Castelli vs First Lite:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Castelli had more branded searches than First Lite among base layer brands in New Zealand. Castelli had about 170 branded searches, while First Lite had 140. Castelli made up 0.28% of all base layer brand searches we track, and First Lite accounted for 0.23%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about base layer brands, neither Castelli nor First Lite appeared in any of the five answers.
Who do people search for more?
Castelli, about 21% more searches than First Lite
Who does AI mention more?
Both were mentioned in 0 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, neither Castelli nor First Lite showed up in any of the 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 Castelli or First Lite more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Castelli and First Lite 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 Castelli, First Lite. 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 Castelli and First Lite comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- The lead changed hands 2 times in the 12 months ending September 2026: First Lite took it in August 2026, Castelli took it in September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Castelli’s share of searches among base layer brands in New Zealand moved from 0.32% to 0.28%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 210 to 170.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, First Lite’s share of searches among base layer brands in New Zealand moved from 0.32% to 0.23%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 210 to 140.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand base layer brands in September 2026?
2 changes

In September 2026, Castelli rose from 8th to 7th among base layer brands in New Zealand.

In September 2026, First Lite fell from 7th to 8th among base layer brands in New Zealand.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Castelli’s and First Lite’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.
Castelli
1 branded search term
- castelli
First Lite
1 branded search term
- first lite
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