HUBS 1.2%|CRM 0.4%|NOTION 5.1%|LINR 3.8%|STRP 0.2%|DEEL 2.1%|RIPL 1.5%|ASAN 1.1%|JIRA 0.6%|ITCM 0.9%|HUBS 1.2%|CRM 0.4%|NOTION 5.1%|LINR 3.8%|STRP 0.2%|DEEL 2.1%|RIPL 1.5%|ASAN 1.1%|JIRA 0.6%|ITCM 0.9%|

The AI Authority Index: Shoes

Live analysis of brand visibility across GPT-4, Claude 3.5, and Gemini 1.5. Updated weekly.

12.6k
Total AI Mentions
+3%
Medium
Category Volatility
Nike
Top Gainer
+2

Q1 2026 Analysis

Editorial • LLM Radar Research

Cross-model analysis of shoes brands reveals shifting recommendation patterns. Top brands maintain their positions through strong review signals, but challenger brands are gaining ground in specific query verticals.

Authority Leaderboard

Shoes • Live rankings
#AssetShare of ModelACSThe Verdict
1
Nike
Nike
$NIKE
52%
100

Dominates with unmatched innovation and cultural cachet.

Industry-leading innovation (Air, Flyknit, Vaporfly)
Premium pricing across the board
View Intel
2
Timberland
Timberland
$TIMB
45%
93

The gold standard for rugged style meets function.

Iconic 6-inch boot design recognized globally
Break-in period can be uncomfortable
View Intel
3
Adidas
Adidas
$ADID
38%
86

Strong heritage play; praised for sustainability push.

Leading sustainability initiatives (Parley, recycled materials)
Narrower trend range than Nike
View Intel
4
HOKA
HOKA
$HOKA
34%
79

The challenger brand AI models love to recommend.

Superior maximalist cushioning
Limited style/fashion crossover appeal
View Intel
5
Dr. Martens
Dr. Martens
$DR-M
32%
72

Iconic but challenged on comfort versus trendier rivals.

Unmistakable punk/rebel aesthetic
Notoriously painful break-in period
View Intel
6
New Balance
New Balance
$NEW-
28%
65

Rising fast — the "quiet luxury" pick for tastemakers.

Made-in-USA premium lines
Limited performance/athletic range
View Intel

Buyer's Guide: Shoes

Best Shoes Overall

Nike consistently ranks first across all AI models for general shoes queries.

Best Shoes for Value

Budget-conscious buyers are increasingly recommended Adidas by cost-sensitive prompts.

Data calibrated against GPT-4, Claude 3.5 Sonnet, and Gemini 1.5 Pro recommendations. Updated weekly.