Carhartt vs Columbia:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Columbia had more branded searches than Carhartt among cargo shorts brands worldwide. Columbia had about 135,000 branded searches, while Carhartt had 3,600. Columbia made up 10.6% of all cargo shorts brand searches we track, and Carhartt accounted for 0.28%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about cargo shorts brands, Columbia appeared in four of the five answers and Carhartt in three. Carhartt was mentioned before Columbia in three out of four answers that named either.
Who do people search for more?
Columbia, about 38 searches for every 1 for Carhartt
Who does AI mention more?
Columbia, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, Carhartt in 3
Who does AI recommend more?
Carhartt, named ahead of Columbia in 3 of 4 answers
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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. Carhartt was mentioned in three out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Carhartt was listed before Columbia in three out of four answers that named either.
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.
Is Carhartt or Columbia more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Carhartt and Columbia by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all six cargo shorts brands we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Columbia, Carhartt. 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% |
How has the Carhartt and Columbia comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Columbia was ahead of Carhartt in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Carhartt’s share of searches among cargo shorts brands worldwide moved from 0.19% to 0.28%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 2.9K to 3.6K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Columbia’s share of searches among cargo shorts brands worldwide held steady at 10.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 165K to 135K.
How did search popularity change for cargo shorts brands worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
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.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Carhartt’s and Columbia’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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