Brandwave

How popular isKEEN?

In September 2026, people searched for KEEN by name about 32,900 times worldwide, a 33.2% increase from the previous year. These searches made up 3% of all global water shoe searches, placing KEEN fifth out of seven shoes. When we asked both ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about water shoes, KEEN appeared in four of the five answers and was the most recommended of the seven.

Search and AI answers in September 2026

KEEN is the fifth most searched of 7 competitors and the most recommended in AI answers.

  1. SpeedoShare of searches 74.1%Mentioned in 2 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 2nd
  2. MerrellShare of searches 8.5%Mentioned in 2 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 3rd
  3. CressiShare of searches 6.7%Mentioned in 0 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations –
  4. Body GloveShare of searches 5.5%Mentioned in 0 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations –
  5. KEENShare of searches 3%Mentioned in 4 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 1st

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Top water shoes in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, KEEN was mentioned in four out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. KEEN is the most recommended of the seven.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. KEEN1st
  2. Speedo2nd
  3. Merrell3rd
  4. Cressi–
  5. Body Glove–
  6. Aqua Sphere–
  7. ALEADER–

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • KEEN4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Speedo2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Merrell2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Cressi0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Body Glove0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Aqua Sphere0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • ALEADER0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about water shoes

5 answers

  • Asked ChatGPT

    “Which water shoe brand should I buy?”

    1. 1Speedo
    2. 2KEEN

  • Asked ChatGPT

    “What are the best water shoe brands?”

    1. 1KEEN
    2. 2Speedo

  • Asked ChatGPT

    “What's the best water shoe brand for wet rocks?”

    1. Searched Google, AI Overview

      “water shoes”

      1. 1Merrell
      2. 2KEEN

    2. Searched Google, AI Overview

      “water shoes for beach”

      1. 1Merrell
      2. 2KEEN

    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 water shoes compete with KEEN?

    KEEN against water shoes worldwide, by month

    Share of searches by month for Speedo, Merrell, Cressi, Body Glove, KEEN. The figures are in the table below the chart.

    View monthly share of searches table
    MonthSpeedoMerrellCressiBody GloveKEENAqua SphereALEADER
    Oct 202580%5%4.8%5.9%2.6%1.4%0.21%
    Nov 202580.7%4.1%4.9%5.9%2.7%1.5%0.31%
    Dec 202577.1%3.9%4.6%10.4%2.5%1.1%0.3%
    Jan 202673.7%5.6%4.4%12.1%2.4%1.3%0.43%
    Feb 202680%6%3.9%5.9%2.6%1.2%0.28%
    Mar 202678.1%6%4.7%7%2.6%1.4%0.28%
    Apr 202678.1%7.3%4.7%5.7%2.6%1.4%0.28%
    May 202678.4%7.3%4.7%5.8%2.1%1.4%0.31%
    Jun 202677.1%5.9%6.9%5.7%2.1%1.4%0.86%
    Jul 202675.6%7.1%6.8%5.6%2%1.7%1.2%
    Aug 202673.3%8.4%8.1%5.4%2.4%1.6%0.83%
    Sep 202674.1%8.5%6.7%5.5%3%1.6%0.73%

    1. 1.Speedo

      74.1%

      Held 1st. 368K estimated branded searches, -18.2% vs prior month. Share +0.8 points.

    2. 2.Merrell

      8.5%

      Held 2nd. 42.1K estimated branded searches, -18.1% vs prior month. Share +0.1 points.

    3. 3.Cressi

      6.7%

      Held 3rd. 33.1K estimated branded searches, -33.1% vs prior month. Share -1.4 points.

    4. 4.Body Glove

      5.5%

      Held 4th. 27.1K estimated branded searches, -18.1% vs prior month. Share +0.1 points.

    5. 5.KEEN

      3%

      Held 5th. 14.8K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +0.6 points.

    6. 6.Aqua Sphere

      1.6%

      Held 6th. 8.1K estimated branded searches, -18.2% vs prior month. Share 0 points.

    7. 7.ALEADER

      0.73%

      Held 7th. 3.6K estimated branded searches, -29.3% vs prior month. Share -0.1 points.

    Compare popularity between KEEN and its closest rivals

    Every comparison with KEEN

    33 comparisons

    How has branded search demand for KEEN changed worldwide over the last 12 months?

    2 findings
    • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, estimated monthly branded searches for KEEN worldwide rose from 24.7K to 32.9K.
    • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, KEEN’s share of searches among water shoes worldwide held steady, from 2.6% to 3%.

    How did search popularity change for water shoes worldwide in September 2026?

    6 changes

    1. In September 2026, Speedo gained share of searches among water shoes worldwide, from 73.3% to 74.1%.

    2. In September 2026, KEEN gained share of searches among water shoes worldwide, from 2.4% to 3%.

    3. In September 2026, Cressi lost share of searches among water shoes worldwide, from 8.1% to 6.7%.

    4. Merrell’s share of searches among water shoes worldwide has gained ground for 3 months in a row, from 5.9% to 8.5% in September 2026.

    5. Estimated monthly branded searches for ALEADER worldwide rose 206.8% over 12 measured months, from 1.2K to 3.6K in September 2026.

    6. Estimated monthly branded searches for Body Glove worldwide fell 18.1% over 12 measured months, from 33.1K to 27.1K in September 2026.

    How are KEEN’s branded searches counted?

    2 search terms

    Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using KEEN’s name. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brand is growing, holding steady, or fading.

    • hiking boots keen
    • keen hiking shoes

    Do you work for KEEN? To request corrections or removal please contact us via our support page and we will be happy to assist.

    How the Brand Demand Index is measured

    Where does KEEN compete?

    KEEN is ranked in seven competitor sets. Each share is worked out among that set's brands, so it differs from set to set.
    Competitor setRankShare of searchesRanking
    Kids shoe brands10th of 100.02%Show ranking
    Waterproof boots brands9th of 100.13%Show ranking
    Steel toe boot brands7th of 90.27%Show ranking
    Hiking shoe brands7th of 70.46%Show ranking
    Hiking footwear brands7th of 102%Show ranking
    Hiking boots6th of 82.4%Show ranking
    Water shoes5th of 73%Shown above
    Creator with pink hair and a pink jacket

    Is KEEN your brand?

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