Ask your father about shoes and he will talk about durability, price, and comfort for office. Ask a 20-year-old and they will talk about colourways, drops, and which silhouette matches their vibe. This generational gap tells us a lot about how India is changing.
The Parent Generation
For Indians born in the 1960s-80s, shoes were purely functional. You had formal shoes for office, chappals for home, and maybe one pair of sports shoes for everything else. Brands did not matter much — Bata, Liberty, and Action dominated. Spending ₹5,000 on shoes was considered extravagant.
The Gen Z Shift
Gen Z Indians treat sneakers as self-expression. A pair of Jordans says something about who you are. The brand you choose, the colourway you pick, how you style them — it is all intentional. This generation grew up with social media, where visual identity matters more than ever.
The Numbers
India's premium sneaker market has grown over 300% in the last five years. Gen Z accounts for the majority of this growth. They are willing to spend ₹10,000-20,000 on a single pair because they see it as an investment in their personal brand, not just a purchase.
The Culture Gap
This creates interesting family dynamics. A son saving three months of pocket money for Jordans while his father wears the same Bata shoes for five years. Neither is wrong — they simply have different relationships with footwear. The father values function, the son values expression.
Where It Is Going
The gap is narrowing. Parents are becoming more accepting of sneaker culture as it becomes mainstream. Some are even getting into it themselves — the Adidas Ultraboost and New Balance 990 appeal to older buyers who want comfort with contemporary style. Sneaker culture in India is no longer just a Gen Z thing; it is becoming universal.
The ultimate sign of progress? When your dad asks you to help him pick out a pair of sneakers. That is when you know the culture has truly arrived.
