Ou t doo r Gea r by Danielle Renda ‘Gearing Up’ For The Outdoors For eons, people have regarded the great outdoors as a source of peace, inspiration, tranquility and retreat. From the colors of the changing seasons and the ethereal landscapes of places both near and far, to coexisting with wildlife and listening to the dulcet sounds of crashing waves or snowflakes gently collecting on the ground, there’s a lot to take in and appreciate out-of-doors. And nowadays, in the midst of a pandemic, consumers are spending more time outside, whether that’s embarking on an adventurous hike, planning a camping trip or walking the dog around the neighborhood. Despite the many detriments stirred by the coronavirus, one of the inadvertent benefits was swaying more Americans to spend time outside. Outdoor activities peaked in popularity in the ’80s and early ’90s, but participation has been dwindling ever since, writes Scientific American; something propelled by the advent Consumers are discovering a renewed appreciation for and interest in outdoor activities—whether that’s partaking in actionpacked sports or taking longer walks around the neighborhood—and presenting brands with a new opportunity to enhance the end-user experience. 22 | JANUARY 2022 | INNOVATE
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