5.11 Tactical vs Lee:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, 5.11 Tactical had more branded searches than Lee among cargo pants brands worldwide. 5.11 Tactical had about 162,000 branded searches, while Lee had 110,000. 5.11 Tactical made up 0.94% of all cargo pants brand searches we track, and Lee accounted for 0.64%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about cargo pants brands, 5.11 Tactical appeared in two of the three answers and Lee in none.
Who do people search for more?
5.11 Tactical, about 47% more searches than Lee
Who does AI mention more?
5.11 Tactical, mentioned in 2 of 3 answers, Lee in 0
Who does AI recommend more?
5.11 Tactical, the only one of the two named
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Top cargo pants brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions, 5.11 Tactical was mentioned in two out of three: in two of the three ChatGPT answers. Lee did not appear in any of the three answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Carhartt1st
Dickies2nd
Uniqlo3rd
Abercrombie & Fitch3rd
Wrangler5th
Levi's6th
5.11 Tactical6th
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
Asked ChatGPT
“Which cargo pants brand should I buy?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best cargo pants brands?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best cargo pants brand for everyday wear?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“men's cargo pants”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
Searched Google, AI Overview
“women's cargo pants”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
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 5.11 Tactical or Lee more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for 5.11 Tactical and Lee 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.
Share of searches by month for 5.11 Tactical, Lee. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Uniqlo | Abercrombie & Fitch | Levi's | Wrangler | 5.11 Tactical | Lee | Carhartt | Dickies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 81% | 10.9% | 4.9% | 1.2% | 0.91% | 0.66% | 0.13% | 0.24% |
| Nov 2025 | 81.5% | 10.9% | 4.9% | 0.98% | 0.91% | 0.66% | 0.11% | 0.06% |
| Dec 2025 | 79% | 13% | 4.8% | 1.2% | 1.1% | 0.64% | 0.13% | 0.13% |
| Jan 2026 | 81% | 10.9% | 4.9% | 0.98% | 1.2% | 0.66% | 0.11% | 0.24% |
| Feb 2026 | 77.5% | 12.8% | 5.7% | 1.2% | 1.3% | 0.77% | 0.13% | 0.63% |
| Mar 2026 | 77.8% | 12.8% | 5.7% | 1.2% | 1.1% | 0.77% | 0.1% | 0.52% |
| Apr 2026 | 81% | 10.9% | 4.9% | 0.98% | 0.94% | 0.8% | 0.11% | 0.36% |
| May 2026 | 79% | 13% | 4.8% | 1.2% | 0.98% | 0.78% | 0.11% | 0.16% |
| Jun 2026 | 78% | 12.9% | 5.8% | 1.2% | 0.96% | 0.77% | 0.13% | 0.28% |
| Jul 2026 | 75.9% | 15.3% | 5.6% | 1.1% | 1.1% | 0.62% | 0.1% | 0.28% |
| Aug 2026 | 77% | 15.5% | 4.7% | 1.1% | 0.92% | 0.62% | 0.1% | 0.08% |
| Sep 2026 | 79.2% | 13% | 4.8% | 1.2% | 0.94% | 0.64% | 0.11% | 0.09% |
How has the 5.11 Tactical and Lee comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- 5.11 Tactical was ahead of Lee in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- 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.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Lee’s share of searches among cargo pants brands worldwide moved from 0.66% to 0.64%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 135K to 110K.
How did search popularity change for cargo pants brands worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes

Estimated monthly branded searches for Lee worldwide fell 18.5% over 12 measured months, from 135K to 110K in September 2026.

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 5.11 Tactical’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.
5.11 Tactical
2 branded search terms
- 5.11 pants
- 5.11 tactical
Lee
1 branded search term
- lee jeans
Other head-to-heads among cargo pants brands

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