The sneaker culture in India has significantly evolved over the past few years. Sneakers have gone from mere functional footwear into a striking signature of style and innovation. The manufacturers have become very creative and are focusing on various essential aspects. These aspects include sustainability and the involvement of unique local designs and artists. Due to this, the homegrown sneaker market is on the rise and continuously gaining consumers’ attention. This article explores some brands that have put India in the world’s sneaker market.
Rise of homegrown brands
Earlier, whenever a person wished to purchase sneakers, he/she would prefer giants like Nike, Adidas, Puma, etc. With the advent of time, Indian brands swore to change this scenario. This is why different brands came up with aesthetic and modern designs that captured the interests of the consumers.
While focusing on aesthetics, the brands prioritise comfort, durability, and ethical practices. The manufacturers are blending the aesthetics of India with stylish design elements, which is changing how we look at sneakers.
Some Notable Homegrown Sneaker Brands in India
-
Ludic
Ludic is a footwear-first lifestyle brand founded by Ishit Jethwa in November 2023. The founder had a vision to create a brand focused on the Indian consumer. They wanted to target various age groups and make shoes that match their respective comfort and style.
The brand follows a design-first philosophy while prioritising the aesthetics and functionality of its products. Its aim is to create a design that is relevant for two or three years or even more. The brand offers high-quality, comfort-oriented shoes. The brands’ shoes start at Rs. 2,000 and go up to Rs. 4,000 (prices as of January 2025) based on your design choice. While the company began with a focus on footwear only, over the last year, it has expanded its inventories and is offering apparel and accessories. As of now, Ludic products are available for purchase via its website only.
-
Neemans
This Indian brand was founded by Amar Preet and Taran Chhabra in 2018. The founders have years of experience in the market and have assisted their respective companies in growing exponentially. While working in the United States of America, Taran envisioned the creation of a brand that valued comfort and sustainability.
It was then that he collaborated with Amar Preet and began the company. The company’s focus is to create shoes that offer all-day comfort at affordable prices and sustainable production practices. Its product line includes shoes, slippers, and sneakers. The sneakers are made with all-natural cotton, which the company claims differentiates its products from the other competitors in the market.
Further, the company is doing its bit towards sustainability by recycling PET bottles into shoes, with the aim of reducing carbon footprints. However, while doing this, they ensure that their sneakers and shoes provide maximum comfort.
Their range of sneakers begins at Rs 1,999 (prices as of January 2025) and varies as per your choice of sneakers. The designs are simple and aimed at providing the utmost comfort to the consumers, making it a suitable choice for people who want quality but do not wish to make a hole in their pocket. Since its launch, the company has expanded its consumer reach from its website to physical stores in major Indian cities like Mumbai, Bangalore, and Hyderabad.
-
Comet
Comet is yet another homegrown sneaker brand that has become the talk of the town. It was founded in 2022 by Utkarsh Gupta and Dishant Daryani. The brand is a lifestyle sneaker brand that makes retro-styled sneakers and sells them through their websites.
The founders dreamt of creating a brand around their common passion for sneakers. This is when they brainstormed and created this brand. The brand offers its sneakers in trending designs that are appreciated a lot by young consumers. Their range of sneakers begins at Rs. 4,299 per pair (prices as of January 2025) and aims to compete with the likings of giants such as Nike and other homegrown brands like Redtape and Sparx. The brand is focused on quality over quantity and hence offers a limited range of products. As of now, the company is selling its sneakers through its website only.
-
HRX
HRX is a renowned brand co-founded by famous Indian Bollywood celebrities Hrithik Roshan and Afsar Zaidi in 2013. The brand’s primary goal was to motivate the youth to become fit. Its initial product range included gym clothes and shoes. However, over the years, it has expanded its inventory and now includes sneakers as well.
The company makes affordable products for both men and women, and its products are available across all major e-commerce websites. Although the brand offers a limited range of sneakers, their affordability and accessibility appeal to the average Indian consumer.
-
Gully Labs
As the name suggests, Gully Labs was created to collaborate with local craftsmanship to create world-class designs. The company, founded by Arjun Singh, aims to redefine the sneaker culture in India. It is focused on creating shoes that showcase local craftsmanship and use indigenous products only. Further, the sneakers are made from natural materials like rubber and bamboo and include Kantha stitches to create a wholesome experience of Indianness.
The brand’s headquarters are in New Delhi, and that is where the magic happens. The company makes high-end sneakers that are trendy in design and easily attract young consumers. Their products range from around Rs. 4,000 to Rs. 14,000 (prices as of January 2025). The company is currently selling its sneakers from the website itself, with no physical stores in existence.
-
The Saree Sneakers
The fashion industry is incomplete without the mention of woman-centric apparel or shoes. This is why the inclusion of this brand in our list becomes essential. This brand has been created to solve a huge dilemma for women.
Whenever you want to go to a wedding, the entire process of getting ready traditionally is something that every woman looks forward to. However, after wearing those heavy dresses, it becomes challenging to move around, especially when wearing heels. Shruti Kasat saw this problem and launched the brand ‘The Saree Sneakers’ to assist women in finding the perfect footwear to match their vibrant Indian dresses.
The brand offers sneakers with an Indian twist and intricate hand embroidery, such as Zardozi, Chikankari and Gota patti. They also allow you to customise your sneakers to match them with your outfits. Their range of sneakers is available exclusively on their website and begins at upwards of Rs. 5,000-Rs. 6,000 (prices as of January 2025)
