ASICS, also known as Anima Sana In Corpore Sano, is a renowned Japanese multinational corporation specializing in athletic footwear, sports apparel, and equipment. Founded in 1949 by Kihachiro Onitsuka, ASICS has established itself as a leader in the global sports market. In this article, we discuss the top ASICS Competitors and Alternatives.
ASICS products are renowned for their superior quality and advanced technologies, providing athletes with the right combination of comfort and performance. The company creates innovative designs that enhance the body’s natural movement, allowing athletes to perform at their best. Whether it’s running shoes with superior cushioning, tennis shoes with excellent stability, or volleyball gear designed for agility, ASICS consistently delivers products that cater to the specific needs of different sports.
- Product Type: Athletic equipment, particularly running shoes
- Industry: Sports
- Founded Date: September 1, 1949
- Founders: Kihachiro Onitsuka
- Headquarters: Kobe, Japan
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Guillaume Faury
Table of Contents
The top ASICS competitors are
1. Nike
- Product Type: Athletic footwear, apparel, accessories, and equipment
- Industry: Apparel and footwear
- Founded Date: January 25, 1964
- Founders: Bill Bowerman and Phil Knight
- Headquarters: Beaverton, Oregon, United States
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: John Donahoe
- Market capitalization: USD 254.9 billion (October 2023)
Nike is a globally renowned sportswear brand established in 1964. Based in Oregon, USA, the multinational company produces diverse athletic and leisure footwear, apparel, and other sports-related equipment. Beyond athletic gear, the brand’s distinct ‘Swoosh’ symbol and “Just Do It” slogan have turned it into a significant pop-culture phenomenon. Nike remains a fundamental competitor in the global athletic footwear market, leveraging a culture of innovation and stylish designs.
2. Adidas
- Product Type: Athletic footwear, apparel, and accessories
- Industry: Apparel and footwear
- Founded Date: August 18, 1949
- Founders: Adolf Dassler
- Headquarters: Herzogenaurach, Germany
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Kasper Rorsted
- Market capitalization: EUR 57.7 billion (October 2023)
Adidas, originating from Germany, is another well-known international sports brand. The brand was launched in 1949 and has since been creating sports equipment, clothing, and, more particularly, running shoes. Renowned for its clothing lines and captivating collaborations, Adidas stands out for its high-quality products and reliable performance. With unique series like the “Adizero” and “Ultraboost,” Adidas continuously competes with brands such as ASICS in the athletic footwear industry.
3. Puma
- Product Type: Athletic footwear, apparel, and accessories
- Industry: Apparel and footwear
- Founded Date: October 1, 1948
- Founders: Rudolf Dassler
- Headquarters: Herzogenaurach, Germany
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Bjørn Gulden
- Market capitalization: EUR 13.6 billion (October 2023)
Puma is recognized for its innovative and stylish sports shoes and sportswear. Since its inception in 1948, Puma has gained popularity for its fusion of high functionality and style, making its products ideal for sports and lifestyle usage. With initiatives into sustainable fashion, Puma remains a strong competitor within the sportswear market.
4. New Balance
- Product Type: Athletic footwear, apparel, and accessories
- Industry: Apparel and footwear
- Founded Date: 1906
- Founders: William J. Riley
- Headquarters: Boston, Massachusetts, United States
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Joe Preston
New Balance is an American athletics brand centered primarily on footwear. Since 1906, New Balance has been known for its emphasis on crafting running shoes that combine comfort, performance, and style. The brand differentiates itself by offering a wide range of sizes and widths in its footwear line, catering to a diverse customer base with varying foot shapes and sizes.
5. Under Armour
- Product Type: Athletic footwear, apparel, and accessories
- Industry: Apparel and footwear
- Founded Date: September 25, 1996
- Founders: Kevin Plank
- Headquarters: Baltimore, Maryland, United States
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Patrik Frisk
- Market capitalization: USD 7.5 billion (October 2023)
Under Armour, based in the USA, began its journey in 1996. The brand focuses on delivering performance-oriented athletic shoes, clothing, and accessories. Under Armour’s footwear, known for its innovative designs and cutting-edge technology, ensures athletes’ comfort and peak performance. The brand’s commitment to constant product innovation makes it one of the principal rivals within the sporting goods industry.
6. Brooks
- Product Type: Athletic footwear and apparel
- Industry: Apparel and footwear
- Founded Date: 1914
- Founders: Morris Goldenberg
- Headquarters: Seattle, Washington, United States
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Jim Weber
Brooks is a Seattle-based company specializing in running shoes. Founded in 1914, the company gained popularity for its considerable focus on crafting footwear for runners. Brooks consistently produces comfortable and high-performing shoes without compromising style, making it a preferred choice among many running enthusiasts.
7. Saucony
- Product Type: Athletic footwear and apparel
- Industry: Apparel and footwear
- Founded Date: 1898
- Founders: Abraham Hyde
- Headquarters: Waltham, Massachusetts, United States
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Anne Cavassa
Saucony is a leading global running footwear and apparel brand. Born in 1898, the brand’s primary commitment lies in encouraging the sport of running. With the ‘Run for Good ideology,’ Saucony excels in crafting running shoes that offer incredible comfort and support, thus cementing their place within the competitive athletic footwear industry.
8. Mizuno
- Product Type: Athletic footwear, apparel, and equipment
- Industry: Apparel and footwear
- Founded Date: 1906
- Founders: Rihachi Mizuno
- Headquarters: Osaka, Japan
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Akito Mizuno
Mizuno is a Japanese multinational corporation offering a wide range of sporting goods. The brand, established in 1906, strongly emphasizes research and development. Known for its technical expertise and innovative designs, Mizuno remains a significant player in producing sports footwear and equipment that supports athletes’ top performances.
9. Hoka One One
- Product Type: Athletic footwear
- Industry: Apparel and footwear
- Founded Date: 2009
- Founders: Jean-Luc Diard and Nicolas Mermoud
- Headquarters: Goleta, California, United States
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Wendy Yang
Hoka One One is a French athletic shoe company known for its distinctive design and technology. Founded in 2009, the brand exploded into the footwear industry with its unique approach to running shoes featuring unusually thick soles. With its ultra-cushioned and lightweight shoes, Hoka One One has quickly become a reputable competitor within the running shoe market.
10. Reebok
- Product Type: Athletic footwear, apparel, and accessories
- Industry: Apparel and footwear
- Founded Date: 1958
- Founders: Joe Foster and Jeff Foster
- Headquarters: Boston, Massachusetts, United States
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Matt O’Toole
Reebok is a worldwide athletic footwear and apparel company. Founded in 1958 in the U.K. and later acquired by Adidas, the brand has enjoyed substantial contributions to the athletic shoe industry. With popular designs like the ‘Classic series and involvement in numerous sporting ventures, Reebok continues to inspire athletes worldwide.
11. Altra Running
- Product Type: Athletic footwear
- Industry: Apparel and footwear
- Founded Date: 2009
- Founders: Golden Harper and Brian Beckstead
- Headquarters: Logan, Utah, United States
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Todd Dalhausser
Altra Running is an American company specializing in road and trail running shoes. Known for its unique FootShape™ toe boxes and Balanced Cushioning platform, Altra seeks to promote natural foot movement. With a strong focus on innovative design and comfort, Altra Running plays a disruptive role in the athletic shoe marketplace.
12. On Running
- Product Type: Athletic footwear and apparel
- Industry: Apparel and footwear
- Founded Date: 2010
- Founders: Olivier Bernhard, David Allemann, and Caspar Coppetti
- Headquarters: Zurich, Switzerland
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: David Allemann
On Running is a Swiss-based sports company predominantly recognized for its running shoes. Launched in 2010, the brand disrupted the sports shoe industry with its revolutionary CloudTec® technology for unprecedented cushioning. Primarily catering to runners, On Running offers shoes that emphasize performance and style.
13. Merrell
- Product Type: Outdoor footwear and apparel
- Industry: Apparel and footwear
- Founded Date: 1981
- Founders: Randy Merrell, Clark Matis, and John Schweizer
- Headquarters: Rockford, Michigan, United States
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Chris Hufnagel
Merrell is a renowned footwear brand established in the U.S. in 1981, specializing in hiking boots. The brand has since diversified its offerings, crafting shoes for multiple outdoor activities. Merrell is widely recognized for producing high-quality, durable footwear with excellent grip and comfort, making it perfect for outdoor enthusiasts.
14. Salomon
- Product Type: Outdoor sports equipment
- Industry: Sporting goods
- Founded Date: 1947
- Founders: François Salomon, Georges Salomon
- Headquarters: Annecy, France
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Jean-Marc Pambet
Salomon is well-known worldwide for manufacturing products for various outdoor sports. From hiking boots to running shoes, Salomon’s footwear is appreciated for its quality, durability, and innovative design. They continue to influence the outdoor footwear market with their commitment to research and development.
15. Fila
- Product Type: Sportswear, footwear
- Industry: Apparel
- Founded Date: 1911
- Founders: Fila brothers
- Headquarters: Seoul, South Korea
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Yoon-Soo Yoon
Fila, an Italian-south Korean brand, is famous globally for its sportswear and casual clothing. A significant player in the athletic footwear market since 1911, Fila’s shoes are known for their classic style, comfort, and value for money. Their unique designs cater to fashion-forward consumers and athletes alike.
16. Vibram
- Product Type: Shoe soles, footwear
- Industry: Footwear
- Founded Date: 1937
- Founders: Vitale Bramani
- Headquarters: Albizzate, Italy
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Marco Bramani
Vibram is an Italian company prominent for its shoe soles designed for outdoor shoes. However, in 2005, they introduced the “FiveFingers” shoe, a minimalist shoe replicating barefoot walking or running. Due to its unique design and innovative approach to footwear, Vibram has carved out a distinct market niche.
17. Skechers
- Product Type: Footwear
- Industry: Footwear
- Founded Date: 1992
- Founders: Robert Greenberg
- Headquarters: Manhattan Beach, California, United States
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Robert Greenberg
Skechers is an American footwear company famous for its lifestyle and performance footwear. Founded in 1992, Skechers provides a diverse range of footwear suitable for various activities, from everyday use to specific sporting activities. Skechers is a widespread brand in the sportswear industry known for its comfortable, trendy, and affordable shoes.
18. inov-8
- Product Type: Footwear, apparel, equipment
- Industry: Sporting goods
- Founded Date: 2003
- Founders: Wayne Edy, Ian Bailey
- Headquarters: Staveley, United Kingdom
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Michael Price
inov-8 is a British company specializing in designing lightweight, flexible athletic footwear. Established in 2003, the brand aims to cater to fitness enthusiasts’ needs with innovative technology, creating shoes specifically for Running, hiking, and fitness.
19. Craft Sportswear
- Product Type: Sportswear
- Industry: Apparel
- Founded Date: 1977
- Founders: Anders Bengtsson
- Headquarters: Borås, Sweden
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Jonas Peterson
Craft Sportswear, a Swedish brand established in 1977, is known globally for its functional sportswear designed for optimal performance. While not as famous for their footwear, they still offer a diligent selection of running shoes that draw on their function, comfort, and design values.
20. La Sportiva
- Product Type: Outdoor footwear, clothing, and accessories
- Industry: Sporting goods
- Founded Date: 1928
- Founders: Narciso Delladio
- Headquarters: Ziano di Fiemme, Italy
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Lorenzo Delladio
La Sportiva is an Italian brand specializing in outdoor footwear. Since 1928, the company has been renowned for offering high-quality products, especially hiking, climbing, trail running, and mountaineering. Their reputation for durability and performance under challenging conditions makes them influential in the outdoor footwear market.
21. The North Face
- Product Type: Outdoor clothing, footwear, and equipment
- Industry: Sporting goods
- Founded Date: 1966
- Founders: Douglas Tompkins, Susie Tompkins Buell
- Headquarters: Denver, Colorado, United States
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Steve Rendle
The North Face is an American company recognized for its outdoor clothing and equipment. Established in 1968, they also offer a range of hiking shoes and boots. Known for its quality, durability, and innovative designs, its accessible outwear supports outdoor activities and extreme weather.
22. Columbia Sportswear
- Product Type: Outdoor clothing, footwear, and equipment
- Industry: Sporting goods
- Founded Date: 1938
- Founders: Paul Lamfrom, Marie Lamfrom
- Headquarters: Portland, Oregon, United States
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Tim Boyle
Columbia Sportswear is an American company that designs and distributes sportswear, including footwear. Founded in 1938, Columbia is known for its robust and comfortable shoes for hiking and other outdoor activities. The brand excels due to its technology-infused designs that provide comfort and protection against harsh weather conditions.
23. Vans
- Product Type: Skateboarding shoes, clothing, and accessories
- Industry: Apparel
- Founded Date: 1966
- Founders: Paul Van Doren, James Van Doren, Gordon Lee, Serge D’Elia
- Headquarters: Costa Mesa, California, United States
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Steve Rendle
Vans is an American footwear brand famous for its sneakers, skateboarding shoes, and related apparel. Since its establishment in 1966, Vans has been associated heavily with skate and surf culture, making it a popular choice amongst youth across the globe. The brand’s ‘Off The Wall’ slogan mirrors its commitment to individuality and personality, making it highly recognizable.
24. Converse
- Product Type: Athletic and casual footwear
- Industry: Apparel
- Founded Date: 1908
- Founders: Marquis Mills Converse
- Headquarters: Boston, Massachusetts, United States
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: G. Scott Uzzell
Converse, an American shoe company founded in 1908, is acclaimed worldwide for its iconic Chuck Taylor All-Star sneakers. Though initially designed for basketball, their comfort and individualistic design have made them a favorite for everyday wear. They may not be performance-centric like ASICS; however, they offer a distinctive casual alternative in athletic footwear markets.
25. Newton Running
- Product Type: Running shoes
- Industry: Sporting goods
- Founded Date: 2007
- Founders: Danny Abshire, Jerry Lee
- Headquarters: Boulder, Colorado, United States
- Area Served: Worldwide
- Current CEO: Wendy Yang
Newton Running is an American company recognized for its running shoes. The brand was founded in 2007 and offers performance-oriented products with unique forefoot propulsion technology. Their commitment to delivering an efficient running experience makes Newton Running a strong contender in the running shoe industry.
These were all the competitors of ASICS. If you know any other competitors, please write in the comments below.
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