Sneaker Showdown · India 2026
LOTTO vs GULLY LABS
Italian legacy meets Indian soul — which sneaker brand deserves a spot in your rotation?
Lotto
Italian sports heritage reborn in India with retro-modern designs.
2025Gully Labs
Handcrafted Indian sneakers born from culture, craft & pride.
2023Two Brands,
Two Worlds.
Every shoe tells a story. But not every story starts the same. Lotto walks in carrying half a century of Italian sportswear DNA. Gully Labs shows up with paint still wet on its first canvas — handmade, homegrown, and hustling hard. Let’s break them both down, honestly.
Lotto Sport India
Born in Trevignano, Italy in 1973, Lotto has been dressing tennis courts and football pitches for decades. Their India comeback is a full-circle moment — generations of Indians who wore Lotto in school are rediscovering that clean, confident energy in modern silhouettes. The Leggenda line is their flagship retro sneaker.
What you’re getting is deep R&D behind every sole, a consistent fit engineered for Indian feet, and that unmistakable Italian logo you can spot across a café in seconds. Classic. No drama. No pretense.
Gully Labs
Founded in August 2023 by Arjun Singh and Animesh Mishra, Gully Labs is India’s answer to a question nobody thought to ask: why don’t Indian sneakers tell Indian stories? Their Noida workshop — part studio, part lab — is where local karigars hand-cut and hand-stitch every pair.
From Diwali drops to Kulfi-inspired colourways, from Phulkari embroidery to a collab with Royal Enfield — Gully Labs is proving that sneakers can be a canvas for India’s richest stories. Around 25% of revenue already comes from the US and UK.
The Numbers.
🇮🇹 Lotto
🇮🇳 Gully Labs
How They Rate.
The Full
Breakdown.
| Category | 🇮🇹 Lotto | 🇮🇳 Gully Labs |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Italian brand (est. 1973), back in India via SSIPL Legacy | Born & made in India (Noida), founded 2023 New Wave |
| Material | Premium synthetic leather, breathable canvas, rubber soles | Thick-grain leather, hand-cut suede, rubber gum sole — all sourced in India Edge |
| Build Quality | Factory precision — tight stitching, clean sole bond Consistent | Hand-lasted artisan stitching — every pair has character Artisanal |
| Comfort | ★★★★★ 9/10 — cushioned insole, lightweight, all-day wear Win | ★★★★ 8/10 — improves with break-in; slight toe snugness initially |
| Style DNA | Retro-sport Italian — clean silhouettes, tennis lineage Timeless | Culture-first — each colourway has a narrative (Diwali, Kulfi, Phulkari) Unique |
| Colour Palette | White/Red/Green (Italian flag), neutrals, clean monochrome | Green/Ivory/Gum, tricolour, ikat prints, rich earthy India tones Win |
| Packaging | Clean standard box + extra laces — functional & appreciated | Blue branded box + tote, medal, care card, extra laces, dust bag Win |
| Price Range | ₹3,000–₹7,000 approx. Win | ₹6,000–₹12,000 approx. — premium, limited-edition pricing |
| Availability | lottosport.in, Amazon, Flipkart, nationwide offline Win | gullylabs.com, AJIO, Myntra, select stores — expanding fast |
| Sustainability | Standard manufacturing — no specific claims highlighted | Ethical sourcing, eco-friendly, supports local karigars Win |
| Exclusivity | Wide range always in stock — easy to restock | Limited drops — sold out = sold out forever Collectible |
| Returns | Free size exchange & returns Win | Standard return policy — check website for current terms |
Pros & Cons.
🇮🇹 Lotto — Pros
- Decades of proven quality behind every pair
- Comfortable straight out of the box
- Wide availability — online & offline
- Affordable premium pricing (₹3K–7K)
- Free size exchanges & returns
- Clean versatile style — works anywhere
- Extra laces included as a bonus
🇮🇹 Lotto — Watch Out
- Design not a conversation-starter
- No strong India cultural identity
- Limited exclusivity game
- Some models look similar in lineup
🇮🇳 Gully Labs — Pros
- Every pair tells a uniquely Indian story
- Handcrafted quality — truly premium feel
- Incredible unboxing — a full gift set
- Limited drops = collectible value
- Supports local artisans & ethical production
- Bold distinctive colourways
- High desirability with Gen Z & creatives
🇮🇳 Gully Labs — Watch Out
- Higher price — not for every budget
- Toe box can feel snug initially
- Limited availability in smaller cities
- Sells out fast — can’t restock favourites
Which One Has
Better Colours?
Colour is more than aesthetics — it’s personality. Here’s how these two brands approach their palettes.
LOTTO PALETTE
Rooted in the Italian flag — crisp white, confident red, fresh green. Add gum brown soles and you’ve got a palette that’s globally readable, clean, and effortlessly cool.
GULLY LABS PALETTE
Drawn from India’s festivals, crafts, and landscapes. Deep greens, ivory, ikat blues, Diwali ochres — each colourway has a story and a reason to exist.
Gully Labs on
Shark Tank India 🦈
Series A — ₹26.5 Crore Raised
Just weeks after Shark Tank, Gully Labs closed a ₹26.5 Crore Series A led by Saama Capital, with angel participation from Radhika Gupta (Edelweiss CEO) and Roman Saini (Unacademy co-founder). The brand was clocking ₹2 Crore in monthly sales and shipping 5,000 pairs every month.
REVENUE JOURNEY 📈
So… Who Wins?
Honestly? Both of them — just for different people, different moods, and different reasons to walk out the door.
The reliable everyday co-pilot. Comfortable from step one, stylish without trying too hard, priced so you can actually afford a second pair.
The statement piece with a soul. Wear them when you want people to ask where you got them — and watch their jaw drop when you say “Made in India.”
“Lotto gives you Italian heritage. Gully Labs gives you Indian identity. If the wardrobe allows it — honestly, buy both.”
