KEEN Utility vs Steel Blue:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Steel Blue had more branded searches than KEEN Utility among safety boots worldwide. Steel Blue had about 60,500 branded searches, while KEEN Utility had 5,400. Steel Blue made up 1.8% of all safety boot searches we track, and KEEN Utility accounted for 0.16%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about safety boots, KEEN Utility appeared in three of the four answers and Steel Blue in none.
Who do people search for more?
Steel Blue, about 11 searches for every 1 for KEEN Utility
Who does AI mention more?
KEEN Utility, mentioned in 3 of 4 answers, Steel Blue in 0
Who does AI recommend more?
KEEN Utility, the only one of the two named
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Top safety boots in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, KEEN Utility was mentioned in three out of four: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in the Google AI Overview. Steel Blue 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.
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
Asked ChatGPT
“Which safety boots brand should I buy?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best safety boots brands?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best safety boots brand for all day protection?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“steel toe boots”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
Searched Google, AI Overview
“safety boots”
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 KEEN Utility or Steel Blue more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for KEEN Utility and Steel Blue 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.
Share of searches by month for Steel Blue, KEEN Utility. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Dr. Martens | Red Wing | Blundstone | Danner | Thorogood | Wolverine | Steel Blue | Timberland PRO | Caterpillar | KEEN Utility |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 45.1% | 30.2% | 13.6% | 3.3% | 2.7% | 2.4% | 1.2% | 1.2% | 0.16% | 0.11% |
| Nov 2025 | 46.2% | 25.3% | 16.9% | 4.2% | 2.8% | 2.2% | 1% | 1.2% | 0.14% | 0.09% |
| Dec 2025 | 47.5% | 26% | 14.3% | 4.3% | 2.9% | 2.6% | 1% | 1.3% | 0.11% | 0.09% |
| Jan 2026 | 43.2% | 35.3% | 10.6% | 3.2% | 2.6% | 2.2% | 1.2% | 1.4% | 0.16% | 0.13% |
| Feb 2026 | 47.1% | 25.9% | 11.6% | 4.2% | 4.2% | 2.8% | 1.9% | 1.9% | 0.25% | 0.14% |
| Mar 2026 | 33.4% | 49.8% | 6.7% | 2.4% | 2.4% | 1.9% | 1.6% | 1.3% | 0.22% | 0.12% |
| Apr 2026 | 42.3% | 34.7% | 8.5% | 3.8% | 3.8% | 2.5% | 2.1% | 1.7% | 0.28% | 0.23% |
| May 2026 | 52.8% | 19.5% | 10.6% | 3.9% | 4.8% | 3.1% | 2.6% | 2.1% | 0.35% | 0.23% |
| Jun 2026 | 48.6% | 21.9% | 9.8% | 5.3% | 5.3% | 3% | 2.9% | 2.4% | 0.39% | 0.26% |
| Jul 2026 | 54.5% | 20.1% | 9% | 4% | 4% | 2.8% | 2.7% | 2.2% | 0.36% | 0.24% |
| Aug 2026 | 55.9% | 16.8% | 11.2% | 4.1% | 4.1% | 2.8% | 2.3% | 2.3% | 0.37% | 0.2% |
| Sep 2026 | 55.7% | 16.7% | 13.7% | 4.1% | 3.3% | 2.2% | 1.8% | 1.8% | 0.3% | 0.16% |
How has the KEEN Utility and Steel Blue comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Steel Blue was ahead of KEEN Utility in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, KEEN Utility’s share of searches among safety boots worldwide moved from 0.11% to 0.16%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 5.4K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Steel Blue’s share of searches among safety boots worldwide moved from 1.2% to 1.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 60.5K.
How did search popularity change for safety boots worldwide in September 2026?
1 change
Steel Blue’s share of searches among safety boots worldwide has lost ground for 3 months in a row, from 2.9% to 1.8% in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using KEEN Utility’s and Steel Blue’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.
KEEN Utility
1 branded search term
- keen utility
Steel Blue
1 branded search term
- steelblue
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