The outdoor apparel and accessories market is changing — more people are embracing comfortable, casual gear. To help you stay ahead of the trends, here’s what you need to know about the outdoor industry:
Trend # 1: More people are getting outside
A report by Skyquest says the outdoor apparel market is growing, with a CAGR of 5.45% between 2024 and 2031, as more people around the world enjoy the outdoors. Annual visits to U.S. National Parks, for example, increased by more than 50 million between 2013 and 2023.
North America and Asia Pacific’s markets are expected to increase the most significantly during the next few years, according to Skyquest. Demand for sports and outdoor gear and fashion is likely to increase as more people hike, climb mountains, and explore.
Trend # 2: Gorpcore and techwear trends transforming outdoor into urban fashion
Fashion that used to be purchased for technical use by outdoor enthusiasts is finding its way into more closets as trendy streetwear, and it’s driving higher demand and interest in such items as fleece jackets, hiking pants, and trail running shoes.
Among celebrities and style devotees, gorpcore urban fashion (gorp stands for Good Old Fashioned Raisins and Peanuts, the trail mix popular with hikers and adventurers) is trending in 2024. TeenVOGUE noted gorpcore trends on TikTok and in wardrobes popularized by Kendall Jenner, Bella Hadid, and other influencers.
According to Retail Dive, Stanley and Arc’teryx are two of the fastest-growing brands right now in outdoor apparel and accessories. Arc’teryx is opening brick-and-mortar stores in major cities, with new locations in Chicago and New York City.
You can use NuORDER Assortments to highlight suggested buys for key retailers. Designs that incorporate outdoor technical details and aesthetics may appeal to gorpcore consumers and allow brands to take advantage of the outdoor market’s growth.
Trend # 3: PFAS and forever chemicals reductions and bans
With rising concerns about adverse health effects from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), sometimes dubbed ‘forever chemicals,’ some retailers of outdoor apparel and accessories are planning to eliminate or phase-out PFAS from their supply chains. PFAS chemicals have a variety of uses and applications, particularly for waterproofing and creating stain-resistant apparel, making them relatively common and pervasive in outdoor fashion.
Recently, the Outdoor Industry Association created a Clean Chemistry and Materials Coalition to help the outdoor industry transition away from PFAS. REI released updated standards last year that apply to their roughly 1,000 suppliers, and KEEN reduced PFAS usage by finding alternatives and working with suppliers to eliminate the chemicals from the manufacturing process.
Trend # 4: Outdoor brands using futuristic tech
Outdoor apparel and accessories brands aren’t shy about incorporating technology into their pieces, but we expect to see the industry increasingly add robotics, integrated wearables, and other future-focused components into new fashion.
Consider the Mo/Go robotic pant, for example. It’s the result of a Skip and Arc’teryx collaboration.
Trend # 5: Segmenting markets: fashion fans or tech-obsessed?
When technical gear is fashionable, sports and outdoor brands have multiple segments of consumers vying for the same products. That utilitarian travel mug or sharply designed rain jacket has fans with very different needs and very different reasons to buy.
As AI and related technologies continue to influence wholesale and retail, brands have more information and more personalization capabilities available than ever before. It’s easier to target and differentiate marketing efforts for different segments of consumers. The hyper-personalization McKinsey predicted for 2025 seems imminent.
When you segment your wholesale customers with NuORDER, you can customize online catalogs, create unique, B2C-like experiences, and use data to gain a competitive advantage.
To learn more about how NuORDER can support your sports and outdoor brand, book a demo.
