InsideOutdoor | WINTER 2022 8 Despite efforts to be more inclusive by the winter sports industry, activists and the greater community, winter sports participation has frustratingly gotten whiter. According to SIA’s latest figures, the percentage of “Whites (not Hispanics)” making up winter sports participation has jumped 10 points in the last seven years. Every other ethnic cohort is down compared to 2014. Feeling Used Much of the drive behind the growth in availability of used outdoor gear is a desire to extend the life of products, and thereby reduce their environmental impact, as well as move toward a more circular economy. For consumers, however, there are lots of popular reasons for buying used, and like many other aspects of retail, a lot comes down to price and cost, show SIA findings. What were your reasons for purchasing used winter sports gear in the last year? Found a deal (because it was used) on something I was looking for 67.6% I can get a higher quality product at a lower price since it is used 66.3% Taking part in the sport is expensive overall; I need to cut costs somewhere 45.4% Buying used is better for the environment 39.9% I am buying for children who will quickly grow out of the gear 31.7% Am new to the sport and want to keep costs down as I acquire all the necessary gear 13.4% I do not participate enough to justify new gear 9.8% Source: Snowsports Industries America DEI Takes a Step Backward Then Again … For a plurality of younger consumers, a fitness reality in the outdoors might actually be less appealing than a workout in front of a screen. According to one survey presented by The New Consumer, more members of the Gen Z generation feel “more like yourself” when online versus when offline. This is a significant shift from the sensibilities of Gen Xers and Boomers. Fitness Rush Researchers at RunRepeat.com expect fitness spending to continue to shift away from gym and health club memberships for much of this decade. The numbers would seem to suggest outdoor businesses could see a healthy boom in active and health-conscious consumers looking for new and alternate ways to stay fit. Much of the shift in spending is expected to go toward online/digital fitness options, but we hold onto hope that people will largely prefer a workout outside to one in front of a screen. Overall Winter Sports Participants by Race/Ethnicity 2014-2021 2014 2015 2016 2018 2019/20 2020/21 Whites (not Hispanic) 59% 60% 61% 67% 67.5% 69% Hispanics 17% 16% 16% 13.6% 14% 13.3% Asians 13% 12% 14% 7.7% 7.7% 9.3% Blacks (not Hispanic) 9% 9% 7% 8.7% 9.2% 7% Other/Not specified 2% 3% 2% 3% 1.6% 1.4% Source: Snowsports Industries America
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