Brandwave

Dr. Martens vs Merrell:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Dr. Martens had more branded searches than Merrell among men's boot brands in New Zealand. Dr. Martens had about 19,600 branded searches, while Merrell had 3,480. Dr. Martens made up 49.3% of all men's boot brand searches we track, and Merrell accounted for 8.7%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about men's boot brands, Dr. Martens appeared in three of the five answers and Merrell in one. Dr. Martens was mentioned before Merrell in every answer that named either.

Among men's boot brands in New Zealand in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Dr. Martens, about 6 searches for every 1 for Merrell

Dr. Martens 19.6K searchesMerrell 3.5K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Dr. Martens, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, Merrell in 1

Dr. Martens in 3 of 5Merrell in 1 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Dr. Martens, named ahead of Merrell in 3 of 3 answers

Dr. Martens first in 3Merrell never first

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Top men's boot brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Dr. Martens was mentioned in three out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Merrell was mentioned in one out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Dr. Martens was listed before Merrell in every answer that named either.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. Blundstone1st
  2. Dr. Martens2nd
  3. Timberland3rd
  4. Red Wing4th
  5. Ariat5th
  6. Mongrel6th
  7. Merrell7th
  8. Caterpillar–

Mentioned by AI

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

  • Blundstone5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Dr. Martens3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Timberland3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Ariat3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Red Wing2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Mongrel2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Merrell1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Caterpillar0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about men's boot brands

5 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 20, 2026.

Is Dr. Martens or Merrell more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Dr. Martens and Merrell by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight men's boot brands we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.

Dr. Martens and Merrell among men's boot brands in New Zealand, by month

Share of searches by month for Dr. Martens, Merrell. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthDr. MartensTimberlandBlundstoneMerrellAriatRed WingMongrelCaterpillar
Oct 202553.1%21.3%9.6%7.4%6%1.8%0.87%0.02%
Nov 202552.9%22.3%8.5%8.5%6.2%1.3%0.3%0.04%
Dec 202554.1%23.6%8.1%7.5%5.3%1.1%0.35%0.02%
Jan 202654.6%20.6%9.2%8.2%5.7%1.4%0.36%0.02%
Feb 202652.8%19.8%10.8%8.1%6.6%1.3%0.5%0.03%
Mar 202654.2%20.3%11.2%6.6%5.6%1.7%0.47%0.02%
Apr 202650.4%23%10.8%7.7%6.3%1.3%0.46%0.04%
May 202652.1%22.9%10.8%6%6.3%1.3%0.52%0.07%
Jun 202655.1%19.8%11.4%6.4%5.5%1.1%0.57%0.02%
Jul 202646.8%24.9%12.6%8.2%5.6%1.4%0.47%0.02%
Aug 202646.9%26.1%13.3%7.1%4.5%1.4%0.55%0.05%
Sep 202649.3%22.7%12.6%8.7%4.8%1.2%0.73%0.03%

How has the Dr. Martens and Merrell comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • Dr. Martens was ahead of Merrell in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Dr. Martens’ share of searches among men's boot brands in New Zealand moved from 53.1% to 49.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 21.3K to 19.6K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Merrell’s share of searches among men's boot brands in New Zealand moved from 7.4% to 8.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 3K to 3.5K.

How did search popularity change for New Zealand men's boot brands in September 2026?

2 changes

  1. In September 2026, Dr. Martens gained share of searches among men's boot brands in New Zealand, from 46.9% to 49.3%.

  2. In September 2026, Merrell gained share of searches among men's boot brands in New Zealand, from 7.1% to 8.7%.

How are branded searches counted?

11 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Dr. Martens’ and Merrell’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.

Dr. Martens

6 branded search terms

  • doc martens
  • dr martens
  • dr martens 1460
  • dr martens 1461
  • dr martens loafers
  • dr martens mules

Merrell

5 branded search terms

  • merrell
  • merrell hydro moc
  • merrell moab
  • merrell outlet
  • merrell sandals

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among men's boot brands

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