Columbia vs La Sportiva:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, La Sportiva had more branded searches than Columbia among hiking shoe brands in New Zealand. La Sportiva had about 1,300 branded searches, while Columbia had 350. La Sportiva made up 7.2% of all hiking shoe brand searches we track, and Columbia accounted for 1.9%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about hiking shoe brands, Columbia and La Sportiva each appeared in two of the four answers. La Sportiva was mentioned before Columbia in two out of three answers that named either.
Who do people search for more?
La Sportiva, about 4 searches for every 1 for Columbia
Who does AI mention more?
Both were mentioned in 2 of 4 answers.
Who does AI recommend more?
La Sportiva, named ahead of Columbia in 2 of 3 answers
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Top hiking shoe brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, Columbia was mentioned in two out of four: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in the Google AI Overview. La Sportiva was mentioned in two out of four: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in the Google AI Overview. La Sportiva was listed before Columbia in two out of three answers that named either.
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 La Sportiva more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Columbia and La Sportiva 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 La Sportiva, Columbia. 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 La Sportiva comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- La Sportiva was ahead of Columbia in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- 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, La Sportiva’s share of searches among hiking shoe brands in New Zealand moved from 5.7% to 7.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 1K to 1.3K.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand hiking shoe brands in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, La Sportiva lost share of searches among hiking shoe brands in New Zealand, from 8.9% to 7.2%.
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?
3 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Columbia’s and La Sportiva’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
La Sportiva
1 branded search term
- la sportiva
Other head-to-heads among hiking shoe brands
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