When it comes to casual shoes, the right pair does more than just complete your outfit-it speaks volumes about comfort and style, and tells a story about the brand. Being a BMS marketing student, you will appreciate how solid brand identity and value proposition influence consumer choices. We look at some of the noteworthy brands in India and highlight a few recommended models you may want to consider in this blog.
Why Brand Matters in Casual Footwear
Trust & quality: A well-known brand often means consistent build, reliable materials, and few surprises. For instance, Indian consumers consider heritage, durability, and design when purchasing footwear.
Style/identity fit: Brands help define your personal image-sporty, rugged, minimal, premium-so aligning brand image with your style matters. Marketing & presence: Brands with strong presence, retail + online, and good reviews reduce buyer risk. Comfort & suitability: For casual daily wear, comfort is key, such as good insoles and well-designed soles; brands that deliver these aspects accordingly always stand out.
Top Brands to Consider
Following are six brands, both global and Indian, which are rated well for men’s casual shoes in the Indian market. For each, I’ll include what they’re known for, what sets them apart, and one model you can look at:
Nike
What they’re known for: Global sports-brand, but in casual and lifestyle segments they have strong recognition. According to the listing of top casual shoe brands in India, Nike features among brands costing from ₹2,000 to ₹10,000 in the casual segment. PaisaWapas.com Why choose them: Strong design, global image, good for casual sporty look. Suggested model: Lifestyle Sneakers – a generic pick to explore Nike’s casual line.
Adidas
What they’re known for: Similar to Nike, strong heritage in sports but their lifestyle/casual shoe line is very popular. A recent article compares their Samba vs another brand for Indian consumers.
Why pick them: Good for clean-style casuals, international appeal, build quality.
Recommended model: Adidas Samba OG White – a classic silhouette that works well for casual wear.
Woodland
What they’re known for: Indian market favourite for outdoorsy and rugged-style shoes; appear in “top men’s shoe brands” lists.
Why pick them: Good if your style leans rugged, outdoorsy, or you want something durable daily.
Model name recommendation: Woodland Men – simple naming but portraying their casual line.
Bata
What they’re known for: A legacy footwear brand in India, accessible pricing, and wide retail presence. Mentioned among top men’s shoe brands in India.
findtoptenranks.com What they’re known for: Global brand with emphasis on comfort + casual lifestyle. As one source notes: “priority comfort and breathability” for their casual shoes. CashKaro
Why pick them: If comfort and understated style matter to you more than flamboyant branding.
Recommended model: (You can explore Hush Puppies casual line on Indian e-commerce sites; model not listed here but worth checking).Why pick them: Budget-friendly, easily available, good starting brand for casual everyday wear. Recommended model: Bata Corporate Casuals For Men – though named “Corporate Casuals”, the line works for everyday casual use too.
Hush Puppies
What they’re known for: Global brand, comfort, and casual lifestyle. One source even sums up as “priority comfort and breathability” in their casual shoes.
Why choose them: If comfort and subtle style mean more to you than flashy branding. Recommended model: (You can check out Hush Puppies casual line on Indian e-commerce sites; model not listed herein but worth checking).
U.S. Polo Assn.
What they’re known for: Lifestyle branding, with mid-range pricing; finds a place in most listings related to casual footwear brands in India.
Why choose them?: Mids are a great choice for anyone looking for casual shoes with respectable brand-presence and fashion appeal but without the luxury pricing.
Recommended model: U.S. Polo Assn. Clarkin Sneakers For Men-an example of their casual sneaker offering.
How to Choose the Right Casual Shoe (and Brand)
As a marketing student and consumer, you can use a simple decision-framework:
Usage & Style Fit: Daily casual (college, errands) → budget/comfortable brand: Bata, U.S. Polo Assn.
Smart casual or style-forward → lifestyle sports brands Adidas / Nike or premium Lacoste
Rugged/outdoorsy look → Woodland
Budget: Higher brand means higher pricing. But for you, does the brand add value?
For example: “Top 10 best casual shoes brands in India” lists Nike/Adidas in ₹2,000-₹10,000 range.
Retail & Availability: Make sure the brand is well available in your size. Extremely important in India-some sizes are “rare”. Eg.:
“My shoe size is 12.5 … I have always envied people under size 10.”
Comfort & Fit: Look for cushioning, good outsole, reliable manufacturing. Brands with consistent quality reduce risk of issues
Brand Identity & Story: Does the brand’s image match your style? For example, someone wanting sporty street style might go to Nike/Adidas, and a person seeking affordable practicality would prefer Bata.
Durability vs Trendiness: There are shoes that are very trendy and serve for a season, while others are built to last. If you’re buying for long-term use, then reliability matters more.
Final Thoughts
In India, men’s casual footwear runs the gamut from budget everyday to premium lifestyle. Some key take-aways include:
If you are in the student/young professional bracket, you might want to choose style + affordability, so brands like Bata, U.S. Polo Assn., or even Adidas/Nike on discount can hit the sweet‐spot.
If you have a strong personal style or if you want to invest in brands, Adidas, Nike, or Lacoste-or premium Indian ones-offer brand value plus styling.
There’s also no need to forget about Indian homegrown brands, which can often provide great value and are well-suited for Indian terrain and conditions.