HOKA vs New Balance: which does AI recommend?

· ChatGPT Search and Google AI Mode

Based on every AI answer that names bothReviewed by

How we measure

AI summary

For wide shoe selection, the answers favor because has fewer wide options. When answers name both, they list first more often than not and recommend it slightly more, while is warned against more often.

Listed first when AI names both

HOKAHOKA: 64% (HOKA leads)New BalanceNew Balance: 36%

Recommended when named

HOKAHOKA: 92%
New BalanceNew Balance: 86%

Warned against · lower is better

HOKAHOKA: 0%
New BalanceNew Balance: 2%

Pick HOKA for

  • Nurse shift support Usually
  • All-day standing shoes Usually

Pick New Balance for

  • Extra-wide footwear Almost always
  • Stylish wide sizes Usually

Topic by topic

Mentioned in, as a share of each topic’s answers

HOKA named more9New Balance named more2

HOKA named more

New Balance named more

Only HOKA is ranked in9

Only New Balance is ranked in4

What people ask AI about HOKA and New Balance

HOKA listed firstNew Balance listed first
  1. I am struggling to find shoes that fit my wide feet. Who specializes in extra-wide footwear with arch support?New Balance almost always first
  2. What are the absolute best, most supportive shoes for a Registered Nurse (RN) who is on their feet for 12-hour shifts?HOKA usually first
  3. What are the best running shoes for a person with flat feet who primarily runs on pavement?HOKA often first
  4. What's the best way to find comfortable shoes for someone who stands on their feet all day?HOKA usually first
  5. I have wide feet. Which shoe brand offers the best selection of stylish shoes in wide sizes?New Balance usually first
  6. I've started running 5ks and need proper gear. What is the best online store for supportive running shoes and moisture-wicking apparel for a beginner?HOKA almost always first
  7. I'm a Lab Technician and need comfortable shoes for standing on hard floors all day.HOKA almost always first
  8. My feet are killing me at work. What are the best shoes for plantar fasciitis for someone who stands all day?HOKA often first

Who AI mentions first

HOKA listed firstNew Balance listed first

has been listed first more often since July; before then, the brands were level.

  1. JunHOKA listed first: 50%New Balance listed first: 50%
  2. JulHOKA listed first: 66%New Balance listed first: 34%
  3. AugHOKA listed first: 68%New Balance listed first: 32%
  4. SepHOKA listed first: 63%New Balance listed first: 37%
  • ChatGPT SearchHOKA listed first: 67%New Balance listed first: 33%
  • Google AI ModeHOKA listed first: 57%New Balance listed first: 43%

Sources cited in the comparisons

HOKA favouredNeither favouredNew Balance favoured

Also named alongside HOKA and New Balance

appears in most of these answers, while and appear in many.

  1. Brooks Running77%
  2. Asics39%
  3. Dansko32%
  4. Skechers28%
  5. ASICS Gel-Kayano25%
  6. Orthofeet20%
  7. Saucony20%
  8. Vionic14%
  9. GoClove13%
  10. Brooks Adrenaline GTS12%
  11. Naturalizer10%
  12. Dr. Scholl's9%

HOKA vs New Balance: common questions

Is HOKA better than New Balance?
For wide shoe selection, the answers favor New Balance because HOKA has fewer wide options. When answers name both, they list HOKA first more often than not and recommend it slightly more, while New Balance is warned against more often.
What are the alternatives to HOKA and New Balance?
Brooks Running appears in most of these answers, while Asics and Dansko appear in many.
When is HOKA the better pick?
AI usually lists HOKA first for: Nurse shift support; All-day standing shoes.
When is New Balance the better pick?
AI usually lists New Balance first for: Extra-wide footwear; Stylish wide sizes.

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