Columbia vs HOKA:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, HOKA had more branded searches than Columbia among hiking footwear brands worldwide. HOKA had about 36,200 branded searches, while Columbia had 27,100. HOKA made up 2.2% of all hiking footwear brand searches we track, and Columbia accounted for 1.7%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about hiking footwear brands, HOKA appeared in four of the five answers and Columbia in two. HOKA was mentioned before Columbia in every answer that named either.
Who do people search for more?
HOKA, about 34% more searches than Columbia
Who does AI mention more?
HOKA, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, Columbia in 2
Who does AI recommend more?
HOKA, named ahead of Columbia in 4 of 4 answers
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Top hiking footwear brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, HOKA was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Columbia was mentioned in two out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. HOKA was listed before Columbia in every answer 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.
Merrell5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Salomon5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Altra4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers- HOKA4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- La Sportiva2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
KEEN2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Columbia2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Oboz2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
LOWA1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
SCARPA1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about hiking footwear brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which hiking footwear brand should I buy?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best hiking footwear brands?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best hiking footwear brand for all-day comfort?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“hiking footwear brands”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best hiking footwear”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.
Is Columbia or HOKA more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Columbia and HOKA by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all ten hiking footwear brands we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for HOKA, Columbia. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Merrell | La Sportiva | Altra | Salomon | LOWA | HOKA | KEEN | Columbia | Oboz | SCARPA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 45.7% | 20.8% | 17% | 6.2% | 2.2% | 2.8% | 1.7% | 1.5% | 1.3% | 0.69% |
| Nov 2025 | 49.1% | 19.1% | 15.6% | 5.7% | 2.5% | 2.6% | 1.6% | 1.7% | 1.4% | 0.63% |
| Dec 2025 | 47.2% | 21.7% | 14.5% | 6.1% | 2.3% | 2.7% | 1.6% | 1.6% | 1.6% | 0.71% |
| Jan 2026 | 43.4% | 23.6% | 15.8% | 6.6% | 2.5% | 2.9% | 1.6% | 1.4% | 1.4% | 0.77% |
| Feb 2026 | 43.8% | 23.3% | 15.5% | 6.6% | 2.5% | 2.5% | 1.9% | 1.7% | 1.4% | 0.77% |
| Mar 2026 | 45.1% | 19.2% | 19.2% | 6.6% | 2.3% | 2.6% | 1.7% | 1.4% | 1.2% | 0.63% |
| Apr 2026 | 44.5% | 19.4% | 19.4% | 6.4% | 2.1% | 2.9% | 1.9% | 1.7% | 1.2% | 0.64% |
| May 2026 | 45% | 18.8% | 18.8% | 6.8% | 2.1% | 2.8% | 2.1% | 1.7% | 1.4% | 0.62% |
| Jun 2026 | 48.9% | 18.6% | 15.2% | 7.6% | 1.8% | 2.5% | 2% | 1.7% | 1.1% | 0.61% |
| Jul 2026 | 45% | 19.6% | 16.1% | 8.4% | 2.2% | 2.6% | 2.4% | 1.8% | 1.2% | 0.79% |
| Aug 2026 | 41.3% | 22.1% | 18% | 8% | 2.4% | 2.4% | 2% | 2% | 1.1% | 0.73% |
| Sep 2026 | 41.5% | 22.5% | 18.4% | 7.5% | 2.4% | 2.2% | 2% | 1.7% | 1.1% | 0.74% |
How has the Columbia and HOKA comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- HOKA was ahead of Columbia in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Columbia’s share of searches among hiking footwear brands worldwide moved from 1.5% to 1.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 22.2K to 27.1K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, HOKA’s share of searches among hiking footwear brands worldwide moved from 2.8% to 2.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 40.3K to 36.2K.
How did search popularity change for hiking footwear brands worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Columbia fell from 7th to 8th among hiking footwear brands worldwide.
In September 2026, HOKA fell from 5th to 6th among hiking footwear brands worldwide.
How are branded searches counted?
4 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Columbia’s and HOKA’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 hiking footwear brands
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