Once confined to gym bags and basketball courts, sneakers have kicked their way into the world of fashion, culture, and personal identity. Ironically named for their quiet soles, they’re now making plenty of noise—especially among young Indians who wear their style like a statement.
India isn’t just riding the global sneaker wave; it’s building one of its own. Alongside established international giants, a new generation of homegrown sneaker brands is carving out space with bold design choices, desi influences, and community-driven drops.
According to industry data, India’s sneaker market is lacing up for big growth—expected to jump from $3.8 billion in FY24 to $5.9 billion by FY32, expanding at a CAGR of 5.45%. And it’s Gen-Z and millennial shoppers leading the charge, increasingly ditching the predictable appeal of Adidas or Puma for Indian names like Comet and Gully Labs, which blend global aesthetics with homegrown soul.
Here are four Indian sneaker labels that are turning heads, breaking norms, and adding serious heat to the local sneaker game:
1. Comet – Made for Movement, Built for the Bold
Born in July 2023, Comet was founded by Utkarsh Gupta and Dishant Daryani to fill a gap they saw in the Indian market: sneakers that looked great, felt better, and didn’t cost a small fortune.
Comet isn’t just selling shoes—it’s building a vibe. With four core silhouettes (Highs, Lows, Aeons, and Slides) and limited-edition drops like the Mango, Juno, and Ludo collections, the brand has tapped into India’s emerging “drop culture.” It now moves over 12,000 pairs a month and boasts a 2 lakh-strong community on Instagram.
Their pitch? Footwear that looks and performs like a Rs 10,000 sneaker, priced around Rs 4,000. It’s a playbook global brands have mastered—and Comet’s ready to beat them at their own game.
2. Campus Activewear – The OG That Keeps Evolving
Long before the term “sneakerhead” hit Indian shores, Campus was already putting laces on feet. Founded in 2006 by Hari Krishna Agarwal, Campus began as a value-first lifestyle brand and has since grown into India’s largest sports and athleisure footwear player.
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After years of offline dominance, the brand stepped into the e-commerce world in 2018 and never looked back. Today, it’s everywhere—across 650+ cities with 23,000+ retail points, 250 exclusive outlets, and a solid presence in big-format stores. It cranks out over 22 million pairs a year from five manufacturing units, offering a mind-boggling 3,000+ SKUs for every foot and age.
Campus may have started old-school, but it’s far from out of step.
3. Gully Labs – Sneakers with a Story
Started by ex-corporate duo Animesh Mishra and Arjun Singh in 2023, Gully Labs is all about storytelling through sneakers. Proudly Indian, the brand champions local materials like bamboo and natural rubber, while its designs pay homage to everything from Rangoli patterns to Kerala’s boat festivals.
Think embroidery in Devanagari, colour palettes inspired by Indian celebrations, and model names that carry cultural weight—like the Gully Number 001 – Naadu, a nod to Onam traditions, or the Saaj Orange, echoing Diwali spirit.
Positioned as a premium player (Rs 5,000–16,000 per pair), Gully Labs isn’t for mass appeal—it’s for those who want meaning stitched into every step.
4. Zeesh – Leather Luxury, Indian Roots
Zeesh doesn’t play by the typical sneaker rules. Launched in 2020 by Zeeshan Avoor and later joined by Umar Farook, the Bengaluru-based brand draws from Avoor’s family legacy in leather craftsmanship.
What started as a mall kiosk experiment has grown into a sleek brand with serious style chops. Zeesh lets customers put their own stamp on their sneakers through an online customisation tool—offering colours, engravings, and detailing that reflect individual taste.
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Beyond shoes, Zeesh is building a culture. Its ZSociety loyalty program and curated sneaker events bring fans into the fold, blurring the lines between customer and community.
Step Ahead, the Indian Way
India’s sneaker scene isn’t just catching up—it’s setting a new pace. With creativity, cultural nuance, and smart digital strategy, these brands are doing more than selling shoes. They’re rewriting the rulebook, one drop at a time.
