New Balance vs Nike:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Nike had more branded searches than New Balance among casual shoes brands in New Zealand. Nike had about 72,700 branded searches, while New Balance had 65,700. Nike made up 23.8% of all casual shoes brand searches we track, and New Balance accounted for 21.5%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about casual shoes brands, New Balance appeared in all five answers and Nike in none.
Who do people search for more?
Nike, about 11% more searches than New Balance
Who does AI mention more?
New Balance, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
New Balance, the only one of the two named
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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. Nike did not appear in any of the five 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.
- 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
Asked ChatGPT
“Which casual shoes brand should I buy in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best casual shoes brands in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best casual shoes brand in New Zealand for everyday wear?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“casual shoes nz”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“walking shoes for women”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 19, 2026.
Is New Balance or Nike more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for New Balance and Nike 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.
Share of searches by month for Nike, New Balance. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Nike | Adidas | New Balance | ASICS | Puma | Skechers | Ecco |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 27.1% | 22.1% | 19.9% | 12.6% | 8.2% | 9.5% | 0.59% |
| Nov 2025 | 28.3% | 22.7% | 18.8% | 11.8% | 7.4% | 10.5% | 0.54% |
| Dec 2025 | 30.6% | 20.7% | 18.8% | 10.7% | 9.4% | 9.4% | 0.46% |
| Jan 2026 | 28.9% | 19.1% | 19.5% | 15.1% | 7.8% | 9.1% | 0.53% |
| Feb 2026 | 26.8% | 20.7% | 19.3% | 16.6% | 7.4% | 8.7% | 0.49% |
| Mar 2026 | 26.6% | 22.6% | 18.9% | 14.3% | 8.2% | 8.9% | 0.54% |
| Apr 2026 | 25.4% | 21.9% | 20.5% | 14.4% | 8.3% | 9% | 0.54% |
| May 2026 | 24.2% | 22.8% | 22.9% | 13.6% | 7.5% | 8.3% | 0.59% |
| Jun 2026 | 23.4% | 21.3% | 22.9% | 12.8% | 11.2% | 7.8% | 0.56% |
| Jul 2026 | 24.5% | 22.7% | 20.2% | 14.5% | 10.6% | 7% | 0.48% |
| Aug 2026 | 25.3% | 21.6% | 20.8% | 14.4% | 9.2% | 8.2% | 0.49% |
| Sep 2026 | 23.8% | 21.9% | 21.5% | 14.5% | 9.3% | 8.5% | 0.61% |
How has the New Balance and Nike comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Nike was ahead of New Balance in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- 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.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Nike’s share of searches among casual shoes brands in New Zealand moved from 27.1% to 23.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 74.1K to 72.7K.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand casual shoes brands in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, New Balance gained share of searches among casual shoes brands in New Zealand, from 20.8% to 21.5%.
In September 2026, Nike lost share of searches among casual shoes brands in New Zealand, from 25.3% to 23.8%.
How are branded searches counted?
24 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using New Balance’s and Nike’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.
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
Nike
13 branded search terms
- nike
- nike air max
- nike airforce
- nike backpacks
- nike dunks
- nike hoodie
- nike metcons
- nike pegasus
- nike pro
- nike shorts
- nike shox
- nike socks
- nike tn
Other head-to-heads among casual shoes brands
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