This list covers 25 shoe brands, starting with “Salewa” and ending with “Swims.” They range from rugged mountaineering boot makers to luxury fashion houses, casual sandal brands, and heritage sneaker labels. People turn to these brands for everything from hiking and trail running to everyday comfort, children’s shoes, and red-carpet style.

Shoe brands are the companies and labels behind the footwear you wear, each built around a specific craft, market, or heritage. Some grew out of unexpected roots, like Saucony, which began as a Pennsylvania textile mill before becoming a top name in running shoes. Others, like Sperry, trace their origin to a single clever idea, in that case a sailor studying a dog’s grip on ice to invent the modern boat shoe.

Below you’ll find the table with the brand, country of origin, specialty, founding year, and description.

Brand: the name of the shoe company, so you can quickly find and compare the one you’re curious about.

Country of Origin: where the brand was founded, giving you a sense of its cultural roots and manufacturing traditions.

Specialty: the type of footwear the brand is best known for, helping you match a brand to your specific needs.

Founding Year: the year the company got its start, showing you how established or new the brand is.

Description: a short summary of what makes the brand distinct, so you can understand its story and reputation at a glance.

Shoe brands

BrandCountry of OriginSpecialtyFounding Year
SalewaItalyMountaineering and hiking footwear1935
SalomonFranceTrail running and outdoor shoes1947
Salt Water SandalsUnited StatesCasual sandals1944
Salvatore FerragamoItalyLuxury footwear1927
Sam EdelmanUnited StatesWomen’s fashion footwear2004
SanitaDenmarkClogs1907
SanukUnited StatesSandals and casual footwear1997
SauconyUnited StatesRunning shoes1898
ScarpaItalyMountaineering and climbing footwear1938
Scholl (Dr. Scholl’s)United StatesComfort and orthopedic footwear1906
SebagoUnited StatesBoat shoes and loafers1946
Simple ShoesUnited StatesCasual and eco-conscious footwear1991
SkechersUnited StatesCasual and athletic footwear1992
SlazengerUnited KingdomSports footwear and apparel1881
SolovairUnited KingdomLeather boots and shoes1881
SorelCanadaWinter boots1962
SperryUnited StatesBoat shoes1935
Stacy AdamsUnited StatesMen’s dress shoes1875
Steger MukluksUnited StatesMukluk boots1981
Steve MaddenUnited StatesFashion footwear1990
Stride RiteUnited StatesChildren’s shoes1919
Stuart WeitzmanUnited StatesLuxury women’s footwear1965
SuicokeJapanSandals2006
SupergaItalyCanvas sneakers1911
SwimsNorwayRain and water-resistant footwear2006

Descriptions

Salewa
An Italian outdoor brand known for rugged hiking boots and mountaineering gear, Salewa combines technical performance with alpine heritage for serious trekkers and climbers.
Salomon
Founded in the French Alps, Salomon built its reputation on ski gear before becoming a leader in trail-running and hiking shoes prized for grip and durability.
Salt Water Sandals
A classic American sandal brand originally called Hoy Shoes, Salt Water Sandals is beloved for its simple, durable buckle sandals that have stayed nearly unchanged for decades.
Salvatore Ferragamo
Founded by a shoemaker to Hollywood stars, Salvatore Ferragamo is an Italian luxury house famous for elegant, handcrafted shoes blending comfort innovation with high fashion.
Sam Edelman
An American footwear label known for trend-forward yet wearable women’s shoes, Sam Edelman blends downtown style with accessible pricing and quality craftsmanship.
Sanita
A Danish brand rooted in traditional wooden-soled clog-making, Sanita produces comfortable, colorful clogs favored by healthcare workers and casual wearers alike.
Sanuk
Born from Southern California surf culture, Sanuk is known for laid-back, comfort-first sandals and shoes, including designs made from yoga mat material.
Saucony
One of the oldest running shoe brands in America, Saucony started as a Pennsylvania textile mill before becoming a favorite for cushioned, performance-driven running shoes.
Scarpa
An Italian family-run company, Scarpa specializes in technical boots for mountaineering, climbing, and ski touring, trusted by professional alpinists worldwide.
Scholl (Dr. Scholl’s)
Founded by a podiatrist, Dr. Scholl’s built its name on foot-health products and comfortable shoes designed to ease everyday foot pain.
Sebago
An American heritage brand, Sebago is best known for popularizing the classic boat shoe, offering rugged yet preppy leather footwear for land and sea.
Simple Shoes
An American brand pioneering sustainable materials in casual sneakers, Simple Shoes focused on minimalist design and environmentally friendly production long before it was trendy.
Skechers
A Southern California brand that grew into a global footwear giant, Skechers is known for comfortable, affordable sneakers spanning casual, athletic, and walking styles.
Slazenger
A storied British sporting goods brand, Slazenger has long produced athletic footwear and equipment, with deep roots in tennis and cricket.
Solovair
A British footwear maker famous for its air-cushioned soles, Solovair produces sturdy leather boots and shoes and has long supplied soles to other iconic bootmakers.
Sorel
A Canadian brand built for cold climates, Sorel is renowned for insulated, waterproof winter boots that combine rugged practicality with modern style.
Sperry
Invented by sailor Paul Sperry after studying a dog’s grip on ice, Sperry created the original boat shoe and remains synonymous with nautical-inspired casual footwear.
Stacy Adams
A long-running American brand, Stacy Adams is known for classic, stylish men’s dress shoes and boots that blend vintage flair with modern comfort.
Steger Mukluks
A Minnesota-based company, Steger Mukluks handcrafts traditional leather-and-felt mukluk boots designed to keep feet warm in extreme cold.
Steve Madden
A New York-based brand, Steve Madden is famous for trendy, bold women’s and men’s shoes that translate runway styles into affordable everyday fashion.
Stride Rite
One of America’s oldest children’s footwear brands, Stride Rite has focused for over a century on supportive, well-fitted shoes for growing feet.
Stuart Weitzman
An American luxury brand, Stuart Weitzman is celebrated for glamorous, statement-making women’s shoes worn frequently on red carpets.
Suicoke
A Japanese footwear label, Suicoke is known for its distinctive, technical-looking sandals with signature strap designs favored by streetwear enthusiasts.
Superga
An Italian sneaker brand, Superga is best known for its classic 2750 canvas shoe with a rubber sole, a staple of casual European style.
Swims
A Norwegian brand, Swims designs sleek, waterproof shoes and galoshes meant to look stylish while protecting feet from rain and wet conditions.
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