Remember those white gym/PT shoes you had to wear every Saturday in school? We know how much you hated them. Keeping them spotless was as rare as the comfort they offered. We’ve all been in those shoes. But, what if we told you that the latest sneakers you just bought are simply their distant cousins?

Allow us to explain how history has unfolded for sneakers. In 1830, Liverpool Rubber Company developed rubber-soled shoes, called plimsolls, which mirrored today’s typical PT shoe. These became the very first sneakers, deriving the name from how quiet they were while walking due to vulcanised rubber soles.

What started as basic footwear for a seaside stroll (as you will find on the internet) transformed into a cultural phenomenon decades later, driven by exclusivity, brand prestige, aspirations and lifestyle.

The influence is so profound that Kanye West’s Nike Air Yeezy 1 Prototype was sold for a mind-boggling $1.8 Mn in 2021. Not just this, names like Nike’s Air Jordan and Adidas’ Yeezy have turned sneakers into collectables. Also, the rarer they are, the more their value rises. Some sneakers have even appreciated more than gold. A perfect example is The Nike SB Dunk Low “Paris”.

But, why are we telling you this?

Well, India is witnessing a sneaker revolution right now, and this revolution is getting a charge-up on the back of a new generation of consumers who see sneakers as an extension of personal identity.

The craze is such that the country saw its first sneaker-themed bar, KICO, open in Mumbai earlier this year. Another interesting sight to behold is Indian brides walking down the aisle wearing sneakers.

To cater to this increasing fervour for sneakers among Indians, many sneaker reselling marketplaces have sprung up in the last few years with a simple playbook — to lead India’s sneaker revolution. Fresh players, too, are emerging to claim their share of the booming market. India’s sneaker market is projected to grow from $3.8 Bn in FY24 to $5.9 Bn in FY32, with a CAGR of 5.45%, according to a report.

What’s Fuelling India’s Crush For Sneakers

It has much to do with the growing battalion of new-age consumers flocking away from traditional retailers in search of limited-edition drops or something exclusive in sync with their persona. Further, an increasing number of officegoers could now be seen dressed more bravely, pairing their streetwear with sneakers at their workplaces.

“A decade ago, formals and loafers dominated workplaces, meetings, and even social gatherings. Today, sneakers have replaced them everywhere — offices, vacations, and even weddings,” Danish Chawla, the cofounder of sneaker reseller Find Your Kicks said.

The founder of sneaker reseller Crepdog Crew (CDC), Anchit Kapil, believes this shift is not only about comfort but identity.

“Sneakers have become an aspirational product, a status........

© Inc42