Here’s a concise roundup of the top sneaker brands in 2025 — why they matter now and what they’re best for. I based this on market/share reporting, resale data, and recent reviews/trend coverage. Citations follow each brand note.

Top sneaker brands in 2025

1. Nike — Best overall (performance + culture)

• Still the biggest, with the deepest performance tech, huge cultural reach and top resale presence (Nike-led drops, Dunks/Jordans remain influential). (futuremarketinsights.com, fashiondive.com)

2. adidas — Best for streetwear collabs and Originals

• Strong Originals (Stan Smith, Samba, Gazelle) and high-profile collabs (designers, musicians); gaining share as it recovers from the Yeezy era. (investing.com, gq.com)

3. New Balance — Best for everyday/lifestyle & craftsmanship

• Massive comeback as a style staple (990/550/1906 lines) plus “Made in” premium ranges — a favorite for fashion and comfort. (gq.com, sneakerstyle.us)

4. Jordan Brand (Nike sub‑brand) — Best for collectors/resale

• Retro Jordans and limited drops remain top resale performers and culture drivers. (stockx.com, runrepeat.com)

5. On Running — Best fast-growing performance-lifestyle brand

• On’s Cloud/Cloudmonster lines continue to expand beyond running into everyday wear and high-visibility sales/growth. (tomsguide.com, futuremarketinsights.com)

6. Hoka — Best for max-cushion comfort & recovery

• Hoka models (Bondi, Mach, etc.) lead in cushioning comfort and are widely recommended for long runs/standing all day. (realsimple.com, shape.com)

7. ASICS — Best for stability and serious running tech

• ASICS remains a top choice for neutral/stability trainers and continues to release well-reviewed running models in 2025. (runrepeat.com, tomsguide.com)

8. Puma — Best for affordable fashion-forward sports styles

• Strong celeb/designer collaborations and retro silhouettes keep Puma relevant on the streetwear and performance crossover fronts. (ell-11.com, sneakerstyle.us)

9. Veja — Best for sustainability-minded shoppers

• Veja’s recycled-material supply chains and transparency continue to anchor its appeal among eco-focused consumers. (time.com)

10. Golden Goose — Best luxury-lifestyle sneakers

• Luxury/distressed-style sneakers remain hot in fashion; Golden Goose posted notable revenue growth in 2025. (reuters.com)

11. Converse — Best classic/affordable silhouettes

• Timeless Chuck Taylor platform in fashion rotations and steady resale/trading presence. (stockx.com)

12. Skechers / Lululemon / Saucony — Best niche leaders (comfort, athleisure, growing street cred)

• Skechers and Lululemon have expanded into performance and lifestyle footwear; Saucony and other heritage running brands are seeing renewed hype and resale growth. (shape.com, resalepro.com, stockx.com)

How I selected these

• Combination of: market/share and sales data, resale/trading reports (StockX/secondary market), expert/product reviews and fashion/trend coverage across 2024–2025. Key sources included Reuters/GlobalData reporting, StockX trend data and major fashion/outlet reviews. (globaldata.com, stockx.com, gq.com)

Quick buying guide (short)

• Need running tech? Choose Nike, ASICS, Hoka, On or New Balance (depending on ride preference). (futuremarketinsights.com, runrepeat.com)
• Want streetwear or collabs? Look to adidas, Nike (incl. Jordan), New Balance, Puma. (gq.com, investing.com)
• Sustainability focus? Veja. (time.com)
• Luxury/fashion statement? Golden Goose, Balenciaga, Common Projects (luxury designers). (reuters.com)
• Best resale/collectible bets? Jordan and limited Nike/adidas collabs historically perform best on StockX/GOAT. (stockx.com, fashiondive.com)

If you want, I can:

• Narrow this to “best running brands,” “best fashion/streetwear,” or “best budget options” and list top models for each use case with links to reviews and price ranges.