious to know which brands make the cut on our list of the best sports shoe manufacturers? Read on below to discover our top picks.

Illustration of sports shoes

Best brands of sports shoes in 2025

Nike

Nike is one of the leading producers of sports shoes, dominating the market with a significant share. As of 2022, Nike holds 38.2% of the total footwear market and 30% of the athletic footwear market, marking a 67.6% increase in its athletic footwear market share since 2011. In the sneaker department, Nike commands a 38.5% market share, and it leads the basketball shoe market with an impressive 86% share as of 2019. The company produces over 800 million pairs of shoes annually, with a strong presence in both domestic and international markets, where 60% of its footwear revenue comes from international sales. Nike's footwear segment accounts for approximately 64.5% of its total company revenue from 2017 to 2022.

Adidas

Adidas is a prominent leader in the global sports shoe industry, commanding a 15.4% market share within the athletic footwear market as of 2022. The brand saw a 9.6% rise in footwear net sales in 2022, amounting to $11.4 billion, with its footwear division representing 55.1% of the company's total net sales. Adidas excels particularly in the performance and fashion/athleisure segments and has a strong influence in the NBA, with around 11.5% of players opting for Adidas shoes over the past four seasons. The brand also holds a dominant position in the male market, where 73% of its sales are attributed to men. Additionally, in 2019, Adidas captured 29% of the resale market for sneakers. For more detailed insights into their performance, visit Adidas shoes statistics.

Puma

Puma, founded in 1948 by Rudolf Dassler, is a leading producer of sports shoes, known for its innovative and performance-driven products. The brand holds a 1.2% share of the global footwear market and a 2.1% share of the global athletic footwear market, with a notable 5.1% share in the sneakers segment. In the NBA, Puma is the fourth most popular basketball shoe brand, averaging a 3.4% share over the past five seasons. Puma achieved a significant revenue of $4.6 billion in its footwear segment in 2022, marking a 28.8% year-on-year growth from 2021. The company aims to make at least 90% of its shoes with recycled materials by 2025. Read more about Puma's major brand campaign launched to strengthen its sports positioning.

Under Armour

Under Armour has emerged as a formidable player in the sports apparel and footwear market, surpassing Adidas to become the second-largest sports brand in the U.S. as of 2024. With U.S. apparel and footwear sales reaching $1.2 billion through August, Under Armour has captured 14% of the U.S. sports apparel market, more than twice that of Adidas. The company's sales have jumped 20% this year, driven by strategic endorsements, including NBA star Stephen Curry, and a strong presence in athletic specialty and sporting goods retailers. Under Armour's global expansion, particularly in China, and its innovative products like the Curry Brand and Connected Fitness platform, have further solidified its position. The brand aims to become the world's biggest sports brand by targeting key markets and expanding its retail outlets. For more insights into their journey, visit Under Armour's company history page.

New Balance

New Balance is a renowned producer of sports shoes, holding a significant market share globally and in the US. As of 2022, the company occupies 4% of the global shoe market and 10% in the US, with a notable 6% share in the athletic shoe segment and 7.3% in sneakers. In 2022, New Balance achieved a record-high $4.23 billion in shoe revenue, marking a 214.1% increase from 2008. The company produces approximately 16 million pairs of shoes annually, with 4 million manufactured domestically in the US. New Balance has also strengthened its presence in the NBA, reaching a 2.3% share in the 2022-23 season. For more detailed insights, visit their New Balance shoe statistics.

Asics

ASICS is a leading global athletic footwear brand, holding a significant 8.1% global market share and ranking as the fourth-largest athletic footwear brand worldwide. In the performance running footwear segment, ASICS maintains a strong presence with a 9.9% global market share as of 2019 and a 13.3% market share in the running shoe market as of January 2020. In the U.S., ASICS accounts for approximately 6% of the athletic footwear market share. The brand is known for its high-performance products and innovative technologies, such as GEL(tm) technology, and is committed to sustainability, evidenced by its recent launch of the world's lowest emissions shoe. ASICS continues to invest in marketing, product development, and brand positioning to strengthen its global presence. For more about the ASICS founder's story and brand history, visit their website.

Reebok

Reebok, once a dominant force in the sports footwear market, briefly surpassed Nike in the mid-1980s with sales of $1.82 billion in 1989, but its market share has since dwindled to just 1.1% in the sports footwear space and 0.3% in apparel as of recent years. Despite this decline, Reebok has seen a resurgence in sales, particularly driven by its classics division and retro sneaker lines, with a 3% sales growth reported after years of decline. The brand has been revitalized through increased marketing investments and improvements in its digital strategy. Reebok's retro sneakers, popular in the 80s and 90s, continue to be gamechangers in the market. Adidas, the owner of Reebok since 2005, has been focusing on making Reebok a consistently growing and profitable business. For more information on their products, you can visit the official Reebok website.

Brooks

Brooks Running has solidified its position as a leading producer of sports shoes, maintaining the No. 1 spot in the adult performance running footwear market at U.S. retail for the 11th consecutive quarter, with a 21.4% market share. The brand achieved a record $1 billion in global revenue by the third quarter of 2024, driven by a 10% year-over-year increase in North America and a 30% growth in the Asia Pacific-Latin America region. Brooks' success is also attributed to the record-breaking launch of the Ghost Max shoe and strong demand for other models like the Ghost, Glycerin, and Adrenaline GTS. The brand has consistently outpaced the total market, with a 22% year-over-year footwear revenue growth in the U.S. specialty retail channel. Brooks was voted the top brand for both training and race running shoes by more than 20% of participants in the 2024 Running USA Global Runner Survey. For more insights into their shoe lineup, visit Brooks Running's official website.

Saucony

Saucony is a renowned brand in the athletic footwear industry, boasting over a century of experience since its founding in 1898. With a market share of 5% in the US athletic footwear sector, Saucony is recognized for its high-quality, comfortable, and innovative shoes, such as the Kinvara, Endorphin, and Guide series, which utilize technologies like ISOFIT and EVERUN for superior fit and cushioning. The brand is owned by Wolverine World Wide and has a brand awareness of 40% among sneaker owners in the US, with 5% of these owners actually using Saucony shoes. Despite recent sales declines, Saucony is set to introduce new models and technologies, including the IncrediRUN foam, to enhance its product lineup. Known for its commitment to runners, Saucony continues to innovate and provide top-tier athletic footwear. Learn more about the history of Saucony.

Hoka One One

Hoka One One, founded in 2009 in Annecy, France, has emerged as a leading producer of sports shoes, particularly known for its maximalist running shoes. The brand has experienced extraordinary growth, with sales surging nearly 35% year-over-year, reaching $1.8 billion in annual sales for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024. Hoka's growth is driven by increased brand awareness, with U.S. brand awareness at approximately 40% and international awareness up 80% year-over-year. The brand is expected to continue its strong performance, with predicted sales growth of about 20% in the current fiscal year. Hoka's success has significantly contributed to Deckers Outdoor's earnings and stock performance. For more information about their innovative running shoes, visit the Hoka brand page.