Merrell vs On:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Merrell had more branded searches than On among walking shoe brands worldwide. Merrell had about 9,900 branded searches, while On had 5,400. Merrell made up 8.8% of all walking shoe brand searches we track, and On accounted for 4.8%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about walking shoe brands, On appeared in two of the five answers and Merrell in none.
Follow Merrell vs On and get free monthly updates on what changed
By continuing you'll get index updates and occasional product news from Brandwave. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy
Top walking shoe brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, On was mentioned in two out of five: not in any of the three ChatGPT answers, but in both Google AI Overviews. Merrell did not appear in any of the five 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.
HOKA5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
New Balance5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Brooks5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
ASICS4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Skechers3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
On2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Saucony1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Merrell0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Clarks0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Ryka0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about walking shoe brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which walking shoes should I buy?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best walking shoe brands?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best walking shoes for plantar fasciitis?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“walking shoes”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best walking shoes”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 25, 2026.
Is Merrell or On more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Merrell and On by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all 11 walking shoe brands we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Merrell, On. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | HOKA | New Balance | Skechers | ASICS | Brooks | Merrell | On | Clarks | Ryka | Saucony | Vionic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 20.6% | 20.6% | 16.8% | 9.2% | 11.2% | 9.2% | 5% | 1.8% | 2.7% | 1.8% | 1.2% |
| Nov 2025 | 20.7% | 20.7% | 13.8% | 11.3% | 11.3% | 11.3% | 5% | 1.5% | 2.2% | 1.5% | 0.93% |
| Dec 2025 | 22.8% | 18.6% | 15.2% | 12.4% | 10.2% | 10.2% | 5.5% | 1.3% | 1.6% | 1.3% | 0.9% |
| Jan 2026 | 21% | 21% | 14% | 11.4% | 9.4% | 11.4% | 5.1% | 1.8% | 1.8% | 1.5% | 1.5% |
| Feb 2026 | 19.8% | 19.8% | 13.2% | 13.2% | 10.8% | 10.8% | 4.8% | 2.1% | 2.1% | 1.7% | 1.7% |
| Mar 2026 | 21.5% | 21.5% | 14.4% | 11.7% | 11.7% | 7.9% | 4.3% | 1.9% | 1.9% | 1.9% | 1.3% |
| Apr 2026 | 24.6% | 20.1% | 13.4% | 11% | 11% | 7.3% | 4.9% | 1.8% | 2.7% | 1.8% | 1.4% |
| May 2026 | 22.4% | 18.3% | 14.9% | 10% | 12.2% | 10% | 4.5% | 2% | 2.4% | 2% | 1.3% |
| Jun 2026 | 20.8% | 20.8% | 13.9% | 11.3% | 11.3% | 9.3% | 5.1% | 1.8% | 2.7% | 1.8% | 1.2% |
| Jul 2026 | 18.5% | 22.6% | 15.1% | 12.3% | 10.1% | 8.3% | 5.5% | 1.9% | 2.4% | 1.9% | 1.3% |
| Aug 2026 | 18.1% | 22.1% | 14.7% | 12.1% | 12.1% | 8.1% | 5.4% | 2% | 2.4% | 2% | 1.3% |
| Sep 2026 | 19.7% | 19.7% | 16.1% | 13.1% | 10.7% | 8.8% | 4.8% | 2.1% | 2.1% | 1.7% | 1.2% |
Merrell sells other things too, so only its searches that name this product count here, like “merrell walking shoes”.
How has the Merrell and On comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Merrell was ahead of On in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Merrell’s share of searches among walking shoe brands worldwide moved from 9.2% to 8.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 9.9K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, On’s share of searches among walking shoe brands worldwide moved from 5% to 4.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 5.4K.
How did search popularity change for walking shoe brands worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Merrell gained share of searches among walking shoe brands worldwide, from 8.1% to 8.8%.
In September 2026, On lost share of searches among walking shoe brands worldwide, from 5.4% to 4.8%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Merrell’s and On’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.
Other head-to-heads among walking shoe brands
Put your own brand in this comparison
Brandwave tracks your branded demand next to the rival you actually watch, with your campaigns, spend and outcomes on the same timeline.