Columbia vs Wrangler:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Wrangler had more branded searches than Columbia among cargo shorts brands worldwide. Wrangler had about 201,000 branded searches, while Columbia had 135,000. Wrangler made up 15.8% of all cargo shorts brand searches we track, and Columbia accounted for 10.6%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about cargo shorts brands, Columbia and Wrangler each appeared in four of the five answers. Wrangler was mentioned before Columbia in four out of five answers.
Who do people search for more?
Wrangler, about 49% more searches than Columbia
Who does AI mention more?
Both were mentioned in 4 of 5 answers.
Who does AI recommend more?
Wrangler, named ahead of Columbia in 4 of 5 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 and Wrangler were each mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Wrangler was listed before Columbia in four 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 Wrangler more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Columbia and Wrangler 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 Wrangler, Columbia. 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 Wrangler comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- The lead changed hands 2 times in the 12 months ending September 2026: Columbia took it in November 2025, Wrangler took it in January 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, Wrangler’s share of searches among cargo shorts brands worldwide moved from 15.9% to 15.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 246K to 201K.
How did search popularity change for cargo shorts brands worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
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.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Columbia’s and Wrangler’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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