Indian Sneaker Brands Worth Losing Your Head (and Your Heart) Over, Right Now

There is something rather revolutionary happening at shoe level. While global giants continue flooding department stores and duty-frees with familiar silhouettes, a new generation of Indian brands are doing something far more interesting: making sneakers that feel like they actually belong to us.

Perhaps most excitingly, Indian sneaker brands are no longer playing catch-up; they are carving out an identity all their own.

Whether you are chasing sustainability, a statement drop, handcrafted details, or something comfortable enough to survive a six-hour shaadi, Indian footwear has levelled up. From Bengaluru’s hype-driven sneaker labels to Delhi brands rooted in craftsmanship, and a Bollywood megastar finally putting his stamp, quite literally, on an icon, Masala rounds up the names stepping up India’s sneaker game right now.

Celebrity sneaker collaborations have long dominated global streetwear culture, but India is finally stepping confidently into that space too.

Enter the Adidas Originals x Ranveer Singh Superstar, the first reinterpretation of the iconic silhouette by an Indian collaborator. Inspired by the royal Bengal tiger and Ranveer Singh’s famously maximalist personal style, the sneaker pairs classic black-and-white colour blocking with tiger-stripe detailing and a bespoke insignia that feels dramatic without tipping fully into costume territory.

Released in a collectible wooden chest and positioned as a hyperlocal statement drop, the collaboration feels symbolic of something bigger. Indian celebrity culture is no longer simply participating in global sneaker conversations; it is actively shaping them.

Available at adidas.co.in

Delhi-based and deeply proud of it, Gully Labs approaches sneakers less like accessories and more like storytelling devices.

Rooted in local streets, crafts, and culture, the brand filters distinctly Indian references such as kantha embroidery, migration narratives, and regional textures through a contemporary streetwear lens. The result feels expressive without being overdone, handcrafted without leaning overly traditional.

From the embroidered Buransh Red pair to the recently revived Kulfi collection, Gully Labs has mastered the art of turning cultural references into wearable design. Hand-lasted on wider Indian foot moulds and finished by artisans in Noida, these are sneakers built for people who want their shoes to make a statement before they utter a word.

Available at gullylabs.com

For the sneakerhead with a conscience, sustainable fashion has moved well beyond beige basics, and Thaely proves eco-conscious design can still look genuinely cool.

The brand invented ThaelyTex, a leather-like material made entirely from discarded plastic bags, and built an entire sneaker line around it, including recycled rubber soles and recycled packaging. The result is a pair of sneakers that looks sharp, wears well, and has the faintest suggestion of moral superiority that, frankly, you have earned.

Their Tech Tabis are the current frontrunner, tapping into fashion’s growing obsession with functional, futuristic, and movement-focused dressing.

Available at thaely.in

If the idea of surviving wedding season in stilettos feels increasingly unnecessary, Anaar may just be your answer.

The brand specialises in artisanal bridal and festive sneakers adorned with zardozi, chikankari, and aari embroidery that can hold their own against even a heavily embellished lehenga. Comfort and ceremony are no longer mutually exclusive here.

Each pair draws from traditional Indian craft forms while leaning fully into the growing trend of occasion sneakers, shoes designed for dance floors, destination weddings, and brides who refuse to limp through their own sangeet.

Styles like the More Amore sneaker and the aptly named Thumka perfectly capture the brand’s balance of sparkle, statement, and practicality.

Available at shopanaar.com

Banjaaran Studio operates on the firm conviction that a shoe should be worth talking about.

This Delhi-based brand draws from South Asia’s richest visual references, like Jaipur’s block prints, ikat weaves, Multani tiles, and the Nazar eye, transforming them into handcrafted sneakers that have found their way onto the feet of Rajkummar Rao, Manoj Bajpayee, and Riteish Deshmukh, among others.

From the illustrated Oculus sneakers to the vibrant Feroza Bomber pair, their designs are expressive, unapologetically bold, and entirely impossible to ignore, though the real appeal lies in how wearable this maximalism still feels.

If you have been reaching for the same pair of plain white sneakers every morning, consider this your intervention.

Available at banjaaran.in

Retro runners, chunky soles, and dad-sneaker energy are still dominating fashion feeds, and Comet has quickly become one of India’s coolest answers to the trend.

Founded by two Bengaluru entrepreneurs with an MBA’s worth of sneaker obsession, Comet has built a loyal following the old-fashioned way: drawing queues around the block.

Limited drops named after Indian cultural touchstones like Jugnu, Pataka, and Ludo give each sneaker a personality beyond the shoe itself. Their silhouettes pair bold colourways with sporty Y2K influences and everyday wearability.

Missed their latest Nimbu Paani drop? Keep your eyes on the next one; Comet always has another release around the corner.

Available at wearcomet.com