Mountainsmith vs Ruffwear:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Ruffwear had more branded searches than Mountainsmith among dog backpack brands worldwide. Ruffwear had about 60,500 branded searches, while Mountainsmith had 4,400. Ruffwear made up 68.5% 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, Ruffwear appeared in all five answers and Mountainsmith in four. Ruffwear was mentioned before Mountainsmith in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Ruffwear, about 14 searches for every 1 for Mountainsmith
Who does AI mention more?
Ruffwear, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Ruffwear, named ahead of Mountainsmith in every answer
Follow Mountainsmith vs Ruffwear 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, Ruffwear appeared in all five answers. Mountainsmith was mentioned in four out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. Ruffwear was listed before Mountainsmith in every answer.
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 Ruffwear more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Mountainsmith and Ruffwear 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 Ruffwear, 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 Ruffwear comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Ruffwear 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, Ruffwear’s share of searches among dog backpack brands worldwide moved from 67.6% to 68.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 60.5K.
How did search popularity change for dog backpack brands worldwide in September 2026?
1 change
In September 2026, Ruffwear lost share of searches among dog backpack brands worldwide, from 69.7% to 68.5%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Mountainsmith’s and Ruffwear’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
Ruffwear
1 branded search term
- ruffwear
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.