Last Updated on March 18, 2022

Have you wondered where to shop for garments or shoes that are similar to Nike?

If you’re thinking of expanding your wardrobe or adding some brand variety to your sports clothing, look no further! These 5 brands share in the athletic vibe and have a wide array of garments that might strike your fancy.

You might know Nike for its footwear, clothing, or gym equipment, and it is no surprise since Nike is the world’s largest athletic apparel company, but these competitors bring a lot to the table. Some are budget-friendly, some have super cool retro designs and others are very unique in their aesthetic but share in some of Nike’s core characteristics.

Read ahead to find out which is the best fit for you, and where are you going to be buying from next!

Main qualities of Nike

• Innovative technology
• Maximum performance
• High-quality
• Stylish products
• Sporty
• Inspiring advertising campaigns
• Globally responsible
• Widely available
• Consumer-driven

Most iconic garments from Nike

• Footwear
• Sport apparel

#1. Adidas

Overview: Adidas is a German corporation that specializes in manufacturing footwear, apparel, and accessories.

Price Range: $$-$$$

Origin and Concept: Adidas is the second-largest activewear brand in the world after Nike. The company was founded by Adolf Dassler and he was later joined by his brother Rudolf. When they split, Rudolf founded Puma, giving birth to the epic rivalry between the two brands.

Adolf Dassler was behind the development of spiked running shoes for athletes. The brand is characterized by the three stripes in its logo, as well as the trefoil logo that was designed in 1971 for the Summer Olympics in Munich. Adidas is heavily associated with many sports, football, running, and tennis being some of the bigger ones, to name a few.

The company also designs apparel and accessories, like sandals, watches, eyewear, bags, caps, socks, and perfumes. 

Recommended Product(s): Sportswear Mission Victory Tee & Future Icons 3-stripes Sweatshirt + Essentials Studio Fleece Hoodie & Run Fast Radically Running Short

Celebs who are fans: Beyonce, Kylie Jenner, Kanye West, Victoria Beckham, Rihanna, Hailey Bieber, Alexander Wang, Donald Glover, and Gigi Hadid, among others. 

Ethical Practices: Adidas uses some eco-friendly materials like recycled waste and plastic bottles gathered from the sea. It also uses certified tanneries that are graded either gold or silver by the Leather Working Group.

Adidas has established an absolute target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (which does not include its supply chain) and regarding social labor, it is certified by the FLA Workplace Code of Conduct and has a 70% Fashion Transparency Index.

The brand does not use fur, exotic animal skin/hair, and angora, but it still uses leather. Having all of this in mind, it’s rating when it comes to Ethical Practices is quite good. 

#2. New Balance

Overview: New Balance (NB) is an American sports brand that designs footwear and apparel.

Price Range: $$-$$$

Origin and Concept: The company was established in 1906 by William J. Riley, an Irish immigrant, in Boston. His first product, a flexible arch support, was designed with three support points that provided greater balance and comfort to any shoe.

The first shoe would be created in 1960, thanks to his daughter who owned the business by that time. The Trackster became the unofficial shoe of the track teams of the YMCA programs. New Balance still manufactures a big portion of its footwear in the United States, as well as in the UK for the European market.

New Balance’s claim is that their products differentiate themselves from their competitors with technical features (blended gel inserts, size selection, different widths).

Recommended Product(s): NB Heatloft Pullover & NB Essentials Pullover Hoodie + NB Essentials French Terry Sweatpant & Fresh Foam 1080v11

Celebs who are fans: Elsa Hosk, Chantal Jeffries, Leonie Hanne, Whitney Port, Lucy Hale, Yara Shahidi, Hailey Baldwin, Emily Ratajkowski, Jennifer Aniston, Alessandra Ambrosio, Ivanka Trump, Katie Holmes, and Kaia Gerber, among others.

Ethical Practices: New Balance uses some eco-friendly materials like organic cotton but there is no evidence that it implements water reduction or prevents deforestation in its supply chain. It uses some renewable energy to reduce its impact on climate change and some of its supply chain is certified by the FLA Workplace Code of Conduct. Its score in the 2021 Fashion Transparency Index is 41-50%.

#3. Puma

Overview: Puma is a German multinational brand that designs and manufactures sportswear. 

Price Range: $$-$$$

Origin and Concept: Puma is the third-largest sportswear manufacturer in the world. The brand was founded by Rudolf Dassler in 1948 after he split from brother Adolf Dassler (Adidas). Puma has sponsored many teams and athletes over the years and has participated in several Olympic games.

Since 2000, Puma audits all of its suppliers on a yearly basis and makes those results available publicly but they have also been repeatedly accused of being linked to sweatshop factories and forced labor.   

Recommended Product(s): High Court Quad Women’s Basketball Jacket & Puma x DC Justice League Wonder Woman Leggings + Suede Classic XXI Women’s Sneakers & Scuderia Ferrari Speedcat Motorsport Shoes

Celebs who are fans: Dua Lipa, Sophie Turner, Whitney Port, Selena Gomez, Sofia Vergara, Bella Thorne, and Whitney Port, among others.

Ethical Practices: Puma uses some eco-friendly materials and it has also set a science-based target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (operations and supply chain both). The brand is on track to meet its target and has also set a deadline to eliminate hazardous chemicals by 2025.

There is also no evidence that it minimizes textile waste during manufacturing or that it has any inclusion or diversity practices in place. They do, however, have some policies and safeguards to protect suppliers and workers in their supply chain. 

You May Like: Family Roots Run Deep: Adidas vs. Puma

#4. Reebok

Overview: Reebok is an American footwear and clothing fitness company. 

Price Range: $$-$$$

Origin and Concept: The brand was established in 1958 in Great Britain as part of J.W. Foster and Sons (a sporting goods company) and became quite famous for its running shoes. They were some of the first to make spiked shoes.

The name Reebok came from a South African dictionary that one of Foster’s grandsons had won at a race. The name was Africaans for the grey rhebok, an African antelope. The company was later bought by Adidas, in 2005. Reebok designs, manufactures, and sells fitness, running, and CrossFit sportswear.

Their clothing line is also very much appreciated in sports circles. Some of their sponsorships include individual professional athletes, like Serena Williams, and the Portugal national basketball team. 

Recommended Product(s): Workout Ready Printed Leggings & Lux Bold High-waisted liquid abyss print tights + Classics Vector Cropped Sherpa Track Jacket & Nano XI Women’s Training Shoes

Celebs who are fans: Victoria Beckham, Gigi Hadid, Sydney Sweeney, Gigi Hadid, Hilary Duff, Addison Rae, Rita Ora, Chantel Jeffries, Emily Ratajkowski, Gal Gadot, and Perrie Edwards, among others.

Ethical Practices: Reebok uses some eco-friendly materials (mainly recycled materials) and they have also conducted research regarding the impact of microplastics on the environment. They still use a ton of leather, that despite coming from certified tanneries, is still very damaging to the environment. 

Check Out: Reebok vs Nike: Battle of the Footwear Brands

#5. Converse

Overview: Converse is an American iconic footwear company that specializes in sneakers. They also create apparel, and accessories as part of their lifestyle brand.

Price Range: $$-$$$

Origin and Concept: The brand was founded in 1908 by Marquis Mills Converse in Malden, Massachusetts. The company first provided winter rubber shoes but wouldn’t start manufacturing athletic footwear until 1915. During World War II, they shifted their manufacturing to make shoes for the military.

In 2003, the company was acquired by Nike and relaunched, taking advantage of the 80s revival trend. They are most famous for their All-Star Chuck model but they have created many iconic looks like The Weapon and several high fashion editions in collaboration with artists of all kinds, DC Comics, famous cartoons, celebrities, and more.

Their most iconic look continues to be the basketball court sneaker with a rubber point and sole. 

Recommended Product(s): Run Start Motion Platform We Are Stronger Together & Color-Blocked Oversized Button Down Shirt + Flower Photo Relaxed Tee & New Silo Short Down Jacket

Celebs who are fans: Jordin Sparks, Kristen Stewart, Michelle Obama, Miley Cyrus, Jennifer Aniston, Sarah Jessica Parker, Rihanna, and Katy Perry, among others. 

Ethical Practices: Being owned by Nike, Converse also uses some eco-friendly materials like organic and recycled cotton/polyester. It also has a waste reduction strategy for its production and supply chain. Despite some improvements to its renewable energy use, and its target number to reduce gas emissions, there is no evidence that Converse is on track to meet it. 

Read Next:

How To Wear Converse Shoes Off The Basketball Court

Top 10 Brands Like Converse (For Every Look & Price Range)

The Clash of All-Stars: Converse High Tops vs Low Tops

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