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With the second largest population in the world of which majority are youth, India is among the fastest growing economies of the world. The Indians are becoming more health conscious by the day, a fact that is evident in the increasing number of gyms and sports centres cropping up across the country over the last decade. In fact, the sportswear market i.e. the sportswear brands in India grew by 22 per cent in one year from 2015 to 2016 when the global increase was just at 7 per cent.
The Indian sportswear industry currently values between ₹ 3,500 crores to ₹ 5,000 crores and is expected to grow further and faster. While you might be enjoying this growth and fierce competition between global brands, here are 15 amazing sportswear brands you would want to consider before choosing your next sports apparel.
Nike
Nike is the largest supplier of athletic shoes and apparel in the world and a leading manufacturer of sports equipment. The sportswear giant secured the number one ranking with a valuation of $32.4 billion USD. Nike’s bold marketing campaigns have led it to the top spot in the busy market place. Headquartered in Beaverton, Oregon, Nike has retail outlets and distributors in more than 170 countries.
Nike is the official kit sponsor of the Indian Cricket Team since 2005. Nike has over 200 stores spread around the country.
Apart from the stores, Nike products are also available on various online platforms such as Flipkart.com, Amazon.in, Koovs.com, Voonik.com, Myntra.com, Snapdeal.com, Jabong.com, Shopclues.com & Paytm.com.
Range of Nike products: Shoes, sandals, flip flops, hoodies, t-shirts, track pants, sports bra, pullover jackets, tights, skirts, winter jackets, innerwear, sleepwear, shorts, 3/4th, bags, socks, kids clothing, deodorants, perfume, sports accessories.
Adidas
Adidas is the world’s second largest sportswear manufacturer. It is a German company that started its business with shoe-designing. Though many believe Adidas stands for All Day I Dream About Sports, but it is a simple amalgam of the name Adolf Dassler (Adidas founder). Adi (from of Adolf) and Das (from Dassler).
India has been a very speculative market for Adidas and in spite of that, the company is ambitious about the country’s potential. Ranveer Singh, a prominent Indian actor, is the brand ambassador to the company’s products since 2015. Adidas was also endorsed by the Indian Legend Sachin Tendulkar while he played cricket in his final years. The company acquired Reebok in 2006 when it was the largest sportswear brand in India. Combined, they own around 700 stores in the country. Moreover, Rohit Sharma also endorses Adidas.
Apart from the stores, Adidas products are also available on various online platforms such as Shop.Adidas.co.in, Jabong.com, Flipkart.com, Amazon.in, Snapdeal.com, Myntra.com & Paytm.com
Range of Adidas Products: Socks, Caps, Bags, Backpacks, Gloves, Yoga Mats, Headbands, Wristbands, Armbands, Performance Bottles, Clutches, Wallets, Balls, Shin Guards, Scarfs, Smart Watches, Women Tops, T-shirts, Shorts, Pants & Tights, Sports Shoes, FlipFlops, Slippers, Floaters, Sandals, Track Pants, Jerseys, Sports Bra, Jumpsuits, Jackets, Chappals, Casual Shoes, Sneakers, Loafers, Sweatshirts, Tracksuits.
Puma
PUMA is the third largest sportswear manufacturing company in the world. The company was founded in 1948 by Rudolf Dassler, brother of Adolf Dassler (founder of Adidas). The 2 brothers jointly formed a company Gebrüder Dassler Schuhfabrik (Dassler Brothers Shoe Factory) in 1924. The two brothers later agreed to split the company into two separate entities, Adidas and Puma in 1948. Since then, both the companies are headquartered in Herzogenaurach, Germany.
In 2017, Puma signed Indian Captain Virat Kohli for about Rs 110 crore deal (Highest valued deal for an Indian sportsperson). Recently, Puma signed the World Champion Mary Kom as the brand ambassador for the company. The company owns over 300 stores in India.
Apart from the stores, Puma products are also available on various online platforms such as Jabong.com, Myntra.com, Flipkart.com, Amazon.in, Snapdeal.com, Voonik.com, Koovs.com & Paytm.com,
Range of Puma Products: Shoes, women belly shoes, floaters, training kits, T-shirts, track pants, tracksuit, jacket, hoodies, winter wear, men trousers, chinos, women sports bra, shorts, capris, kids clothing belts, digital watches and other accessories.
Under Armour
Under Armour is another American sportswear company that specializes in footwear, sports, and casual apparel. Headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland, Under Armour has made giant leaps in the past decade as a premium sportswear producer. It is widely known for its partnership with the NBA Superstar Stephen Curry. Basically speaking, he may be termed as the “face of their footwear line”. Under Armour has excelled in the business due to its persistent efforts in using technology to take the sportswear experience to another level.
In 2018, Under Armour launched a couple of pairs of connected running shoes at CES. Each shoe has a Bluetooth module, accelerator and gyroscope inside it. Also, Under Armour is reportedly inventing a new kind of shirt named “Coldblack,” which would reflect the heat and help keep athletes cool in the sun. In March 2019, Under Armour also declared opening 10 stores in India in the coming year. Under Armour is actively selling its products in India through these online stores: Underarmour.com, Flipkart.com, Amazon.in, Snapdeal.com
Range of Under Armour Products: T-shirts, footwear, tank tops, undershirt, leggings, shorts, Capri, women tops, sports bra, underwear, outerwear, sunglasses, socks, gloves, hats, belts, protective gear, fitness device, headbands, sports equipment
Asics
Asics is a Japan based sports manufacturing company that has a great brand value worldwide, especially for its high-quality running shoes. The word ASICS is the acronym of a Latin phrase that means: ‘a healthy soul in a healthy body’. ASICS is also the official supplier of the International Paralympic Committee for the 2020 Paralympics.
Recently, Asics launched the #Pacetoglory campaign ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup with Indian pacers, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah.
Asics Products are available on these Indian online stores: Jabong.com, Flipkart.com, Myntra.com, Amazon.in, Askmebazaar.com, Paytm.com, Snapdeal.com
Range of Asics Products: Shoes, sneakers, tracksuits, shorts, track pants, jackets, hoodie, tops and t-shirts, tights, three-fourth tights, sports bra.
Fila
Fila is a sportswear manufacturing company founded in Italy and is presently run by a South Korean tycoon, Yoon Keun-chang. Former Indian batsman and opener, Virendra Sehwag is the first brand ambassador of Fila in India. Fila is available at over 1200 counters in India including 350 major stores around them.
Apart from the stores, Fila products are also available on various online platforms such as Filaindia.in, Flipkart.com, Jabong.com, Myntra.com, Amazon.in, Snapdeal.com, Paytm.com, Askmebazaar.com, Abof.com and Koovs.com
Range of Fila Products: Track pants, three fourths, shorts, tracksuits, hoodies, t-shirts, women tops, outwear, shoe, sandals, bags.
Lotto
Lotto is an Italian sportswear brand, which manufactures sport and casual clothing and footwear. The brand distributes its products in over 110 different countries. In December 2018, Lotto announced its aim of doubling the number stores in India, expanding to tier 2 cities in the rapidly growing Indian Sports Economy.
Apart from the stores, Lotto products are also available on various online platforms: Lottosports.in, Jabong.com, Amazon.in, Flipkart.com, Shoppersstop.com, Myntra.com, Snapdeal.com
Range of Lotto Products: Athletic footwear, slippers, T-shirt, tracksuits, track pants, shorts, sweatshirt, jackets, sweater, underwear, wristwatch, fragrance, socks, backpack, laptop bags, wallets, caps, sunglasses.
Campus Sutra
Campus Sutra is an online, fashion brand and sportswear startup based out of Bengaluru founded in 2013. Interestingly they even customize the clothing and accessories based on the customer’s liking. The aim is to create styles based upon student’s education stream.
Being an online based startup, their products are only available online for now: Campussutra.com, Flipkart.com, Jabong.com, Myntra.com, Snapdeal.com, Limeroad.com
Range of Campus Sutra Products: Sweatshirt, hoodies, tracksuit, track pants, shorts, jersey, T-shirts, women crop top, shorts, bags, mugs, caps, sippers
Dida
Dida brothers is an Indian Sportswear manufacturing company which was established in 2001. The company had some recent success when they were co-sponsors for Indian Olympics Team 2012. Also, they sponsored Apparel kits for Puneri Paltan Team in Pro Kabaddi League.
Their products are also available online on didsportswear.com, Flipkart.com, Myntra.com, Snapdeal.com, Limeroad.com, Amazon.in, shopclues.com, paytmmall.com
Range of Dida Products: Jackets, shorts, jerseys, t-shirts, lowers, track pants, tracksuits, etc
Shiv Naresh
Shiv Naresh is the leading Indian Sportswear manufacturer and brand. The company is based in West Delhi’s Karampura. Shiv-Naresh is the go-to brand for many local athletes across India from sporting disciplines. It is the official Kit sponsor of the Indian national hockey team. Founded in 1987, Shiv-Naresh has recently entered the e-commerce market also with these websites: Jabong.com, Shivnareshsports.in, Amazon.in, Flipkart.com, Snapdeal.com.
Range of Shiv Naresh Products: Sports shoes, tracksuits, vests, T-shirts, joggers, track pants, electronic scoreboard, LED display screen, stocking, socks, kit bag
Nivia
Nivia Sports is the biggest Indian sports equipment manufacturer based in Jalandhar, Punjab, India. The company also produces its line of Sportswear in different domains. The word “Nivia” is the combination of the initials of Nihal Chand Kharbanda and Vijay Kharbanda (co-founders of Nivia Sports): “NI” from “Nihal” and “VI” from “Vijay”.
Nivia products are also available online on these websites: niviasports.com, Amazon.in, Flipkart.com, Snapdeal.com, Myntra.com, sports365.com
Range of Nivia Products: kits or bags, tracksuits, shorts, lowers, shocks, and windcheaters for use in cricket, football, basketball, and volleyball
Reebok
Reebok is actually a subsidiary of Adidas since 2005. The brand began in England with spiked running shoes for athletes with a name J.W. Fosters & sons which later changed to Reebok. Although Reebok has seen a drastic fall in its brand value in India, it remains one of the go-to brands on the mouth of the majority of the Indian population. MS Dhoni is one of the most prominent faces in Indian Sports History. He had the Reebok logo on his bat in what is called the most famous historical moment of Indian Sports.
The brand also has its presence on many online platforms like Shop4reebok.com, Amazon.in, Myntra.com, Flipkart.com, Jabong.com, Shoppersstop.com, Snapdeal.com, Voonik.com, Paytm.com, Koovs.com
Range of Reebok Products: Shoes, flip flops, t-shirts, track pants, track jackets, bags, women capris, sports bra, bags, caps, sunglasses.
HRX
In 2013, Hrithik Roshan (Bollywood superstar) started his own lifestyle brand HRX with the aim of motivating people towards fit. The brand has a collection of casual and sportswear apparel. The brand was acquired by online shopping platform Myntra in 2016. The products are also available on online websites like Myntra.com, Flipkart.com, Snapdeal.com
Range of HRX Products: sports shoe, casual wear, tights, jacket, track pants, capris, jeans, sports shorts, three-fourths, bags, belts, wallets, perfumes.
Skechers
Skechers is an American manufacturer of lifestyle and performance footwear. Headquarter of the company is in Manhattan Beach, California. In April 2018, Skechers launched its first marketing campaign with female wrestler Ritu Phogat, former captain of the Women’s National Basketball team Akanksha Singh, India U-19 World Cup cricketer Shubman Gill, and India U-17 footballer Sumit Rathi.
The products are available on online websites like Myntra.com, Flipkart.com, Snapdeal.com, Amazon.in, Skechers.in, ajio.in.
Range of Skechers Products: Shoes, tights, jacket, track pants, spikes, shorts, etc
Alcis
Alcis is a homegrown athleisure sportswear startup founded by Roshan Baid in 2016. It is based in Delhi NCR and has 2 spectrums, very expensive and high on quality and affordable with relative compromise on quality. They have one of the very unique products in the industry, the Wonder Tee. It is made from recycled plastic, each consuming about eight plastic bottles. They recently tied with FIFA launching the 2018 FIFA World Cup licenced apparel merchandise in India.
Also, Alcis signed current Indian opener, Shikhar Dhawan as its brand ambassador. The products are available online on alcissports.com, Myntra.com, Flipkart.com, Snapdeal.com, Amazon.in, Jabong.com.
Range of Alcis Products: Sportswear while running, training, yoga, football, racquet sports and other athletic and leisure activities.
