How popular isBalega?
In September 2026, people searched for Balega by name about 22,200 times worldwide, about the same as the previous year. These searches made up 11.6% of all global walking socks brand searches, placing Balega third out of six brands. When we asked both ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about walking socks brands, Balega appeared in two of the five answers and was the third most recommended of the six.
Balega is the third most searched of 6 competitors and the third most recommended in AI answers.
SmartwoolShare of searches 47.2%Mentioned in 5 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 2nd
Darn ToughShare of searches 25.8%Mentioned in 5 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 1st
BalegaShare of searches 11.6%Mentioned in 2 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 3rd
InjinjiShare of searches 7.7%Mentioned in 4 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 4th
ThorlosShare of searches 4.2%Mentioned in 1 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 5th
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Top walking socks brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Balega was mentioned in two out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Balega is the third most recommended of the six.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
- Darn Tough1st
- Smartwool2nd
- Balega3rd
- Injinji4th
- Thorlos5th
Bridgedale–
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Smartwool5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Darn Tough5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Injinji4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Balega2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Thorlos1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Bridgedale0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about walking socks brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which walking socks brand should I buy?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best walking socks brands?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best walking socks brand for long hikes?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best walking socks”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best hiking socks”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.
Which walking socks brands compete with Balega?
Share of searches by month for Smartwool, Darn Tough, Balega, Injinji, Thorlos, Bridgedale. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Smartwool | Darn Tough | Balega | Injinji | Thorlos | Bridgedale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 56.8% | 20.8% | 9.3% | 6.2% | 3.4% | 3.4% |
| Nov 2025 | 55.7% | 24.9% | 9.2% | 4.1% | 2.7% | 3.4% |
| Dec 2025 | 61% | 22.3% | 8.2% | 3% | 2.5% | 3% |
| Jan 2026 | 60.6% | 22.3% | 6.7% | 4.5% | 3% | 3% |
| Feb 2026 | 57.8% | 21.2% | 9.5% | 5.2% | 3.5% | 2.8% |
| Mar 2026 | 46% | 25.2% | 13.8% | 7.5% | 4.1% | 3.4% |
| Apr 2026 | 40.3% | 27% | 14.8% | 9.9% | 4.4% | 3.6% |
| May 2026 | 40.3% | 27% | 14.8% | 9.9% | 4.4% | 3.6% |
| Jun 2026 | 40.6% | 27.2% | 14.9% | 9.9% | 4.4% | 3% |
| Jul 2026 | 41.7% | 27.9% | 15.3% | 8.3% | 3.7% | 3% |
| Aug 2026 | 45.9% | 25.1% | 13.7% | 9.2% | 3.3% | 2.7% |
| Sep 2026 | 47.2% | 25.8% | 11.6% | 7.7% | 4.2% | 3.4% |
| Rank | Brand | Share of searches | Estimated monthly branded searches | vs prior month | Share change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1, held 1st | 47.2% | 90.5K | 0% | +1.3 points | |
| 2, held 2nd | 25.8% | 49.5K | 0% | +0.7 points | |
| 3, held 3rd | 11.6% | 22.2K | -18.1% | -2.2 points | |
| 4, held 4th | 7.7% | 14.8K | -18.2% | -1.5 points | |
| 5, held 5th | 4.2% | 8.1K | +22.7% | +0.9 points | |
| 6, held 6th | 3.4% | 6.6K | +22.2% | +0.7 points |
47.2%
Held 1st. 90.5K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +1.3 points.
25.8%
Held 2nd. 49.5K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +0.7 points.
3.
Balega11.6%
Held 3rd. 22.2K estimated branded searches, -18.1% vs prior month. Share -2.2 points.
4.
Injinji7.7%
Held 4th. 14.8K estimated branded searches, -18.2% vs prior month. Share -1.5 points.
5.
Thorlos4.2%
Held 5th. 8.1K estimated branded searches, +22.7% vs prior month. Share +0.9 points.
3.4%
Held 6th. 6.6K estimated branded searches, +22.2% vs prior month. Share +0.7 points.
Compare popularity between Balega and its closest rivals
Every comparison with Balega
9 comparisons
How has branded search demand for Balega changed worldwide over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, estimated monthly branded searches for Balega worldwide held steady at 22.2K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Balega’s share of searches among walking socks brands worldwide increased from 9.3% to 11.6%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Balega’s share of searches among walking socks brands worldwide peaked at 15.3% in July 2026 and was lowest at 6.7% in January 2026.
How did search popularity change for walking socks brands worldwide in September 2026?
6 changes
In September 2026, Smartwool gained share of searches among walking socks brands worldwide, from 45.9% to 47.2%.
In September 2026, Thorlos gained share of searches among walking socks brands worldwide, from 3.3% to 4.2%.
In September 2026, Darn Tough gained share of searches among walking socks brands worldwide, from 25.1% to 25.8%.
In September 2026, Bridgedale gained share of searches among walking socks brands worldwide, from 2.7% to 3.4%.
In September 2026, Balega lost share of searches among walking socks brands worldwide, from 13.7% to 11.6%.
In September 2026, Injinji lost share of searches among walking socks brands worldwide, from 9.2% to 7.7%.
How are Balega’s branded searches counted?
1 search term
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Balega’s name. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for this branded term can be used to understand whether interest in the brand is growing, holding steady, or fading.
- balega socks
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Where does Balega compete?
| Competitor set | Rank | Share of searches | Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Running socks | 5th of 8 | 7.4% | Show ranking |
| Walking socks brands | 3rd of 6 | 11.6% | Shown above |
Is Balega your brand?
Put your own campaigns, spend and outcomes next to this demand line, so you can see which of your marketing lined up with the movements above.