Nike

NE

New Balance

New Balance makes athletic shoes, sneakers and sportswear for runners, athletes and everyday wear, including signature collections such as the Sydney Levrone collection. It began in 1906 as an arch support company and has grown into a global brand represented by athletes and ambassadors worldwide, describing itself as "a brand with heritage" rather than a heritage brand. New Balance Athletics, Inc. is a privately owned company headquartered in Boston that has stayed independent since 1906.

Running footwear and team sportswear

UN

Under Armour

Under Armour makes athletic footwear, apparel and accessories. Its corporate history starts in 1996, when Kevin Plank developed a synthetic-fabric shirt after finding cotton shirts uncomfortable during football practice. The company later moved operations from the Washington, DC, area to Baltimore. The story explains the origins of its HeatGear line; claims that particular fabrics keep all athletes cool and dry in every setting are company product claims, not a general guarantee.

Sports apparel and footwear

FO

FootJoy

FootJoy is a golf brand making golf shoes, gloves and clothing, including MyJoys custom shoes handmade to each golfer's specifications. It describes itself as the #1 shoe in golf, with more than 100 years of shoemaking and leading positions in major markets, and says it has been the #1 shoe at every PGA Tour tournament since 1945. FootJoy's legal information is published by Acushnet Company of Fairhaven, Massachusetts. Acushnet Company identifies FootJoy and Titleist as its golf brands.

Specialist sports equipment

WI

Wilson

Wilson Sporting Goods makes equipment, apparel and accessories for racquet and team sports, among others. Its company page dates its founding to 1914 in Chicago and identifies Wilson as an Amer Sports brand. It lists ATEC, DeMarini, EvoShield and Louisville Slugger in its portfolio, while describing Luxilon as an exclusive distributor agreement rather than an owned brand. The brand's language about helping athletes perform is its own positioning, not a guarantee attached to a product.

Racquet and team sports equipment

SK

Skechers

Skechers is a footwear and apparel company whose headquarters in Manhattan Beach, California, oversee shoe design, marketing and global operations. It sells through wholesale partners, its own stores and third-party retailers, with sport and everyday ranges under its self-described 'Comfort Technology Company' positioning. The company cites an international retail and distribution network; its comfort claims are brand messaging, not an independent comparison with other footwear.

Sports apparel and footwear

SP

Specialized

Specialized designs bicycles and cycling equipment, including frames, components, helmets, shoes and clothing for riders. The company's own history dates its founding to 1974 and describes a rider-led approach to developing products across road and off-road disciplines. Its present catalogue spans bicycles and accessories rather than only racing bikes; statements about innovation and performance on its site are brand claims, not independent comparative tests.

Specialist sports equipment

2X

2XU

2XU is a performance compression brand founded in Australia in 2005 and born from triathlon. It makes compression tights, shorts, long sleeves and recovery tights, plus sports bras and training wear, under the idea of Prepare, Perform, Recover.

Sports apparel and footwear

AL

Altra Running

Altra makes road and trail running shoes built around its FootShape fit, a roomy toe box that lets toes splay, and a zero-to-low drop that balances weight across the foot. Its lineup includes the Vanish Carbon race shoes, Olympus and Experience Wild trail shoes, with FootShape offered in several fit options. Altra is part of VF Corporation, which completed its acquisition in 2018 and still lists it among its brands.

Road and trail running footwear