Brandwave

Exped vs Kathmandu:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Kathmandu had more branded searches than Exped among sleeping bag brands in New Zealand. Kathmandu had about 57,600 branded searches, while Exped had 250. Kathmandu made up 52.1% of all sleeping bag brand searches we track, and Exped accounted for 0.23%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about sleeping bag brands, Kathmandu appeared in two of the three answers and Exped in none.

Among sleeping bag brands in New Zealand in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Kathmandu, about 230 searches for every 1 for Exped

Kathmandu 57.6K searchesExped 250 searches

Who does AI mention more?

Kathmandu, mentioned in 2 of 3 answers, Exped in 0

Kathmandu in 2 of 3Exped in 0 of 3

Who does AI recommend more?

Kathmandu, the only one of the two named

Kathmandu first in 2Exped never named

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Top sleeping bag brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions, Kathmandu was mentioned in two out of three: in two of the three ChatGPT answers. Exped did not appear in any of the three answers.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. Macpac1st
  2. Sea to Summit2nd
  3. Kathmandu3rd
  4. One Planet4th
  5. Rab4th
  6. Therm-a-Rest–
  7. Exped–
  8. Big Agnes–

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • Macpac3 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers
  • Sea to Summit3 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers
  • Kathmandu2 of 3Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answers
  • One Planet2 of 3Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answers
  • Rab1 of 3Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answers
  • Therm-a-Rest0 of 3Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answers
  • Exped0 of 3Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answers
  • Big Agnes0 of 3Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answers

See every answer about sleeping bag brands

3 answers

  • Asked ChatGPT

    “Which sleeping bag brand should I buy in New Zealand?”

    1. 1Kathmandu
    2. 2Macpac
    3. 3Sea to Summit

  • Asked ChatGPT

    “What are the best sleeping bag brands in New Zealand?”

    1. 1Macpac
    2. 2Sea to Summit
    3. 3Rab
    4. 4One Planet

  • Asked ChatGPT

    “What's the best sleeping bag brand in New Zealand for tramping and camping?”

    1. 1Macpac
    2. 2Sea to Summit
    3. 3Kathmandu
    4. 4One Planet

  • Searched Google, AI Overview

    “best sleeping bag nz”

    Google showed no AI Overview for this search.

  • Searched Google, AI Overview

    “lightweight sleeping bag nz”

    Google showed no AI Overview for this search.

Not named in any answer:

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 19, 2026.

Is Exped or Kathmandu more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Exped and Kathmandu by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight sleeping bag brands we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.

Exped and Kathmandu among sleeping bag brands in New Zealand, by month

Share of searches by month for Kathmandu, Exped. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthKathmanduMacpacSea to SummitTherm-a-RestExpedOne PlanetRabBig Agnes
Oct 202547.7%50.4%0.73%0.4%0.23%0.17%0.14%0.17%
Nov 202552.5%45.9%0.62%0.37%0.26%0.16%0.11%0.16%
Dec 202548.7%49.9%0.54%0.31%0.21%0.11%0.11%0.11%
Jan 202648.6%49.6%0.65%0.39%0.31%0.17%0.14%0.17%
Feb 202647.6%50.3%0.81%0.48%0.31%0.21%0.17%0.14%
Mar 202647.9%50.2%0.68%0.36%0.29%0.27%0.18%0.14%
Apr 202652.2%46.3%0.54%0.26%0.23%0.13%0.2%0.1%
May 202648.4%50.1%0.59%0.22%0.21%0.17%0.21%0.09%
Jun 202649.3%49.5%0.41%0.2%0.18%0.15%0.15%0.08%
Jul 202654%44.7%0.44%0.17%0.17%0.2%0.16%0.07%
Aug 202652.6%45.9%0.54%0.26%0.23%0.2%0.2%0.11%
Sep 202652.1%46.3%0.65%0.29%0.23%0.15%0.15%0.1%

How has the Exped and Kathmandu comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • Kathmandu was ahead of Exped in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Exped’s share of searches among sleeping bag brands in New Zealand held steady at 0.23%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 280 to 250.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Kathmandu’s share of searches among sleeping bag brands in New Zealand moved from 47.7% to 52.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 57.4K to 57.6K.

How did search popularity change for New Zealand sleeping bag brands in September 2026?

1 change

  1. Estimated monthly branded searches for Exped in New Zealand fell 10.7% over 12 measured months, from 280 to 250 in September 2026.

How are branded searches counted?

21 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Exped’s and Kathmandu’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.

Exped

2 branded search terms

  • exped
  • exped sleeping pad

Kathmandu

19 branded search terms

  • Kathmandu
  • kathmandu bayfair
  • kathmandu beach shelter
  • kathmandu beach trolley
  • kathmandu botany
  • kathmandu gloves
  • kathmandu lyall bay
  • kathmandu northland
  • kathmandu outlet
  • kathmandu retreat 280
  • kathmandu retreat 80
  • kathmandu socks
  • kathmandu st lukes
  • kathmandu sylvia park
  • kathmandu tower junction
  • kathmandu trolley
  • kathmandu vest
  • kathmandu waitakere
  • kathmandu westgate

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among sleeping bag brands

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