Nike vs Saucony:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Nike had more branded searches than Saucony among running shoe brands worldwide. Nike had about 24.3 million branded searches, while Saucony had 1.6 million. Nike made up 45.2% of all running shoe brand searches we track, and Saucony accounted for 3%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about running shoe brands, Nike and Saucony each appeared in three of the four answers. Nike was mentioned before Saucony in three out of four answers.
Who do people search for more?
Nike, about 15 searches for every 1 for Saucony
Who does AI mention more?
Both were mentioned in 3 of 4 answers.
Who does AI recommend more?
Nike, named ahead of Saucony in 3 of 4 answers
Follow Nike vs Saucony 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 running shoe brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, Nike and Saucony were each mentioned in three out of four: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in the Google AI Overview. Nike was listed before Saucony in three out of 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.
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
Brooks4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers- Nike3 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
Saucony3 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
On2 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
Mizuno1 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
See every answer about running shoe brands
4 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which running shoe brand should I buy?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best running shoe brands?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best running shoe brand for everyday running?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“running shoe brands”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best running shoes”
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 19, 2026.
Is Nike or Saucony more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Nike and Saucony by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight running shoe brands we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Nike, Saucony. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Nike | New Balance | ASICS | HOKA | On | Saucony | Mizuno | Brooks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 44.4% | 24.2% | 13.8% | 7.7% | 3.8% | 2.1% | 2.2% | 1.8% |
| Nov 2025 | 50.5% | 23.3% | 11.1% | 6.4% | 3.4% | 1.9% | 1.7% | 1.6% |
| Dec 2025 | 48.9% | 21.6% | 12.7% | 7.2% | 4.2% | 1.8% | 1.9% | 1.6% |
| Jan 2026 | 50.6% | 19.2% | 13.6% | 6.8% | 3.5% | 2.3% | 2.1% | 1.9% |
| Feb 2026 | 47.9% | 21.9% | 12.9% | 7.5% | 3.6% | 2.2% | 2% | 2.1% |
| Mar 2026 | 47.9% | 21.7% | 12.8% | 7.4% | 3.7% | 2.6% | 1.9% | 2.1% |
| Apr 2026 | 43% | 23.8% | 14% | 8.2% | 4.2% | 2.9% | 1.7% | 2.2% |
| May 2026 | 44.5% | 20.1% | 14.6% | 8.5% | 4.7% | 2.9% | 2.2% | 2.4% |
| Jun 2026 | 44.9% | 20.5% | 14.5% | 8.2% | 5.3% | 2.5% | 1.8% | 2.3% |
| Jul 2026 | 46.1% | 20.7% | 15.2% | 7.3% | 3.9% | 2.6% | 1.9% | 2.2% |
| Aug 2026 | 41.7% | 22.7% | 16.4% | 8% | 3.6% | 3.3% | 2% | 2.2% |
| Sep 2026 | 45.2% | 20.6% | 15% | 7.3% | 4.4% | 3% | 2.3% | 2.3% |
How has the Nike and Saucony comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Nike was ahead of Saucony in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Nike’s share of searches among running shoe brands worldwide moved from 44.4% to 45.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 24.9M to 24.3M.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Saucony’s share of searches among running shoe brands worldwide moved from 2.1% to 3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 1.2M to 1.6M.
How did search popularity change for running shoe brands worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Nike gained share of searches among running shoe brands worldwide, from 41.7% to 45.2%.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Saucony worldwide rose 37.3% over 12 measured months, from 1.2M to 1.6M in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
13 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Nike’s and Saucony’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 running 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.