HOKA vs KEEN:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, HOKA and KEEN were level in searches among hiking footwear brands worldwide, with an estimated 36.2K versus 32.9K branded searches, at 2.2% and 2% of the total. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about hiking footwear brands, HOKA appeared in four of the five answers and KEEN in two. HOKA was mentioned before KEEN in three out of four answers that named either.
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Top hiking footwear brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, HOKA was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. KEEN was mentioned in two out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. HOKA was listed before KEEN in three out of four answers that named either.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
Merrell5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Salomon5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Altra4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
HOKA4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers- La Sportiva2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
KEEN2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Columbia2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Oboz2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
LOWA1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
SCARPA1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about hiking footwear brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which hiking footwear brand should I buy?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best hiking footwear brands?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best hiking footwear brand for all-day comfort?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“hiking footwear brands”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best hiking footwear”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.
Is HOKA or KEEN more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for HOKA and KEEN by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all ten hiking footwear brands we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for HOKA, KEEN. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Merrell | La Sportiva | Altra | Salomon | LOWA | HOKA | KEEN | Columbia | Oboz | SCARPA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 45.7% | 20.8% | 17% | 6.2% | 2.2% | 2.8% | 1.7% | 1.5% | 1.3% | 0.69% |
| Nov 2025 | 49.1% | 19.1% | 15.6% | 5.7% | 2.5% | 2.6% | 1.6% | 1.7% | 1.4% | 0.63% |
| Dec 2025 | 47.2% | 21.7% | 14.5% | 6.1% | 2.3% | 2.7% | 1.6% | 1.6% | 1.6% | 0.71% |
| Jan 2026 | 43.4% | 23.6% | 15.8% | 6.6% | 2.5% | 2.9% | 1.6% | 1.4% | 1.4% | 0.77% |
| Feb 2026 | 43.8% | 23.3% | 15.5% | 6.6% | 2.5% | 2.5% | 1.9% | 1.7% | 1.4% | 0.77% |
| Mar 2026 | 45.1% | 19.2% | 19.2% | 6.6% | 2.3% | 2.6% | 1.7% | 1.4% | 1.2% | 0.63% |
| Apr 2026 | 44.5% | 19.4% | 19.4% | 6.4% | 2.1% | 2.9% | 1.9% | 1.7% | 1.2% | 0.64% |
| May 2026 | 45% | 18.8% | 18.8% | 6.8% | 2.1% | 2.8% | 2.1% | 1.7% | 1.4% | 0.62% |
| Jun 2026 | 48.9% | 18.6% | 15.2% | 7.6% | 1.8% | 2.5% | 2% | 1.7% | 1.1% | 0.61% |
| Jul 2026 | 45% | 19.6% | 16.1% | 8.4% | 2.2% | 2.6% | 2.4% | 1.8% | 1.2% | 0.79% |
| Aug 2026 | 41.3% | 22.1% | 18% | 8% | 2.4% | 2.4% | 2% | 2% | 1.1% | 0.73% |
| Sep 2026 | 41.5% | 22.5% | 18.4% | 7.5% | 2.4% | 2.2% | 2% | 1.7% | 1.1% | 0.74% |
How has the HOKA and KEEN comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- HOKA was ahead of KEEN in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, HOKA’s share of searches among hiking footwear brands worldwide moved from 2.8% to 2.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 40.3K to 36.2K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, KEEN’s share of searches among hiking footwear brands worldwide moved from 1.7% to 2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 24.7K to 32.9K.
How did search popularity change for hiking footwear brands worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, KEEN rose from 8th to 7th among hiking footwear brands worldwide.
In September 2026, HOKA fell from 5th to 6th among hiking footwear brands worldwide.
How are branded searches counted?
4 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using HOKA’s and KEEN’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
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