Brandwave

Kathmandu vs Outdoor Research:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Kathmandu had more branded searches than Outdoor Research among rain jacket brands worldwide. Kathmandu had about 550,000 branded searches, while Outdoor Research had 74,000. Kathmandu made up 5.6% of all rain jacket brand searches we track, and Outdoor Research accounted for 0.75%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about rain jacket brands, Outdoor Research appeared in three of the five answers and Kathmandu in none.

Among rain jacket brands worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Kathmandu, about 7 searches for every 1 for Outdoor Research

Kathmandu 550K searchesOutdoor Research 74K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Outdoor Research, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, Kathmandu in 0

Outdoor Research in 3 of 5Kathmandu in 0 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Outdoor Research, the only one of the two named

Outdoor Research first in 3Kathmandu never named

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Top rain jacket brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Outdoor Research was mentioned in three out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Kathmandu did not appear in any of the five answers.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. Patagonia1st
  2. Arc'teryx2nd
  3. Outdoor Research3rd
  4. The North Face4th
  5. Kathmandu–
  6. Macpac–

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • Patagonia4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Arc'teryx4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Outdoor Research3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • The North Face2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Kathmandu0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Macpac0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about rain jacket brands

5 answers

Not named in any answer:

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 19, 2026.

Is Kathmandu or Outdoor Research more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Kathmandu and Outdoor Research by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all six rain jacket brands we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.

Kathmandu and Outdoor Research among rain jacket brands worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for Kathmandu, Outdoor Research. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthThe North FacePatagoniaArc'teryxKathmanduMacpacOutdoor Research
Oct 202546.4%28.3%19%4.7%0.94%0.63%
Nov 202552%23.4%19.1%3.9%0.94%0.63%
Dec 202549.3%22.2%22.2%4.5%1.1%0.73%
Jan 202647%25.8%21.2%4.3%1%0.69%
Feb 202643.8%29.5%19.7%4.8%1.2%0.97%
Mar 202637.5%33.6%18.3%8.2%1.7%0.74%
Apr 202633.8%34%18.6%10.2%2.5%0.92%
May 202638.4%31.6%17.3%9.5%2.3%0.85%
Jun 202632.9%33.1%18.1%12.1%3%0.89%
Jul 202638.4%31.6%17.3%9.5%2.3%0.85%
Aug 202639.4%29.5%19.7%8.9%1.8%0.8%
Sep 202641.5%27.9%22.8%5.6%1.4%0.75%

How has the Kathmandu and Outdoor Research comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings

How did search popularity change for rain jacket brands worldwide in September 2026?

2 changes
  1. In September 2026, Kathmandu lost share of searches among rain jacket brands worldwide, from 8.9% to 5.6%.

  2. Estimated monthly branded searches for Outdoor Research worldwide fell 18.2% over 12 measured months, from 90.5K to 74K in September 2026.

How are branded searches counted?

2 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Kathmandu’s and Outdoor Research’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.

Kathmandu

1 branded search term

  • kathmandu

Outdoor Research

1 branded search term

  • outdoor research

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among rain jacket brands

Creator with pink hair and a pink jacket

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