Trends in Camping Gear For 2016

• 18th Jan 2016

There is good news all round for those in the camping industry. More and more of us are getting into the great outdoors with our tents, caravans and camper vans and the growth seems set to continue to grow. As new product lines are revealed for 2016, there are certain trends in camping that seem to stand out. Here are some of the key trends in camping gear for the coming year:

Family Camping:

Family camping is a booming business. More and more families are packing up and heading to campsites, especially in the summer. Many of these families are discovering that camping does not have to be a back to basics experience. The trend towards a more luxurious camping experience continues this year, with a wide range of products that make the experience of camping with kids a more relaxing and enjoyable experience. From roomy tents to kid-friendly packs and even an almost full family kitchen for camp cooking – there are plenty of new products that cater to this summer/ weekend camping market. This sector of the market is clearly not one that is going to diminish any time soon.

Adventure Glamping:

One major change developing is a shift we are seeing towards the younger end of the market. Teens and those in their twenties seem to be embracing the outdoors life in record numbers and we are seeing an increasing number of products aimed at this young, adventurous and tech savvy market. Younger campers seem to be demanding the ability to adventure without having to cut back to basics. There is a trend towards setting up elaborate base camps from which to hike, bike or enjoy the playground of nature in a variety of different ways. While light weight gear is also still a dominant part of the camping gear market, for Gen Z and Millennials, comfort is key. They demand all the comforts of home and are definitely loath to be parted from their screens.

High Spec. & Tech:

Innovation is constant in this market and that amazing development in spec. and tech. is just set to continue in 2016. From lighter weight sleeping bags to lighter and more comfortable packs, comfort and refinement of ideas is key to many new product lines. Innovation has also met the above trends to make camping ever more comfortable and luxurious, bring us things such as lights in tents to a range of new or improved products to help us charge our devices and keep all our mod cons in the wild. Hearteningly, there is also more development in the eco-friendly arena, with plenty of offerings that take ethically conscious consumers further in the right direction. Materials science in eco outdoor clothing continues to develop apace and as more and more of us go camping, the breadth of the market and the range of products on offer continue to grow and grow.