Exploring the Top 10 Chinese shoe brands you need to know

Chinese shoe brands have gained recognition and popularity worldwide.

Chinese footwear brands cover several distinct markets, from traditional cloth shoes and leather dress shoes to specialist running and basketball footwear.

The ten brands below offer an introduction to these categories. The selection includes sportswear companies such as Anta and Li-Ning, alongside footwear brands such as Nei Lian Sheng and Belle.

Nei Lian Sheng

Nei Lian Sheng specializes in traditional Chinese cloth shoes. Founded in Beijing in 1853, the shoemaker is associated with handmade footwear and its store on Dashilan Street. Its range includes classic cloth shoes, women’s styles and children’s footwear.

RDF

RDF, or Red Dragonfly, was founded in 1995. The brand makes men’s and women’s footwear, including leather dress shoes and casual styles. Its range covers office wear and everyday use, with bags and leather accessories sold alongside its shoes.

Qiaodan

Qiaodan was founded in 2000 in Jinjiang, Fujian province. It produces athletic footwear, apparel and accessories, with shoe collections for basketball, running and training. Its range also includes outdoor and casual footwear.

Warrior

Warrior, also known as Huili, is a Shanghai footwear brand associated with canvas sneakers. Its classic models include the WB-1, originally developed as a basketball shoe. The canvas upper and rubber sole distinguish this style from the technical sports shoes offered by several other brands in this list.

Anta

Anta produces footwear for basketball, running and other sports. Its basketball business includes the KT signature shoe line developed with Klay Thompson. The company also sells sports apparel and accessories.

XTEP

Xtep places running at the centre of its footwear business, with shoes for training and racing. Its 160X series includes carbon-plated models designed for marathon runners. The range extends from specialist racing shoes to footwear for everyday exercise.

361 Degrees

361 Degrees, also styled as 361°, makes athletic footwear and apparel. Running and basketball are two of its main shoe categories. Its basketball range includes the AG signature series developed with Aaron Gordon.

Li-Ning

Founded in 1990 by Olympic gymnast Li Ning, the brand offers athletic footwear, apparel and equipment. Its shoe collections cover badminton, basketball, running and training. Badminton products also include rackets, shuttlecocks and accessories.

BeLLE

Belle focuses on fashion footwear, including flats, heels, sandals and boots. It is one of the footwear brands owned by Belle Fashion Group. The BELLE label is distinct from the group’s wider portfolio, which also includes brands such as Staccato and Tata.

PEAK

Peak produces basketball, running and training shoes, as well as casual footwear. Its sportswear range also includes apparel and accessories.