Columbia vs Lee:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Columbia had more branded searches than Lee among cargo shorts brands worldwide. Columbia had about 135,000 branded searches, while Lee had 110,000. Columbia made up 10.6% of all cargo shorts brand searches we track, and Lee accounted for 8.6%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about cargo shorts brands, Columbia appeared in four of the five answers and Lee in two. Columbia was mentioned before Lee in three out of five answers.
Who do people search for more?
Columbia, about 23% more searches than Lee
Who does AI mention more?
Columbia, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, Lee in 2
Who does AI recommend more?
Columbia, named ahead of Lee in 3 of 5 answers
Follow Columbia vs Lee and get free monthly updates on what changed
By continuing you'll get index updates and occasional product news from Brandwave. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy
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. Lee was mentioned in two out of five: not in any of the three ChatGPT answers, but in both Google AI Overviews. Columbia was listed before Lee in three out of five 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.
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 Columbia or Lee more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Columbia and Lee 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, 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% |
How has the Columbia and Lee comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- The lead changed hands 2 times in the 12 months ending September 2026: Lee took it in March 2026, Columbia took it in July 2026.
- 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.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Lee’s share of searches among cargo shorts brands worldwide moved from 8.7% to 8.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 135K to 110K.
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.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Lee worldwide fell 18.5% over 12 measured months, from 135K to 110K in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Columbia’s and Lee’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.
Other head-to-heads among cargo shorts brands
Put your own brand in this comparison
Brandwave tracks your branded demand next to the rival you actually watch, with your campaigns, spend and outcomes on the same timeline.