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years, and mummy sleeping bag sales
($131 million in 2013 to $155 million
in 2015) largely drove growth in the
sleeping bag segment. Of course,
plenty of backpacking products never
actually see the backcountry. And it’s
probably safe to assume many urban
and Millennial campers are attracted
to backpacking gear more for its
reputation for quality, compact and
sleek design and brand cachet than its
ability to perform in remote areas.
Backcountry or backyard, urban,
event or family camper, one trend
remains firmly entrenched: camping is
no longer necessarily associated with
roughing it. To previous generations, a
camp site typically meant a night away
from the amenities of home. Today’s
affordable technology and clever
product marketing, however, allows
us to conveniently bring the comforts
of home along with us. Hatchets
and hot-dogs on a stick have been
replaced by gourmet backpacking food
and nesting champagne flutes. And
outdoor consumers seem to be really
comfortable with the change.
Indeed, items largely associated
with comfort – such as camp furniture,
Outdoor Retail Backpacking Items Dollar Volumes
Category
2013
2014
2015
% Change
’13 to ’14
% Change
’14 to ’15
Backpacking tents total
$111,093,825
$131,985,545
$149,570,259
18.8%
13.3%
Bivy tents
$1,820,729
$1,836,337
$2,329,304
0.9%
26.8%
Mummy sleeping bags
$131,091,167
$137,478,912
$154,958,018
4.9%
12.7%
Dehydrated food total
$28,232,873
$29,661,021
$34,403,294
5.1%
16.0%
Backpacking sleeping pads/
mattresses total
$69,397,901
$70,436,277
$76,775,804
1.5%
9.0%
One-burner stove sets
$13,129,505
$14,125,703
$15,732,913
7.6%
11.4%
One-burner stoves
$22,531,243
$21,830,228
$22,989,183
-3.1%
5.3%
Water filters totals
$24,244,034
$27,829,483
$31,691,145
14.8%
13.9%
Source: The NPD Group retail tracking reports
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