Are you sick of having arguments with your friends about what is better: Nike or Adidas? Want to finally figure out which ones you should buy?
Shoes are expensive. Therefore, you must make the right choice when purchasing your next pair. But with no one shoe being made equal, it means there are many things you need to consider.
We’ve got your back, however. We’re here to present the pros and cons of both Nike and Adidas, including the history, technology, and more, in this Adidas vs Nike guide. (By the end of this post, you’ll know exactly which ones to buy.)
History and Growth
Adidas and Nike are both giants in the world of sportswear. Adidas was founded in 1949 by Austrian footballer Adi Dassler (hence ‘Adidas’). It started manufacturing sports shoes, but later made ski-wear and golf equipment.
Nike Inc., meanwhile, was founded in 1964 by Bill Bowerman and Philip Knight.
The company started by selling running shoes. But now they sell a variety of sportswear for other sports, like baseball, American football, basketball, and racket sports.
Nike is now worth $18 billion, but Adidas is worth $7.3 billion. But because Nike is younger, it has not had as long to grow its brand strength as Adidas has.
On the other hand, Adidas has had to rebuild its brand after several corruption scandals in the mid-2000s. Nike has never been subject to such allegations.
Differences in Technology
Nike has always been at the forefront of sports technology. It was one of the first brands to make lightweight mesh football boots, and introduced studs made from aluminum rather than plastic.
Adidas also has a long history of innovation, however. In 1972, Adidas launched the first boot made entirely out of synthetic material – paving the way for lighter boots that were much more suited to wet surfaces.
Both Nike and Adidas have extensive research departments that are constantly looking for new technologies that can improve performance in the field.
Market Share
According to data from IBISWorld, both Nike and Adidas are well ahead of their competitors in terms of market share. Currently, Nike controls around 14% percent of the global sportswear market, while Adidas has 6%.
Sports giant Under Armour, meanwhile, is in third place with 4% – not especially close to the two leaders.
While Adidas isn’t any less successful than Nike, it doesn’t have particular ties with these kinds of major events. This means that Nike benefits from exposure when competitions like the Olympics or World Cup are on-air.
Business Model
Adidas is part of the Adidas Group, which also includes brands such as Reebok. Nike, meanwhile, is currently in the process of becoming a private company.
Since Nike has never been owned by an outside investor that could influence its strategy or values, it has always had more freedom than rival Adidas when it comes to decision-making.
When you choose between Adidas vs. Nike, these are still important considerations: especially considering both companies’ history of innovation and market dominance.
Marketing and Branding Techniques
Adidas is not especially well-known for its creative marketing campaigns. Instead, Adidas focuses on grassroots sports events where it has opportunities to meet potential customers in person.
The brand sponsors thousands of sports teams across the world.
Nike, meanwhile, is much better known for its high-profile endorsement deals than Adidas.
Its most famous partnership is with Manchester United, but it also works with six-time Olympic gold medal winner Usain Bolt and tennis stars Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova.
Both brands have professional sponsorship teams that work hard to negotiate their players’ contracts – leading many fans to accuse the athletes of selecting money over performance.
If you’re planning to buy Nike or Adidas sportswear for yourself or someone else, it’s essential to consider the way that each company markets itself.
While Nike is better known for its cutting-edge sporting technology, Adidas is more of a traditional sports brand – which can be advantageous if you’re looking for plain but reliable sports shoes.
Nike has also been praised by environmentalists for its dedication to sustainability: reducing waste and cutting carbon emissions where it can. Adidas, however, does not have an identical track record in this area.
If you support environmental causes or are worried about your footprint on the planet, buying from brands with strong green credentials might be an option worth considering.
Production and Supply Chain
Adidas has also historically had more success than Nike in China, where it controls around 40% of the market. While both brands use similar materials like polyester and spandex, Adidas products are less expensive.
Nike’s major rival is Under Armour. Under Armour has recently announced plans to almost double it’s sales by 2020.
Keeping up with demand is a big problem for companies that want to compete with Nike or Adidas. To stay close, sportswear companies need to make sure that they use sustainable materials.
If you want to see what new Adidas shoes and Nike shoes are available, then look no further: Check it out here
The Future
In recent years, Adidas has been working hard to close the gap with Nike. The brand’s mission statement now reflects a commitment to sustainability and progress – as well as a dedication to its core sporting values.
While Adidas might not have the market share or consumer appeal of Nike for now, it’s worth remembering that the difference is smaller than you think – especially in Europe, where they compare more closely.
Adidas vs Nike: Which Is Better?
So who won the Adidas vs Nike battle for you? Although Adidas and Nike both have their merits, we find that the best option for most people is to go with what they like.
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