New Balance vs Vans:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, New Balance had more branded searches than Vans among skate shoes brands worldwide. New Balance had about 11.1 million branded searches, while Vans had 5 million. New Balance made up 15.4% of all skate shoes brand searches we track, and Vans accounted for 7%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about skate shoes brands, Vans appeared in all five answers and New Balance in four. Vans was mentioned before New Balance in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
New Balance, about 2 searches for every 1 for Vans
Who does AI mention more?
Vans, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Vans, named ahead of New Balance in every answer
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Top skate shoes brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Vans appeared in all five answers. New Balance was mentioned in four out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. Vans was listed before New Balance in every answer.
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.
Nike5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers- Vans5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
etnies5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers- New Balance4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Adidas3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Puma0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
DVS0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about skate shoes brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which skate shoes brand should I buy?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best skate shoes brands?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best skate shoes brand for everyday skating?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“skate shoes”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“skateboarding shoes”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 19, 2026.
Is New Balance or Vans more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for New Balance and Vans by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven skate shoes brands we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for New Balance, Vans. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Nike | Adidas | New Balance | Puma | Vans | DVS | etnies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 33.2% | 31% | 18.1% | 12% | 5.4% | 0.18% | 0.1% |
| Nov 2025 | 35.1% | 31.9% | 16.2% | 10.6% | 6% | 0.13% | 0.09% |
| Dec 2025 | 35.1% | 31.3% | 15.5% | 10.9% | 7% | 0.15% | 0.08% |
| Jan 2026 | 38.5% | 29.1% | 14.6% | 12.1% | 5.4% | 0.18% | 0.08% |
| Feb 2026 | 34.6% | 31% | 15.8% | 12.6% | 5.8% | 0.19% | 0.09% |
| Mar 2026 | 34.4% | 31.5% | 15.6% | 12.6% | 5.7% | 0.15% | 0.08% |
| Apr 2026 | 32.2% | 30.1% | 17.8% | 14.3% | 5.4% | 0.18% | 0.1% |
| May 2026 | 29.7% | 32.1% | 13.4% | 18.5% | 6% | 0.16% | 0.09% |
| Jun 2026 | 32.9% | 34% | 15% | 12.4% | 5.5% | 0.18% | 0.08% |
| Jul 2026 | 32.3% | 34% | 14.5% | 12.3% | 6.6% | 0.18% | 0.1% |
| Aug 2026 | 30.2% | 32% | 16.5% | 13.7% | 7.4% | 0.16% | 0.09% |
| Sep 2026 | 33.9% | 30.4% | 15.4% | 13% | 7% | 0.19% | 0.08% |
How has the New Balance and Vans comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- New Balance was ahead of Vans in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, New Balance’s share of searches among skate shoes brands worldwide moved from 18.1% to 15.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 13.6M to 11.1M.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Vans’ share of searches among skate shoes brands worldwide moved from 5.4% to 7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 4.1M to 5M.
How did search popularity change for skate shoes brands worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, New Balance lost share of searches among skate shoes brands worldwide, from 16.5% to 15.4%.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Vans worldwide rose 22.2% over 12 measured months, from 4.1M to 5M in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using New Balance’s and Vans’ 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.
New Balance
1 branded search term
- new balance
Vans
1 branded search term
- vans
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