Mountainsmith vs Outward Hound:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Outward Hound had more branded searches than Mountainsmith among dog backpack brands worldwide. Outward Hound had about 8,100 branded searches, while Mountainsmith had 4,400. Outward Hound made up 9.2% of all dog backpack brand searches we track, and Mountainsmith accounted for 5%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about dog backpack brands, Mountainsmith appeared in four of the five answers and Outward Hound in one. Mountainsmith and Outward Hound were each mentioned first in one of the two answers that named either.
Who do people search for more?
Outward Hound, about 84% more searches than Mountainsmith
Who does AI mention more?
Mountainsmith, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, Outward Hound in 1
Who does AI recommend more?
Each is named first in 1 of 2 answers.
Follow Mountainsmith vs Outward Hound and get free monthly updates on what changed
By continuing you'll get index updates and occasional product news from Brandwave. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy
Top dog backpack brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Mountainsmith was mentioned in four out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. Outward Hound was mentioned in one out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Mountainsmith and Outward Hound were each listed first in one of the two answers that named either.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Ruffwear1st
K9 Sport Sack2nd
Kurgo3rd- Mountainsmith4th
- Outward Hound5th
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Ruffwear5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Kurgo5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- K9 Sport Sack4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Mountainsmith4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Outward Hound1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about dog backpack brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which dog backpack brand should I buy?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best dog backpack brands?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best dog backpack brand for hiking with a dog?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“dog hiking backpack”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“dog pack for hiking”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 20, 2026.
Is Mountainsmith or Outward Hound more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Mountainsmith and Outward Hound by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all five dog backpack brands we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Outward Hound, Mountainsmith. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Ruffwear | K9 Sport Sack | Outward Hound | Kurgo | Mountainsmith |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 67.6% | 11.1% | 9.1% | 7.4% | 4.9% |
| Nov 2025 | 77.9% | 5.7% | 7% | 5.7% | 3.8% |
| Dec 2025 | 65% | 5.8% | 19.5% | 5.8% | 3.9% |
| Jan 2026 | 71.2% | 7.8% | 9.5% | 6.3% | 5.2% |
| Feb 2026 | 71.2% | 7.8% | 9.5% | 6.4% | 5.2% |
| Mar 2026 | 71.2% | 9.5% | 7.8% | 6.3% | 5.2% |
| Apr 2026 | 70.3% | 11.5% | 7.7% | 6.3% | 4.2% |
| May 2026 | 68% | 13.6% | 7.4% | 6.1% | 5% |
| Jun 2026 | 68.6% | 13.7% | 7.5% | 6.1% | 4.1% |
| Jul 2026 | 68% | 13.6% | 7.4% | 6.1% | 5% |
| Aug 2026 | 69.7% | 11.4% | 7.6% | 6.2% | 5.1% |
| Sep 2026 | 68.5% | 11.2% | 9.2% | 6.1% | 5% |
How has the Mountainsmith and Outward Hound comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Outward Hound was ahead of Mountainsmith in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Mountainsmith’s share of searches among dog backpack brands worldwide moved from 4.9% to 5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 4.4K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Outward Hound’s share of searches among dog backpack brands worldwide moved from 9.1% to 9.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 8.1K.
How did search popularity change for dog backpack brands worldwide in September 2026?
1 change
In September 2026, Outward Hound gained share of searches among dog backpack brands worldwide, from 7.6% to 9.2%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Mountainsmith’s and Outward Hound’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.
Mountainsmith
1 branded search term
- mountainsmith
Outward Hound
1 branded search term
- outward hound
Other head-to-heads among dog backpack brands
Put your own brand in this comparison
Brandwave tracks your branded demand next to the rival you actually watch, with your campaigns, spend and outcomes on the same timeline.