Brandwave

How popular isNew Balance?

In September 2026, people searched for New Balance by name about 78,000 times in New Zealand, a 26.8% increase from the previous year. These searches made up 19.5% of all New Zealand sneaker brand searches, placing New Balance third out of ten brands. When we asked both ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about sneaker brands, New Balance appeared in all answers and was the most recommended of the ten.

Search and AI answers in September 2026

New Balance is the third most searched of 10 competitors and the most recommended in AI answers.

  1. NikeShare of searches 23.1%Mentioned in 2 of 3 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 4th
  2. AdidasShare of searches 19.6%Mentioned in 3 of 3 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 3rd
  3. New BalanceShare of searches 19.5%Mentioned in 3 of 3 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 1st
  4. ASICSShare of searches 13.1%Mentioned in 3 of 3 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 2nd
  5. PumaShare of searches 8.3%Mentioned in 1 of 3 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 7th

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Top sneaker brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions, New Balance appeared in all three answers. New Balance is the most recommended of the ten.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. New Balance1st
  2. ASICS2nd
  3. Adidas3rd
  4. Nike4th
  5. Converse5th
  6. Skechers6th
  7. Puma7th
  8. Vans8th
  9. Allbirds9th
  10. Reebok–

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • Adidas3 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers
  • New Balance3 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers
  • ASICS3 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers
  • Nike2 of 3Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answers
  • Skechers2 of 3Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answers
  • Puma1 of 3Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answers
  • Converse1 of 3Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answers
  • Allbirds1 of 3Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answers
  • Vans1 of 3Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answers
  • Reebok0 of 3Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answers

See every answer about sneaker brands

3 answers

Not named in any answer:

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 19, 2026.

Which sneaker brands compete with New Balance?

New Balance against sneaker brands in New Zealand, by month

Share of searches by month for Nike, Adidas, New Balance, ASICS, Puma, Skechers, Converse, Reebok. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthNikeAdidasNew BalanceASICSPumaSkechersConverseReebokAllbirdsVans
Oct 202525.7%19.8%17.5%11.7%7.7%8.5%4.4%2.2%1.9%0.64%
Nov 202526.8%20.4%16.7%10.8%6.8%9.3%4%1.9%2.7%0.51%
Dec 202528.9%18.8%16.9%10.1%8.7%8.4%4.1%1.9%1.6%0.55%
Jan 202627.6%17.4%17.3%13.9%7.4%8.2%3.6%2.2%1.9%0.58%
Feb 202625.7%18.5%17.2%15.2%7%7.9%3.9%2%2.1%0.57%
Mar 202624.7%19.7%16.6%12.7%7.3%7.7%3.8%2%4.9%0.48%
Apr 202622.2%18.1%16.5%12%7%7.4%3.7%1.8%10.7%0.49%
May 202623.2%20.9%20.3%12.4%7%7.5%3.8%1.9%2.4%0.59%
Jun 202622.4%19.5%21.3%11.6%9.9%7%3.5%1.9%2.3%0.56%
Jul 202623.9%20.5%18.9%12.9%9.4%6.4%3.7%2.1%1.7%0.61%
Aug 202624.9%19.9%18.4%13.2%8.3%7.3%3.7%2%1.6%0.69%
Sep 202623.1%19.6%19.5%13.1%8.3%7.3%5.1%2.1%1.4%0.67%

  1. 1.Nike

    23.1%

    Held 1st. 92.4K estimated branded searches, -8% vs prior month. Share -1.8 points.

  2. 2.Adidas

    19.6%

    Held 2nd. 78.3K estimated branded searches, -2.4% vs prior month. Share -0.3 points.

  3. 3.New Balance

    19.5%

    Held 3rd. 78K estimated branded searches, +4.8% vs prior month. Share +1.1 points.

  4. 4.ASICS

    13.1%

    Held 4th. 52.4K estimated branded searches, -1.5% vs prior month. Share -0.1 points.

  5. 5.Puma

    8.3%

    Held 5th. 33.1K estimated branded searches, -1.6% vs prior month. Share -0.1 points.

  6. 6.Skechers

    7.3%

    Held 6th. 29.2K estimated branded searches, -1.4% vs prior month. Share 0 points.

  7. 7.Converse

    5.1%

    Held 7th. 20.3K estimated branded searches, +35.9% vs prior month. Share +1.4 points.

  8. 8.Reebok

    2.1%

    Held 8th. 8.2K estimated branded searches, +1.6% vs prior month. Share +0.1 points.

  9. 9.Allbirds

    1.4%

    Held 9th. 5.5K estimated branded searches, -16.2% vs prior month. Share -0.2 points.

  10. 10.Vans

    0.67%

    Held 10th. 2.7K estimated branded searches, -3.2% vs prior month. Share 0 points.

Compare popularity between New Balance and its closest rivals

Every comparison with New Balance

20 comparisons

How has branded search demand for New Balance changed in New Zealand over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, estimated monthly branded searches for New Balance in New Zealand rose from 61.5K to 78K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, New Balance’s share of searches among sneaker brands in New Zealand increased from 17.5% to 19.5%.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, New Balance’s share of searches among sneaker brands in New Zealand peaked at 21.3% in June 2026 and was lowest at 16.5% in April 2026.

How did search popularity change for New Zealand sneaker brands in September 2026?

6 changes

  1. In September 2026, Converse gained share of searches among sneaker brands in New Zealand, from 3.7% to 5.1%.

  2. In September 2026, New Balance gained share of searches among sneaker brands in New Zealand, from 18.4% to 19.5%.

  3. In September 2026, Nike lost share of searches among sneaker brands in New Zealand, from 24.9% to 23.1%.

  4. Puma’s share of searches among sneaker brands in New Zealand has lost ground for 3 months in a row, from 9.9% to 8.3% in September 2026.

  5. Allbirds’ share of searches among sneaker brands in New Zealand has lost ground for 3 months in a row, from 2.3% to 1.4% in September 2026.

  6. Estimated monthly branded searches for ASICS in New Zealand rose 27.6% over 12 measured months, from 41.1K to 52.4K in September 2026.

How are New Balance’s branded searches counted?

15 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using New Balance’s name. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brand is growing, holding steady, or fading.

  • new balance
  • new balance 1080
  • new balance 2002r
  • new balance 530
  • new balance 550
  • new balance 574
  • new balance 740
  • new balance 9060
  • new balance outlets
  • new balance shoes
  • new balance sneakers
  • newbalance
  • newbalance 327
  • newbalance shoes
  • newbalance sneakers

Do you work for New Balance? To request corrections or removal please contact us via our support page and we will be happy to assist.

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Where does New Balance compete?

New Balance is ranked in nine competitor sets. Each share is worked out among that set's brands, so it differs from set to set.
Competitor setRankShare of searchesRanking
Sneaker brands3rd of 1019.5%Shown above
Casual shoes brands3rd of 721.5%Show ranking
Rugby cleats brands3rd of 625.5%Show ranking
Football boot brands3rd of 626.7%Show ranking
Basketball shoe brands3rd of 627.1%Show ranking
Skate shoes brands3rd of 727.8%Show ranking
Turf shoes brands3rd of 530.2%Show ranking
Football cleats brands3rd of 430.7%Show ranking
Running shoe brands1st of 744.6%Show ranking
Creator with pink hair and a pink jacket

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