The Best Brands for Sports Clothing
With a growing trend for more physical activity, it’s no surprise that sportswear brands have seen their sales rise. Whether you’re into your compressive running gear or more movement-centric yoga wear, there are plenty of options for everyone.
Several of these sports brands have a strong brand identity with a clear focus on their target audience. Likewise, they effectively use marketing and endorsements to attract new customers.
Adidas
Like arch-rival Nike, Adidas is an all-encompassing sportswear brand with a no-frills approach. Whether it’s revamping classic, reliable models or releasing new silhouettes suited to specific genres of athletics, the German giant keeps its foot on the gas.
Adolf Dassler founded his company with his brother Rudolf, naming it ‘Gebruder Dassler Sportschuhfabrik’ (Dassler Brothers Shoe Factory). After the war, the brothers split their business, creating rival shoe companies and splitting their hometown of Herzogenaurach in half.
Diadora
Diadora is a European OG, with impeccable tailoring skills that translate perfectly to the current athleisure landscape.
Re-releases of the company’s most dominating styles and collaborations with brands like Packer, END., and Highsnobiety have kept the Italian label in the limelight. While popularity ebbs and flows, style is forever.
Under Armour
Under Armour is a company that strives to make high-quality athletic wear and shoes for men, women, and children. Its products include base layers, shirts, shoes, socks, and even face masks.
The company makes all of its own products, so it can ensure that they are made to the highest standards.
The company was founded in 1996 by Kevin Plank, a former University of Maryland football player. He wanted to develop a shirt that would help athletes stay cool, dry, and light during games and practices.
Under Armour has become one of the top brands in sportswear. Its products are used by professional athletes, such as NBA star Stephen Curry. The company also produces helpful fitness technology, like a calorie counter, which can help athletes track their workouts.
Lululemon
Lululemon has been one of the biggest game-changers when it comes to athleisure, making yoga pants more stylish and wearable for everyday life. This brand uses technically innovative fabrics like Luon, FrostKnit, and SuperForm that are designed to wick moisture, move sweat and keep you fresh.
Founder Chip Wilson started the company with the goal of creating superior-quality clothing to inspire people through their yoga practice. Their mission goes beyond apparel to include community engagement, social impact, and environmental responsibility.
While celebrity endorsements and exclusive collaborations might get a sportswear brand a lot of hype, it’s important to remember that popularity can ebb and flow but heritage and product quality are long-term spokes in the wheel.
This is especially true for the best athletic brands that make high-performance products with a focus on style.
New Balance
New Balance is a brand that isn’t as well-known as Nike or Adidas, but they are one of the top sports apparel brands on the market.
They’re known for their high-quality products and have a lot of integrity in the way they do business. They’re a big supporter of fair labor overseas and fight against counterfeit shoes and clothing.
The New Balance collection includes a full range of activewear for both men and women. The line features fitness pants and shorts, shirts and tops, and bras.
They have a variety of fabrics and styles designed to work as hard as you do, including their NB Ice fabric that wicks sweat and keeps you cool during your workout. They also have their NB Heat line to keep you warm during colder runs.
Asics
With athleisure firmly established as the dominant fashion trend, few brands can match the comfort of Asics.
The shoemaker is best known for its coveted running silhouettes but also makes lifestyle apparel in sizes XXS – 4X using buttery smooth fabrics to craft workout gear you won’t want to take off.
Look out for shoes with Guidesole, a rocker-like internal plate that reduces ankle movement for less energy expenditure. Or Metaracer-inspired runners that use a stiff Carbon plate to boost stability, and models with AHAR rubber, which is twice as tough as standard outsoles.
Best Brands by Sport
From tried-and-true Nike to celeb-favorite Lululemon, there are plenty of athleticwear brands worth investing in. These activewear brands have you covered, whether you’re running long distances or doing a workout from the comfort of your home.
Nike is the most recognizable sportswear brand, with men’s and women’s clothing for every workout. Their high-tech fabrics are a gym-goer favorite.
Golf
Golf is an upscale sport that requires high-quality equipment, so golfers tend to be fairly well-dressed. Here are some of the best brands for golf clothing to suit your on-course style.
Lacoste
This French brand was founded by a tennis legend, and its apparel is inspired by high standards of sporting etiquette. Their polos, trousers, and sweaters are crafted from premium materials that stretch naturally and block wind.
Nike
This innovative athletic company knows what golfers need, and their Dri-Fit technology wicks sweat away to keep you cool and dry. Their collection also includes pants, shoes and accessories that combine fashion and function.
Swimwear
Many brands have entered the sportswear industry, producing swimwear specifically targeted toward water-based activities such as surfing, paddleboarding, and other water sports. TYR, Gymshark, and Nike are just some of the best.
TYR
One of the best brands for sports swimwear is TYR, which combines functionality and eye-catching designs to make some of the most popular swimming equipment around.
From wetsuits for cold water swims to jammers for lap swimming, they’ve got you covered. TYR is also the brand of choice for top swimmers, including distance superstar Katie Ledecky and breaststroke Olympian Lilly King.
Nike
Nike is an established player in the world of almost all sportswear, with a focus on creating innovative sporting technology to push athletes’ limits. They have an extensive range of training and racing swimwear, too.
Gymshark
The UK-based brand Gymshark has seen stratospheric growth since its founding in 2012. Their clothing is the preferred choice of social media fitness influencers, and the quality doesn’t disappoint.
Their swimwear is especially impressive, with a full line of suits available in sizes up to XXL.
Football
The football sports industry has a range of brands that cater to different styles, preferences, and budgets. We’ll highlight some of the top football sports brands in the market.
Nike
A huge name in American sportswear for footballers as well,, Nike is known for its sneakers with a retro throwback vibe and ’90s-inspired design motifs. Its range of sportswear goes well beyond footwear, with a comprehensive line that includes everything from sweatshirts to compression tights.
The brand is particularly well-known for its kits, having churned out some wild designs for top-tier teams at recent World Cups and European Championships. Their blacked-out Hull City away shirt is one of our favorites, for example.
Columbia
An Oregon-based company, Columbia has a big focus on outdoor and hiking products. Its line of hiking boots is a large draw, along with its cold-weather gear and apparel. Its clothing is also popular with professional hunters and fishers.
Tennis
Whether you are a professional tennis player or just love to hit the courts, functional quality clothing is essential. The best brands for tennis apparel have a refined edge to their designs and a fusion of classic and modern.
Babolat
Babolat is a historic tennis equipment brand that also does top-tier apparel like this high-neck Candy tank ($76) with artsy florals and the matching Neptune skort. For a look that’s less sporty and more chic, try this Fiji sunset-inspired Coletta dress ($83).
Lacoste
Lacoste is a popular tennis apparel brand created by French tennis star Rene Lacoste. It still sponsors a number of tennis players including Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev.
Horse Riding
If you ride for fun or as a hobby, there are tons of brand options for quality horse riding clothing.
Year of Ours
Year of Ours is a female-led brand that intertwines support and style in pieces you won’t see at standard activewear hubs (ribbed leggings, lacing, and satisfying color-blocked neutrals).
Gymshark
Another UK-based brand with stratospheric growth is Gymshark. Their comprehensive lineup includes strappy workout tanks that don’t dig into your shoulders, squat-proof leggings, and sports bras designed to support larger chests.
Leorever
French label Leorever positions itself at the more premium end of the activewear spectrum with clothing that works for both working out and casual wear.
Their stylish line is informed by the likes of GB dressage rider and TikTok influencer Erin Williams. They’re also known for their technical base layers and well-made breeches.
Takeaway
The world of sports clothing offers a wide range of brands catering to different activities and preferences. From well-known names like Nike, Adidas, and Lululemon to niche brands like Year of Ours and Leorever, each brand brings its unique identity, functionality, and fashion-forward designs to the table.
With a focus on innovation, comfort, and durability, these brands have gained popularity among athletes, fitness enthusiasts, and fashion-conscious individuals alike.
