Darn Tough vs Injinji:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Darn Tough had more branded searches than Injinji among running socks worldwide. Darn Tough had about 49,500 branded searches, while Injinji had 14,800. Darn Tough made up 16.6% of all running sock searches we track, and Injinji accounted for 5%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about running socks, Darn Tough appeared in three of the four answers and Injinji in two. Darn Tough was mentioned before Injinji in every answer that named either.
Who do people search for more?
Darn Tough, about 3 searches for every 1 for Injinji
Who does AI mention more?
Darn Tough, mentioned in 3 of 4 answers, Injinji in 2
Who does AI recommend more?
Darn Tough, named ahead of Injinji in 3 of 3 answers
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Top running socks in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, Darn Tough was mentioned in three out of four: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in the Google AI Overview. Injinji was mentioned in two out of four: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in the Google AI Overview. Darn Tough was listed before Injinji in every answer 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.
Feetures4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers- Darn Tough3 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
Balega3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers- Swiftwick3 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
Injinji2 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
Smartwool1 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Stance0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Hilly0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
See every answer about running socks
4 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which running sock should I buy?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best running sock brands?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best running sock for long-distance comfort?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“running socks”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“merino running socks”
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 21, 2026.
Is Darn Tough or Injinji more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Darn Tough and Injinji by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight running socks we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Darn Tough, Injinji. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Smartwool | Stance | Darn Tough | Feetures | Balega | Injinji | Swiftwick | Hilly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 37.9% | 20.8% | 13.9% | 13.9% | 6.2% | 4.2% | 2.8% | 0.36% |
| Nov 2025 | 37.5% | 20.6% | 16.7% | 13.8% | 6.2% | 2.8% | 2.3% | 0.29% |
| Dec 2025 | 41.8% | 22.9% | 15.3% | 10.3% | 5.6% | 2.1% | 1.7% | 0.26% |
| Jan 2026 | 45% | 16.6% | 16.6% | 11.1% | 5% | 3.3% | 2.2% | 0.36% |
| Feb 2026 | 41% | 18.4% | 15% | 12.3% | 6.7% | 3.7% | 2.5% | 0.49% |
| Mar 2026 | 28.6% | 23.4% | 15.6% | 15.6% | 8.6% | 4.7% | 3.1% | 0.5% |
| Apr 2026 | 23.4% | 23.4% | 15.6% | 19.1% | 8.6% | 5.7% | 3.8% | 0.5% |
| May 2026 | 23.4% | 23.4% | 15.6% | 19.1% | 8.6% | 5.7% | 3.8% | 0.5% |
| Jun 2026 | 22.4% | 27.3% | 15% | 18.3% | 8.2% | 5.5% | 3% | 0.39% |
| Jul 2026 | 24.7% | 20.2% | 16.5% | 20.2% | 9% | 4.9% | 4% | 0.43% |
| Aug 2026 | 28.3% | 18.9% | 15.5% | 18.9% | 8.5% | 5.7% | 3.8% | 0.41% |
| Sep 2026 | 30.3% | 20.3% | 16.6% | 16.6% | 7.4% | 5% | 3.3% | 0.44% |
How has the Darn Tough and Injinji comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Darn Tough was ahead of Injinji in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Darn Tough’s share of searches among running socks worldwide moved from 13.9% to 16.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 49.5K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Injinji’s share of searches among running socks worldwide moved from 4.2% to 5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 14.8K.
How did search popularity change for running socks worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Darn Tough overtook Feetures to rank 3rd among running socks worldwide, with 16.6% of the searches.
In September 2026, Injinji lost share of searches among running socks worldwide, from 5.7% to 5%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Darn Tough’s and Injinji’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.
Darn Tough
1 branded search term
- darn tough
Injinji
1 branded search term
- injinji socks
Other head-to-heads among running socks
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