Brandwave

Adidas vs New Balance:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Adidas and New Balance were level in searches among casual shoes brands in New Zealand, with an estimated 67K versus 65.7K branded searches, at 21.9% and 21.5% of the total. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about casual shoes brands, New Balance appeared in all five answers and Adidas in two. New Balance was mentioned before Adidas in four out of five answers.

Among casual shoes brands in New Zealand in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Adidas and New Balance are searched for about as often as each other.

Adidas 67K searchesNew Balance 65.7K searches

Who does AI mention more?

New Balance, mentioned in every answer we collected

New Balance in 5 of 5Adidas in 2 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

New Balance, named ahead of Adidas in 4 of 5 answers

New Balance first in 4Adidas first in 1

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Top casual shoes brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, New Balance appeared in all five answers. Adidas was mentioned in two out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. New Balance was listed before Adidas in four out of five answers.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. Skechers1st
  2. New Balance2nd
  3. ASICS3rd
  4. Ecco4th
  5. Adidas5th
  6. Nike–
  7. Puma–

Mentioned by AI

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

  • New Balance5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Skechers5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • ASICS4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Ecco3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Adidas2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Nike0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Puma0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about casual shoes 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 19, 2026.

Is Adidas or New Balance more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Adidas and New Balance by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven casual shoes brands we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.

Adidas and New Balance among casual shoes brands in New Zealand, by month

Share of searches by month for Adidas, New Balance. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthNikeAdidasNew BalanceASICSPumaSkechersEcco
Oct 202527.1%22.1%19.9%12.6%8.2%9.5%0.59%
Nov 202528.3%22.7%18.8%11.8%7.4%10.5%0.54%
Dec 202530.6%20.7%18.8%10.7%9.4%9.4%0.46%
Jan 202628.9%19.1%19.5%15.1%7.8%9.1%0.53%
Feb 202626.8%20.7%19.3%16.6%7.4%8.7%0.49%
Mar 202626.6%22.6%18.9%14.3%8.2%8.9%0.54%
Apr 202625.4%21.9%20.5%14.4%8.3%9%0.54%
May 202624.2%22.8%22.9%13.6%7.5%8.3%0.59%
Jun 202623.4%21.3%22.9%12.8%11.2%7.8%0.56%
Jul 202624.5%22.7%20.2%14.5%10.6%7%0.48%
Aug 202625.3%21.6%20.8%14.4%9.2%8.2%0.49%
Sep 202623.8%21.9%21.5%14.5%9.3%8.5%0.61%

How has the Adidas and New Balance comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • The lead changed hands 4 times in the 12 months ending September 2026: New Balance took it in January 2026, Adidas took it in February 2026, New Balance took it in May 2026, Adidas took it in July 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Adidas’ share of searches among casual shoes brands in New Zealand moved from 22.1% to 21.9%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 60.5K to 67K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, New Balance’s share of searches among casual shoes brands in New Zealand moved from 19.9% to 21.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 54.5K to 65.7K.

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

2 changes

  1. In September 2026, New Balance gained share of searches among casual shoes brands in New Zealand, from 20.8% to 21.5%.

  2. Estimated monthly branded searches for Adidas in New Zealand rose 10.8% over 12 measured months, from 60.5K to 67K in September 2026.

How are branded searches counted?

26 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Adidas’ and New Balance’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.

Adidas

15 branded search terms

  • adidas
  • adidas adizero
  • adidas campus
  • adidas gazelle
  • adidas jacket
  • adidas logos
  • adidas originals
  • adidas outlets
  • adidas predator
  • adidas samba
  • adidas samba og
  • adidas slides
  • adidas spezial
  • adidas superstar
  • adidas trackpants

New Balance

11 branded search terms

  • 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
  • newbalance
  • newbalance 327

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among casual shoes brands

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