Spring is a great time for outings and springtime excursions. Many residents are avoiding the various flower-viewing and spring-outing packages offered by travel agencies, preferring to experience the joy of self-driving trips, which has also led to the peak sales season for outdoor gear. On March 20, reporters visited malls and outdoor gear stores and learned that since March, sales of outdoor products have increased significantly. Industry professionals remind the public to ensure their equipment is complete to avoid disrupting outdoor activities.
Self-driving tours boost outdoor gear sales
With spring here, more and more people are willing to go out for weekend trips. Scenic spots themed around hiking, fruit picking, and flower viewing are gradually becoming more popular, making outdoor travel gear essential. At around 1 p.m. on March 20, reporters visited a mall on Zhengyang Middle Road, where outdoor gear, mainly featuring spring styles, had been placed in prominent positions. Products such as windbreakers, hiking boots, trekking poles, hiking shoes, and outdoor tents were all labeled as "bestsellers."
Mr. Zhang, who was selecting a tent, told reporters that his company has a break from April 4 to April 6, so he plans to take his wife and daughter out for a few days. They initially considered visiting Mengshan in Linyi. Since they own an SUV, he doesn’t plan to join a travel agency—first, to avoid an unsatisfactory experience, and second, because his 6-year-old daughter would find group travel tiring. “This is our family’s first spring outing, so we want to be well-prepared with gear.” Following recommendations from the mall’s sales staff, Mr. Zhang bought a couple’s hiking shoes, a windbreaker, and a three-person tent.
According to Jiao Mengyuan, a salesperson at the mall, since March, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of people inquiring about and purchasing outdoor gear. “We’re now receiving an average of twenty to thirty groups of consumers per day, and nearly 80% of them are planning for the Qingming Festival holiday.” Jiao Mengyuan said that compared to previous years, this year’s sales are much better than last year’s.
Ensure complete gear purchases and avoid common consumer pitfalls
Yu Haiji, founder of the “77 Outdoor Hiking” group, told reporters that outdoor activities generally fall into three categories: the first is purely recreational, mainly for family or friends group outings, where the requirements for outdoor gear are not high—just a set of hiking clothes, hiking shoes, and a tent are enough, usually not costing too much. The second is professional, where participants aren’t regular outdoor-goers but are accustomed to challenging themselves through difficult hikes, and they tend to be picky when selecting gear, often using high-spec products. The third is somewhere between recreational and professional—they usually join outdoor groups and occasionally hike with fellow enthusiasts on weekends, needing relatively more specialized gear.
It is understood that Yu Haiji, 38, has many years of outdoor experience. In 2007, he founded the “77 Outdoor Group,” which now has over 7,000 participants. In his view, outdoor gear is very important. Taking hiking as an example, at least 13 types of gear should be prepared in advance. “For instance, hiking backpacks, trekking poles, windbreakers, gloves, knee pads, hammocks, insulated sports water bottles, outdoor waist packs, and others are commonly used.”
A salesperson at Chengyang Liqun Shopping Mall said that if you need to camp in the wild, a tent is essential. Buying outdoor gear isn’t about having more or more expensive items. “As long as the gear is sturdy and fits your body size, that’s enough. Also, too much outdoor gear can affect the quality of your trip.”
Here are some gear selection tips for reference
How to choose outdoor gear, and what kind of outdoor gear is more practical? On the afternoon of March 20, Yu Haiji, with many years of outdoor experience, shared his insights to help the public select suitable outdoor equipment.
Backpack. Can be carried on the back and holds many items. It is recommended that women choose around 35 liters, while frequent hikers generally find 45–50 liters sufficient.
Hiking shoes. Available in high-cut and low-cut, soft sole and hard sole, brand-name and non-brand. Prices range from sixty or seventy yuan to over a thousand yuan. Women should opt for soft-soled shoes for more comfort. When choosing hiking shoes, it’s best to go half a size larger than your usual shoe size, with about a finger’s width of extra space in the toe box, to avoid injuring your toes when descending. Never buy shoes that fit exactly, or the consequences can be severe.
Trekking poles. These are among the most commonly used items in hiking. A single trekking pole can reduce physical exertion by about one-third, so choosing the right one is quite a science. Trekking poles come in ordinary aluminum, weighing about 350 grams each, priced between 20 and 30 yuan. Aircraft-grade 7075 aluminum poles cost around 50–70 yuan, weigh about 260 grams, are more flexible, and better crafted. Carbon fiber poles, typically 80% carbon, are even lighter (around 210 grams), more flexible, and higher-end, usually priced between 100 and 200 yuan. The collapsed length of trekking poles is generally 65 cm, extending to about 135 cm. Handles come in T-shaped and straight styles, allowing users to choose based on personal preference.
Other gear: Windbreakers: Suitable for autumn, winter, and spring, comfortable and windproof, often with removable layers—you can take off a layer when it’s hot and put it back on when it’s cold. Gloves: Essential for autumn, winter, and spring. Choose based on your needs. Headbands, hydration bladders: Hydration bladders can typically hold 3–5 liters of water, stored in your backpack, with a tube for direct sipping while hiking—no need to carry a bottle.