Staying fit has become a top priority for Indians due to their fast-paced lifestyle and eating habits. This has increased the need for sportswear essentials among fitness enthusiasts. However, with over 176 companies available in the Indian sportswear market, it can be tough for you to choose the right brand that offers the best performance, comfort, durability, and value.
Among all major sportswear brands in India, Puma and Skechers stand out for their product catalog, innovative products, and comfort-first designs. Both brands offer a range of products, including running shoes, sports apparel, and even casual wear.
In this blog, we will compare these brands in multiple categories, including the technologies they use to manufacture their products, product durability, design philosophy, and performance in Indian environments. This will help you pick the right product for your needs.
Puma vs. Skechers: A Quick Background Overview
The table below provides an idea about these brands’ history, founders, headquarters, number of offline stores, and products offered.
| Field | Puma | Skechers |
| Established Year | 1948 | 1992 |
| Founders | Rudolf Dassler | Robert Greenberg |
| Headquarters | Herzogenaurach, Germany | California, United States |
| Global Presence | 120+ countries | 170+ countries |
| Global Offline Stores | More than 800 | Over 5,300 stores |
| India Offline Stores | More than 447 | Over 400 stores |
| Products Offered | Running shoes, training shoes, sportstyle, and apparel | Walking shoes, casual shoes, lifestyle items, and apparel |
| Entry in India | 2006 | 2012 |
| Revenue 2024 | €8.82 billion | $8.97 billion |
Puma vs. Skechers: A Quick History Overview
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Puma
Puma was founded in 1948 by Rudolf Dassler, and today it is a global leader in performance and sportstyle. The company is known for its football, running, and athleisure products, which it manufactures by blending athletic engineering with trend-driven designs. Since Puma entered India in 2006, it has been the top priority among gym-goers, college students, and runners who want stylish yet performance-centric footwear. Its products are suitable for both workouts and casual dressing.
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Skechers
Skechers was launched in 1992, and it has built its reputation on comfort technologies, including Memory Foam and Arch Fit. The company has expanded its product portfolio into walking, lifestyle, and everyday casual footwear. Skechers entered India in 2012 by partnering with the Future Group and became a wholly-owned subsidiary in the market by acquiring the remaining 49% stake of the Future Group in 2019. It is popular among office workers, walkers, and fitness enthusiasts who seek cushioned support for long commutes and everyday walking.
Puma vs. Skechers: Manufacturing & Materials
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Puma
Puma is renowned for its innovations in the sportswear industry. It uses engineered mesh, EVA cushioning, and performance foams like ProFoam and NITRO to provide support to your running and sports movements. The brand’s uppers keep a balance between breathability and durability. On the other hand, their latest models are made from sustainable materials. Puma’s designs are solely focused on athletic responsiveness, making its products suitable for gym workouts and outdoor training sessions.
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Skechers
Skechers focuses on comfort, using Air-Cooled Memory Foam, Arch Fit support, and flexible foams in its shoes, making them suitable for prolonged periods of standing and walking. Its engineered knit uppers provide breathability, which are suited for India’s hot climate. Due to these manufacturing details, Skechers is highly popular among professionals in cities like Bengaluru and Hyderabad, who walk long distances daily.
Winner: Skechers for comfort and Puma for high-performance.
Puma vs. Skechers: Product Catalog
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Puma
Puma offers a vast product catalog for its Indian customers. Its product portfolio includes running, training, football, motorsport, and sportstyle sneakers, apparel, and accessories. They also collaborate with fashion influencers and top celebrities, such as Virat Kohli, to reach a wide customer base. The brand’s fashion collaborations appeal to young urban shoppers, and its dedicated lineup of running shoes appeals to athletes.
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Skechers
Skechers offers a range of walking, lifestyle, gym, and casual shoes for Indians. Its shoes are manufactured with GoWalk, Max Cushioning, and Arch Fit technologies. The company’s sports shoes are considered the best under ₹5,000 in India, making them suitable for students, working professionals, and seniors, who prioritise long-lasting comfort and cushioning.
Winner: Skechers for everyday use.
Puma vs. Skechers: Design Philosophy
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Puma
Puma mixes athletic silhouettes with streetwear trends, targeting Indian youth who like stylish sneakers. The company’s shoes have bold colors, sleek midsoles, and performance-inspired detailing. Due to its trendy designs, Puma shoes are among the best running shoes in India and have become a favorite for those who want modern-looking shoes.
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Skechers
Skechers shoes focus on offering ergonomic design, featuring roomy fits, soft uppers, and plush cushioning. The brand’s lifestyle designs are practical for long daily use, making them the best shoes for office workers in India and suitable for walking-heavy commutes. Skechers focuses more on comfort rather than offering aesthetics.
Winner: Skechers for its ergonomics and comfort designs.
Puma vs. Skechers: Product Durability
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Puma
Puma products are known for their durability. The brand’s running and training shoes offer strong durability when they are used for gym and sports activities. Its lifestyle shoes may not be suitable for rough outdoor use, but they are perfect for daily urban wear.
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Skechers
Skechers shoes are considered the best walking shoes in India. Its shoes are durable for everyday walking, casual use, and office commutes. Their midsoles and outsoles are designed to provide cushioning, but not for intense sports. The durability of its shoes depends on your usage. Skechers are super reliable for long daily walks on smooth surfaces.
Winner: Skechers for walking durability and Puma for athletic durability.
Puma vs. Skechers: Price in India
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Puma
| Category | Price Range |
| Running shoes | ₹1,659 to ₹23,999 |
| Sportstyle sneakers | ₹1,599 to ₹14,499 |
| Kids’ footwear | ₹639 to ₹5,999 |
| Apparel | ₹359 to ₹26,338 |
Puma shoes are affordable; however, they can be more expensive when you pick high-performance shoes. Whether you purchase a casual or a high-performance shoe, search for exclusive Puma coupon codes online and use them on the payment page to reduce your expenses.
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Skechers
| Category | Price Range |
| Running shoes | ₹2,879 to ₹17,999 |
| Sportstyle sneakers | ₹2,399 to ₹11,249 |
| Kids’ footwear | ₹999 to ₹3,799 |
| Apparel | ₹1,299 to ₹12,499 |
Skechers shoes are comparatively affordable than Puma shoes. However, if you want to save on your favorite shoes and sports apparel, you can use verified Skechers promo codes available online. These deals can help you save up to 40% to 50% on your preferred sports shoes and apparel.
Puma vs. Skechers: Shipping & Return Policy
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Puma
Puma offers a simple shipping policy in India. Once your order has been dispatched, it will be delivered within 3 – 7 business days. If you do an online payment, the brand offers free shipping. Puma also offers a straightforward return policy; you can return your delivered order within 10 days from the delivery date. Once approved, the refund will be processed to your original payment method.
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Skechers
Skechers offers free standard shipping in India on all orders. Your orders will be delivered within 2-7 working days, depending on your location. However, if you initiate a return, the brand offers a 10-day return policy for unused items. If you ordered from the brand’s international website, you can return it within 45 days.
Winner: Tie, as both offer similar policies.
Puma vs. Skechers: Revenue, Market Share & Market Cap
| Metric | Puma | Skechers |
| Revenue (2024) | €8.82 billion | $8.97 billion |
| Net Profit | €281.6 million | $639.5 million |
| Market Cap | €2.3 billion | $9.48 billion |
| Market Share Strength | Sports and lifestyle | Walking and comfort |
Puma vs. Skechers: Pros and Cons
| Brand | Pros | Cons |
| Puma | – Its shoes are good for running and training
– Offers strong sportstyle designs – Provides a range of durable performance shoes |
– Its products can be pricier sometimes
– Some of its lifestyle models may wear faster – Provides fewer comfort-only options |
| Skechers | – Its shoes are best for walking
– All its shoes offer superior comfort – Offers a range of affordable everyday footwear |
– Its shoes are not suitable for intense sports
– Some of its styles can look bulky – Its performance running footwear lineup is limited |
Puma vs. Skechers: Performance on Indian Roads, Monsoons, and Heat
In this section, we will examine how Puma and Skechers shoes perform on Indian roads under various environmental conditions, including monsoons and heat.
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Indian Roads
As we covered above, Puma shoes offer the best durability and traction. Its shoes are suitable for uneven Indian roads, broken footpaths, and rough surfaces. The company’s shoes have firm rubber outsoles and athletic construction. On the other hand, Skechers shoes perform best on smooth surfaces, making them suitable for your daily commuting routes. However, its shoes can wear faster on harsh road conditions in cities.
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Indian Monsoons
India is infamous for its monsoon conditions. Puma shoes are best in monsoon-heavy cities, such as Mumbai, Pune, and Gurugram. Its shoes have grippier outsoles and sturdier uppers that can easily handle wet conditions. On the other hand, Skechers shoes have knit uppers that can easily absorb water instantly, but they can take longer to dry. Due to this, its shoes are not ideal during the rainy season.
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Indian Heat and Humidity
Everyone is familiar with Indian summers, especially in cities like Delhi, Chennai, and Hyderabad. Skechers shoes are renowned for offering better breathability, thanks to their knitted uppers and soft, airy interiors. On the other hand, Puma shoes are also breathable, but Skechers shoes have a comfort-first design that stays cooler during long commutes and extended outdoor walking during humid weather.
Which One Should You Choose: Puma vs. Skechers?
We compared Puma and Skechers in this blog across various fields. However, when it comes to choosing the best brand, it depends on your needs. You should pick Puma if you prioritize performance, stability, stylish designs, or if you want shoes for your training and gym sessions. Puma shoes are also ideal for rough Indian roads, as they are durable and have better traction in monsoons, making them reliable for your outdoor use. On the other hand, if your priority is comfort, daily walking, long office commutes, or all-day wear, you should choose Skechers. Its shoes offer better cushioning, breathability, and ergonomic fit, making them best for India’s heat and urban walking lifestyle.
FAQs
Which is better for walking in India, Puma or Skechers?
Skechers shoes are better for long walking sessions on Indian roads. Its shoe collections, especially GoWalk and Arch Fit, should be your first choice.
Which is better for running in India, Puma or Skechers?
Compared to Skechers, Puma shoes are suitable for running in India and other high-performance activities. You can check its NITRO and ProFoam shoe collections for better results.
Which brand’s shoes last longer on Indian roads, Puma or Skechers?
Puma shoes generally last longer on rough Indian roads as they use EVA or Nitro foam, making them more resilient against abrasion. Skechers shoes stand out on smoother walkways as they have memory foam insoles. Due to this, they offer exceptional comfort; however, they offer less rugged durability.
