Norsewood vs The Wool Company:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Norsewood had more branded searches than The Wool Company among sock brands in New Zealand. Norsewood had about 1,710 branded searches, while The Wool Company had 1,300. Norsewood made up 19.7% of all sock brand searches we track, and The Wool Company accounted for 15%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about sock brands, The Wool Company appeared in two of the five answers and Norsewood in one. The Wool Company was mentioned before Norsewood in two out of three answers that named either.
Who do people search for more?
Norsewood, about 32% more searches than The Wool Company
Who does AI mention more?
The Wool Company, mentioned in 2 of 5 answers, Norsewood in 1
Who does AI recommend more?
The Wool Company, named ahead of Norsewood in 2 of 3 answers
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Top sock brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, The Wool Company was mentioned in two out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Norsewood was mentioned in one out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. The Wool Company was listed before Norsewood 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.
Norsewear5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Icebreaker3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
NZ Sock Company2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers- The Wool Company2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Norsewood1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Smartwool1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Darn Tough1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Stance0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Happy Socks0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Thorlo0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about sock brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which sock brand should I buy in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best sock brands in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best sock brand in New Zealand for everyday wear?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“comfortable socks”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“merino socks 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 21, 2026.
Is Norsewood or The Wool Company more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Norsewood and The Wool Company by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all 11 sock brands we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for Norsewood, The Wool Company. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Norsewear | Norsewood | NZ Sock Company | The Wool Company | Smartwool | Darn Tough | Stance | Icebreaker | Happy Socks | Thorlo | Lorpen |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 13.6% | 27.8% | 13% | 13.6% | 8.5% | 5.9% | 6.5% | 3.5% | 4.5% | 2.9% | 0.14% |
| Nov 2025 | 42.9% | 20.9% | 9% | 6.5% | 5.3% | 3.4% | 4.7% | 1.7% | 3.2% | 2.1% | 0.2% |
| Dec 2025 | 15.3% | 23.6% | 13.1% | 11.7% | 9.5% | 6.2% | 8.5% | 3.1% | 5.8% | 3.1% | 0.23% |
| Jan 2026 | 15.3% | 29.6% | 11.7% | 15.3% | 9.1% | 6.3% | 3.8% | 3.8% | 2.1% | 2.5% | 0.47% |
| Feb 2026 | 12.5% | 37.3% | 11.7% | 12.5% | 8.2% | 6.2% | 4% | 3.2% | 2.2% | 1.7% | 0.37% |
| Mar 2026 | 14% | 27.4% | 12.8% | 17.2% | 8% | 7.3% | 4.2% | 4.2% | 2.4% | 2.3% | 0.22% |
| Apr 2026 | 21.2% | 22.7% | 10.5% | 21.2% | 6.9% | 6.2% | 3.4% | 4.2% | 1.6% | 1.9% | 0.18% |
| May 2026 | 19.8% | 18.1% | 11.7% | 30% | 7.1% | 4.2% | 2.7% | 3.3% | 1.5% | 1.4% | 0.2% |
| Jun 2026 | 21.6% | 15.7% | 10.1% | 26.8% | 8% | 6.4% | 4.4% | 3.6% | 1.6% | 1.6% | 0.22% |
| Jul 2026 | 22% | 16% | 10.5% | 27.3% | 8.3% | 5.5% | 3.6% | 3.6% | 1.6% | 1.3% | 0.3% |
| Aug 2026 | 21.2% | 18.3% | 12% | 21.2% | 10.2% | 5.2% | 3.4% | 4.2% | 2.3% | 1.9% | 0.18% |
| Sep 2026 | 21.9% | 19.7% | 16.4% | 15% | 8.4% | 5.8% | 4.5% | 3% | 2.5% | 2.4% | 0.23% |
How has the Norsewood and The Wool Company comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- The lead changed hands 2 times in the 12 months ending September 2026: The Wool Company took it in May 2026, Norsewood took it in September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Norsewood’s share of searches among sock brands in New Zealand moved from 27.8% to 19.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 2K to 1.7K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, The Wool Company’s share of searches among sock brands in New Zealand moved from 13.6% to 15%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 1K to 1.3K.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand sock brands in September 2026?
3 changes
In September 2026, Norsewood overtook The Wool Company to rank 2nd among sock brands in New Zealand, with 19.7% of the searches.
In September 2026, NZ Sock Company overtook The Wool Company to rank 3rd among sock brands in New Zealand, with 16.4% of the searches.
In September 2026, The Wool Company lost share of searches among sock brands in New Zealand, from 21.2% to 15%.
How are branded searches counted?
3 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Norsewood’s and The Wool Company’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.
Norsewood
2 branded search terms
- norsewood
- norsewood socks
The Wool Company
1 branded search term
- the wool company
Other head-to-heads among sock brands
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