New Balance vs Nike:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Nike had more branded searches than New Balance among turf shoes brands in New Zealand. Nike had about 72,700 branded searches, while New Balance had 65,700. Nike made up 33.4% of all turf shoes brand searches we track, and New Balance accounted for 30.2%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about turf shoes brands, Nike appeared in all five answers and New Balance in two. Nike was mentioned before New Balance in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Nike, about 11% more searches than New Balance
Who does AI mention more?
Nike, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Nike, named ahead of New Balance in every answer
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Top turf shoes brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Nike appeared in all five answers. New Balance was mentioned in two out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Nike was listed before New Balance in every answer.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Adidas1st
Nike2nd
Mizuno3rd
New Balance4th
Under Armour–
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
Nike5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Adidas5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Mizuno3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
New Balance2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Under Armour0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about turf shoes brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which turf shoes brand should I buy in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best turf shoes brands in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best turf shoes brand in New Zealand for artificial grass?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best turf shoes”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“turf shoes brands”
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 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 five turf 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 | Under Armour | Mizuno |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 36.9% | 30.1% | 27.1% | 4.4% | 1.6% |
| Nov 2025 | 38.4% | 30.8% | 25.5% | 4.2% | 1.2% |
| Dec 2025 | 41.2% | 27.9% | 25.3% | 4.3% | 1.3% |
| Jan 2026 | 40.1% | 26.5% | 27% | 4.3% | 2% |
| Feb 2026 | 37.7% | 29% | 27.1% | 4% | 2.2% |
| Mar 2026 | 36.9% | 31.4% | 26.2% | 3.4% | 2.1% |
| Apr 2026 | 35.1% | 30.2% | 28.4% | 4% | 2.2% |
| May 2026 | 32.7% | 30.8% | 30.9% | 3.6% | 1.9% |
| Jun 2026 | 32.8% | 29.9% | 32.1% | 3.5% | 1.7% |
| Jul 2026 | 34.1% | 31.5% | 28.2% | 4.4% | 1.8% |
| Aug 2026 | 35.2% | 30.1% | 28.9% | 4.1% | 1.7% |
| Sep 2026 | 33.4% | 30.8% | 30.2% | 3.8% | 1.8% |
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 turf shoes brands in New Zealand moved from 27.1% to 30.2%, 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 turf shoes brands in New Zealand moved from 36.9% to 33.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 74.1K to 72.7K.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand turf shoes brands in September 2026?
2 changes

In September 2026, New Balance gained share of searches among turf shoes brands in New Zealand, from 28.9% to 30.2%.

In September 2026, Nike lost share of searches among turf shoes brands in New Zealand, from 35.2% to 33.4%.
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 turf shoes brands

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