4F
Poland
EU
4F is a prominent European brand specializing in sportswear and outdoor clothing, aiming to provide high-quality products designed for various physical activities and lifestyles. Established in Poland, the brand has gained a...
European Alternatives to Skechers
Adidas
Germany
EU
Adidas is a globally recognized brand known for its innovative sportswear, footwear, and accessories. Founded in Germany in 1949, the company has built a reputation for quality and performance while promoting a...
Craft Sportswear
Sweden
EU
Craft Sportswear is a renowned European brand specializing in high-performance athletic apparel and accessories. Founded in Sweden, the brand focuses on creating innovative products designed for various sports and outdoor activities, ensuring...
Decathlon
France
EU
Decathlon is a well-known European retail company that specializes in sporting goods and equipment. Founded in France in 1976, Decathlon has grown to become one of the largest sports retailers globally, offering...
Diadora
Italy
EU
Diadora is an Italian sportswear brand that has established a strong foothold in the global market for athletic footwear and apparel. Known for its commitment to quality and innovation, Diadora offers a...
Hummel
Denmark
EU
Hummel is a renowned European sportswear brand known for its innovative designs and commitment to quality. Established in Denmark, the brand has a rich heritage in sports and lifestyle apparel, making it...
Puma
Germany
EU
Puma is a renowned sports and lifestyle brand that designs, develops, sells, and markets footwear, apparel, and accessories. With a strong commitment to innovation and performance, Puma caters to athletes and fashion...
Salomon
France
EU
Non-European Parent Company
Salomon is a globally recognized brand that specializes in outdoor sports equipment, particularly known for its high-quality footwear, apparel, and gear designed for skiing, snowboarding, hiking, and trail running. With over seven...
VEJA
France
EU
VEJA is a socially conscious footwear brand based in France that focuses on sustainability, ethical production, and direct trade. Since its establishment, VEJA has gained popularity for its stylish sneakers that not...
Did we miss one? Feel free to submit a suggestion!
Submit SuggestionSkechers is based in Southern California, calls itself "The Comfort Technology Company" and makes lifestyle and performance footwear, apparel and accessories for men, women and children. 3G Capital, an investment firm, completed its acquisition of Skechers on 12 September 2025, and the shares no longer trade on the NYSE.[1]
Alternatives to Skechers from Europe
Which brand is the best alternative to Skechers depends on what you need the shoes for. We group the nine brands on this page by what they make; this is not a test ranking.
Sneakers and everyday shoes
- VEJA (France) has made sneakers since 2004, with organic cotton from Brazil and Peru, Amazonian rubber soles and recycled materials, produced in Brazil and Portugal.[2]
- Diadora (Italy) started in 1948 in Caerano di San Marco with hiking and work boots and added a leisure sports shoe line in 1971.[3] Since 2009 it belongs to Lir, the holding company of the Moretti Polegato family.[3]
- 4F (Poland) is the casual and sportswear brand of OTCF S.A., a Polish company founded in 1995 with its head office in Krakow.[4][5]
Running and training
- Adidas (Germany) was registered on 18 August 1949 in Herzogenaurach, where its headquarters still is.[6][7]
- Puma (Germany) sits in Herzogenaurach. ANTA Sports became its largest shareholder in October 2026 with 29.06 %, and Puma says it stays independently managed.[8]
- Craft (Sweden, Borås) makes clothing for running, cycling and nordic skiing since 1973 and also sells road, trail and walking shoes.[9] It is part of New Wave Group.[10]
- Hummel (Denmark) was founded in 1923, has its headquarters in Aarhus and belongs to the family-owned group THORNICO.[11]
Outdoor and hiking
- Salomon (France) was founded in 1947 in Annecy and launched the XT-6 trail shoe in 2013.[12] It belongs to Amer Sports, which an ANTA Sports-led consortium took private in 2019 and which has been listed on the NYSE since 1 February 2024.[13] ANTA Sports holds 41.7 %, Anamered Investments 17.9 %, FountainVest Partners 6.1 % and Tencent 5.7 %.[14] Most shares are therefore held outside Europe, which is why buy-european marks Salomon as having a non-European parent.
- Decathlon (France) was born in 1976 and calls itself the world's largest sporting goods retailer. It offers hiking, camping and cycling gear "without the premium price".[15] Its campus is in Villeneuve-d'Ascq, and Quechua (mountain sports) was among its first brands.[16]
Sources
- [1] Skechers U.S.A., Inc.: 3G Capital Completes Acquisition of Skechers | Skechers (about.skechers.com). Retrieved October 23, 2026.
- [2] VEJA: Project | VEJA. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
- [3] Diadora: History - Diadora Online Store. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
- [4] OTCF S.A.: About us » OTCF S.A.. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
- [5] OTCF S.A.: Contact us » OTCF S.A.. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
- [6] adidas AG: History - adidas Group. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
- [7] adidas AG: The History of adidas: A Background of Collaboration and Innovation. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
- [8] PUMA SE: PUMA welcomes ANTA Sports as new largest shareholder | PUMA®. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
- [9] Craft Sportswear: About Craft | Craft Sportswear. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
- [10] New Wave Group AB: Our Brands - New Wave Group. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
- [11] hummel: About hummel | hummel. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
- [12] Salomon: WHO WE ARE | Salomon. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
- [13] Amer Sports: Our history and key events | Amer Sports. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
- [14] Amer Sports, Inc. (SEC): amersports_annualreport2025.pdf. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
- [15] Decathlon: About Decathlon. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
- [16] Decathlon: Decathlon's story - our key dates. Retrieved October 23, 2026.