China’s Most Popular Footwear Brands Right Now, Ranked

China’s footwear market has entered a new phase of competitive balance, where global giants no longer operate without serious domestic pressure. Athletic performance, accessible price architecture, and strong cultural positioning are redefining brand power across both sport and lifestyle categories. Local players are scaling faster through national pride, product innovation, and aggressive retail expansion, while international brands continue to lead in premium positioning and global storytelling.

What emerges is a market defined less by legacy and more by momentum. Popularity in China is increasingly shaped by relevance and how well brands translate performance credibility into everyday lifestyle adoption. The following ranking reflects the brands currently commanding the strongest consumer visibility and commercial traction across the country.

China’s Top 10 Footwear Brands Ranked by Popularity and Market Strength

Rank	Brand	Key Strength
1	Nike	Premium sneakers
2	Anta	Running/multi-sport
3	adidas	Soccer/lifestyle
4	Li-Ning	Basketball
5	Xtep	Mass running
6	361°	Training/affordable
7	Skechers	Comfort casuals
8	Belle	Women’s fashion
9	Peak	Basketball/NBA
10	Erke	Budget sports

The Top 10 Brands

1. Nike

Nike maintains its leadership through premium positioning and cultural authority. Limited releases, performance innovation, and strong digital engagement continue to keep the brand aspirational, particularly among younger consumers in Tier-1 cities.

2. Anta

Anta has evolved into a multi segment powerhouse, balancing accessible performance products with a growing premium portfolio. Strategic acquisitions and strong national distribution give it one of the most resilient retail ecosystems in China.

3. adidas

adidas remains highly relevant through lifestyle silhouettes and football heritage. The brand’s strength lies in blending sport authenticity with fashion credibility, especially in urban streetwear environments.

4. Li-Ning

Once viewed as a traditional sports brand, Li-Ning has repositioned itself through design forward storytelling and basketball credibility. Its runway influenced collections continue to bridge performance and cultural identity.

5. Xtep

Xtep dominates the mass running segment with a strong value proposition. The brand has leaned into marathon culture and grassroots sport, building volume through accessible performance products.

6. 361°

361° thrives in the training and affordable performance space. Known for broad retail reach and competitive pricing, it attracts entry level athletes and price sensitive consumers without sacrificing technical credibility.

7. Skechers

Comfort remains Skechers’ defining advantage. The brand’s casual and walking categories resonate strongly with a wide demographic, proving that performance doesn’t always need a competitive narrative to drive scale.

8. Belle

Belle represents the fashion driven side of China’s footwear market. With a focus on women’s styles and retail driven merchandising, it holds significant influence within lifestyle and department store channels.

9. Peak

Peak’s identity is rooted in basketball culture and long standing NBA partnerships. The brand’s performance heritage continues to attract consumers seeking authentic court focused footwear at accessible price points.

10. Erke

Erke has built momentum through affordability and national support narratives. Positioned firmly in the budget sports category, it captures value driven consumers while maintaining visibility through grassroots sport initiatives.

Author Profile

Alyssa J. Mann: Alyssa Jade is a international fashion stylist and trend reporter based in Vancouver, Canada. Renowned for her versatile and expansive portfolio, Alyssa has collaborated with a diverse array of professionals, including athletes, political figures, television hosts, and business leaders. Her styling expertise extends across commercial campaigns, fashion editorials, music videos, television productions, fashion shows, and bridal fashion.