There is a group of people who carry backpacks, bring their own meals and a few bottles of water, stay away from the hustle and bustle of the city, and venture into the mountains and waters to get close to nature, unwind, relieve stress, and gain health. There is also a group of people who trek along rugged mountain paths, climb hills, scale cliffs, cross broken walls, wade through streams, all while panting heavily, just to find the most beautiful scenery. These people are backpackers.
Backpackers market potential is huge; domestic outdoor gear is poised for explosive growth
In developed countries, outdoor sports have evolved from a “niche activity” to a mainstream pastime. The annual output value of outdoor gear in the United States exceeds $10 billion, and the EU sees annual sales of €55 billion, while in China it’s less than one-tenth of that. The domestic outdoor gear industry is in a phase of rapid growth. Although the development of outdoor gear in China has only been around for a little over a decade, the pace has been swift, with an average annual growth rate of 48.9%. Currently, the consumer base in this sector in China is still in the early stages of outdoor sports awareness. With consumption growth driven by GDP increases, shifts in consumer interests, coupled with China’s abundant outdoor tourism resources and the booming development of outdoor travel activities, it is projected that in the next five years, the domestic outdoor gear market will maintain an average annual growth rate of no less than 40%.
Essential gear every backpacker must carry
Backpacking is actually a form of outdoor sport. Backpackers typically plan and arrange their own food, clothing, accommodation, and transportation, with the goal of experiencing nature. They bring all necessary travel items themselves, representing a freer and more independent way of traveling.
There are many things you need to prepare, including clothing, backpacks, mats, sleeping bags, shoes, tents, water containers, maps, compasses, lighting, sunglasses, knives, protective gear/medications, etc. If you’re a professional backpacker, you may also need to bring a GPS satellite locator, cycling shoes and clothing, ice axes/ice screws for mountaineering, and diving equipment for underwater activities. Among these, the GPS satellite locator is increasingly valued by backpackers and is gradually becoming one of the essential pieces of gear.