Columbia vs Salomon:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Columbia had more branded searches than Salomon among hiking shoe brands in New Zealand. Columbia had about 350 branded searches, while Salomon had 280. Columbia made up 1.9% of all hiking shoe brand searches we track, and Salomon accounted for 1.6%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about hiking shoe brands, Salomon appeared in three of the four answers and Columbia in two. Salomon was mentioned before Columbia in three out of four answers.
Who do people search for more?
Columbia, about 25% more searches than Salomon
Who does AI mention more?
Salomon, mentioned in 3 of 4 answers, Columbia in 2
Who does AI recommend more?
Salomon, named ahead of Columbia in 3 of 4 answers
Follow Columbia vs Salomon 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 hiking shoe brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, Salomon was mentioned in three out of four: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in the Google AI Overview. Columbia was mentioned in two out of four: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in the Google AI Overview. Salomon was listed before Columbia in three out of four 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.
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.
Is Columbia or Salomon more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Columbia and Salomon by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven hiking shoe brands we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for Columbia, Salomon. 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% |
How has the Columbia and Salomon comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- The lead changed hands 2 times in the 12 months ending September 2026: Salomon took it in November 2025, Columbia took it in December 2025.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Columbia’s share of searches among hiking shoe brands in New Zealand moved from 1.8% to 1.9%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 320 to 350.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Salomon’s share of searches among hiking shoe brands in New Zealand moved from 1.5% to 1.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 260 to 280.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand hiking shoe brands in September 2026?
1 change
In September 2026, Columbia lost share of searches among hiking shoe brands in New Zealand, from 2.9% to 1.9%.
How are branded searches counted?
4 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Columbia’s and Salomon’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.
Other head-to-heads among hiking shoe 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.