Which activewear & athletic apparel brands
AI recommends in the US
Brands ranked by mention rate on ChatGPT, Gemini, Google AI Mode and Perplexity
- Brands
- 33
- Questions
- 380
- Answers
- 4,500
- AI engines
- 4
01 · Brand leader
Top 10 brands by mention rate
No single brand runs away with the category.
Several brands compete for the top places.
| # | Brand | Mention rate Share of questions where Gemini names the brand | Share of voice The brand’s share of all brand mentions in the engine’s answers | 95% range The interval the true mention rate most likely falls in | In top 20 of The brand’s place inside each engine’s own top 20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11–2 | Nike | 16.1% | 9.3% | 12.8–20.2 | ChatGPT1Gemini1Google AI Mode1Perplexity1 |
| 21–3 | Lululemon | 11.7% | 4.2% | 8.8–15.3 | ChatGPT4Gemini2Google AI Mode2Perplexity3 |
| 32–8 | Adidas | 7.7% | 3.4% | 5.4–10.8 | ChatGPT3Gemini3Google AI Mode4Perplexity2 |
| 43–16 | ASICS | 4.9% | 2.6% | 3.2–7.6 | ChatGPT9Gemini4Google AI Mode10Perplexity8 |
| 53–16 | Vuori | 4.8% | 1.6% | 3.1–7.5 | ChatGPT10Gemini5Google AI Mode6Perplexity6 |
| 63–17 | Patagonia | 4.7% | 1.9% | 3.0–7.4 | ChatGPT5Gemini6Google AI Mode5Perplexity4 |
| 73–20 | Under Armour | 4.2% | 2.3% | 2.6–6.7 | ChatGPT2Gemini7Google AI Mode3Perplexity5 |
| 83–20 | Athleta | 3.7% | 1.5% | 2.2–6.1 | ChatGPT14Gemini8Google AI Mode9Perplexity9 |
| 94–20 | Hoka | 3.1% | 1.1% | 1.8–5.3 | ChatGPT8Gemini9Google AI Mode7Perplexity12 |
| 104–20 | New Balance | 3.1% | 0.8% | 1.8–5.3 | ChatGPT7Gemini10Google AI Mode12Perplexity7 |
| 114–20 | Arc'teryx | 2.5% | 1.0% | 1.3–4.6 | ChatGPT11Gemini11Google AI Mode8 |
| 124–20 | Alo Yoga | 2.4% | 0.7% | 1.3–4.4 | ChatGPT17Gemini12Google AI Mode11Perplexity13 |
| 134–20 | Brooks | 2.1% | 0.8% | 1.1–4.1 | ChatGPT6Gemini13Google AI Mode14Perplexity11 |
| 144–20 | Gymshark | 1.9% | 1.2% | 1.0–3.9 | ChatGPT13Gemini14Google AI Mode13Perplexity14 |
| 154–20 | The North Face | 1.8% | 0.8% | 0.8–3.6 | ChatGPT12Gemini15Google AI Mode17Perplexity10 |
| 164–20 | Speedo | 1.4% | 0.7% | 0.6–3.2 | ChatGPT16Gemini16Google AI Mode15Perplexity16 |
| 176–20 | Champion | 1.3% | 0.7% | 0.6–3.0 | Gemini17Google AI Mode16Perplexity15 |
| 187–20 | NOBULL | 1.2% | 0.6% | 0.5–2.9 | Gemini18 |
| 197–20 | Bombas | 1.1% | 0.5% | 0.5–2.8 | Gemini19Perplexity17 |
| 207–20 | Girlfriend Collective | 1.1% | 0.4% | 0.5–2.8 | Gemini20 |
02 · Engine consensus
Where each brand ranks
inside every engine’s top 10
There is no single AI top 10.
Only 7 of 13 brands rank in the top 10 of all 4 engines.
| Brand | ChatGPT | Gemini | Google AI Mode | Perplexity | In top 10 of |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nike | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | ChatGPTGeminiGoogle AI ModePerplexity |
| Lululemon | 4 | 2 | 2 | 3 | ChatGPTGeminiGoogle AI ModePerplexity |
| Adidas | 3 | 3 | 4 | 2 | ChatGPTGeminiGoogle AI ModePerplexity |
| Under Armour | 2 | 7 | 3 | 5 | ChatGPTGeminiGoogle AI ModePerplexity |
| Patagonia | 5 | 6 | 5 | 4 | ChatGPTGeminiGoogle AI ModePerplexity |
| Vuori | 10 | 5 | 6 | 6 | ChatGPTGeminiGoogle AI ModePerplexity |
| ASICS | 9 | 4 | 10 | 8 | ChatGPTGeminiGoogle AI ModePerplexity |
| New Balance | 7 | 10 | – | 7 | ChatGPTGeminiPerplexity |
| Hoka | 8 | 9 | 7 | – | ChatGPTGeminiGoogle AI Mode |
| Athleta | – | 8 | 9 | 9 | GeminiGoogle AI ModePerplexity |
| Brooks | 6 | – | – | – | ChatGPT |
| Arc'teryx | – | – | 8 | – | Google AI Mode |
| The North Face | – | – | – | 10 | Perplexity |
Rank inside each engine’s own top 10 · a dash means the brand is not in that engine’s top 10.
The rest depend on which engine the buyer opens — so a rank from a single engine is not a market position.
Source: Findrix's research. Where each brand ranks inside every engine's top 10, activewear & athletic apparel, United States.
04b · Most cited domains
Which sites each engine cites, and
how much of its answers they carry
| Domain | ChatGPT | Gemini | Google AI Mode | Perplexity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| google.com | 0.1% | 2.1% | 41.0% | <0.1% |
| youtube.com | 0.2% | 0.3% | 9.1% | 0.1% |
| nih.gov | 6.9% | 0.5% | 0.9% | 1.2% |
| cdc.gov | 4.3% | – | – | 0.2% |
| 2xu.com | 0.4% | 4.2% | 1.7% | 1.2% |
| rei.com | 4.2% | 1.2% | 0.9% | 2.7% |
| alibaba.com | 1× | – | 1× | 3.2% |
| reddit.com | 0.3% | 1.6% | 2.4% | 3.2% |
| nike.com | 3.0% | 1.8% | 1.0% | 2.4% |
| aad.org | 2.9% | – | – | 0.1% |
| shopvitality.com | 0.1% | 2.9% | 1.1% | 0.1% |
| clevelandclinic.org | 2.8% | 1× | 1× | 0.8% |
05 · The questions we asked
380 buyer questions, each
asked three times per engine
This isn’t a branded-prompt study.
79% of questions are problem- or solution-aware.
| Intent | Questions |
|---|---|
| Solution-aware | 160 |
| Problem-aware | 140 |
| Informational | 40 |
| Branded comparison | 24 |
| Branded sentiment | 16 |
By intent
Examples · Solution-aware
“Where can I buy the highest rated Compression tights that offers Pocket functionality as of latest information?”
“How do seamless workout tops compare to a standard Board shorts in terms of Fit and coverage/support as of latest information?”
Examples · Problem-aware
“I am constantly overheating during training in my current Running shoes, what is causing this as of latest information?”
“I am constantly overheating during training in my current Training pants, what is causing this as of latest information?”
Examples · Informational
“How do synthetic technical fabrics in a Crewneck sweatshirts help support Versatility from gym to street as of latest information?”
“How do synthetic technical fabrics in a Base-layer tops help support Layering versatility as of latest information?”
Examples · Branded comparison
“Athleta vs Shefit for customizable fit and support for larger bust sizes as of latest information?”
Examples · Branded sentiment
“Is Nike a good choice in jackets & outerwear as of latest information?”
“Is Alo Yoga a good choice in leggings & tights as of latest information?”
Source: Findrix research. 380 buyer questions by intent, activewear & athletic apparel, United States.
05b · By product type
Which product segments
the questions cover
The study doesn’t hinge on one product category.
Questions span 11 activewear & athletic apparel segments.
| Segment |
|---|
| Footwear |
| Accessories & Equipment Apparel |
| Leggings & Tights |
| Performance Tops & Tees |
| Jackets & Outerwear |
| Hoodies & Sweatshirts |
| Sports Bras |
| Swimwear |
| One-Piece Garments & Coordinated Sets |
| Athleisure/Loungewear |
| Pants & Joggers |
11 segments
Examples · Footwear
“Is ASICS a good choice in footwear as of latest information?”
Examples · Accessories & Equipment Apparel
“Is Garmin a good choice in accessories & equipment apparel as of latest information?”
Examples · Leggings & Tights
“Where can I buy the highest rated Compression tights that offers Pocket functionality as of latest information?”
Examples · Performance Tops & Tees
“How do synthetic technical fabrics in a Base-layer tops help support Layering versatility as of latest information?”
Examples · Jackets & Outerwear
“Is Nike a good choice in jackets & outerwear as of latest information?”
Examples · Hoodies & Sweatshirts
“How do synthetic technical fabrics in a Crewneck sweatshirts help support Versatility from gym to street as of latest information?”
Examples · Sports Bras
“Athleta vs Shefit for customizable fit and support for larger bust sizes as of latest information?”
Examples · Swimwear
“Is Speedo a good choice in swimwear as of latest information?”
Examples · One-Piece Garments & Coordinated Sets
“How do synthetic technical fabrics in a Matching Two-Piece Active Sets help support Inclusive sizing as of latest information?”
Examples · Athleisure/Loungewear
“Is Vuori a good choice in athleisure/loungewear as of latest information?”
Examples · Pants & Joggers
“What are the best Training pants options available for athletes who prioritize Durability as of latest information?”
Source: Findrix research. 11 product segments covered by the question set, activewear & athletic apparel, United States.
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Frequently asked questions
What does this Activewear & Athletic Apparel AI Search report measure?
Which activewear & athletic apparel brands ChatGPT, Gemini, Google AI Mode and Perplexity name when buyers in the United States ask them for advice. We asked 380 buyer questions, each three times to each engine, and counted how often every brand appears and which websites the engines cite. Measured Sep 2026.
What does “mention rate” mean?
The share of questions where an engine names the brand in its answer. A 10% mention rate means the brand came up in about one question in ten. Every rate carries a 95% range: the interval the true value most likely falls in.
How are the top Activewear & Athletic Apparel brands ranked?
By mention rate, separately for each engine — pick the engine above the table. When two brands’ 95% ranges overlap, their order is not really different — tick “Only distinguishable places” to see the ranks the data can actually separate.
Why does a brand rank differently across AI engines?
Each engine retrieves from different sources and weighs them differently, so the brands it knows best differ too. Only 7 of 13 brands make the top 10 of every engine here; the rest depend on which engine the buyer opens.
What counts as a citation?
A link or source an engine shows alongside its answer. We record every cited domain, whether it appears inline or in the source list.
Why can AI mention a brand without citing its website?
Engines learn brand names from reviews, expert sites, retailers and forums, then cite those sources rather than the brand’s own pages. A brand can be named often while its own site is rarely among the sources.
What does “share of citations” mean?
Of all the citations one engine gave across our questions, the share that went to a given domain. The shares of one engine add up to 100%.
What types of Activewear & Athletic Apparel questions are included?
Questions real buyers ask across 11 product segments, from problem-aware to solution-aware, informational and branded ones. 79% are problem- or solution-aware; this is not a branded-prompt study.
Will I get the same answers if I ask these questions myself?
Not word for word. AI answers vary between runs, accounts and locations, which is why we ask every question three times per engine and report a 95% range instead of a single answer.