Top 10 Crocs Competitors & Alternatives

Founded in 2002, Crocs is the brainchild of George Boedecker and Lyndon Hanson. Both these individuals always wanted to manufacture comfortable and affordable footwear. Thus, they came up with the idea of creating something made from foam clog. The company procured the materials from Foam Creations and in 2004, Crocs bought the right to procure Foam Creation’s specialized clog resin, which is what gives Crocs their comfort, flexibility, and durability.

However, what’s interesting to know is the legendary Crocs were initially meant to be boat shoes. They were also launched as boat shoes in 2002, at a boat show at Ford Lauderdale. In the event, the founders were able to sell up to 200 shoes. However, today, they’ve managed to sell more than 100 million pairs of crocs annually.

Crocs have more than 350 stores across the globe [1]. Moreover, the company made $2.3 billion in revenue in 2021 [2].

List of Some of the Top Crocs Competitors:

Table of Contents

1. Nike

Year founded: 1964
Headquarter: Oregon, USA

When it comes to top-notch quality, reputation, and popularity, Nike is the best Crocs competitor. And there are a couple of reasons why. First of all, Nike is the biggest athletic sports brand in the world.

Moreover, it has a massive collection of not just athletic/performance shoes, the brand offers a slew of sneakers, clothing items, bags, and much more. With a focus on comfort and quality, Nike is the top pick on this list. The company operates over 1,040 retail stores across the globe [3].

Moreover, Nike made $44.54 billion in revenue in 2021 [4].

2. Under Armour

Year founded: 1996
Headquarter: Maryland, USA

This is another big alternative to Crocs in the sense that the company offers a large variety of athletic products. Moreover, Under Armour is also endorsed by some of the biggest names in sports and television considering the company isn’t that old compared to Nike, Adidas, and Puma.

However, in the past couple of years, Under Armour has really shined and came up as a trendy, ambitious, and quality-centric footwear and apparel brand. The company operates more than 15,000 retail outlets [5].

Plus, they earned $4.5 billion in revenue in 2021 [6].

3. Reebok

Year founded: 1958
Headquarter: Massachusetts, USA

Older than Nike, Reebok is the next best alternative to Crocs on this list. It’s one of the top retailers of athletic shoes and apparel in the world. However, in 2005, the company was acquired by Adidas.

Since then, Reebok upped its product portfolio to include sports accessories, apparel, and sneakers, gradually taking a larger chunk of the market segment. In 2019, Reebok had more than 268 retail outlets across the globe [7].

Moreover, the company made more than $1.8 billion in revenue in 2021 [8].

4. New Balance

Year founded: 1906
Headquarter: Massachusetts, USA

New Balance is by far a great alternative to Crocs. The company is perhaps one of the oldest shoe brands in the world. However, New Balance initially started off as an arch support product designer and maker.

Eventually, the company branched out and started developing performance shoes for athletes all over the world. The sports brands operate a staggering 4,000 retail outlets in the world, 3,000 of which are just in China [9].

In 2021, the company made $4 billion in revenue [10].

Image credit @felipepelaquim on Unsplash

5. Columbia Sportswear

Year founded: 1938
Headquarter: Oregon, USA

Older than Nike and one of the biggest Crocs competitors, Columbia Sports is another great name when it comes to sports apparel, accessories, and shoes. However, the company’s primary focus has always been on manufacturing world-class outwear.

They’re renowned for winter athletic clothing, special hiking shoes, and outdoor sportswear. Moreover, the company distributes a wide assortment of products to over 70 countries [11].

In 2021, Columbia Sportwear made $3.21 billion in revenue [12].

There was a time when trail shoes had to be chunky and clunky. Thankfully we’ve left that time in the dust. Built for mixed terrain and the whims of mother nature, EscapeTM Thrive UltraTM is future-ready, wherever you may roam. https://t.co/ftuLT0mmPB pic.twitter.com/IAaRd52ywJ
— columbia1938 (@Columbia1938) April 27, 2022

6. Lululemon Athletica

Year founded: 1998
Headquarter: British Columbia, Canada

A relatively young company, Lululemon Athletica is an upbeat, highly quality-centric sports brands that don’t just focus on making footwear. Along with comfortable and stylish athletic shoes, the company also makes world-class yoga apparel.

As a matter of fact, it’s renowned all over the world. Lululemon Athletica operates more than 521 retail outlets across the globe [13]. Plus, the company made $4.402 billion in revenue in 2021 [14]. This makes Lululemon a greater alternative to Crocs.

Footwear. Made for women first. Made by lululemon. That’s a lot to celebrate. 👟 pic.twitter.com/77NL6NoArC
— lululemon (@lululemon) March 8, 2022

7. Adidas

Year founded: 1949
Headquarter: Bavaria, Germany

After Nike, Adidas rules the world of sportswear. Both fierce competitors, Adidas is one of the biggest Crocs Competitors and Alternatives. Started by Adolf Dassler, the company took off primarily making athletic shoes for a variety of sports events such as the Olympics, basketball, baseball, soccer, and much more.

Gradually, it also diversified its product portfolio manufacturing athletic accessories and apparel as well. Adidas has more than 2,100 retail outlets in the world [15].

Plus, the company made $23.5 billion in revenue in 2021 [16].

8. Puma

Year founded: 1948
Headquarter: Bavaria, Germany

As one of the oldest sports brands in the world, Puma is a symbol of style, comfort, and topnotch athletic shoes and accessories. Moreover, the company is also reputed for being the biggest supplier of sportswear and other accessories.

It’s one of the biggest competitors to Crocs and you’d be surprised to know that Puma distributes its products to more than 120 countries and has more than 16,000 employees across the world [17].

Since its inception, the brand has remained a highly innovative and design-centric brand, manufacturing trendy sneakers and a slew of other products guaranteed to enhance your performance, comfort, and style. The company made $7.7 billion in revenue in 2021 [18].

Image credit The DK Photography on Unsplash

9. Asics

Year founded: 1949
Headquarter: Kobe, Japan

Asics is another renowned sportswear company in the world. Started in 1949, it’s older than Nike and is a great alternative to Crocs. The company is primarily known for manufacturing some of the most comfortable yet durable athletic shoes across the world.

Moreover, Asics also has a diversified product portfolio and sells quality athletic apparel and fitness accessories as well. The company has more than 1,900 retails outlets in the world [19].

Moreover, it made more than $3.2 billion in revenue in 2021 [20].

10. Fila

Year founded: 1911
Headquarter: Seoul, South Korea

As one of the oldest brands on this list, Fila is perhaps amongst the best Crocs competitors. The company was established in 1911 under Italian leadership. However, the brand was acquired by a South Korean company in later years. But what’s most interesting about Fila is that it’s more than just an athletic shoe manufacturer and retailer – it’s become more of a lifestyle brand and offers a myriad of different clothing products, accessories, stylish footwear, and much more.

The company distributes its products to more than 50 countries, which account for over 8,200 different (non-affiliate) stores throughout the world [21].

Moreover, Fila made $2.62 billion in revenue in 2021 [22].

Bottom Line

So there you have it – some exceptional Crocs competitors. All these brands provide comfortable and highly stylish sports footwear, sneakers, fitness accessories, and apparel.

References & more information