Retail & Trading · Updated September 2026
Should You Start a Riding Apparel Brand in 2026?
An honest reality check and setup guide: what it costs, what you keep, what Shark Tank India taught founders in this space, and a 90-day plan to test it.
The 30-second verdict
Yes, for the motorcycle-touring community. Wanderlooms from Bhopal pitched adventure-inspired riding apparel on Shark Tank India Season 4 and got a deal. Motorcycle touring has a large, loyal community in India, and riders pay for gear that works in Indian heat and rain.
Initial capital
₹3–8 lakh
Scaled: ₹30 lakh–1.5 crore for your own workshop or tooling, stock and dealer network
Gross margin
45–60% gross margin selling direct
20–30% through sports shops and dealers
Breakeven
18–30 months
Ease of distribution
3 / 5
Coaches, academies and sports communities sell more than ads do
ODOP / cluster viability
Medium
ODOP product of 2 districts
Best suited to The Trader: people who like selling, persuading and taking charge and like order, numbers and systems that run smoothly. Take the fit check to see how close you are.
Market reality 2026: why now, or why not now?
Tailwinds
- India's sports clusters, Jalandhar and Meerut in particular, make most of the country's sports equipment and can produce small batches.
- New sports such as pickleball, padel and trekking are growing quickly in cities.
- Fitness, yoga and outdoor activity are now year-round habits for many urban buyers.
- Khelo India, school sports programmes and new academies are adding buyers in smaller towns.
Headwinds and traps
- Decathlon sells good-quality basics at very low prices.
- Cheap imports dominate many categories, from yoga mats to rackets.
- Serious players trust established international brands for bats, shoes and rackets.
- Many products are seasonal or tied to one sport's popularity.
What changed in 2026
Decathlon has made basic sports gear cheap, so a generic brand struggles. What works in 2026 is depth in one sport: gear designed with coaches for Indian conditions, a new sport that is growing before big brands arrive, or a craft product such as Kashmir willow bats with a clear origin.
Riding jackets, pants and gloves need to protect riders and still be comfortable in Indian weather. Imported gear is expensive and often designed for colder climates. Riding clubs, touring groups and creators are the best channels.
Real setup costs and unit economics
Estimated for a brand that sources from a sports cluster or contract maker and sells online and through academies, 2026 prices.
| Line item | Cost range | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Product development and samples | ₹50,000 – ₹2,00,000 | Design, prototypes, testing with players |
| First production batch | ₹1,50,000 – ₹4,00,000 | 200–1,000 units depending on the product |
| Branding and packaging | ₹30,000 – ₹1,00,000 | Logo, packaging, product photos |
| Website and marketplaces | ₹15,000 – ₹50,000 | Store, listings, payment gateway |
| Launch marketing | ₹50,000 – ₹2,00,000 | Sponsoring players and academies, creators, events |
Unit margin breakdown
For a ₹2,500 piece of equipment sold online:
| Product cost | ₹700–1,100 |
| Packaging | ₹60–120 |
| Shipping and payment fees | ₹150–250 |
| Marketplace commission or ads | ₹350–600 |
| What you keep | ₹500–900 per unit |
Bulky items such as bats and machines are expensive to ship. Price for shipping from the start, and sell in sets or bundles where you can.
The cluster advantage: local sourcing and ODOP playbook
These districts have ODOP products that feed this business model.
- Jalandhar, Punjab — Sports Goods · setup ₹1.5L–₹25L, D2C margin 50-65%
- Meerut, Uttar Pradesh — Sports Products · setup ₹5L–₹50L, D2C margin 50-65%
Jalandhar and Meerut make most of India's balls, bats, rackets and fitness gear, and Kashmir's willow clusters make cricket bats. Buying directly from these makers, instead of through city traders, cuts costs and lets you control specifications.
Licences you'll need
- GST registration
- Udyam registration
- Trademark application
- BIS or safety standards where they apply (for example, helmets and some fitness equipment)
- Import-export code if you export
Government support worth checking
- Udyam registration: Free, online, Aadhaar-based MSME registration. Most MSME benefits, including priority-sector bank loans, start here.
- PM Mudra Yojana: Bank loans in four tiers: Shishu (up to ₹50,000), Kishore (up to ₹5 lakh), Tarun (up to ₹10 lakh) and Tarun Plus (up to ₹20 lakh, for borrowers who repaid a Tarun loan). From 1 April 2026, MSE loans are collateral-free up to ₹20 lakh under RBI's Lending to MSME Sector (Amendment) Directions, 2026 (RBI/2025-26/206); banks may go up to ₹25 lakh based on track record.
- PMEGP: New units under the December 2023 guidelines (approved through 2025-26): project cost up to ₹50 lakh for manufacturing or ₹20 lakh for service. Subsidy is 15% urban / 25% rural for the general category, and 25% urban / 35% rural for special categories. Own contribution is 10% general and 5% special. For MSE loans sanctioned or renewed on or after 1 April 2026, including PMEGP units, banks must lend without collateral up to ₹20 lakh under RBI's Lending to MSME Sector (Amendment) Directions, 2026 (RBI/2025-26/206, 9 February 2026). Banks may go up to ₹25 lakh without collateral based on track record. Apply at pmegp.msme.gov.in.
- CGTMSE: A credit guarantee, not a cash subsidy, so a bank can lend without collateral. From 1 April 2025 the guarantee ceiling is ₹10 crore per borrower. Coverage is generally 75% (higher for micro enterprises, women, SC/ST and the North East). For MSE loans sanctioned or renewed on or after 1 April 2026, including PMEGP units, banks must lend without collateral up to ₹20 lakh under RBI/2025-26/206. Banks may go up to ₹25 lakh without collateral based on track record.
Scheme limits change. Confirm current terms on the official portal or with your bank before applying.
The hard truths: why most attempts fail in year one
Trust is earned on the field
Players try gear because someone they respect uses it. Ads alone rarely convince serious players.
Decathlon sets the price
For any basic product, buyers will compare you with Decathlon. Compete on features, fit or sport-specific design, not price.
Trends fade
New sports grow fast and then level off. Don't buy stock for next year's boom.
Quality complaints spread
A bat that breaks or a paddle that chips is discussed in every club. One bad batch can undo years of reputation.
The 90-day execution blueprint
The aim is ₹1.5 lakh in sales with at least 5 coaches or academies buying again.
Days 1–15
Pick your sport
- Choose one sport and one type of player.
- Interview 10 coaches and 20 players about what they use and what frustrates them.
- Visit or contact 3 makers in a sports cluster.
Days 16–45
Sample and test
- Make samples and have players test them for 2–3 weeks.
- Fix what they complain about.
- Register your brand and set up a simple store.
Days 46–75
Launch through players
- Give gear to 10–20 coaches and players with a following.
- Set up an academy discount or referral scheme.
- Show up at tournaments and club events.
Days 76–90
Review the numbers
- Check margins after shipping and returns.
- See which coaches reorder and why.
- Decide on the next product or the next city.
Is this business the right fit for you?
Not every profitable business fits every founder. Take the 3-minute fit check to see whether your interests, personality, budget and location match Riding Apparel.
Check your fit →Explore sourcing hubs
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Other ideas on the same business model: Non-Electric & Portable Bowling Machines, Kashmir Willow Bats, Yoga Accessories, Trekking Gear, Traditional Fitness Tools, Pickleball Paddles & Courts.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to start a Riding Apparel Brand?
₹3–8 lakh for a small start; ₹30 lakh–1.5 crore for your own workshop or tooling, stock and dealer network. Estimated for a brand that sources from a sports cluster or contract maker and sells online and through academies, 2026 prices.
What licences and registrations do I need?
GST registration; Udyam registration; Trademark application; BIS or safety standards where they apply (for example, helmets and some fitness equipment).
What profit margin can I expect?
45–60% gross margin selling direct; 20–30% through sports shops and dealers. After all costs, expect to keep ₹500–900 per unit.
How long does it take to break even?
Usually 18–30 months for a small setup, if you control costs and build repeat customers early.