TOP 10 MEN SHOE BRANDS IN INDIA
These days, footwear has become an integral part of a men's closet. Like women, Men also love shoes and have at least dozen pairs to match different occasions and attire. The type of shoes you wear depict your personality and status. Good shoes not only add to your overall personality but also contribute to a healthy and active lifestyle. Indian footwear industry is growing tremendously and a lot of foreign investment is also taking place as more and more people are getting aware of latest fashion and trends. Various domestic and international Men Shoe brands have entered the Indian market. Many of these are unisex shoes and hence wearable by both men and women. Top shoe brands focus on providing comfort and style to their customers. We have shortlisted 10 top shoe brands for men in India for the year 2019 below:
1. Reebok :
Reebok is one of the leading multinational footwear brand dealing in sports shoes, apparel and sports accessories. It is a subsidiary of Adidas and is known for its quality, original designing and appeal. Reebok shoes are durable and comfortable to wear. They come in a varied price range starting from Rs. 500 and go up to Rs. 10,000. Between the price range of Rs. 2000 - Rs. 3000, you can choose from the models like Reebok Sprint Affect running shoes, Ride Lite running shoes and Reebok Zest. Their affordable shoe range below INR 1000 includes Reebok Athletic Run, Transit Runner and more. Their high-end premium models are Reebok CrossFit shoes like Reebok Crossfit Nano 7.0, Crossfit Nano Pump 2.0 and Reebok Dash TR LP, REALFLEX TR, Reebok TRAIN among others. Their upgraded RopePro technology and a Kip Klip helps in speed training and CrossFit high-impact workouts to a great extent.
2. Woodland :
Woodland's parent company Aero Group is a well known and established name in outdoor shoes since 1950 and launched Woodland brand in 1992. The brand gained immense popularity in a short span of time owing to its quality, durability and latest designs. They make rough and tough shoes, boots which are apt for outdoor adventure and rough terrain. They sport off terrain look best suited for "sturdy mountaineer". At present, the brand has 350 exclusive outlets across the world and is present in at least 3000 multi-brand stores in various countries.
3. Nike :
Nike is a leading international brand which deals with the design, development, manufacturing and global marketing and sales of its footwear and apparels. It is an American multinational Fortune 500 company based at Portland, Oregon. It is one of the top sports business brand and also the biggest sports equipment manufacturer with a turnover of around $26 billion. They come in different types, sizes and colours and hence choose the right model according to your preference and budget. For a casual look, they have canvas shoes which are teamed up with a shirt and blue denim for perfect look and feel. Nike offers shoes in various categories like running, golf, snowboarding, skateboarding, basketball, soccer, tennis, football etc.
4. Bata :
Founded by Thomas Bata in 1894, Bata has been serving the Indian market for more than 120 years. Bata is the biggest retailer and manufacturer of shoes in India. It manufactures a wide variety of footwear from environmentally conscious shoes to high-tech heels. It has more than 5000 retail stores in the different parts of the world. They offer a huge variety of products like casual shoes, formal shoes, sports shoes and sandals in unique and impressive designs. The company owns premium brands like Hush Puppies, North Star and Dr Scholl's. It is supposedly the first shoe brand in India to have been given the ISO: 9001 certification.
5. Adidas :
Adidas is popular for its unique designs and quality in sports clothing, accessories and shoe range. They offer comfortable sneakers and sports shoes for men and women, ideal for running, trekking, adventure and outdoor activities. This German multinational company was founded by Dassler brothers – Adi and Rudolph. It is the second largest sportswear company in the world with an annual turnover of around $23 billion.
6. Liberty :
Liberty, a globally renowned brand, features among the top five leather shoe manufacturers in the world. It has its headquarters in Karnal, Haryana and operates in 25 countries including Germany, Italy and Asian countries. It has 400 exclusive showrooms and over 6000 multi-brand outlets. It offers a huge range of casual and formal men shoes and sandals at the reasonable price.
7. Puma :
Puma is a globally renowned footwear and apparel brand which was launched in 2005 and sells its merchandise through online stores as well as retail outlets in India. It is among the top five sports shoe and apparel manufacturers. Puma shoes are comfortable, durable and pair them with Puma polo t-shirts and blue jeans to get the cool and smart look. Puma's IGNITE range of running shoes are most popular and are high on style and functionality. Their best selling sports shoes are evoPower football shoes and evoSpeed cricket shoes.
8. Action :
Action is a leading manufacturer of shoe brands for men, women and children in India. It offers a wide range of products under the brand names like Flotter, Milano, Campus, Fun Time, Micro, Mausam and Synergy. They are affordably priced and are popular among masses and youth since the past three decades. Their casual shoes include canvas shoes, moccasins, loafers and even party wear shoes in multiple colour options like black, brown, maroon and even white colour. They may not be stylishly designed but they have good features that can keep you comfortable throughout the day. They are best suited for all the occasions- formal, casual or semi-formal occasions and shop online to find the right footwear you need.
9. Lee Cooper :
Lee Cooper is widely popular for its exquisite range of apparels, accessories and footwear in over 70 countries across the globe. They have a huge variety of formal leather shoes, casual shoes and flip-flops providing comfort and style to the users.
10. Fila :
Last but not the least is an Italian sports brand Fila which was bought by a South Korean businessman in 2007 making it one of the largest sportswear company in South Korea. It provides a wide range of sportswear and accessories which are mostly available at online stores than at retail outlets.
Also read - How to Choose Men's Shoes: Ultimate Buying Guide
Apart from the above top shoes brands, the following brands also deserve an equal mention without which the list remains incomplete. The other brands of shoes popular in India are as under:
(a) Hush Puppies:
Established in 1958, Hush Puppies is a multinational brand selling around 17 million pairs of shoes in a year to over 165 countries. They make casual lifestyle shoes which are stylish yet soft, comfortable and breathable. As a brand Hush Puppies is also into accessories and apparel apart from footwear. Its shoes are an epitome of dependable comfort and quality.
(b) Lotto:
An Italian sportswear brand, Lotto debuted as a sports footwear manufacturer in June 1973. The collection from Lotto might not be the most modern or trendy as compared to other popular brands in the Indian market, but the footwear can be your choice if you are having a tight budget and looking for a value for money proposition. Apart from sports footwear like running shoes, football shoes etc., Lotto also sells inners, jerseys, sandals and slippers in the Indian market.
(c) Lancer:
Lancer was founded in 1989 by an Indian entrepreneur and is a wholly Indian shoe brand. Its manufacturing facilities are state of the art and based in Delhi and Haryana. Lancer produces affordable footwear at reasonable prices. Its product line for the Indian market includes good quality footwear tailored to suit the Indian fashion styles and bear a distinct statement of our culture. The range of footwear made by Lancer includes sports shoes, sandals, slippers, school shoes, bellies, moccasins, canvas shoes, safety shoes and kids footwear.
(d) Red Tape:
Red Tape is an Indian shoe brand owed by an Indian conglomerate Mirza International. It has merged as a stylish lifestyle brand with a reputation for quality, design and craftsmanship. Red Tape also has a presence in UK, USA, France, Germany, West Asia and South Africa. The company forayed into apparel sector in 2006 making various items like Shirts, T-Shirts, Jackets, Trousers, Denims, Sweaters and Accessories such as Belts and Wallets. Red Tape is know for high end and fashion footwear.
(e) Converse:
Converse footwear is an American company established in 1908 and has been a Nike subsidiary since 2003. Primarily into athletic shoes characterized by All Star's rubber sole. rounded smooth toe and wrap-around strip. Converse has a small market presence in India with a dedicated niche of customers, but with its new headquarters at downtown Boston and an aggressive marketing initiative, the brand is set to increase its presence in India.
(f) Relaxo,
(g) Valentino,
(h) Force 10 by Liberty,
(i) New Balance,
(j) Numero Uno,
(k) Paragon,
to name a few. The Indian market, however, continues to be dominated by the 10 Brands with the others fighting hard to make their mark.
Top Shoe brands this Summer
Shopping for summers is a lot more fun including footwear and clothing such as sweaters, jackets etc. Be it a party, a formal event or a casual occasion, you can explore a lot of styles and designs among the wide range of variety available in the market. In summers, go for a lightweight, flexible, socks free, machine washable and cool footwear such as sneakers, canvas shoes, loafers and joggers. Summer shoes should be breathable so as to let the air in and give some rest to your boots and dressy shoes till the start of next season.
1. Woodland : Woodland offers sturdy shoes with thick rubber soles and looks stylish complemented with a pair of aviator sunglasses. You can select from various types of footwear depending upon their lengths like formal shoes, ankle boots, calf-length boots, hiking shoes, thigh-high boots and many more variants. Ankle boots look best with skinny jeans, skirts or dresses. Calf-length shoes are a little higher than ankle-length boots and work well with both formal and casual attire. They come in different patterns, colours and designs.
2. Lee Cooper : Lee Cooper has a range of casual shoes, sport shoes, flip flops and winter boots in different designs for formal as well as casual wear that can make you look comfortable and classy. They are equipped with thick rubber soles for good traction and well designed for walking on rough surfaces. So whether it is for hiking, trekking or partying with friends over a casual weekend, you can easily find a stylish pair for yourselves. You can choose from the various colour options such as light brown, tan shade, dark grey, black and even olive green. All their shoes are designed with the Techfit technology for better fit and enhanced performance. Their formal range of footwear come with TPR soles which makes them flexible, durable and easy to maintain.
3. Red Tape : Red Tape is an Indian brand which offers a wide range of high-quality footwear apart from semi-formal and casual men apparel including sweaters, jackets and accessories. All their shoe models are designed in Italy and UK and priced variably starting from Rs 1800 to Rs 4000. They are mostly available in black or brown colour options which goes well with formal trousers. They are of superior quality made from the finest quality leather and TPR soles to be worn with both casual or formal clothing. High ankle shoes are crafted with a metal buckle at the top providing a stylish and elegant look. It goes pretty well with casual attire wearable on evenings spent with friends on the weekend.
4. Crocs : Crocs is an American company which is providing a wide selection of casual shoes, sandals and more. They are very light in weight and provide great comfort to wear in summers and look stylish when worn with a pair of jeans, shorts, skirts or dresses at all occasions. The consumer can choose his desired option among its various types including Clogs, Flats, Loafers, Flips, Slides and Shoes.
To create a balance between style and comfort, canvas shoes are the perfect choice for summers as they are light, comfortable and can be worn without socks as well. Also, while making a purchase decision, avoid darker colours like black and go for lighter or bright shades of white, fone, blue, pink or red.