Brandwave

How popular isVibram FiveFingers?

In September 2026, people searched for Vibram FiveFingers by name about 590 times in New Zealand, an 84.4% increase from the previous year. These searches made up 22.6% of all New Zealand barefoot and minimalist shoe brand searches, placing Vibram FiveFingers third out of five brands. When we asked both ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about barefoot and minimalist shoe brands, Vibram FiveFingers appeared in one of the five answers.

Search and AI answers in September 2026

Vibram FiveFingers is the third most searched of 5 competitors and not listed in any AI answer.

  1. AltraShare of searches 33.7%Mentioned in 2 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 4th
  2. VivobarefootShare of searches 26.1%Mentioned in 5 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 1st
  3. Vibram FiveFingersShare of searches 22.6%Mentioned in 1 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations –
  4. Xero ShoesShare of searches 14.9%Mentioned in 5 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 2nd
  5. Be LenkaShare of searches 2.7%Mentioned in 4 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 3rd
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Top barefoot and minimalist shoe brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Vibram FiveFingers was mentioned in one out of five: not in any of the three ChatGPT answers, but in one of the two Google AI Overviews.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. Vivobarefoot1st
  2. Xero Shoes2nd
  3. Be Lenka3rd
  4. Altra4th
  5. Vibram FiveFingers–

Mentioned by AI

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

  • Vivobarefoot5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Xero Shoes5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Be Lenka4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Altra2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Vibram FiveFingers1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about barefoot and minimalist shoe brands

5 answers

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 20, 2026.

Which barefoot and minimalist shoe brands compete with Vibram FiveFingers?

Vibram FiveFingers against barefoot and minimalist shoe brands in New Zealand, by month

Share of searches by month for Altra, Vivobarefoot, Vibram FiveFingers, Xero Shoes, Be Lenka. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthAltraVivobarefootVibram FiveFingersXero ShoesBe Lenka
Oct 202531.7%34.8%14.1%17.2%2.2%
Nov 202532.2%34.1%14.3%17.6%1.8%
Dec 202535.9%32.2%13.1%15.9%2.9%
Jan 202634.9%31.3%15.5%15.5%2.8%
Feb 202634.1%36%12.3%15.2%2.4%
Mar 202636.2%31.7%13.2%16%2.9%
Apr 202636.5%32%13.3%16.2%2.1%
May 202635.5%31%15.7%15.7%2%
Jun 202634.2%30%18.7%15.2%1.9%
Jul 202635.5%25.8%23.8%12.9%2%
Aug 202632.8%23.9%26.9%14.6%1.9%
Sep 202633.7%26.1%22.6%14.9%2.7%

  1. 1.Altra

    33.7%

    Held 1st. 880 estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +0.9 points.

  2. 2.Vivobarefoot

    26.1%

    Moved from 3rd to 2nd. 680 estimated branded searches, +6.3% vs prior month. Share +2.2 points.

  3. 3.Vibram FiveFingers

    22.6%

    Moved from 2nd to 3rd. 590 estimated branded searches, -18.1% vs prior month. Share -4.3 points.

  4. 4.Xero Shoes

    14.9%

    Held 4th. 390 estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +0.4 points.

  5. 5.Be Lenka

    2.7%

    Held 5th. 70 estimated branded searches, +40% vs prior month. Share +0.8 points.

Compare popularity between Vibram FiveFingers and its closest rivals

Every comparison with Vibram FiveFingers

4 comparisons

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

4 findings
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, estimated monthly branded searches for Vibram FiveFingers in New Zealand rose from 320 to 590.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Vibram FiveFingers’ share of searches among barefoot and minimalist shoe brands in New Zealand increased from 14.1% to 22.6%.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Vibram FiveFingers’ share of searches among barefoot and minimalist shoe brands in New Zealand peaked at 26.9% in August 2026 and was lowest at 12.3% in February 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Vibram FiveFingers rose from 4th to 3rd among barefoot and minimalist shoe brands in New Zealand.

How did search popularity change for New Zealand barefoot and minimalist shoe brands in September 2026?

4 changes

  1. In September 2026, Vivobarefoot overtook Vibram FiveFingers to rank 2nd among barefoot and minimalist shoe brands in New Zealand, with 26.1% of the searches.

  2. In September 2026, Altra gained share of searches among barefoot and minimalist shoe brands in New Zealand, from 32.8% to 33.7%.

  3. In September 2026, Be Lenka gained share of searches among barefoot and minimalist shoe brands in New Zealand, from 1.9% to 2.7%.

  4. In September 2026, Vibram FiveFingers lost share of searches among barefoot and minimalist shoe brands in New Zealand, from 26.9% to 22.6%.

How are Vibram FiveFingers’ branded searches counted?

1 search term

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

  • vibram fivefingers

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How the Brand Demand Index is measured

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