MSR vs REI Co-op:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, REI Co-op had more branded searches than MSR among backpacking tent brands worldwide. REI Co-op had about 74,000 branded searches, while MSR had 170. REI Co-op made up 39.7% of all backpacking tent brand searches we track, and MSR accounted for 0.09%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about backpacking tent brands, REI Co-op appeared in four of the five answers and MSR in three. MSR and REI Co-op were each mentioned first in two of the four answers.
Who do people search for more?
REI Co-op, about 435 searches for every 1 for MSR
Who does AI mention more?
REI Co-op, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, MSR in 3
Who does AI recommend more?
Each is named first in 2 of 4 answers.
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Top backpacking tent brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, REI Co-op was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. MSR was mentioned in three out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. MSR and REI Co-op were each listed first in two of the four answers.
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.
Big Agnes5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Durston Gear5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers- REI Co-op4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Zpacks4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Nemo4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
MSR3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about backpacking tent brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which backpacking tent brand should I buy?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best backpacking tent brands?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best backpacking tent brand for lightweight camping?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best backpacking tent”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“lightweight backpacking tent”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 20, 2026.
Is MSR or REI Co-op more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for MSR and REI Co-op by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all six backpacking tent brands we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for REI Co-op, MSR. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | REI Co-op | Zpacks | Big Agnes | Nemo | Durston Gear | MSR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 40.2% | 32.9% | 14.7% | 5.6% | 6.5% | 0.09% |
| Nov 2025 | 47.1% | 31.7% | 11.6% | 4.4% | 5.1% | 0.06% |
| Dec 2025 | 45.3% | 37.3% | 9.1% | 4.2% | 4% | 0.06% |
| Jan 2026 | 42% | 34.3% | 12.6% | 4.7% | 6.3% | 0.1% |
| Feb 2026 | 37.5% | 37.5% | 13.7% | 5.2% | 6.1% | 0.09% |
| Mar 2026 | 42.4% | 28.4% | 15.5% | 5.9% | 7.7% | 0.1% |
| Apr 2026 | 37.3% | 30.5% | 16.7% | 6.3% | 9.1% | 0.11% |
| May 2026 | 40.5% | 27.1% | 18.1% | 6.9% | 7.3% | 0.12% |
| Jun 2026 | 38.9% | 26% | 17.4% | 8% | 9.5% | 0.14% |
| Jul 2026 | 37% | 24.8% | 20.3% | 7.6% | 10.1% | 0.16% |
| Aug 2026 | 40.2% | 26.9% | 18% | 6.8% | 8% | 0.14% |
| Sep 2026 | 39.7% | 32.5% | 14.5% | 6.7% | 6.4% | 0.09% |
How has the MSR and REI Co-op comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- REI Co-op was ahead of MSR in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, MSR’s share of searches among backpacking tent brands worldwide held steady at 0.09%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 170.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, REI Co-op’s share of searches among backpacking tent brands worldwide moved from 40.2% to 39.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 74K.
How did search popularity change for backpacking tent brands worldwide in September 2026?
0 changes
Neither MSR nor REI Co-op moved beyond provider rounding among backpacking tent brands in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using MSR’s and REI Co-op’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
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