The Indian sneaker market is booming, driven by innovative homegrown brands like Comet, Campus, and Gully Labs. These brands combine cultural identity, sustainability, and style to capture the attention of Gen-Z and millennials, fueling rapid growth and shaping India’s footwear industry.
In recent years, sneakers in India have evolved beyond their traditional athletic functions to become a powerful expression of personal style and cultural identity, especially among the youth. The sneaker market in India is experiencing rapid growth, with projections estimating a rise from $3.8 billion in fiscal year 2024 to $5.9 billion by fiscal year 2032, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 5.45%. While international brands such as Adidas and Puma continue to hold prominence, an increasing number of consumers, especially Gen-Z and millennials, are gravitating toward Indian sneaker brands that emphasize unique, India-centric designs and sustainability.
Several homegrown Indian sneaker brands are carving out significant space in the market by offering products that balance style, comfort, and indigenous pride. Among these are eight emerging brands that have captured attention for their innovation and cultural relevance.
Comet, founded in July 2023 by Utkarsh Gupta and Dishant Daryani in Bengaluru, entered the market by identifying a gap for sneakers that combine performance, comfort, and contemporary style. The direct-to-consumer (D2C) brand has rapidly built a community of nearly 200,000 Instagram followers and serves over 12,000 customers monthly. Comet’s product line includes four main silhouettes—Highs, Lows, Aeons, and Slides—with limited-edition releases such as the Mango, Juno, and Ludo collections, reflecting the brand’s embrace of ‘drop culture.’ Positioned as a competitively priced alternative to international brands, Comet offers footwear with a premium look and feel but at approximately Rs 4,000, which is less than half the price of comparable products priced around Rs 10,000. Within its first year, Comet raised over $6.5 million in funding from prominent investors including Elevation Capital and Nexus Venture Partners. The brand has also expanded into physical retail, opening its first flagship store in Bengaluru and planning additional outlets in Delhi and Mumbai later this year.
Campus Activewear, founded by Hari Krishna Agarwal in 2006, stands as the largest lifestyle-oriented sports and athleisure footwear brand in India. Initially focused on offline retail, Campus ventured into e-commerce in 2018 and now boasts a presence in over 23,000 retail points and 650 cities across all Indian states. Operating five manufacturing facilities with an annual capacity of 35.8 million pairs, Campus sells more than 22 million pairs annually and introduces over 300 new styles each year. In 2023, Campus expanded its international footprint into Indonesia and Malaysia. Despite a slight revenue dip to Rs 14,482.9 crore in fiscal year 2024 from Rs 14,842.5 crore the previous year, the brand continues to maintain a significant market position.
Gully Labs, co-founded in 2023 by Animesh Mishra and Arjun Singh, was created to embody Indian culture through design and craftsmanship. Producing entirely within India using indigenous materials like natural rubber and bamboo, Gully Labs operates in the premium segment with prices ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 16,000. Characteristic design features include branding in Devanagari script and culturally inspired models such as the Saaj Orange with Rangoli motifs and the Naadu sneaker depicting Kerala’s traditional boat. Since its launch, Gully Labs has seen a 30% month-over-month revenue growth and serves customers in four international markets, fulfilling 95% of orders directly via its website.
Neeman’s, based in Hyderabad and founded by Taran Chhabra and Amar Preet in 2016, is recognized as India’s first sustainable footwear brand incorporating eco-friendly materials like merino wool, recycled PET bottles, organic cotton, bamboo, and even fruit pulp into its production. Initially conceptualized in the U.S., Neeman’s offers a diverse footwear portfolio including sneakers, loafers, slippers, and sandals. The brand operates 18 exclusive brand outlets (EBOs) across six Indian states and sells through its own D2C platform, e-commerce marketplaces, and large-format stores such as Shoppers Stop and Lifestyle. Internationally, Neeman’s has presence on platforms like Amazon UAE and 6th Street UAE. It has attracted substantial investment, including $1 million in seed funding from Anicut Capital in 2020, followed by Series A and B rounds totaling $7.85 million, led by Sixth Sense Ventures. This capital has fueled product innovation, global market expansion, and research into sustainable materials.
Anaar, a luxury sneaker brand founded by Tanushri Biyani in 2024, focuses on handcrafted bridal sneakers that provide support and comfort throughout the day. The brand offers a range of styles including wedge sneakers, pumps, and boots, often in convenient slip-on formats as an alternative to lace-up shoes. Anaar made headlines in 2024 as the first Indian footwear label to present at New York Fashion Week. The brand launched its first pop-up kiosk at DLF Ambience Mall in Delhi and is available across more than eight e-commerce platforms and over 20 boutique retail outlets. Plans are underway to expand pop-up experiences in metros such as Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru as part of its omnichannel growth strategy.
Zeesh, launched in 2020 by Zeeshan Avoor and later joined by Umar Farook, builds on a family legacy of over three decades in leather footwear manufacturing. Based in Bengaluru, Zeesh began with a pop-up kiosk in Orion Mall and expanded to Phoenix Marketcity. The brand offers digital customization tools allowing customers to personalize sneaker colors, engravings, and designs. Through curated events and a loyalty program called ZSociety, Zeesh engages a broad customer base. The company aims to increase its digital presence nationwide, enter global e-commerce channels, and open flagship stores and experience centers in major Indian cities, targeting Rs 100 crore in revenue over the next five years.
Bacca Bucci, a New Delhi-based brand founded in 2013 by Natwar Agarwal and Anuj Nevatia, started as a small operation with a minimal investment and now offers a broad range of sneakers, boots, athleisure, formal footwear, and accessories like belts and wallets. The brand predominantly sells online through its website and major e-commerce platforms such as Amazon, Flipkart, and Myntra. In 2024, Bacca Bucci secured a $2.5 million investment from Ananta Capital aimed at expanding products and omnichannel reach. The brand sells about 4,000 pairs daily and is preparing to open its first physical retail store. Internationally, Bacca Bucci has entered the Dubai market.
7-10, a Mumbai-based D2C brand started in 2021 by fashion entrepreneur Shibani Bhagat, was created to meet the demand for Indian-designed sneakers with global appeal. Offering 100% homegrown products, 7-10 distributes through its digital platform and multi-brand stores in several Indian cities including Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Pune, and more. Recently, digital marketing startup Wubba Lubba Dub Dub acquired a majority stake in 7-10, following their purchase of ScoopWhoop. The brand is preparing to expand its product line and strengthen its market presence both domestically and internationally.
Together, these brands illustrate an evolving sneaker culture in India that balances fashion, sustainability, and cultural pride. With innovative design narratives and growing consumer bases, the indigenous sneaker scene is establishing itself as a significant player in the expanding Indian footwear market.
Source: Noah Wire Services
