Good For The Sole: The 15 Best Shoe Brands
#15 Adidas
Personified by its three stripes, Adidas was founded in 1924 and has become the second largest manufacturer in sports apparel. Involved in a handful of sports, the company's list revenue in 2010 was close to €12 billion.
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15:
Adidas
Personified by its three stripes, Adidas was founded in 1924 and has become the second largest manufacturer in sports apparel. Involved in a handful of sports, the company's list revenue in 2010 was close to €12 billion.
14:
Toms Shoes
A younger retail giant (TOMS was founded in 2006), the shoe manufacturer has consistently created products with style and is commonly known for their charity work that includes shoe drops to raise awareness for the millions of children without footwear.
13:
Puma
Developing from the Adidas brand, Puma targets athletics as well as casual styles with their products ranging in fit, colors and appeal to both genders and all ages.
12:
Vans
A leader in skateboarding apparel since 1966, Vans has become one of the world's must trusted brands with the company also stretching out to other extreme sports as well as events, i.e. the Vans Warped Tour.
11:
Nike
The world's leading supplier of athletic shoes and apparel, the Portland-based brand has always had a taste for style which has been represented in all major professional sports as well as off-shoots such as Air Jordan, Nike Golf and Nike+.
10:
Louis Vuitton
Blending skill with experience, Louis Vuitton have always been able to create some of the most stylish shoes while adding their most important feature: comfort. Their workshops are specifically situated in Venetia where cobblery is a respected tradition.
9:
Converse
Though it's had its issues with trying to survive as a company and was eventually bought out by Nike to basically stay alive, Converse has always been a simple, but retrospective name that has become an icon thanks to their Chuck Taylor series.
8:
DC Shoes
Next to Vans Footwear, DC Shoes has shown a highly touted resume in the skateboard scene and beyond. Originally called Droors Clothing, the California skatewear company was acquired by Quiksilver in 2004 for approximately $87 million but has held it's own as a sub-division.
7:
Crocs
Though it never really took off until the mid-2000s as a smaller brand, the unique beach shoe was developed in 2002 and unveiled at a boat show in Florida where it immediately sold out 200 pairs. Since it's developed and launched its own stores across the world, pushing the name even further.
6:
Christian Louboutin
Recognizable because of their products' red sole, Louboutins are the cream of the crop when it comes to stiletto heels. Found on the red carpet and beyond, the company prides itself in an avant-garde style that has propelled its popularity.
5:
Sanuk
The Thai word for "fun", Sanuk branches off from sportswear to create a unique type of footwear designed off sandals and indoor-outdoor carpet. When first created, the unique shoes became major hits in boutique shops rather than the intended surf shops where it dominates today.
4:
Brian Atwood
In 2001, Brian Atwood caved and launched his own line of designer apparel which specialized in gorgeous chic shoes made from the best manufacturers in Italy. The key? Comfort - as every pair of stilettos is designed to make sure there's added comfort no matter the shape or style.
3:
New Balance
When people think of athletic trainers, they think of New Balance. The renown sportswear brand is popular for its technology in creating footwear that fits, adds comfort and creates room to breathe which is perfect for runners and athletic types battling various forms of terrain.
2:
Ugg
They took the fashion world by storm in the 2000s' and haven't really let up since as the Australia/New Zealand product made of sheepskin has become a popular choice for boots. Before Y2K, Ugg boots were actually designed for surfers to wear after professional competitions.
1:
Clarks
The British high street retail footwear is one of the oldest manufacturers having been founded in 1825. Owned by 81% of the initial Clark family, the shoes have become a staple for fashion and culture in areas such as the United Kingdom, Australia and several parts of the Caribbean.
