The leading Chinese performance sportswear groups include Anta, Li-Ning, 361 Degrees, Xtep, and Peak. They are not interchangeable. Anta has the broadest international brand portfolio, Li-Ning has strong basketball and apparel recognition, Xtep emphasizes running, 361 Degrees combines running and basketball with major Asian events, and Peak remains closely associated with basketball footwear.
Feiyue also has Chinese roots, but its best-known international products are canvas and martial-arts shoes rather than modern performance running shoes.
Chinese sportswear brands at a glance
| Brand | Strongest identity | Evidence of international reach |
|---|---|---|
| Anta | Multi-category sportswear and basketball | Amer Sports investment, international brand portfolio, and overseas Anta stores |
| Li-Ning | Basketball, running, apparel, and equipment | Stephen Curry partnership, Way of Wade, and regional retail |
| 361 Degrees | Running, basketball, and value-oriented sportswear | 1,253 international points of sale reported for 2025 and 2026 Asian Games partnership |
| Xtep | Professional and mass-market running | Overseas running clubs, Southeast Asian e-commerce, and marathon programs |
| Peak | Basketball shoes and sportswear | Long-running distribution and basketball sponsorship outside mainland China |
| Feiyue | Canvas and martial-arts footwear | International fashion and martial-arts retail channels |
This table compares brand strategy and documented reach. It is not a ranking of shoe performance.
Which Chinese sportswear companies are expanding internationally?
Anta is the clearest corporate example. The Hong Kong-listed group operates Anta and a portfolio that includes FILA’s Greater China business, Descente, Kolon Sport, Maia Active, and Jack Wolfskin. It is also the largest shareholder of Amer Sports, whose brands include Arc’teryx, Salomon, Wilson, Peak Performance, and Atomic. In 2026, Anta agreed to acquire a 29.06 percent stake in Puma, subject to the transaction terms and closing process.
Li-Ning’s international visibility is more closely tied to its own brand and basketball. In June 2026, it announced a long-term partnership with Stephen Curry and Curry Brand. Its existing basketball identity includes the Way of Wade line and products associated with Jimmy Butler.
Xtep is expanding through running and regional retail. Its 2025 results said overseas revenue nearly doubled, cross-border e-commerce grew more than 220 percent in Southeast Asia, and the company opened its first overseas Xtep Running Club in Singapore.
361 Degrees reported 1,253 international points of sale at the end of 2025. Its international marketing combines Nikola Jokić basketball products, running shoes, World Aquatics, and its fifth consecutive Asian Games partnership.
Anta and Li-Ning are different companies
Anta does not own Li-Ning, and Li-Ning does not own Anta. Both parent companies are publicly traded in Hong Kong.
Anta follows a multi-brand strategy. Li-Ning describes its strategy as one brand across multiple product categories and sales channels. Their athlete partnerships, retail networks, and corporate investments should therefore be compared separately.
For a direct comparison, see Anta vs Li-Ning.
Chinese basketball brands
Chinese basketball footwear has become easier to identify internationally through verified athlete programs:
- Li-Ning announced a long-term partnership with Stephen Curry and Curry Brand in June 2026.
- Anta operates Kyrie Irving’s KAI series and Klay Thompson’s KT series.
- 361 Degrees develops the Joker line with Nikola Jokić and the AG line with Aaron Gordon.
- Peak has a longer history of basketball sponsorship, although individual athlete and model claims should be checked against its current official catalog.
These partnerships show product-development and marketing investment. They do not prove that one model will fit or perform better for every player.
Chinese running brands
Xtep and 361 Degrees provide the clearest public evidence of a sustained running strategy. Xtep highlights marathon participation, athlete results, running clubs, and the 160X line. The 361 Degrees annual report identifies running as a core category and lists several professional racing families.
Anta and Li-Ning also sell performance running shoes, but a comparison should be made between exact models available in the buyer’s country. See Chinese running shoe brands explained for the sourcing and buying checklist.
How to choose a brand outside China
Start with the activity and the official regional channel:
- Choose basketball, road running, trail running, training, or lifestyle use.
- Confirm that the model appears on an official site for your country.
- Compare the regional size chart rather than converting from memory.
- Check return shipping, warranty, and whether the seller is authorized.
- Treat athlete sponsorship as context, not independent performance testing.
- Avoid listings that use a famous player or model name that the official brand does not recognize.
For imported footwear, availability and after-sales support can matter more than a small difference in headline specifications.
Sources
- Anta investor information and brand portfolio
- Li-Ning company overview
- Li-Ning and Stephen Curry partnership
- Xtep 2025 annual results
- 361 Degrees 2025 annual report
- Feiyue official brand history
Sources and brand relationships reviewed July 20, 2026.