There isn’t one. All of them are good, all of them are the best, or all of them are the worst.
And by this I mean the power that marketing has in each of these companies. They are the ones who dictate which style is better, which concept is better, or which colors will set the path for the next season.
But marketing strategies are just a part of the real plan, because what really matters is that the brand manages to capture the best athletes in their disciplines, to whom they offer juicy contracts, exclusive lines, unique and eye-catching designs, limited models where scarcity, exclusivity and therefore brand appreciation is sought.
Michael Jordan was the person who achieved two very big milestones: he saved a company that was on the verge of bankruptcy, Nike, and was the first to have an exclusive line of athletic shoes, Air Jordan, which is currently the most bought among sports shoe fans.
This alliance, one of the most lucrative in the market, has catapulted Nike as the favorite company among professional and amateur athletes. A brand that offers you status, class, and style. An athlete is considered elite when they sign a contract with some of the most popular and beloved brands among buyers.
But this has unleashed a market of limited edition sneaker buyers, elevating prices to unimaginable figures. There are the Air Jordan I which have reached figures of 10 to 20 thousand dollars, we can also find the Air Jordan Silver Shoe (with autograph) which sold for 60 thousand dollars, and to top it off are the most expensive ever sold, the Air Jordan 12, sold for 104 thousand dollars. These were the models that Michael wore in the famous 1997 finals game against the Utah Jazz, where he played with the flu and fever, which did not prevent him from winning the game and becoming one of the best moments of his career. From that night on, that feat renamed this model as the Air Jordan 12 Flu Game, and that black with red edition he wore that night managed to become the most expensive Air Jordans ever sold.
Many athletes are tempted with lucrative contracts from major sports brands. This ensures two things: sales and status. If you have the best, it’s because you’re one of the best.
Here’s a list of great athletes in their disciplines who are with some of the most recognized brands.
Nike: LeBron James (basketball) Cristiano Ronaldo (football) Simone Biles (gymnastics)
Adidas: Lionel Messi (football) Damian Lillard (basketball) Naomi Osaka (tennis)
Reebok: Conor McGregor (mixed martial arts) Crossfit Games Champions (Crossfit) Shaquille O’Neal (basketball)
Under Armour: Stephen Curry (basketball) Michael Phelps (swimming) Lindsey Vonn (skiing)
New Balance: Kawhi Leonard (basketball) Sydney McLaughlin (athletics) Francisco Lindor (baseball)
Now, to be able to give an answer to which is the best brand of athletic shoes, you must take into account what sport you practice, which brand has the greatest relevance in that sport, or which players are with that brand.
At the end of the day, what really influences the buyer at the time of purchase is the perception factor and the status factor. What brand do my friends use? Which one looks better? Which brand is my favorite player with? Who has the best designs?
Whether it’s Nike, Reebook, Adidas, Under Armour, New Balance, or any other equally known or not so well-known brand, what really matters is that the shoes you buy protect and keep your feet safe.