What Are the Most Popular Dad Shoe Brands? 15 Dad Sneaker Companies You Need to Know

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Dad Shoe 101 is the “class” created by Dad Shoe Deals to teach you all about dad shoes. We strive to offer in-depth answers to questions like, “What are the most popular dad shoe brands?“

Lesson Plans

• We’ll pose the question, “What are the most popular dad shoe brands?” and answer it by listing the leading dad sneaker companies.
• We’ll talk about the impact that different dad shoe brands have had on the sneaker industry.
• We’ll touch on the best dad shoes that these brands have produced over the years. Then, we’ll finish by discussing how they helped put these companies on the map.

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What Are the Most Popular Dad Shoe Brands?

If we asked you to answer the question, “What are the most popular dad shoe brands?” New Balance and Nike are probably the first two names you would throw out. Righfully so, given the immense impact each has had within the dad shoe industry.

However, these are just two of the many brands that specialize in designing, manufacturing, and selling dad shoes. So if you only focus on them, you will miss out on great dad sneakers from other worthwhile companies.

So, what are the most popular dad shoe brands? Continue reading to find out.

Adidas

First Dad Shoe: Adidas Ozweego (1996)

Best Dad Shoe: Adidas Yeezy Boost 700 (2017)

Other Great Adidas Dad Shoes: Adidas Falcon Dorf (1997), Adidas Supernova Cushion 7 (Early 2000s), Adidas Response CL (2020), Adidas Strutter (2020), Adidas ZX 22 Boost (2022), Adidas Crazychaos 2000 (2024)

When the earliest dad shoes emerged in the early 1980s, Adidas was already busy tending to all the classic sneakers it had released in the 1960s and 1970s. The Adidas Gazelle (1966), Adidas Superstar (1969), and Adidas Campus (late 1970s) had all been unveiled by this time. As a result, the brand didn’t really get into the dad shoe game until the 1990s.

Still, Adidas has more than made up for lost time, especially in recent years. It released a handful of new dad shoes designed to look like retros, such as the Adidas Strutter. The brand also played a big role in the release of what would become one of the most iconic dad shoes ever. It teamed up with Kanye West to drop the Adidas Yeezy Boost 700.

Not bad for a dad shoe brand that showed up a little late to the party.

Asics

First Dad Shoe: Asics GEL-Lyte III (1990)

Best Dad Shoe: Asics GEL-Kayano 14 (2008)

Other Great Asics Dad Shoes: Asics GEL-Lyte V (1993), Asics GEL-Kayano 5 (1999), Asics GEL-Nimbus 9 (2007), Asics GEL-1130 (2008)

Few brands have done more to push dad shoes to the forefront of sneaker culture than Asics. Its Asics GEL-Lyte III was one of the early dad shoe classics. Its Asics GEL-Kayano series, which started in 1993, is still going strong over 40 years later, with the Asics Gel-Kayano 32 hitting stores in 2025.

Asics has also been involved in numerous sneaker collaborations, including many that feature its timeless dad shoe silhouettes. For all of these reasons, you can’t answer the question, “What are the most popular dad shoe brands?” without name-dropping Asics.

Brooks

First Dad Shoe: Brooks Adrenaline GTS (1999)

Best Dad Shoe: Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25 (2025)

Other Great Brooks Dad Shoes: Brooks Adrenaline GTS 4 (2002), Brooks Cascadia 1 (2004), Brooks Ghost Max SE (2023), Brooks Ghost 16 (2024), Brooks Glycerin Max (2024)

Brooks has been around for a whole lot longer than many people realize. It was officially established more than a century ago.

Since then, Brooks has released countless pairs of running sneakers. This includes many that have earned the “dad shoe” designation.

Its Brooks Adrenaline GTS series, in particular, has produced plenty of great dad shoes. This includes one of its most recent options, the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25. The thick, cloud-like soles on its Adrenaline sneakers have become dad-sneaker staples.

Converse

First Dad Shoe: Converse Weapon (1986)

Best Dad Shoe: Converse Starfire SC J (2023)

Other Great Converse Dad Shoes: Converse Chuck 70 (2013), Converse Run Star Trainer (2024), Converse Omega Trainer (2025)

The Converse Weapon was made famous by Magic Johnson and Larry Bird. They both wore it at the height of their NBA careers when it was first released.

The Weapon wasn’t a traditional dad shoe. But it has features, like a thick leather upper and padded ankles, that have led many people to classify it as one.

In recent years, Converse has been more intentional about designing sneakers that contain all the usual dad shoe elements. The Converse Starfire SC J, for instance, drew inspiration from the 1977 Starfire running sneaker. It incorporated features like premium suede and a thick sole to give it more obvious dad shoe vibes.

Fila

First Dad Shoe: Fila Disruptor (1996)

Best Dad Shoe: Fila Disruptor II (2018)

Other Great Fila Dad Shoes: Fila Workshift (2013), Fila Oakmont TR (2017), Fila Ray Tracer (2018)

The aforementioned Adidas Yeezy Boost 700 may have been the most impactful dad shoe of the mid- to late-2010s. But the Fila Disruptor II wasn’t far behind.

The second Disruptor’s absurdly chunky sole featured what appeared to be shark teeth. This turned it into one of the most polarizing dad shoes ever released. It also turned it into a huge cash cow for Fila. The brand’s sales spiked by 60% in 2018, thanks to this divisive dad sneaker.

By comparison, many of the other Fila dad shoes that have emerged over the years have been relatively tame. However, contributions like the Fila Ray Tracer have solidified the brand’s standing among dad-sneaker companies.

Hoka

First Dad Shoe: Hoka Mafate (2010)

Best Dad Shoe: Hoka Bondi 9 (2025)

Other Great Hoka Dad Shoes: Hoka Challenger 7 (2022), Hoka Gaviota 5 (2023), Hoka Arahi 7 (2024), Hoka Clifton 10 (2025)

The supersized Hoka Mafate and Hoka Bondi B (2011) sneakers served as Hoka’s proper introduction to the sneaker community. Initially, they were embraced primarily by runners and outdoor enthusiasts. Their extra-thick soles provided ample cushioning.

As time went on, those outside of these communities also warmed up to Hoka’s sneakers. The Hoka Bondi and Hoka Clifton series have continued to carry the torch for Hoka. They have helped it keep pace with Brooks and its Adrenaline GTS sneakers.

Hokas are admittedly not for everyone. But it’s clear there is a market for these dad shoes. Look no further than the many reports about Hoka consistently outperforming its annual sales expectations for proof.

Jordan

First Dad Shoe: Jordan Trunner O/S (2025)

Best Dad Shoe: Jordan Trunner O/S (2025)

Other Great Jordan Dad Shoes: N/A

Some sneaker experts have argued that certain Air Jordan models, such as the Air Jordan XI, should be considered modern-day dad shoes. We still aren’t sure if we’re buying that hype.

But Jordan recently released the Jordan Trunner O/S, its first official dad shoe. It has drawn comparisons to well-respected dad shoes like the New Balance 990v4. Google Images also initially mistook this Jordan dad shoe for the New Balance 9060.

It remains to be seen whether Jordan will continue to release new dad shoes or if the Jordan Trunner O/S is just a one-off. But with many of the Millennials who grew up wearing Air Jordans becoming dads nowadays, it would be surprising to see the brand abandon the dad shoe category so quickly after enjoying success with its first real attempt.

K-Swiss

First Dad Shoe: K-Swiss Classic 88 (1988)

Best Dad Shoe: K-Swiss ST329 CMF (2002)

Other Great K-Swiss Dad Shoes: K-Swiss Court Pro II (2015), K-Swiss Techna Trainer (2024), K-Swiss K-Frame Speed Rublo (2025)

K-Swiss is celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2026. The brand was founded by a pair of Swiss brothers who moved to California and introduced the K-Swiss Classic in 1966. It was the first all-leather tennis shoe.

About two decades later, the brand made its initial mark on the dad shoe universe by unveiling the K-Swiss Classic 88. It was a remixed version of the original Classic with a more casual twist, giving it mainstream appeal. It would also be re-released in 2000 with a slightly chunkier silhouette, giving it an even more dad-shoe appearance. This eventually led to the K-Swiss ST329 becoming one of the brand’s most memorable dad shoes.

K-Swiss continues to churn out tennis shoes today. It has also dipped its toe into pickleball shoe design, with options like the K-Swiss Express Light. This showcases its ongoing commitment to developing high-quality athletic sneakers. But to us, the K-Swiss ST329 CMF will always be the crown jewel of the brand’s expansive collection.

New Balance

First Dad Shoe: New Balance 990 (1982)

Best Dad Shoe: New Balance 574 (1988)

Other Great New Balance Dad Shoes: New Balance 608 (1990s), New Balance 997 (1991), New Balance 530 (1992), New Balance 991 (2001), New Balance 992 (2006), New Balance 993 (2008), New Balance 1906 (2009), New Balance 2002 (2010), New Balance 860 (2011), New Balance 860v2 (2012), New Balance 997H (2019), New Balance 2002R (2020), New Balance 1906R (2022), New Balance 9060 (2022)

New Balance provided the first dad shoe and the first $100 running sneaker simultaneously with the 1982 release of the New Balance 990. Since then, it has consistently produced a steady supply of New Balance dad shoes.

They range from classics like the New Balance 530 to more recent entries like the New Balance 9060. NB has also upgraded models like the New Balance 2002 to create the New Balance 2002R. This has kept its dad sneaker lineup looking and feeling fresh.

If we were ranking the most popular dad shoe brands, it’s hard to imagine one other than New Balance landing at the top. The company sells more dad shoes than any other brand, including Nike.

Nike

First Dad Shoe: Nike Air Pegasus 83 (1983)

Best Dad Shoe: Nike Air Monarch IV (2009)

Other Great Nike Dad Shoes: Nike Air Pegasus 89 (1989), Nike Air Huarache (1991), Nike Air Max 95 (1995), Nike Air Max 97 (1997), Nike Air Pegasus 2005 (2005), Nike Zoom Vomero 5 (2010), Nike Initiator (2011), Nike M2K Tekno (2018), Nike P-6000 (2019), Nike V2K Run (2023), Nike Air Pegasus 41 (2024), Nike Air Max DN (2024)

Nike might not have as many dad shoe classics as New Balance. However, it has what many consider to be the quintessential dad sneaker in its collection.

The brand kick-started its Nike Air Monarch series in 2003. The first few Monarchs weren’t as iconic as the Swoosh may have hoped, but the Nike Air Monarch IV more than made up for it. It has been one of Nike’s best-selling shoes overall every year since 2009. It’s also often depicted as the perfect dad shoe by both serious and casual dad sneaker enthusiasts.

It’s also worth noting that the Monarch IV is just one of the many dad shoes that Nike has supplied the world with. From the original Nike Air Pegasus 83 to the more recent Nike Air Max DN, Nike has connected with dad shoe wearers like few other brands.

Puma

First Dad Shoe: Puma Prevail (1994)

Best Dad Shoe: Puma Thunder Spectra (2018)

Other Great Puma Dad Shoes: PUMA R698 (Early 1990s), Puma Cell Alien (1998), Puma Prevail OG (2018), Puma RS-X (2018), Puma Extos Collector (2024)

A dad shoe craze started back in 2017. It began largely because of the success of the aforementioned Adidas Yeezy Boost 700, designed by Kanye West.  Many have credited Ye with sparking this dad-sneaker trend. But others have pointed out that Puma may have beaten him to the punch a few years earlier.

The brand teamed up with legendary designer Alexander McQueen in the mid-2000s. It later released a Puma x Alexander McQueen Tech Runner around 2015. Looking back, it might have given birth to the dad shoe craze that followed. The company seemed to emphasize this point by using this sneaker as inspiration for the Puma Thunder Spectra, released in 2018 as an official dad shoe.

Puma doesn’t have the long, storied history with dad shoes that some other brands do. However, it has definitely played a huge role in pushing the dad shoe craze forward and certainly deserves more credit.

Reebok

First Dad Shoe: Reebok Classic Leather (1983)

Best Dad Shoe: Reebok Classic Leather (1983)

Other Great Reebok Dad Shoes: Reebok Classic Nylon (1984), Reebok Club C 85 (1985), Reebok Aztrek (1993), Reebok Interval 96 (1996), Reebok Premier Trinity (2006), Reebok Royal Charge (2024)

The original Reebok Classic Leather was thisclose to becoming the first dad shoe ever. Unfortunately for Reebok, it didn’t earn that distinction because the New Balance 990 emerged a year before the Classic.

Still, that didn’t stop it from earning a place in dad shoe history. The Reebok Classic was clearly ahead of its time, and even though it has been around for over 40 years, very little about its design has changed. This highlights what a special shoe it was and still is.

Other Reebok dad shoes have struggled to match the immense influence of the Classic. But we can’t really blame them, seeing as it’s one of the most influential shoes, period, dad shoe or not.

Saucony

First Dad Shoe: Saucony Shadow (1985)

Best Dad Shoe: Saucony Shadow 6000 (1991)

Other Great Saucony Dad Shoes: Saucony Shadow 5000 (1989), Saucony Grid Web (2000), Saucony Ride Millennium (Early 2000s), Saucony Grid Jazz 9 (Mid 2000s), Saucony ProGrid Triumph 4 (2007), Saucony Ride (2007)

We assumed Saucony would appear on our list of the best dad shoes ever. But we didn’t initially think it would make four appearances, tying it with Asics and giving it more dad-sneaker cred than noteworthy brands like Reebok and Fila. From early dad shoes like the Saucony Shadow to the more recent Saucony Ride series, the company has consistently provided one hit dad sneaker after another.

Unlike some of the other dad shoe brands found here, Saucony didn’t lean into the dad shoe craze that took place at the end of the 2010s by releasing a whole bunch of newer dad sneakers. It could have solidified its standing among dad shoe brands by taking this approach. However, it has enough heat in its archives to remain relevant, and should easily continue to do so.

Skechers

First Dad Shoe: Skechers Energy (1999)

Best Dad Shoe: Skechers Energy Afterburn (2006)

Other Great Skechers Dad Shoes: Skechers D’Lites (2007), Skechers Go Walk Arch Fit 2.0 (2023), Skechers Hands-Free Slip-Ins Ultra Flex 3.0 (2023), Skechers Tres-Air Uno (2023), Skechers Go Walk Max-Halcyon (2024)

A decade ago, we might not have included Skechers on this list. For years, Skechers wasn’t considered “cool.” This thought prevailed despite the brand’s best efforts to earn celebrity endorsements from Britney Spears, Snoop Dogg, and others.

But at this point, it would almost feel criminal to leave Skechers off a list like this. The company has worked hard to provide a diverse collection of dad-approved sneakers at dad-approved prices.

We also appreciate the hoops Skechers has jumped through to develop the perfect dad shoes. It introduced a podiatrist-certified footwear line called Arch Fit a few years ago. It was based on 20 years of data drawn directly from over 120,000 foot scans. The technology incorporated into the dad shoes in this collection showcases the lengths Skechers goes through to differentiate its dad sneakers.

Under Armour

First Dad Shoe: Under Armour Apparition (2009)

Best Dad Shoe: Under Armour Forge 96 (2018)

Other Great Under Armour Dad Shoes: Under Armour Curry 2 Low “Chef” (2016), Under Armour SlipSpeed (2022), Under Armour Forge 96 Leather (2023), Under Armour HOVR Apparition (2024), Under Armour Court Anatomix (2025)

Based on the basic designs used to bring some of its other sneakers to fruition, you might guess that Under Armour would be one of the current leaders in creating dad shoes. Many of the sneakers included in Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s Project Rock Collection, such as the Under Armour Project Rock BSR 5, are excellent examples.

UA tends to favor simpler, more straightforward shoe designs over those with more outlandish colors and silhouettes. This has always suggested the brand would be a shoo-in to go down in dad shoe history.

For the most part, UA has veered away from releasing too many dad shoes. It instead prefers to focus on performance-based sneakers for serious athletes. Yet it has unleashed a few successful dad shoes that meet the necessary criteria. The Under Armour Apparition and the Under Armour Forge 96 come to mind.

We could even make a case for the Under Armour Curry 2 Low “Chef” being a much stronger dad shoe than people may realize, despite getting roasted on social media when it first emerged.

5 Other Dad Shoe Brands That Should Be on Your Radar

Dad shoes have helped brands like New Balance to dominate the sneaker industry in recent years. NB achieved global sales of over $9 billion in 2025, underscoring the massive market for dad sneakers that resonate with consumers.

This trend has led to more than a few brands not included on this list throwing their hats in the ring and releasing their own dad shoes in the hopes of striking gold. Here are five more dad shoe brands you should keep in mind the next time you’re shopping for a new pair of dad sneakers.

Mizuno

This Japanese sportswear company is one of the oldest brands on this page. It emerged at the beginning of the 1900s. It took about 100 years, but it released its best dad shoe to date, the Mizuno Wave Rider 10, in 2010. More recently, the Mizuno Wave Legacy earned rave reviews in 2023.

Avia

Like Mizuno, there isn’t anything new about this brand, which was originally founded in 1979. But it enjoyed a resurgence in 2025 when TikTokers fell in love with the Avia 5000. It’s often sold at Amazon and Walmart for around $25.

Diadora

This is another brand that has been around for a relatively long time, first setting up shop in Italy in 1948 before making its mark on the sneaker industry in the second half of the 20th century through its collaborations with big-time athletes like tennis star Björn Borg. Today, it’s arguably better known for its comfortable dad shoes, such as the Diadora Mythos Blushield Vigore 2, released in 2023.

Merrell

Launched in 1981, Merrell got its start by manufacturing high-performance hiking boots, and it has continued to keep one eye on creating footwear for those who love the outdoors ever since. It has also occasionally released dad shoes like the Merrell Moab 3, which dropped in 2022 and has mostly been reserved for nature-loving fathers.

Spalwart

Billed as the “under-the-radar Swedish sneaker brand fashion insiders love” by Vogue, Spalwart is still on the newer side, having only been established around 2010. The Spalwart Marathon Trail Low is the company’s best dad(ish) shoe to date. Still, something tells us this sneaker is only the beginning for the much-talked-about brand.

Summarizing Today’s Dad Shoe 101 Lesson

New Balance and Nike are likely the most popular dad shoe brands in the U.S. today, regardless of whether you judge them by sales or public opinion. These two companies have single-handedly helped push dad sneakers to the forefront, led by all-time great dad shoes like the New Balance 574 and the Nike Air Monarch IV.

However, you really can’t go wrong with buying sneakers from any of the most popular dad shoe brands. From Asics to Under Armour, and every dad shoe company in between, each brings something unique to the table and pushes the others to take dad shoes to the next level.

Ready for your next Dad Shoe 101 lesson? Head here for answers to other dad sneaker questions, including “What Was the First Dad Shoe?”, “What Are Considered Dad Shoes?”, and “What Are the Best Dad Shoes of All Time?”