HOKA vs Nike:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Nike had more branded searches than HOKA among running shoe brands worldwide. Nike had about 24.3 million branded searches, while HOKA had 3.9 million. Nike made up 45.2% of all running shoe brand searches we track, and HOKA accounted for 7.3%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about running shoe brands, HOKA and Nike each appeared in three of the four answers. HOKA was mentioned before Nike in two out of three answers that named either.
Who do people search for more?
Nike, about 6 searches for every 1 for HOKA
Who does AI mention more?
Both were mentioned in 3 of 4 answers.
Who does AI recommend more?
HOKA, named ahead of Nike in 2 of 3 answers
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Top running shoe brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, HOKA and Nike were each mentioned in three out of four: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in the Google AI Overview. HOKA was listed before Nike in two out of three 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.
New Balance4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
ASICS4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
Brooks4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers- Nike3 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
- HOKA3 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
Saucony3 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
On2 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
Mizuno1 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
See every answer about running shoe brands
4 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which running shoe brand should I buy?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best running shoe brands?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best running shoe brand for everyday running?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“running shoe brands”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best running shoes”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 19, 2026.
Is HOKA or Nike more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for HOKA and Nike by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight running shoe brands we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Nike, HOKA. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Nike | New Balance | ASICS | HOKA | On | Saucony | Mizuno | Brooks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 44.4% | 24.2% | 13.8% | 7.7% | 3.8% | 2.1% | 2.2% | 1.8% |
| Nov 2025 | 50.5% | 23.3% | 11.1% | 6.4% | 3.4% | 1.9% | 1.7% | 1.6% |
| Dec 2025 | 48.9% | 21.6% | 12.7% | 7.2% | 4.2% | 1.8% | 1.9% | 1.6% |
| Jan 2026 | 50.6% | 19.2% | 13.6% | 6.8% | 3.5% | 2.3% | 2.1% | 1.9% |
| Feb 2026 | 47.9% | 21.9% | 12.9% | 7.5% | 3.6% | 2.2% | 2% | 2.1% |
| Mar 2026 | 47.9% | 21.7% | 12.8% | 7.4% | 3.7% | 2.6% | 1.9% | 2.1% |
| Apr 2026 | 43% | 23.8% | 14% | 8.2% | 4.2% | 2.9% | 1.7% | 2.2% |
| May 2026 | 44.5% | 20.1% | 14.6% | 8.5% | 4.7% | 2.9% | 2.2% | 2.4% |
| Jun 2026 | 44.9% | 20.5% | 14.5% | 8.2% | 5.3% | 2.5% | 1.8% | 2.3% |
| Jul 2026 | 46.1% | 20.7% | 15.2% | 7.3% | 3.9% | 2.6% | 1.9% | 2.2% |
| Aug 2026 | 41.7% | 22.7% | 16.4% | 8% | 3.6% | 3.3% | 2% | 2.2% |
| Sep 2026 | 45.2% | 20.6% | 15% | 7.3% | 4.4% | 3% | 2.3% | 2.3% |
How has the HOKA and Nike comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Nike was ahead of HOKA in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, HOKA’s share of searches among running shoe brands worldwide moved from 7.7% to 7.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 4.3M to 3.9M.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Nike’s share of searches among running shoe brands worldwide moved from 44.4% to 45.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 24.9M to 24.3M.
How did search popularity change for running shoe brands worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Nike gained share of searches among running shoe brands worldwide, from 41.7% to 45.2%.
In September 2026, HOKA lost share of searches among running shoe brands worldwide, from 8% to 7.3%.
How are branded searches counted?
14 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using HOKA’s and Nike’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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