How popular isColumbia?
In September 2026, people searched for Columbia by name about 860 times in New Zealand, about the same as the previous year. These searches made up 1.9% of all New Zealand hiking shoe brand searches, placing Columbia fifth out of seven brands. When we asked both ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about hiking shoe brands, Columbia appeared in two of the four answers and was the sixth most recommended of the seven.
Columbia is the fifth most searched of 7 competitors and the sixth most recommended in AI answers.
HOKAShare of searches 64.9%Mentioned in 4 of 4 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 3rd
MerrellShare of searches 19.3%Mentioned in 4 of 4 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 1st- La SportivaShare of searches 7.2%Mentioned in 2 of 4 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 4th
AltraShare of searches 4.9%Mentioned in 0 of 4 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations –
ColumbiaShare of searches 1.9%Mentioned in 2 of 4 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 6th
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Top hiking shoe brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, Columbia was mentioned in two out of four: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in the Google AI Overview. Columbia is the sixth most recommended of the seven.
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.
HOKA4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
Merrell4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
Salomon3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers- La Sportiva2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Columbia2 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
KEEN2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Altra0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
See every answer about hiking shoe brands
4 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which hiking shoe brand should I buy in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best hiking shoe brands in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best hiking shoe brand in New Zealand for day walks?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best hiking shoes”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best walking shoes”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.
Which hiking shoe brands compete with Columbia?
Share of searches by month for HOKA, Merrell, La Sportiva, Altra, Columbia. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | HOKA | Merrell | La Sportiva | Altra | Columbia | Salomon | KEEN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 69.7% | 16.9% | 5.7% | 4.1% | 1.8% | 1.5% | 0.23% |
| Nov 2025 | 71.9% | 17.2% | 4.3% | 3.8% | 1.2% | 1.3% | 0.3% |
| Dec 2025 | 72.1% | 15% | 5.7% | 3.9% | 1.9% | 1.3% | 0.18% |
| Jan 2026 | 69.6% | 16.4% | 6.2% | 4.2% | 2% | 1.4% | 0.14% |
| Feb 2026 | 71.9% | 15.3% | 5.2% | 3.7% | 1.9% | 1.7% | 0.16% |
| Mar 2026 | 67.7% | 15.9% | 7.3% | 4.9% | 2.1% | 2% | 0.17% |
| Apr 2026 | 67.5% | 17.5% | 6.4% | 4.3% | 2.5% | 1.6% | 0.25% |
| May 2026 | 66.7% | 15.8% | 7.5% | 5.1% | 3.1% | 1.6% | 0.17% |
| Jun 2026 | 66.6% | 16.1% | 7.5% | 5.1% | 3% | 1.5% | 0.23% |
| Jul 2026 | 64.1% | 19.3% | 7.2% | 4.8% | 2.7% | 1.5% | 0.28% |
| Aug 2026 | 65.2% | 16.5% | 8.9% | 4.9% | 2.9% | 1.4% | 0.22% |
| Sep 2026 | 64.9% | 19.3% | 7.2% | 4.9% | 1.9% | 1.6% | 0.11% |
| Rank | Brand | Share of searches | Estimated monthly branded searches | vs prior month | Share change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1, held 1st | 64.9% | 11.7K | -0.76% | -0.2 points | |
| 2, held 2nd | 19.3% | 3.5K | +16.8% | +2.8 points | |
| 3, held 3rd | 7.2% | 1.3K | -18.8% | -1.6 points | |
| 4, held 4th | 4.9% | 880 | 0% | 0 points | |
| 5, held 5th | 1.9% | 350 | -34% | -1 points | |
| 6, held 6th | 1.6% | 280 | +7.7% | +0.1 points | |
| 7, held 7th | 0.11% | 20 | -50% | -0.1 points |
1.
HOKA64.9%
Held 1st. 11.7K estimated branded searches, -0.76% vs prior month. Share -0.2 points.
2.
Merrell19.3%
Held 2nd. 3.5K estimated branded searches, +16.8% vs prior month. Share +2.8 points.
7.2%
Held 3rd. 1.3K estimated branded searches, -18.8% vs prior month. Share -1.6 points.
4.
Altra4.9%
Held 4th. 880 estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share 0 points.
5.
Columbia1.9%
Held 5th. 350 estimated branded searches, -34% vs prior month. Share -1 points.
6.
Salomon1.6%
Held 6th. 280 estimated branded searches, +7.7% vs prior month. Share +0.1 points.
7.
KEEN0.11%
Held 7th. 20 estimated branded searches, -50% vs prior month. Share -0.1 points.
Compare popularity between Columbia and its closest rivals
Every comparison with Columbia
26 comparisons
- Arc'teryx vs Columbia
- Cactus Outdoor vs Columbia
- Columbia vs Earth Sea Sky
- Columbia vs Kathmandu
- Columbia vs Macpac
- Columbia vs Mons Royale
- Columbia vs Patagonia
- Columbia vs Swanndri
- Columbia vs The North Face
- Columbia vs Rab
- Columbia vs Icebreaker
- Altra vs Columbia
- Blundstone vs Columbia
- Columbia vs HOKA
- Columbia vs Hunter
- Columbia vs La Sportiva
- Columbia vs Merrell
- Columbia vs Salomon
- Columbia vs Skechers
- Columbia vs Skellerup
- Burton vs Columbia
- Columbia vs Devold
- Columbia vs Igloo
- Castelli vs Columbia
- Columbia vs First Lite
- Columbia vs YETI
How has branded search demand for Columbia changed in New Zealand over the last 12 months?
2 findings
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, estimated monthly branded searches for Columbia in New Zealand held steady, from 830 to 860.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Columbia’s share of searches among hiking shoe brands in New Zealand peaked at 3.1% in May 2026 and was lowest at 1.2% in November 2025.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand hiking shoe brands in September 2026?
5 changes

In September 2026, Merrell gained share of searches among hiking shoe brands in New Zealand, from 16.5% to 19.3%.
In September 2026, La Sportiva lost share of searches among hiking shoe brands in New Zealand, from 8.9% to 7.2%.

In September 2026, Columbia lost share of searches among hiking shoe brands in New Zealand, from 2.9% to 1.9%.

Estimated monthly branded searches for Altra in New Zealand rose 22.2% over 12 measured months, from 720 to 880 in September 2026.

Estimated monthly branded searches for KEEN in New Zealand fell 50% over 12 measured months, from 40 to 20 in September 2026.
How are Columbia’s branded searches counted?
8 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Columbia’s name. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brand is growing, holding steady, or fading.
- columbia clothing
- columbia fleece jacket
- columbia jacket
- columbia rain jacket
- columbia ski jacket
- columbia sportswear
- columbia sportswear fleece
- puffy columbia jacket
Do you work for Columbia? To request corrections or removal please contact us via our support page and we will be happy to assist.
Where does Columbia compete?
| Competitor set | Rank | Share of searches | Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outdoor clothing brands | 10th of 12 | 0.44% | Show ranking |
| Waterproof jacket brands | 6th of 7 | 0.33% | Show ranking |
| Base layer brands | 3rd of 8 | 0.57% | Show ranking |
| Waterproof boots brands | 7th of 8 | 0.86% | Show ranking |
| Hiking shoe brands | 5th of 7 | 1.9% | Shown above |
| Backpack cooler brands | 1st of 6 | 56.5% | Show ranking |

Is Columbia your brand?
Put your own campaigns, spend and outcomes next to this demand line, so you can see which of your marketing lined up with the movements above.