Brandwave

Converse vs New Balance:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, New Balance had more branded searches than Converse among sneaker brands worldwide. New Balance had about 11.1 million branded searches, while Converse had 4.1 million. New Balance made up 11.9% of all sneaker brand searches we track, and Converse accounted for 4.4%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about sneaker brands, New Balance appeared in all four answers and Converse in three. New Balance was mentioned before Converse in every answer.

Among sneaker brands worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

New Balance, about 3 searches for every 1 for Converse

New Balance 11.1M searchesConverse 4.1M searches

Who does AI mention more?

New Balance, mentioned in every answer we collected

New Balance in 4 of 4Converse in 3 of 4

Who does AI recommend more?

New Balance, named ahead of Converse in every answer

New Balance first in 4Converse never first

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Top sneaker brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, New Balance appeared in all four answers. Converse was mentioned in three out of four: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in the Google AI Overview. New Balance was listed before Converse in every answer.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. New Balance1st
  2. Nike2nd
  3. Adidas3rd
  4. ASICS4th
  5. Converse5th
  6. HOKA6th
  7. Puma7th
  8. Reebok8th
  9. Vans9th
  10. Salomon10th
  11. +2 more

Mentioned by AI

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

  • Nike4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
  • Adidas4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
  • 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
  • Converse3 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
  • Puma2 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
  • Reebok2 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
  • Salomon2 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
  • Vans1 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers

+2 more

See every answer about sneaker brands

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 19, 2026.

Is Converse or New Balance more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Converse and New Balance by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all 12 sneaker brands we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.

Converse and New Balance among sneaker brands worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for New Balance, Converse. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthNikeAdidasNew BalancePumaASICSSkechersVansConverseHOKAReebokSalomonAllbirds
Oct 202525.9%24.2%14.1%9.3%6.4%6.4%4.2%3.5%2.8%2.4%0.57%0.31%
Nov 202528.5%25.9%13.1%8.6%4.9%5.9%4.8%3.2%2.2%2.2%0.44%0.29%
Dec 202528.1%25%12.4%8.7%5.6%5.6%5.6%3.7%2.5%2.2%0.5%0.27%
Jan 202630.2%22.8%11.5%9.5%6.3%6.3%4.2%3.5%2.3%2.4%0.7%0.31%
Feb 202627.5%24.7%12.5%10%5.7%5.6%4.6%3.8%2.5%2.2%0.62%0.28%
Mar 202627.4%25.1%12.4%10.1%5.6%5.6%4.6%3.7%2.5%2.2%0.61%0.34%
Apr 202624.9%23.3%13.8%11%6.2%6.2%4.1%3.4%2.8%2%0.68%1.5%
May 202623.2%25.1%10.5%14.5%5.8%7%4.7%3.9%2.6%1.9%0.63%0.28%
Jun 202625.6%26.5%11.7%9.6%6.4%6.4%4.3%3.5%2.9%2.1%0.71%0.32%
Jul 202625.8%27.1%11.6%9.8%6.4%5.2%5.2%3.5%2.3%2.1%0.7%0.21%
Aug 202623.5%25%12.8%10.7%7.1%5.8%5.8%3.9%2.6%2%0.78%0.16%
Sep 202626.1%23.4%11.9%10%6.6%6.6%5.4%4.4%2.4%2.2%1.1%0.18%

How has the Converse and New Balance comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • New Balance was ahead of Converse in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Converse’s share of searches among sneaker brands worldwide moved from 3.5% to 4.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 3.4M to 4.1M.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, New Balance’s share of searches among sneaker brands worldwide moved from 14.1% to 11.9%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 13.6M to 11.1M.

How did search popularity change for sneaker brands worldwide in September 2026?

2 changes

  1. In September 2026, Converse gained share of searches among sneaker brands worldwide, from 3.9% to 4.4%.

  2. In September 2026, New Balance lost share of searches among sneaker brands worldwide, from 12.8% to 11.9%.

How are branded searches counted?

2 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Converse’s and New Balance’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.

Converse

1 branded search term

  • converse

New Balance

1 branded search term

  • new balance

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among sneaker brands

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