Brandwave

Kathmandu vs Macpac:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Kathmandu had more branded searches than Macpac among backpack brands in New Zealand. Kathmandu had about 57,600 branded searches, while Macpac had 50,400. Kathmandu made up 47.7% of all backpack brand searches we track, and Macpac accounted for 41.7%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about backpack brands, Kathmandu and Macpac each appeared in four of the five answers. Macpac was mentioned before Kathmandu in four out of five answers.

Among backpack brands in New Zealand in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Kathmandu, about 14% more searches than Macpac

Kathmandu 57.6K searchesMacpac 50.4K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Both were mentioned in 4 of 5 answers.

Kathmandu in 4 of 5Macpac in 4 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Macpac, named ahead of Kathmandu in 4 of 5 answers

Macpac first in 4Kathmandu first in 1

Follow Kathmandu vs Macpac 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

Track your brand against a rival →

Top backpack brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Kathmandu and Macpac were each mentioned in four out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. Macpac was listed before Kathmandu in four out of five answers.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. Osprey1st
  2. Macpac2nd
  3. Kathmandu3rd
  4. Deuter4th
  5. Bellroy5th
  6. The North Face6th
  7. Herschel–
  8. NOMATIC–

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • Kathmandu4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Macpac4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Osprey4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Deuter3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Bellroy2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • The North Face1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Herschel0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • NOMATIC0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about backpack brands

5 answers

Not named in any answer:

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 20, 2026.

Is Kathmandu or Macpac more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Kathmandu and Macpac by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight backpack brands we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.

Kathmandu and Macpac among backpack brands in New Zealand, by month

Share of searches by month for Kathmandu, Macpac. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthKathmanduMacpacThe North FaceBellroyOspreyHerschelDeuterNOMATIC
Oct 202544.5%46.3%3.5%3.2%1.4%0.71%0.34%0.05%
Nov 202549.1%42.2%3%3.4%1.2%0.73%0.32%0.02%
Dec 202546.4%46.9%2.8%2.1%0.99%0.58%0.23%0.03%
Jan 202645%45.5%4.1%2.5%1.6%0.93%0.34%0.04%
Feb 202644.6%46.5%3.6%2.6%1.6%0.7%0.36%0.05%
Mar 202644.9%46.4%3.6%2.7%1.5%0.58%0.36%0.03%
Apr 202648.9%42.8%3.9%2.4%1.3%0.39%0.28%0.04%
May 202644.9%45.8%4.6%2.7%1.3%0.39%0.3%0.04%
Jun 202645.6%45.4%5.1%2.3%0.91%0.4%0.17%0.03%
Jul 202649.8%40.8%5.2%2.3%1.2%0.5%0.18%0.02%
Aug 202647.7%41.1%5.8%3.1%1.4%0.55%0.28%0.03%
Sep 202647.7%41.7%4.7%3.4%1.5%0.65%0.33%0.03%

How has the Kathmandu and Macpac comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • The lead changed hands 5 times in the 12 months ending September 2026: Kathmandu took it in November 2025, Macpac took it in December 2025, Kathmandu took it in April 2026, Macpac took it in May 2026, Kathmandu took it in June 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Kathmandu’s share of searches among backpack brands in New Zealand moved from 44.5% to 47.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 57.4K to 57.6K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Macpac’s share of searches among backpack brands in New Zealand moved from 46.3% to 41.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 59.8K to 50.4K.

How did search popularity change for New Zealand backpack brands in September 2026?

1 change

  1. In September 2026, Macpac gained share of searches among backpack brands in New Zealand, from 41.1% to 41.7%.

How are branded searches counted?

33 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Kathmandu’s and Macpac’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.

Kathmandu

19 branded search terms

  • Kathmandu
  • kathmandu bayfair
  • kathmandu beach shelter
  • kathmandu beach trolley
  • kathmandu botany
  • kathmandu gloves
  • kathmandu lyall bay
  • kathmandu northland
  • kathmandu outlet
  • kathmandu retreat 280
  • kathmandu retreat 80
  • kathmandu socks
  • kathmandu st lukes
  • kathmandu sylvia park
  • kathmandu tower junction
  • kathmandu trolley
  • kathmandu vest
  • kathmandu waitakere
  • kathmandu westgate

Macpac

14 branded search terms

  • Macpac
  • macpac bags
  • macpac colombo st
  • macpac fleece
  • macpac outlet
  • macpac queen st
  • macpac queensgate
  • macpac sale
  • macpac st lukes
  • macpac te rapa
  • macpac tents
  • macpac tower junction
  • macpac vest
  • macpac westgate

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among backpack brands

Creator with pink hair and a pink jacket

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.

Start free