Category rank
#1 in Fashion & Footwear — its strongest category.
What the AIs say
#18 best · 4 of 4 agree“perplexity ranks New Balance highest (avg #12.1 over 29 mentions); ChatGPT is the most sceptical (#14.0).”
synthesised · the AI panel
What the press says
Positive · 8 stories · 30d“New Balance receives predominantly positive coverage driven by heritage sneaker releases and high-profile collaborations with Stone Island, alongside neutral mentions of sales and sponsorships.”
synthesised · 8 articles via Google News · stupidDOPE, New England Patriots +6
The brief
The brand in a paragraph.
New Balance was founded in 1906 in Boston. They make running shoes and athletic footwear. The brand built its reputation on fit and comfort. It appears across 6649 tracked brands globally. In Fashion and Footwear, New Balance ranks first. The company remains known for quality construction. They sponsor athletes across multiple sports disciplines. Their shoes serve runners and everyday wearers alike.
Act one
What the machines think.
Three AI models read the whole category and rank New Balance's products — model by model, list by list, over time.
Model by model?
How each AI sees it.
perplexity ranks New Balance highest (avg #12.1 over 29 mentions); ChatGPT is the most sceptical (#14.0).
perplexity
#12.1
avg over 29 mentions · best #1
Claude
#12.9
avg over 47 mentions · best #1
Gemini
#13.8
avg over 34 mentions · best #1
ChatGPT
#14.0
avg over 32 mentions · best #3
Wins & misses?
Where it leads, where it lags.
14 top-10 wins (3 #1s) versus 1 lag spot where New Balance finishes below #20.
Top wins
Where it lags
Rank trajectory?
Weeks of movement.
Across 8 weeks of tracking: 3 intents steady, 2 climbed, 1 slipped. Biggest move: slipped 1 rank in Best Running Shoes for Flat Feet (now #3).
Act two · ★ new
What the people say.
The same lineup, judged by the owners who bought and filmed it — and the press that covers them.
Video reviews?
What reviewers say about the brand.
Why New Balance Spent 43 Years On 1 Sneaker.
The Iron Snail
In the press?
What the world is saying.
What’s being written about New Balance lately — and the mood of it. 8 pieces in the last 30 days, coverage skews positive.
SstupidDOPEstupidDOPE·Positive
New Balance Made in UK 991v2 “Sea Glass” Refines Heritage Running Design
NNew England PatriotsNew England Patriots·Neutral
Photos: A.J. Brown makes debut at Patriots OTAs, presented by New Balance
HHypebeastHypebeast·Positive
Official Look at the Stone Island x New Balance 1890 "Deep Forest"
SSoccerBibleSoccerBible·Positive
Stone Island's Latest New Balance Drop Is Pure Perfection
PPennLive.com
HHighsnobietyHighsnobiety·Positive
New Balance’s Newest Gator Is Proof the Archives Still Have Bite
TTom's Guide
FFooty HeadlinesFooty Headlines·Neutral
New Balance x Stones Island 2026 Football Boots & Kit Revealedas of June 4 · 8 stories?
Act three · ★ new
Do they agree?
Put the two verdicts side by side — every product with its AI rank and its reviewer score — and see where the machines and the buyers line up, and where they don't.
The lineup, reconciled?
Every product — both verdicts.
Fresh Foam X 1080v14 is New Balance's most-recommended product, ranking across 8 buyer questions, with 574 Core close behind.
Price neighbors · Fashion & Footwear?
Where New Balance sits among brands.
as of June 16 · 10 brand medians · Google Shopping?
The bottom line
So which one do you buy?
Best overall
990v6
Tops both judges — the AIs’ #1 pick, with a reviewer score to match.
Traits?
The words the panel uses.
AI most often praises New Balance for being "versatile" (24 mentions) and "durable" (20).
- versatile24
- durable20
- comfort14
- cushioned11
- stability10
- soft10
- comfortable9
- lightweight7
- max cushion7
- plush cushioning7
- neutral7
- plush6
Rivals?
Who it competes against.
New Balance and Adidas are neck and neck — 6–8 across 17 shared questions.
- Adidas
Fashion & Footwear
Adidas leads 8–6
Across 17 shared questions · 3 tied
- ASICS
Fashion & Footwear
New Balance leads 8–6
Across 16 shared questions · 2 tied
- Nike
Fashion & Footwear
Nike leads 10–5
Across 16 shared questions · 1 tied
- Hoka
Fashion & Footwear
Hoka leads 7–6
Across 15 shared questions · 2 tied
- On
Fashion & Footwear
New Balance leads 12–1
Across 14 shared questions · 1 tied
- Saucony
Fashion & Footwear
New Balance leads 11–1
Across 14 shared questions · 2 tied
- Under Armour
Fashion & Footwear
New Balance leads 10–4
Across 14 shared questions
The recap
Where it stands today.
- Position#18 of 24,449 brands tracked (slipped 8 this week).
- Reviewer verdict★Aligned — avg 4.0 / 5 across 1 reviewed product. Buyers broadly back the AI placement.
- FootprintStrongest in Fashion & Footwear (best #1), across 18 buying intents.
- AI verdictperplexity ranks New Balance highest (avg #12.1); ChatGPT most sceptical (#14.0).
- TraitsMost often associated with “versatile” (24 mentions) and “durable” (20).
- Top productFresh Foam X 1080v14 is the most-mentioned New Balance product this snapshot.
- Closest rivalAdidas (6–8 across 17 shared intents).
browse New Balance in these categories