How popular isColumbia?
In September 2026, people searched for Columbia by name about 272,000 times worldwide, a 29.9% decrease from the previous year. These searches made up 10.6% of all global cargo shorts brand searches, placing Columbia third out of six brands. When we asked both ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about cargo shorts brands, Columbia appeared in four of the five answers and was the fourth most recommended of the six.
Columbia is the third most searched of 6 competitors and the fourth most recommended in AI answers.
Levi'sShare of searches 64.5%Mentioned in 2 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 5th
WranglerShare of searches 15.8%Mentioned in 4 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 1st
ColumbiaShare of searches 10.6%Mentioned in 4 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 4th
LeeShare of searches 8.6%Mentioned in 2 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 3rd
CarharttShare of searches 0.28%Mentioned in 3 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 2nd
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Top cargo shorts brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Columbia was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Columbia is the fourth most recommended of the six.
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.
- Wrangler4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Columbia4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Carhartt3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Levi's2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Lee2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Dickies2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about cargo shorts brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which cargo shorts brand should I buy?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best cargo shorts brands?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best cargo shorts brand for everyday wear?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“mens cargo shorts”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“womens cargo shorts”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 20, 2026.
Which cargo shorts brands compete with Columbia?
Share of searches by month for Levi's, Wrangler, Columbia, Lee. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Levi's | Wrangler | Columbia | Lee | Carhartt | Dickies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 64.4% | 15.9% | 10.6% | 8.7% | 0.19% | 0.19% |
| Nov 2025 | 63% | 12.7% | 15.5% | 8.5% | 0.12% | 0.08% |
| Dec 2025 | 61.3% | 15.1% | 15.1% | 8.3% | 0.15% | 0.18% |
| Jan 2026 | 66.3% | 13.3% | 10.9% | 8.9% | 0.24% | 0.29% |
| Feb 2026 | 66.2% | 13.3% | 10.9% | 8.8% | 0.23% | 0.65% |
| Mar 2026 | 68.2% | 13.7% | 7.5% | 9.2% | 0.68% | 0.68% |
| Apr 2026 | 65.6% | 13.2% | 8.8% | 10.8% | 0.53% | 1.2% |
| May 2026 | 64.1% | 15.7% | 8.6% | 10.5% | 0.77% | 0.42% |
| Jun 2026 | 67% | 13.4% | 9% | 9% | 1.2% | 0.44% |
| Jul 2026 | 68.2% | 13.7% | 9.1% | 7.5% | 0.82% | 0.67% |
| Aug 2026 | 63.1% | 15.4% | 10.4% | 8.4% | 0.62% | 2.1% |
| Sep 2026 | 64.5% | 15.8% | 10.6% | 8.6% | 0.28% | 0.23% |
| Rank | Brand | Share of searches | Estimated monthly branded searches | vs prior month | Share change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1, held 1st | 64.5% | 823K | 0% | +1.4 points | |
| 2, held 2nd | 15.8% | 201K | 0% | +0.3 points | |
| 3, held 3rd | 10.6% | 135K | 0% | +0.2 points | |
| 4, held 4th | 8.6% | 110K | 0% | +0.2 points | |
| 5, moved from 6th to 5th | 0.28% | 3.6K | -55.6% | -0.3 pointsmoved from 6th to 5th | |
| 6, moved from 5th to 6th | 0.23% | 2.9K | -89.3% | -1.9 pointsmoved from 5th to 6th |
1.
Levi's64.5%
Held 1st. 823K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +1.4 points.
2.
Wrangler15.8%
Held 2nd. 201K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +0.3 points.
3.
Columbia10.6%
Held 3rd. 135K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +0.2 points.
4.
Lee8.6%
Held 4th. 110K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +0.2 points.
5.
Carhartt0.28%
Moved from 6th to 5th. 3.6K estimated branded searches, -55.6% vs prior month. Share -0.3 points.
6.
Dickies0.23%
Moved from 5th to 6th. 2.9K estimated branded searches, -89.3% vs prior month. Share -1.9 points.
Compare popularity between Columbia and its closest rivals
Every comparison with Columbia
50 comparisons
- Columbia vs Hydro Flask
- Ariat vs Columbia
- Bogs vs Columbia
- Clarks vs Columbia
- Columbia vs Skechers
- Columbia vs Timberland
- Barbour vs Columbia
- Carhartt vs Columbia
- Columbia vs Helly Hansen
- Columbia vs RTIC
- Coleman vs Columbia
- Columbia vs Igloo
- Altra vs Columbia
- Arc'teryx vs Columbia
- Canada Goose vs Columbia
- Columbia vs HOKA
- Columbia vs Kathmandu
- Columbia vs La Sportiva
- Columbia vs Levi's
- Columbia vs Macpac
- Columbia vs Moncler
- Columbia vs Patagonia
- Columbia vs Rab
- Columbia vs The North Face
- Columbia vs Uniqlo
- Columbia vs Wrangler
- Columbia vs Norrøna
- Columbia vs Spyder
- Columbia vs Roxy
- Columbia vs Volcom
- Castelli vs Columbia
- Columbia vs Corkcicle
- Columbia vs Lee
- Burton vs Columbia
- Columbia vs First Lite
- Columbia vs Smartwool
- Columbia vs Outdoor Research
- Columbia vs Hunter
- Columbia vs Merrell
- Columbia vs YETI
- Columbia vs LOWA
- Columbia vs Mons Royale
- Columbia vs Pelican
- Columbia vs Icebreaker
- Columbia vs Oboz
- Columbia vs KEEN
- Columbia vs Mammut
- Columbia vs SCARPA
- Columbia vs Dickies
- Columbia vs Salomon
How has branded search demand for Columbia changed worldwide over the last 12 months?
2 findings
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, estimated monthly branded searches for Columbia worldwide fell from 388K to 272K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Columbia’s share of searches among cargo shorts brands worldwide peaked at 15.5% in November 2025 and was lowest at 7.5% in March 2026.
How did search popularity change for cargo shorts brands worldwide in September 2026?
6 changes
In September 2026, Levi's gained share of searches among cargo shorts brands worldwide, from 63.1% to 64.5%.
In September 2026, Dickies lost share of searches among cargo shorts brands worldwide, from 2.1% to 0.23%.
Wrangler’s share of searches among cargo shorts brands worldwide has gained ground for 3 months in a row, from 13.4% to 15.8% in September 2026.
Columbia’s share of searches among cargo shorts brands worldwide has gained ground for 3 months in a row, from 9% to 10.6% in September 2026.
Carhartt’s share of searches among cargo shorts brands worldwide has lost ground for 3 months in a row, from 1.2% to 0.28% in September 2026.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Lee worldwide fell 18.5% over 12 measured months, from 135K to 110K in September 2026.
How are Columbia’s branded searches counted?
4 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Columbia’s name. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brand is growing, holding steady, or fading.
- columbia hiking boots
- columbia hiking shoes
- columbia jacket
- columbia sportswear
Do you work for Columbia? To request corrections or removal please contact us via our support page and we will be happy to assist.
Where does Columbia compete?
| Competitor set | Rank | Share of searches | Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Puffer jacket brands | 9th of 9 | 0.53% | Show ranking |
| Waterproof jacket brands | 8th of 9 | 2% | Show ranking |
| Jackets | 6th of 6 | 2.1% | Show ranking |
| Waterproof boots brands | 6th of 10 | 2.2% | Show ranking |
| Outdoor clothing brands | 7th of 11 | 2.2% | Show ranking |
| Snow pants brands | 7th of 9 | 1% | Show ranking |
| Ski jackets | 7th of 9 | 1.3% | Show ranking |
| Fleece brands | 5th of 5 | 2.5% | Show ranking |
| Base layer brands | 3rd of 8 | 6.2% | Show ranking |
| Softshell jacket brands | 4th of 6 | 7.2% | Show ranking |
| Hiking shoe brands | 4th of 7 | 4.2% | Show ranking |
| Hiking footwear brands | 8th of 10 | 1.7% | Show ranking |
| Backpack cooler brands | 2nd of 9 | 17.2% | Show ranking |
| Cargo shorts brands | 3rd of 6 | 10.6% | Shown above |
| Hiking boots | 2nd of 8 | 21.9% | Show ranking |
Is Columbia your brand?
Put your own campaigns, spend and outcomes next to this demand line, so you can see which of your marketing lined up with the movements above.