Every shoe enthusiast is well aware of two well-known brands, Nike and Veja. Nike has earned huge fame in the footwear industry because of its high performance and availability for many years.
Veja may be a little bit of a new footwear brand, but it is the right fit for those who prefer eco-friendly and transparent shoes.
But if you are confused between Nike and Veja to know which one is the winner, then it is better to consider some factors to decide between the two.
Comparison Table Between Veja and Nike:
| Veja | Nike |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 1964 |
| Sneakers, tennis shoes and running shoes | Shoes and sneakers |
| Less breathable | More breathable |
| Less weight | Heavyweight |
| Slightly costly | More costly |
| Two years warranty | Two years warranty |
Overview of Veja:
Veja is a famous French footwear brand founded in 2004 by Sébastien Kopp and François-Ghislain Morillion and has headquarters in France and Paris.
As Veja was founded in 2004 but its official launch was done in 2005 at the Palais de Tokyo, Paris.
The brand is well known because of its commitment to sustainability and ethical ethos for manufacturing high-quality and sustainable shoes.
Veja also collaborated with French designer Agnes B. In 2006, Veja introduced its first tanned leather product with innovative technologies.
The brand has minimalist and simple design shoes equipped with the latest technologies and sustainable materials such as organic cotton, recycled polyester and rubber.
The brand also works with fair trade companies to ensure that its employees are treated fairly. Veja mainly uses waterproof recycled bottles gathered from the streets of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro on the soles of shoes.
As Veja shoes are expensive compared to other companion footwear brands, but this company believes that quality matters rather than price.
Veja has also won The Guardian Sustainable Business Award and The Observer Ethical Award.
Veja shoes are manufactured in Brazil because of the long history of Brazil in manufacturing shoes and a strong environmental record.
Among many footwear products of Veja, the best-selling product is Esplar, which is a simple and minimalist design shoe made from sustainable materials such as recycled polyester, rubber, and organic cotton.
It has vibrant colors and is equipped with vulcanized soles, round toes, padded tongue and rubber toe cap that make these shoes durable, lightweight and breathable. So these are the perfect shoes for casual wear and occasions.
Nike Overview:
Nike is the most well-known and world’s largest American footwear, apparel, and sports equipment company founded by Bill Bowerman and Phil Knight in 1964 and it was named “Blue Ribbon Sports” at that time but in 1971, it was named “Nike” which means Greek Goddess of Victory.
All the Nike products are named under its brand such as Nike Blazers, Nike Dunk, Nike CR7, Nike Golf and many more. Not only products and equipment, but Nike also runs many retail stores under the brand name.
In 2017, Nike was on number 89th among the 500 largest US companies in terms of total revenue. Then in 2020, Nike was considered as the most valuable brand among sports companies.
Nike products range from apparel to sports equipment running shoes to basketball shoes to golf shoes to other accessories.
Nike is known because of its innovations and technologies such as Nike React Foam, Zoom Air, FlyKnit and Dri-Fit fabric that make all shoes comfortable, sustainable and highly performing.
Nike is the sponsor of many high-profile athletes and sports teams with the Swoosh Logo which is the representation of motion and speed.
Also, Nike is involved in many social initiatives and communities to reduce environmental impact by adopting sustainable materials and practices.
Nike has a subsidiary named Jordan Brand which was named after basketball legend Michael Jordan.
Nike shoes are manufactured in the following countries:
- China
- Vietnam
- Indonesia
- Thailand
- India
- Brazil
- Cambodia
- Pakistan
- Brazil
- Mexico
As Nike has introduced many footwear but one of their best seller product is Air Jordan 1 because it is a combination of timeless and iconic looks and is manufactured by famous Nike basketball legend Michael Jordan.
Jordan 1 is equipped with natural and genuine leather and a synthetic upper with a durable and stylish midsole that offers extra cushioning to feet and ankles while allowing easy movement during wear. With different vibrant colors, these sneakers are versatile and fashionable and attract the attention of all sneaker enthusiasts.
Major Differences Between The Brands
After getting an overview of both brands and considering some similarities, I am now going to reveal some major differences, such as comfort, price, popularity, and design of Nike and Veja shoes:
1) Comfort
Veja ensures to make all shoes from recyclable plastic and polyester, which enhances the softness and durability of shoes and offers maximum cushioning to feet so you can wear Veja shoes for a long time without feeling pain and injuries to your feet.
Veja shoes are also equipped with tanned leather that not only offers a smooth feel but also resists infection and absorbs sweat to keep your feet protected from itching. The tanned leather also stretches and gives you a comfortable feel over time. Moreover, the lightweight construction and simple design with no embellishment give a comfortable and supportive feel to your feet.
On the other hand, Nike shoes are the better way to enjoy great cushioning and a comfortable ride because of the composition of foam, advanced technologies (Zoom air, react foam and Nike air), breathable mesh and rubber that also enhance support and stability that may be required for walking on long distances.
The soft midsole, along with heel and padded tongue and collar, offer a maximal cushioning effect and make your feet feel stable, minimize the risk of injuries, and alleviate pain and stress on your knees during running and walking.
2) Popularity
Veja is a most popular footwear brand, but its fame is less compared to Nike (among the 50 most reputable and famous footwear companies). However, the reason for the fame of Veja is its focus on sustainable and ethical practices to overcome the needs of eco-conscious users.
Moreover, celebrity endorsement and influencer collaboration, along with quality craftsmanship and the use of organic materials, are the major reasons for the fame of Veja shoes.
On the other hand, Nike is on top when it comes to the popularity of footwear brands with almost 18% market share and, 99 million visits to official Nike site and highest sales in 2022.
In 1980, Nike earned a 50% market share in the US market, and the major reason for the fame of this brand was the launching of retro basketball shoes such as Jordan 1 and Air Force 1 because the brand focused on health and wellness while manufacturing athletic shoes for exercise.
3) Target Market
Veja’s target market mainly revolves around 38.49% men and 61.51% women with age groups of 25-33 years.
Veja targets eco-conscious users because of the use of ethical and sustainable materials, fashion enthusiasts because of the versatility and style of shoes, urban professionals because of an aesthetic and professional look and Gen Z.
In contrast, Nike’s target market revolves around people with age 15-40 with men, women, kids and teens.
Nike also targets athletes who prefer highly performing and appealing athletic shoes, lifestyle consumers who prefer sport and outdoor shoes and trend followers who prefer comfortable and stylish shoes to make a difference in the community.
4) Price
However, there is not much difference in the price range of Veja and Nike shoes, but Nike is somehow a little bit costly compared to Veja.
Veja shoes are expensive, with an average price range of $100-$200, but some models can go upto $240.
While Nike shoes are pricier than Veja with an average range of $50-$250.
5) Design
Veja shoes have a sustainable and classic design with understated patterns, clean lines, neutral and natural colors and craftsmanship but without embellishments and are often made with organic materials and recyclable polyester with a V logo on the sides of each shoe.
In comparison, Nike shoes have bold designs with vibrant and dark colors, dynamic patterns and attractive graphics. Nike shoes have the incorporation of latest cushioning technologies, mesh and rubber materials with an iconic Swoosh logo.
Conclusion: Which Is Better For You?
When you have to compare two main rivals, Veja and Nike then Nike is a better choice because of maximal comfort, design, popularity and high customer demand.
Both brands understand the needs of customers and produce shoes with unique and exceptional quality.
Nike shoes use advanced technologies and are super reliable with a variety of styles and designs to overcome athletic and casual wear needs.While Veja shoes are reliable when you prefer slightly affordable and practical shoes to wear for professional use.