Brandwave

Columbia vs First Lite:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Columbia had more branded searches than First Lite among base layer brands in New Zealand. Columbia had about 350 branded searches, while First Lite had 140. Columbia made up 0.57% 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 Columbia nor First Lite appeared in any of the five answers.

Among base layer brands in New Zealand in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Columbia, about 3 searches for every 1 for First Lite

Columbia 350 searchesFirst Lite 140 searches

Who does AI mention more?

Both were mentioned in 0 of 5 answers.

Columbia in 0 of 5First Lite in 0 of 5

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Top base layer brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, neither Columbia 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.

  1. Icebreaker1st
  2. Mons Royale2nd
  3. Macpac3rd
  4. Devold4th
  5. Columbia–
  6. Burton–
  7. Castelli–
  8. First Lite–

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

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 Columbia or First Lite more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Columbia 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.

Columbia and First Lite among base layer brands in New Zealand, by month

Share of searches by month for Columbia, First Lite. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthMacpacMons RoyaleColumbiaIcebreakerBurtonDevoldCastelliFirst Lite
Oct 202590%7.9%0.48%0.56%0.14%0.26%0.32%0.32%
Nov 202589%9.4%0.34%0.49%0.09%0.26%0.26%0.21%
Dec 202591.1%7.6%0.43%0.28%0.07%0.21%0.17%0.14%
Jan 202690.6%7.7%0.52%0.34%0.13%0.31%0.21%0.21%
Feb 202688.9%9%0.53%0.46%0.16%0.38%0.3%0.3%
Mar 202687.3%10.9%0.44%0.46%0.11%0.31%0.25%0.25%
Apr 202686.9%11%0.58%0.37%0.16%0.3%0.3%0.3%
May 202686.7%11.2%0.62%0.41%0.16%0.25%0.38%0.31%
Jun 202688.6%9.5%0.55%0.36%0.22%0.22%0.27%0.22%
Jul 202684.3%13.4%0.57%0.54%0.46%0.3%0.25%0.2%
Aug 202681.8%15.5%0.72%0.59%0.53%0.29%0.23%0.29%
Sep 202682.4%15.2%0.57%0.57%0.34%0.34%0.28%0.23%

How has the Columbia and First Lite comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • Columbia was ahead of First Lite in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Columbia’s share of searches among base layer brands in New Zealand moved from 0.48% to 0.57%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 320 to 350.
  • 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?

1 change

  1. In September 2026, First Lite fell from 7th to 8th among base layer brands in New Zealand.

How are branded searches counted?

3 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Columbia’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.

Columbia

2 branded search terms

  • columbia sportswear
  • columbia sportswear fleece

First Lite

1 branded search term

  • first lite

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among base layer brands

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