Sneaker culture is alive and well. More than just a practical way to cover your feet, shoes and sneakers are also high fashion. Shoes are synonymous with lifestyles; sports and outdoor activity enthusiasts all have purpose-built shoes to match their hobbies. Some shoes are even collector's items these days, and many people make money buying and selling limited-edition shoes online.
The shoe industry overall isn't a high-growth sector. However, with global spending on footwear nearing $500 billion per year and slowly but steadily climbing, there's plenty of room for shoe companies to carve out a niche and increase their sales.
List of top shoe stocks
Investing in shoe stocks in 2025
Many shoe stocks are long-term value investments. They are slower-growing businesses but can be profitable and sometimes offer a little dividend income. Other smaller brands that are trendy and riding consumer momentum are more akin to high-growth stocks. Put simply, there's a shoe stock that fits the needs of investors of all types.
| Company name | Company ticker | Market cap | Industry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nike | NYSE:NKE | $88 billion | Textiles, Apparel and Luxury Goods |
| Adidas Ag | OTC:ADDYY | $40 billion | Textiles, Apparel and Luxury Goods |
| On Holding | NYSE:ONON | $17 billion | Textiles, Apparel and Luxury Goods |
| Deckers Outdoor | NYSE:DECK | $15 billion | Textiles, Apparel and Luxury Goods |
| Crocs | NASDAQ:CROX | $6 billion | Textiles, Apparel and Luxury Goods |
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1. Nike
The undisputed leader in global shoe sales, the Nike swoosh adorns lots of team sportswear. The company makes all types of shoes, from everyday casual sneakers to the highest-end fashion kicks. Nike is also the parent of the Converse and Jordan brands.
Since Phil Knight started selling running shoes in Eugene, Ore., in the 1960s, Nike has turned into one of the world's most recognizable brands. Nike is currently facing some struggles, particularly in terms of declining sales and market share, though it remains the world's largest sportswear brand.
The company has struggled with managing its inventory, leading to excess stock and increased discounting to move products. Consumers are increasingly favoring newer and more innovative brands, particularly in the running and performance footwear categories. Emerging activewear brands and established competitors are also gaining market share.
The company has undergone leadership changes, including the appointment of a new CEO, as it attempts to address these challenges and regain market share. CEO Elliott Hill has outlined a new, multiyear strategy to boost Nike's presence in key markets and regain lost market share.
Nike is prioritizing innovation and developing new products to address consumer preferences and compete more effectively. It isn't the fastest-growing brand on this list, but it's still expanding at a steady pace. Nike also pays a modest and rising dividend for people interested in investment income.
2. Adidas
Before Nike, there was Adidas. Although Germany's top producer of sports gear was surpassed by the swoosh long ago and trails Nike in annual sales, it still easily commands second place in global shoe and athletic wear revenue every year.
While Nike handled the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic a bit more gracefully thanks to its best-in-class, direct-to-consumer online selling model, Adidas is no slouch. Adidas' currency-neutral revenues increased by 13% in the first quarter of 2025, with the brand growing by 17%, far outpacing Nike's performance in recent quarters.
From casual gear to specialty sports shoes to limited-edition sneakers highly sought after by collectors, Adidas still has a long runway of growth ahead.
3. On Holding
Founded in 2010, On Holding has raced onto the global shoe scene. The Swiss company has made a name for itself with high-end running shoes and has shown up at elite-level running events all over the world. It's clearly doing something right. In just over a decade, On Holding has built a company reporting billions in annual sales.
On Holding is expanding its lineup of products from lifestyle to outdoor kicks while growing its direct-to-consumer segment. If it's successful with these new product launches, this upstart shoe company could have a lot of growth left. On Holding reported a 43% increase in net sales in the first quarter of 2025, reaching CHF 726.6 million ($879 USD), demonstrating robust demand for its products.
The company's direct-to-consumer (DTC) channel saw significant growth, with sales rising by 45.3%, contributing to a higher gross profit margin. On Holding is experiencing success in international markets, particularly in the Asia Pacific region, where sales grew by 130.1%.
The company's new Cloudsurfer 2 and Cloud 6 shoes have been well-received, with the Cloud 6 becoming its largest product launch to date. Due to its strong performance, On Holding raised its full-year 2025 revenue guidance, and is now expecting at least 28% growth on a constant currency basis.
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4. Deckers Outdoor
Deckers Outdoor shoe products can be found in all sorts of retailers around the globe. Its stable of footwear names includes the sheepskin boots brand Ugg, running shoe company Hoka, and sandals and casual footwear brands Teva and Sanuk.
Deckers has reported strong revenue growth in recent quarters. For example, its revenue during the third quarter of fiscal 2025 increased by 17% to a record $1.83 billion. The company has also raised its full-year revenue guidance. Diluted earnings per share has also increased significantly, up 19% year over year.
The Ugg brand continues to experience strong global momentum, and Hoka is delivering impressive results. There's no telling how long its double-digit percentage growth will continue, but Deckers is a top growth stock in the shoe industry right now.
5. Crocs
Crocs aren't everyone's favorite style. The soft clogs, made from a proprietary polymer-based material, were a hot item in the 2000s shortly after the company was founded, but took a step back during the Great Recession. While the quirky shoemaker's sales were stuck in a rut for much of the 2010s, it kept a loyal following -- especially among kids and young adults.
However, the pandemic and the casual "stay-at-home" apparel style it helped foster sent Crocs' popularity soaring again. While growth isn't at pandemic levels anymore, the company reported record annual revenue of $4.1 billion for 2024, a 4% year-over-year increase.
The Crocs brand continues to be the company's main growth driver, with revenues increasing 8.8% in 2024. The HeyDude brand, acquired in 2022, has not performed as expected, with revenues decreasing 13.2% in 2024. Crocs maintains healthy profit margins, even though the HeyDude acquisition has affected overall profitability. For now, Crocs could be a top niche apparel and accessories stock to consider.
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The bottom line
Shoe stocks for the long haul
Shoes are not a growth investment theme overall, but certain brands have enduring appeal and offer the promise of stable investment returns. Since shoes are also a style and fashion statement, there's always room for small upstarts to catch fire and carve out a big niche for themselves among shoppers. However you decide to invest in shoes and sneakers, remember to pick stocks with long-term growth prospects.
