Brandwave

Carhartt vs 5.11 Tactical:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, 5.11 Tactical had more branded searches than Carhartt among cargo pants brands worldwide. 5.11 Tactical had about 162,000 branded searches, while Carhartt had 18,100. 5.11 Tactical made up 0.94% of all cargo pants brand searches we track, and Carhartt accounted for 0.11%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about cargo pants brands, Carhartt appeared in all three answers and 5.11 Tactical in two. Carhartt was mentioned before 5.11 Tactical in every answer.

Among cargo pants brands worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

5.11 Tactical, about 9 searches for every 1 for Carhartt

5.11 Tactical 162K searchesCarhartt 18.1K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Carhartt, mentioned in every answer we collected

Carhartt in 3 of 35.11 Tactical in 2 of 3

Who does AI recommend more?

Carhartt, named ahead of 5.11 Tactical in every answer

Carhartt first in 35.11 Tactical never first

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Top cargo pants brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions, Carhartt appeared in all three answers. 5.11 Tactical was mentioned in two out of three: in two of the three ChatGPT answers. Carhartt was listed before 5.11 Tactical in every answer.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. Carhartt1st
  2. Dickies2nd
  3. Uniqlo3rd
  4. Abercrombie & Fitch3rd
  5. Wrangler5th
  6. Levi's6th
  7. 5.11 Tactical6th
  8. Lee–

Mentioned by AI

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

  • Carhartt3 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers
  • Dickies3 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers
  • Uniqlo2 of 3Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answers
  • Abercrombie & Fitch2 of 3Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answers
  • Wrangler2 of 3Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answers
  • 5.11 Tactical2 of 3Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answers
  • Levi's1 of 3Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answers
  • Lee0 of 3Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answers

See every answer about cargo pants brands

3 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 20, 2026.

Is Carhartt or 5.11 Tactical more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Carhartt and 5.11 Tactical by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight cargo pants brands we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.

Carhartt and 5.11 Tactical among cargo pants brands worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for 5.11 Tactical, Carhartt. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthUniqloAbercrombie & FitchLevi'sWrangler5.11 TacticalLeeCarharttDickies
Oct 202581%10.9%4.9%1.2%0.91%0.66%0.13%0.24%
Nov 202581.5%10.9%4.9%0.98%0.91%0.66%0.11%0.06%
Dec 202579%13%4.8%1.2%1.1%0.64%0.13%0.13%
Jan 202681%10.9%4.9%0.98%1.2%0.66%0.11%0.24%
Feb 202677.5%12.8%5.7%1.2%1.3%0.77%0.13%0.63%
Mar 202677.8%12.8%5.7%1.2%1.1%0.77%0.1%0.52%
Apr 202681%10.9%4.9%0.98%0.94%0.8%0.11%0.36%
May 202679%13%4.8%1.2%0.98%0.78%0.11%0.16%
Jun 202678%12.9%5.8%1.2%0.96%0.77%0.13%0.28%
Jul 202675.9%15.3%5.6%1.1%1.1%0.62%0.1%0.28%
Aug 202677%15.5%4.7%1.1%0.92%0.62%0.1%0.08%
Sep 202679.2%13%4.8%1.2%0.94%0.64%0.11%0.09%

How has the Carhartt and 5.11 Tactical comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • 5.11 Tactical 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 pants brands worldwide moved from 0.13% to 0.11%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 27.1K to 18.1K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, 5.11 Tactical’s share of searches among cargo pants brands worldwide moved from 0.91% to 0.94%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 187K to 162K.

How did search popularity change for cargo pants brands worldwide in September 2026?

2 changes
  1. Estimated monthly branded searches for Carhartt worldwide fell 33.2% over 12 measured months, from 27.1K to 18.1K in September 2026.

  2. Estimated monthly branded searches for 5.11 Tactical worldwide fell 13.4% over 12 measured months, from 187K to 162K in September 2026.

How are branded searches counted?

3 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Carhartt’s and 5.11 Tactical’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.

Carhartt

1 branded search term

  • carhartt cargo pants

5.11 Tactical

2 branded search terms

  • 5.11 pants
  • 5.11 tactical

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among cargo pants brands

Creator with pink hair and a pink jacket

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