Steel Blue vs Wolverine:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Wolverine had more branded searches than Steel Blue among safety boots worldwide. Wolverine had about 72,600 branded searches, while Steel Blue had 60,500. Wolverine made up 2.2% of all safety boot searches we track, and Steel Blue accounted for 1.8%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about safety boots, Wolverine appeared in three of the four answers and Steel Blue in none.
Who do people search for more?
Wolverine, about 20% more searches than Steel Blue
Who does AI mention more?
Wolverine, mentioned in 3 of 4 answers, Steel Blue in 0
Who does AI recommend more?
Wolverine, 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, Wolverine was mentioned in three out of four: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and 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 Steel Blue or Wolverine more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Steel Blue and Wolverine 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 Wolverine, Steel Blue. 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 Steel Blue and Wolverine comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Wolverine was ahead of Steel Blue in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- 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.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Wolverine’s share of searches among safety boots worldwide moved from 2.4% to 2.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 118K to 72.6K.
How did search popularity change for safety boots worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Wolverine lost share of searches among safety boots worldwide, from 2.8% to 2.2%.
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?
3 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Steel Blue’s and Wolverine’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.
Steel Blue
1 branded search term
- steelblue
Wolverine
2 branded search terms
- wolverine boots
- wolverine work boots
Other head-to-heads among safety boots
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