HOKA vs New Balance:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, HOKA had more branded searches than New Balance among running shoe brands in the United Kingdom. HOKA had about 14,800 branded searches, while New Balance had 12,100. HOKA made up 9.7% of all running shoe brand searches we track, and New Balance accounted for 8%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about running shoe brands, HOKA appeared in four of the five answers and New Balance in two. HOKA was mentioned before New Balance in four out of five answers.
Who do people search for more?
HOKA, about 22% more searches than New Balance
Who does AI mention more?
HOKA, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, New Balance in 2
Who does AI recommend more?
HOKA, named ahead of New Balance in 4 of 5 answers
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Top running shoe brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, HOKA was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. New Balance was mentioned in two out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. HOKA was listed before New Balance in four out of 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.
ASICS5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers- HOKA4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Nike3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Adidas3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Brooks3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Puma3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
New Balance2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
On1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Altra1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Saucony1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about running shoe brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which running shoes should I buy?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best running shoe brands?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best running shoes for beginners?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“running shoes”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best running shoes”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in United Kingdom on October 26, 2026.
Is HOKA or New Balance more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for HOKA and New Balance by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all 12 running shoe brands we track, month by month, from searches in United Kingdom.
Share of searches by month for HOKA, New Balance. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Nike | Adidas | ASICS | HOKA | On | Brooks | New Balance | Altra | Saucony | Inov-8 | Puma | Mizuno |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 18.6% | 12.4% | 8.3% | 12.4% | 10.1% | 8.3% | 8.3% | 4.5% | 4.5% | 8.3% | 3% | 1.3% |
| Nov 2025 | 20.9% | 11.4% | 9.3% | 11.4% | 11.4% | 7.6% | 7.6% | 3.4% | 4.2% | 9.3% | 2.3% | 1.2% |
| Dec 2025 | 20.9% | 11.4% | 9.3% | 11.4% | 11.4% | 7.6% | 9.3% | 3.4% | 4.2% | 7.6% | 2.3% | 1.2% |
| Jan 2026 | 21% | 14.1% | 9.4% | 9.4% | 7.7% | 7.7% | 9.4% | 3.4% | 6.3% | 7.7% | 2.8% | 1.2% |
| Feb 2026 | 17.8% | 14.6% | 9.7% | 9.7% | 7.9% | 9.7% | 9.7% | 4.3% | 6.5% | 6.5% | 2.4% | 1.2% |
| Mar 2026 | 18.8% | 15.4% | 8.4% | 10.3% | 8.4% | 8.4% | 8.4% | 3.8% | 8.4% | 5.6% | 2.5% | 1.4% |
| Apr 2026 | 20.1% | 16.5% | 9% | 9% | 7.4% | 7.4% | 9% | 4.9% | 7.4% | 4.9% | 3.3% | 1.2% |
| May 2026 | 18.9% | 15.5% | 8.4% | 10.3% | 8.4% | 8.4% | 8.4% | 4.6% | 6.9% | 5.6% | 3.1% | 1.4% |
| Jun 2026 | 19% | 15.5% | 8.5% | 10.3% | 8.5% | 8.5% | 6.9% | 4.6% | 6.9% | 6.9% | 3.1% | 1.3% |
| Jul 2026 | 19.3% | 15.8% | 8.6% | 10.5% | 8.6% | 8.6% | 7.1% | 4.7% | 7.1% | 5.8% | 2.6% | 1.4% |
| Aug 2026 | 18.3% | 15% | 8.2% | 10% | 10% | 8.2% | 8.2% | 4.5% | 6.7% | 6.7% | 3% | 1.3% |
| Sep 2026 | 17.8% | 14.6% | 9.7% | 9.7% | 9.7% | 8% | 8% | 6.5% | 6.5% | 5.3% | 2.9% | 1.2% |
How has the HOKA and New Balance comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- HOKA was ahead of New Balance in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, HOKA’s share of searches among running shoe brands in the United Kingdom moved from 12.4% to 9.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 18.1K to 14.8K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, New Balance’s share of searches among running shoe brands in the United Kingdom moved from 8.3% to 8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 12.1K.
How did search popularity change for United Kingdom running shoe brands in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, ASICS overtook HOKA and On to rank 3rd among running shoe brands in the United Kingdom, with 9.7% of the searches.
Estimated monthly branded searches for HOKA in the United Kingdom fell 18.2% over 12 measured months, from 18.1K to 14.8K in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using HOKA’s 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.
HOKA
1 branded search term
- hoka running shoes
New Balance
1 branded search term
- new balance running shoes
Other head-to-heads among running shoe brands
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