Icebreaker vs Macpac:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Macpac had more branded searches than Icebreaker among base layer brands in New Zealand. Macpac had about 50,400 branded searches, while Icebreaker had 350. Macpac made up 82.4% of all base layer brand searches we track, and Icebreaker accounted for 0.57%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about base layer brands, Macpac appeared in all five answers and Icebreaker in four. Icebreaker was mentioned before Macpac in four out of five answers.
Who do people search for more?
Macpac, about 144 searches for every 1 for Icebreaker
Who does AI mention more?
Macpac, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Icebreaker, named ahead of Macpac in 4 of 5 answers
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Top base layer brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Macpac appeared in all five answers. Icebreaker was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Icebreaker was listed before Macpac in four out of five answers.
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.
Macpac5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Mons Royale5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Icebreaker4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Devold2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Columbia0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Burton0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Castelli0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
First Lite0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about base layer brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which base layer brand should I buy in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best base layer brands in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best base layer brand in New Zealand for cold weather?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“thermal base layer”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“merino base layer nz”
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 Icebreaker or Macpac more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Icebreaker and Macpac by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight base layer brands we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for Macpac, Icebreaker. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Macpac | Mons Royale | Columbia | Icebreaker | Burton | Devold | Castelli | First Lite |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 90% | 7.9% | 0.48% | 0.56% | 0.14% | 0.26% | 0.32% | 0.32% |
| Nov 2025 | 89% | 9.4% | 0.34% | 0.49% | 0.09% | 0.26% | 0.26% | 0.21% |
| Dec 2025 | 91.1% | 7.6% | 0.43% | 0.28% | 0.07% | 0.21% | 0.17% | 0.14% |
| Jan 2026 | 90.6% | 7.7% | 0.52% | 0.34% | 0.13% | 0.31% | 0.21% | 0.21% |
| Feb 2026 | 88.9% | 9% | 0.53% | 0.46% | 0.16% | 0.38% | 0.3% | 0.3% |
| Mar 2026 | 87.3% | 10.9% | 0.44% | 0.46% | 0.11% | 0.31% | 0.25% | 0.25% |
| Apr 2026 | 86.9% | 11% | 0.58% | 0.37% | 0.16% | 0.3% | 0.3% | 0.3% |
| May 2026 | 86.7% | 11.2% | 0.62% | 0.41% | 0.16% | 0.25% | 0.38% | 0.31% |
| Jun 2026 | 88.6% | 9.5% | 0.55% | 0.36% | 0.22% | 0.22% | 0.27% | 0.22% |
| Jul 2026 | 84.3% | 13.4% | 0.57% | 0.54% | 0.46% | 0.3% | 0.25% | 0.2% |
| Aug 2026 | 81.8% | 15.5% | 0.72% | 0.59% | 0.53% | 0.29% | 0.23% | 0.29% |
| Sep 2026 | 82.4% | 15.2% | 0.57% | 0.57% | 0.34% | 0.34% | 0.28% | 0.23% |
How has the Icebreaker and Macpac comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Macpac was ahead of Icebreaker in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Icebreaker’s share of searches among base layer brands in New Zealand moved from 0.56% to 0.57%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 370 to 350.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Macpac’s share of searches among base layer brands in New Zealand moved from 90% to 82.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 59.8K to 50.4K.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand base layer brands in September 2026?
1 change

In September 2026, Macpac gained share of searches among base layer brands in New Zealand, from 81.8% to 82.4%.
How are branded searches counted?
16 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Icebreaker’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.
Icebreaker
2 branded search terms
- icebreaker clothing
- icebreaker clothing sale
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
Other head-to-heads among base layer brands

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