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Puma vs. ASICS: Which is Better in India?

Edited On: Dec 3, 2025

Tushar R Behera

December 3, 2025

India’s sportswear market has been experiencing significant growth over the past few years, as the fitness culture is expanding rapidly across Indian society. The Indian athletic footwear market size has surpassed $5.9 billion in 2024 and is projected to cross $9.8 billion by the end of 2033, growing at a CAGR of 5.2%.

With over 150 sportswear companies operating in the country, choosing the right brand can be a tough task. Out of these brands, Puma and ASICS are renowned for their innovations and performance-focused products. In this blog, we will compare these two brands across technology, catalog, durability under Indian conditions, and price to help you choose the right pair for your needs.

Puma vs. ASICS: A Quick Brand Background Overview

Here is a quick background comparison of Puma and ASICS that you should know:

Puma vs. ASICS: A Quick Brand History Overview

• Puma

Puma was established in 1948 and is now one of the top global sportswear players, renowned for blending performance with fashion collaborations. Since its foundation, Puma has expanded its running and lifestyle product portfolio and invested heavily in foam and knit technologies to improve the performance of its products. These innovations and technologies helped Puma increase its popularity among performance-focused athletes and casual consumers. The company entered India in 2006, and since then, it has expanded its portfolio and improved its revenue. Today, it is the leader in the Indian sportswear market with a revenue of ₹3,274 crore in 2024.

• ASICS

ASICS has built its reputation on performance running technology, including GEL® cushioning, FlyteFoam®, and biomechanics research. Its primary focus is on performance and sport science, and it has expanded its presence into SportStyle and Onitsuka Tiger categories. The company has also accelerated its investments in India, with plans to increase the number of offline stores to 200 by the end of 2026, showcasing its commitment to serving serious runners and fitness enthusiasts.

Puma vs. ASICS: Technology and Innovation

• Puma

Puma is known for its lightweight and responsive foams, such as NITRO and engineered knit uppers for breathability. The brand’s R&D team focuses on urban performance, blending performance footwear tech with trendy lifestyle design. Its innovations are targeted to runners seeking a balance of comfort, responsiveness, and style for daily training and casual running.

• ASICS

ASICS’ innovation focuses on GEL cushioning, FlyteFoam/FF BLAST foams, and GUIDESOLE platform tech. The brand’s biomechanical approach provides stability and impact protection for long-distance running. Its shoes are designed for runners looking for durable running shoes.

Winner: ASICS for pure performance.

Puma vs. ASICS: Product Categories Offered in India

• Puma

Puma has a vast catalog in India, including products such as running shoes, trainers, casual sneakers, football boots, and apparel. Fitness enthusiasts and athletes love its NITRO running ranges and lifestyle products. All its products have trendy designs and are suitable for those who want a blend of performance running shoes and fashion sneakers.

• ASICS

ASICS focuses on offering performance running, stability trainers, and SportsStyle categories, and plans to expand its catalog as its local production grows in India. You can explore its curated running line (GEL/FF BLAST) with lifestyle silhouettes and specialized race shoes. Its product portfolio is ideal for technical runners who want specific cushion and stability options.

Winner: Puma, as it has a wider product portfolio.

Puma vs. ASICS: Design

• Puma

Puma is renowned for its uniquely designed sports and streetwear. It uses bold colours, retro silhouettes, and lifestyle collaborations. Puma balances ergonomics with fashion-forward looks, manufacturing sneakers that not only perform but are also ideal for everyday wear. You should check out its unique sneaker styles, as its design language is more fashion-led.

• ASICS

ASICS focuses primarily on function, manufacturing shoes that include natural movement and biomechanics. Its SportStyle and Onitsuka Tiger shoes lineup’s core design focus is comfort, fit, and running efficiency. ASICS shoes are best suited for those who prioritize performance running shoes over the latest trends.

Winner: Puma for stylish shoes and ASICS for performance-focused shoes.

Puma vs. ASICS: Product Durability on Indian Conditions

• Puma

Puma shoes are popular for providing balanced durability for urban Indian use, including cushioned midsoles and robust rubber outsoles. However, if you live in a city like Bengaluru, Pune, or Chennai, you can get shoes with cushioned midsoles to suit mixed pavements and moderate weather. Puma’s lifestyle shoes may wear quickly on harsh surfaces in cities like Mumbai or Delhi NCR. You can purchase its performance or reinforced outsole shoes for tougher environments to ensure long-lasting reliability.

• ASICS

ASICS focuses on long-lasting durability with structured uppers and resilient foams, making them suitable for demanding roads in Mumbai, Pune, or Bengaluru. You can also explore the brand’s GEL and FlyteFoam cushioning shoes, which can retain performance even on harder surfaces. Its lifestyle shoes can be slightly heavier compared to Puma’s models, but perform outstandingly for runners who need reliable shoes that can withstand varied road and weather conditions across India.

Winner: ASICS shoes outperform Puma shoes in long-term durability across challenging Indian conditions.

Puma vs. ASICS: Price

• Puma

Puma frequently prices its products competitively in India. You can also encounter exciting sales and discounts on e-commerce websites, making Puma shoes more affordable for fashion-conscious shoppers. Additionally, you can search for exclusive Puma coupon codes online and use them on the checkout page to save on your desired shoes.

• ASICS

ASICS generally targets the performance market with higher average pricing for some tech-rich running shoes; however, its standard lifestyle shoes are priced competitively. When you plan to purchase from its website, search for verified ASICS promo codes online to enjoy additional discounts.

Winner: Puma, as it runs frequent discounts.

Puma vs. ASICS: Shipping and Return Policy

• Puma

Once you place your order and it is dispatched, Puma will deliver it within 3 – 7 working days. You can enjoy free shipping on all prepaid orders. However, if you wish to return a product, you can do so within 10 days of delivery. Your refunds will be processed to your original payment method once it has been approved.

• ASICS

ASICS offers a straightforward shipping policy with free shipping for all orders. Once your order has been dispatched, it will be delivered within 5 -7 working days. The brand also offers a simple return policy; you can return the delivered product within 7 days from the delivery date.

Winner: Tie

Puma vs. ASICS: Pros and Cons

Which Company Should You Choose: Puma vs. ASICS?

After comparing Puma and ASICS products across various categories, ASICS is a better choice for training due to its GEL and FlyteFoam technologies, as well as its runner-centric product line. However, if you are a value-conscious shopper, an athleisure fan, and an everyday commuter who wants a sporty style, Puma is the one you should pick. It has a vast product catalog, offers attractive price points, and collaboration drops. For Indian conditions, ASICS shoes are generally durable compared to Puma, while the latter is best for mixed use, style, and frequent sales.