Spring outing season sees high demand for outdoor gear despite premium prices

　　For popular spring outdoor travel routes, Mafengwo recommends the Hidden Apricot Paradise in Ili, Xinjiang. Every late April, pink apricot blossoms blanket the mountains, while leisurely grazing cattle and horses, along with cottages nestled behind poplar trees and emitting cooking smoke, leave a deep impression.

　　In terms of transportation, travelers can first fly to Urumqi and then transfer to a train. Flights from Guangzhou to Urumqi have relatively stable prices, with discounts of around 50%.

　　Xishuangbanna – Explore the tropical rainforest

　　Mafengwo recommends exploring the tropical rainforest of Xishuangbanna in April. Seasonally, November to April is the peak tourist season in Xishuangbanna, with mild temperatures, and it’s also when the annual Water-Splashing Festival takes place. June to September, on the other hand, is unbearably hot. This primeval forest is dotted with Dai bamboo houses, nearly 100-meter-tall sky-reaching trees, lush banyan trees, and more. In addition, it’s home to a variety of wildlife.

　　Reporters learned that most flights from Guangzhou to Xishuangbanna involve transfers, with prices generally at 45–50% off before May Day, about 1,100 yuan. There’s only one direct flight, but its discount is above 80%.

　　Our newspaper reports (Reporter Yang Shan) As spring blooms once again, many citizens plan to travel during the holidays, driving strong sales of outdoor sportswear. Recently, reporters visited major malls in the city and found that while clothing and footwear promotions average around 50–60% off, outdoor sportswear sees fewer or no discounts despite price increases.

　　The growth in economic and consumer power has led people to seek more professional and functional attire for outdoor activities, greatly boosting the outdoor gear market. Data from the Outdoor Products Branch of the China Textile Commerce Association (COCA) shows that in 2012, China’s outdoor products market reached a total retail value of 14.52 billion yuan, up 34.94% year-on-year. Currently, international outdoor brands in China have reached an unprecedented 418 stores, up 11.77% from 374 in 2011.

　　Reporters visited multiple department stores in the city and found that new spring and summer collections are already on sale, with some items discounted. For example, at Dongshan Department Store, most new spring and summer styles are 32% off, with some even available for as low as 30 yuan. At Friendship Times Store, most shoes in the special sale are 20–60% off, with an additional 20% off on top. At Guangbai Beijing Road Store, a men’s brand special sale offers 10–40% off, with selected counter items at 50% off for one piece, 30% off for two, and an extra 5% off for purchases over two items. At Sunlight Department Store Liwan Store, seasonal new arrivals offer 40 yuan off for every 100 yuan spent. At Modern Department Store, most current spring and summer new arrivals are 50% off, and so on.

　　However, looking at the outdoor gear sections in malls, discounts on spring and summer outdoor clothing—especially international premium outdoor sportswear—are rare or nonexistent: a single-layer windbreaker often costs over 1,500 yuan, and a pair of outdoor sports shoes often exceeds 1,000 yuan.

　　It’s understood that outdoor gear prices this year have risen by 10–20% compared to last year. Despite the high prices, they haven’t dampened consumer enthusiasm. Veteran outdoor enthusiast Mr. Zhong said, “Outdoor gear is truly worth every penny—cheap ones just aren’t good. For example, windbreakers made with GORE-TEX material are much more expensive than those without. Some so-called windbreakers without it might cost just a few hundred yuan for a three-piece set, but they have poor waterproofing and breathability, and fleece garments pill after just a few washes.”

　　Reporters also found that when outdoor brands offer even slight discounts, it significantly boosts sales. At a Guangbai outdoor brand counter, winter and some spring clothing are 30% off, but the salesperson told reporters, “Two-piece winter sets sell even better than some spring items.” She did the math: a 2,340-yuan two-piece winter set with a windbreaker and fleece jacket, at 30% off, costs 1,638 yuan—about the same as the original price of a spring item.

　　Meanwhile, a certain international premium outdoor brand with counters at both Guangbai and Friendship is running a promotion: buy any full-price item over 1,500 yuan and get 300 yuan off immediately, which is quite attractive. In the over ten minutes the reporter spent at the brand’s counter, a male customer bought a backpack originally priced over 1,800 yuan, effectively getting a 20% discount.

　　1. With a wide variety and high prices, consumers should choose outdoor gear based on their spending power and actual needs for outdoor activities.

　　2. The biggest difference between outdoor clothing and regular clothes is functionality. When purchasing, focus on items with notable features such as breathability, durable wind and water resistance, and lightweight design. Outdoor clothing usually indicates fabric types on the label, and specific protection levels for windproof or waterproof functions. Different levels suit different environments like forests or plateaus.

　　3. Save money by taking advantage of merchant and brand promotions. For example, in the “spend 1,500 yuan, get 300 yuan off” promotion, you can team up with friends to combine orders and get what you each need. Brand counter staff also revealed that they hold at least one or two large promotions per year, usually around July or August.