Brandwave

Ksubi vs Lee:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Ksubi had more branded searches than Lee among denim brands in New Zealand. Ksubi had about 1,300 branded searches, while Lee had 320. Ksubi made up 9.5% of all denim brand searches we track, and Lee accounted for 2.3%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about denim brands, Lee appeared in three of the five answers and Ksubi in one. Lee was mentioned before Ksubi in three out of four answers.

Among denim brands in New Zealand in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Ksubi, about 4 searches for every 1 for Lee

Ksubi 1.3K searchesLee 320 searches

Who does AI mention more?

Lee, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, Ksubi in 1

Lee in 3 of 5Ksubi in 1 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Lee, named ahead of Ksubi in 3 of 4 answers

Lee first in 3Ksubi first in 1

Follow Ksubi vs Lee 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

Track your brand against a rival →

Top denim brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Lee was mentioned in three out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Ksubi was mentioned in one out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Lee was listed before Ksubi in three out of four answers.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. Levi's1st
  2. Neuw2nd
  3. Lee3rd
  4. Nudie Jeans4th
  5. Glassons5th
  6. Wrangler6th
  7. Ksubi7th
  8. Abrand–

Mentioned by AI

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

  • Levi's4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Neuw4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Wrangler3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Lee3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Glassons2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Nudie Jeans2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Ksubi1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Abrand0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about denim 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 21, 2026.

Is Ksubi or Lee more popular in search?

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

Ksubi and Lee among denim brands in New Zealand, by month

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

View monthly share of searches table
MonthLevi'sAbrandGlassonsKsubiNudie JeansNeuwWranglerLee
Oct 202538.4%19%8.4%8.4%10.9%6.8%4.8%3.3%
Nov 202537%20.6%7.1%10.5%10.5%6.4%4.6%3.2%
Dec 202534.4%21.8%6.8%12.2%12.2%5.7%4.5%2.4%
Jan 202632.8%20.4%8%11.9%11.9%6.3%5.8%2.9%
Feb 202635%20.3%8.4%9.6%9.6%8%5.4%3.7%
Mar 202634.1%19.5%11%11%9%8.8%3.8%2.7%
Apr 202630.2%22.6%10.6%8.6%10.6%9.5%5.4%2.6%
May 202631.6%19.1%9.9%8%11.7%8.8%7.9%3%
Jun 202636.4%18.9%9.8%7.9%11.6%6.8%5.6%2.9%
Jul 202629.3%21.6%10.2%8.3%12.1%8.3%7.1%3.1%
Aug 202642.2%18.2%8.6%7%8.6%6.6%6.4%2.6%
Sep 202633.9%21.2%9.5%9.5%9.5%9%5.1%2.3%

How has the Ksubi and Lee comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • Ksubi was ahead of Lee in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Ksubi’s share of searches among denim brands in New Zealand moved from 8.4% to 9.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 1K to 1.3K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Lee’s share of searches among denim brands in New Zealand moved from 3.3% to 2.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 390 to 320.

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

2 changes
  1. In September 2026, Ksubi overtook Nudie Jeans to rank 4th among denim brands in New Zealand, with 9.5% of the searches.

  2. Estimated monthly branded searches for Lee in New Zealand fell 17.9% over 12 measured months, from 390 to 320 in September 2026.

How are branded searches counted?

2 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Ksubi’s and Lee’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.

Ksubi

1 branded search term

  • ksubi

Lee

1 branded search term

  • lee jeans

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among denim brands

Creator with pink hair and a pink jacket

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.