Kangol vs Melin:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Kangol had more branded searches than Melin among hats worldwide. Kangol had about 110,000 branded searches, while Melin had 90,500. Kangol made up 4.5% of all hat searches we track, and Melin accounted for 3.7%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about hats, Melin appeared in two of the five answers and Kangol in one. Melin was mentioned before Kangol in every answer that named either.
Who do people search for more?
Kangol, about 22% more searches than Melin
Who does AI mention more?
Melin, mentioned in 2 of 5 answers, Kangol in 1
Who does AI recommend more?
Melin, named ahead of Kangol in 2 of 2 answers
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Top hats in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Melin was mentioned in two out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Kangol was mentioned in one out of five: not in any of the three ChatGPT answers, but in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Melin was listed before Kangol 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.
New Era4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
'474 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Carhartt4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Stetson3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers- Melin2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Patagonia2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers- Kangol1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Mitchell & Ness0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Flexfit0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Borsalino0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about hats
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which hat brand should I buy?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best hat brands?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best hat brand for everyday wear?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“hat brands”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“wide brim hat”
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 21, 2026.
Share of searches by month for Kangol, Melin. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | New Era | Mitchell & Ness | '47 | Stetson | Kangol | Melin | Carhartt | Flexfit | Patagonia | Borsalino |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 58.1% | 9.4% | 9.8% | 6.3% | 5.2% | 2.3% | 7.1% | 0.69% | 0.69% | 0.46% |
| Nov 2025 | 54.8% | 9.2% | 8.9% | 6.1% | 4.1% | 2.8% | 12.5% | 0.55% | 0.82% | 0.37% |
| Dec 2025 | 51.2% | 8.2% | 6.5% | 6.7% | 4.5% | 2.5% | 18.8% | 0.5% | 0.74% | 0.33% |
| Jan 2026 | 59.9% | 8.2% | 6.9% | 6.7% | 4.5% | 2% | 10.2% | 0.6% | 0.6% | 0.4% |
| Feb 2026 | 60.3% | 8.3% | 8.6% | 6.8% | 4.5% | 2.5% | 7.2% | 0.74% | 0.61% | 0.41% |
| Mar 2026 | 62.4% | 8.5% | 9.5% | 7% | 4.7% | 3.1% | 3% | 0.77% | 0.63% | 0.42% |
| Apr 2026 | 59.2% | 9.6% | 9.9% | 7.8% | 5.3% | 3.5% | 2.6% | 0.86% | 0.7% | 0.47% |
| May 2026 | 61.1% | 9.5% | 8.7% | 7.7% | 4.2% | 4.2% | 2.3% | 0.85% | 0.85% | 0.47% |
| Jun 2026 | 56.8% | 8.8% | 10.7% | 10.8% | 3.9% | 4.8% | 2.2% | 0.79% | 0.79% | 0.43% |
| Jul 2026 | 59.9% | 9.7% | 9.6% | 7.9% | 4.3% | 4.3% | 2.2% | 0.71% | 0.87% | 0.48% |
| Aug 2026 | 60.7% | 9.8% | 8.3% | 8% | 4.4% | 4.4% | 2.4% | 0.72% | 0.72% | 0.48% |
| Sep 2026 | 60.6% | 10.2% | 8.6% | 6.8% | 4.5% | 3.7% | 3.6% | 0.75% | 0.61% | 0.5% |
How has the Kangol and Melin comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- The lead changed hands 2 times in the 12 months ending September 2026: Melin took it in June 2026, Kangol took it in September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Kangol’s share of searches among hats worldwide moved from 5.2% to 4.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 135K to 110K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Melin’s share of searches among hats worldwide moved from 2.3% to 3.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 60.5K to 90.5K.
How did search popularity change for hats worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Kangol’s and Melin’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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