New Balance vs Nike:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Nike had more branded searches than New Balance among running shoe brands in the United Kingdom. Nike had about 27,100 branded searches, while New Balance had 12,100. Nike made up 17.8% 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, Nike appeared in three of the five answers and New Balance in two. Nike was mentioned before New Balance in three out of four answers that named either.
Who do people search for more?
Nike, about 2 searches for every 1 for New Balance
Who does AI mention more?
Nike, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, New Balance in 2
Who does AI recommend more?
Nike, named ahead of New Balance in 3 of 4 answers
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Top running shoe brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Nike was mentioned in three out of five: in two of the 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. Nike was listed before New Balance in three out of four answers that named either.
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 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 12 running shoe brands we track, month by month, from searches in United Kingdom.
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 | 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 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 running shoe brands in the United Kingdom moved from 8.3% to 8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 12.1K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Nike’s share of searches among running shoe brands in the United Kingdom moved from 18.6% to 17.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 27.1K.
How did search popularity change for United Kingdom running shoe brands in September 2026?
1 change
In September 2026, Nike lost share of searches among running shoe brands in the United Kingdom, from 18.3% to 17.8%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 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
1 branded search term
- new balance running shoes
Nike
1 branded search term
- nike running shoes
Other head-to-heads among running shoe brands
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