Brandwave

Dr. Martens vs Thorogood:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Dr. Martens had more branded searches than Thorogood among safety boots worldwide. Dr. Martens had about 1.8 million branded searches, while Thorogood had 110,000. Dr. Martens made up 55.7% of all safety boot searches we track, and Thorogood accounted for 3.3%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about safety boots, Thorogood appeared in two of the four answers and Dr. Martens in none.

Among safety boots worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Dr. Martens, about 17 searches for every 1 for Thorogood

Dr. Martens 1.8M searchesThorogood 110K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Thorogood, mentioned in 2 of 4 answers, Dr. Martens in 0

Thorogood in 2 of 4Dr. Martens in 0 of 4

Who does AI recommend more?

Thorogood, the only one of the two named

Thorogood first in 2Dr. Martens never named

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Top safety boots in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, Thorogood was mentioned in two out of four: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in the Google AI Overview. Dr. Martens did not appear in any of the four answers.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. Red Wing1st
  2. Timberland PRO2nd
  3. KEEN Utility3rd
  4. Thorogood4th
  5. Wolverine5th
  6. Danner6th
  7. Dr. Martens–
  8. Blundstone–
  9. Steel Blue–
  10. Caterpillar–

Mentioned by AI

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

  • Red Wing4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
  • Wolverine3 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
  • Timberland PRO3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • KEEN Utility3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • Danner2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • Thorogood2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • Caterpillar1 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
  • Dr. Martens0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • Blundstone0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • Steel Blue0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers

See every answer about safety boots

4 answers

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.

Is Dr. Martens or Thorogood more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Dr. Martens and Thorogood by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all ten safety boots we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.

Dr. Martens and Thorogood among safety boots worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for Dr. Martens, Thorogood. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthDr. MartensRed WingBlundstoneDannerThorogoodWolverineSteel BlueTimberland PROCaterpillarKEEN Utility
Oct 202545.1%30.2%13.6%3.3%2.7%2.4%1.2%1.2%0.16%0.11%
Nov 202546.2%25.3%16.9%4.2%2.8%2.2%1%1.2%0.14%0.09%
Dec 202547.5%26%14.3%4.3%2.9%2.6%1%1.3%0.11%0.09%
Jan 202643.2%35.3%10.6%3.2%2.6%2.2%1.2%1.4%0.16%0.13%
Feb 202647.1%25.9%11.6%4.2%4.2%2.8%1.9%1.9%0.25%0.14%
Mar 202633.4%49.8%6.7%2.4%2.4%1.9%1.6%1.3%0.22%0.12%
Apr 202642.3%34.7%8.5%3.8%3.8%2.5%2.1%1.7%0.28%0.23%
May 202652.8%19.5%10.6%3.9%4.8%3.1%2.6%2.1%0.35%0.23%
Jun 202648.6%21.9%9.8%5.3%5.3%3%2.9%2.4%0.39%0.26%
Jul 202654.5%20.1%9%4%4%2.8%2.7%2.2%0.36%0.24%
Aug 202655.9%16.8%11.2%4.1%4.1%2.8%2.3%2.3%0.37%0.2%
Sep 202655.7%16.7%13.7%4.1%3.3%2.2%1.8%1.8%0.3%0.16%

How has the Dr. Martens and Thorogood comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • Dr. Martens was ahead of Thorogood in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Dr. Martens’ share of searches among safety boots worldwide moved from 45.1% to 55.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 2.2M to 1.8M.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Thorogood’s share of searches among safety boots worldwide moved from 2.7% to 3.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 135K to 110K.

How did search popularity change for safety boots worldwide in September 2026?

2 changes
  1. In September 2026, Thorogood lost share of searches among safety boots worldwide, from 4.1% to 3.3%.

  2. Estimated monthly branded searches for Dr. Martens worldwide fell 18.3% over 12 measured months, from 2.2M to 1.8M in September 2026.

How are branded searches counted?

2 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Dr. Martens’ and Thorogood’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.

Dr. Martens

1 branded search term

  • drmartens

Thorogood

1 branded search term

  • thorogood boots

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among safety boots

Creator with pink hair and a pink jacket

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