The winds of change are constantly reshaping the landscape of travel and outdoor recreation. Participation in these activities has surged in recent years, highlighting a growing desire to connect with nature and explore the world. According to the Outdoor Foundation’s 2022 Outdoor Participation Trends Report, a remarkable 164.2 million Americans aged six and older engaged in outdoor activities in 2021, marking a 2.2% increase from the previous year. This signifies that over half (54%) of the U.S. population is actively embracing the outdoors. Simultaneously, the travel industry demonstrates a robust recovery and expansion, exceeding pre-pandemic levels. This surge in outdoor enthusiasm and travel necessitates continuous innovation from gear manufacturers to meet the evolving needs of a diverse and expanding market.
As the outdoor and travel sectors experience this dynamic growth, gear companies are responding with a renewed focus on sustainability, inclusivity, and environmentally conscious practices. The year 2023 promises to be a pivotal one, marked by a shift away from harmful chemicals, a rise in DIY repair and second-hand gear options, a commitment to circularity, greater product transparency, and a dedication to accessibility and inclusivity. Let’s delve into the key trends that are poised to define The Top Travel and Outdoor Gear Trends of 2023.
Bye, PFCs
For years, per- or polyfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) have been the go-to ingredient for waterproofing treatments in outdoor and travel gear. Their effectiveness in repelling moisture made them a seemingly indispensable component. However, growing awareness of their detrimental impact on the environment has spurred a significant shift in the industry. These "forever chemicals" persist in the environment and accumulate in animals, posing long-term ecological risks.
Recognizing the urgency of this issue, many brands have embarked on a mission to develop alternative waterproofing solutions that eliminate the need for PFCs. Patagonia has been at the forefront of this movement, initiating changes to the chemistry behind its waterproofing processes back in 2019. Corey Simpson, Patagonia’s communications manager, emphasizes the profound impact of this seemingly small adjustment on the planet and the apparel industry as a whole. Patagonia aims to achieve 100% PFC-free water-repellent materials by 2024, with 78% already achieved.
A significant breakthrough in this endeavor came with Gore, the company behind Gore-Tex, announcing a new Polyethylene (ePE) membrane that is entirely PFC-free. As a major supplier of waterproofing materials to numerous brands globally, Gore’s innovation represents a substantial step toward eliminating PFCs from outdoor and travel gear.
Patagonia plans to incorporate the new ePE membrane into its Storm Shift kit for the current ski season. Mountain Hardwear is also set to launch its first jacket featuring the ePE membrane in the fall of 2023. According to Chris Curtis, senior product manager of Mountain Hardwear’s Outerwear division, the Trailverse Jacket will be the first offering to utilize Gore-TEX ePE in a 3-layer construction. He adds that Mountain Hardwear recognizes the importance of transitioning to sustainable materials and is actively incorporating them into its new products.
Curtis further highlights Mountain Hardwear’s proactive approach in adopting C0 (PFAS-free) DWR for almost all its products and embracing Gore-Tex’s more sustainable membrane. The urgency of this shift is underscored by the fact that numerous states have enacted legislation to ban forever chemicals. Besides Mountain Hardwear and Patagonia, other brands slated to adopt the new tech in 2023 include Adidas, Arc’teryx, Dakine, Reusch, Salomon, and Ziener.
Polartec, another prominent player in the textile industry, is also poised to launch a new PFAS-free material. David Karstad, Polartec’s creative director, explains that Polartec is continually seeking new living matter substitutes for petroleum-based products while enhancing the efficiency and performance of its fabrics and materials. The new bio-based Polartec Power Shield waterproof breathable fabric technology, set to debut in outdoor apparel and gear in 2023, exemplifies this commitment.
The new material represents a fusion of plant-based and non-PFAS materials, resulting in a combination of waterproofness, windproofness, breathability, durability, and comfortable stretch.
Ramesh Kesh, senior vice president of Research, Sustainability, and Textile Development at Milliken, Polartec’s parent company, emphasizes that the heart of Polartec Power Shield’s functionality lies in its advanced membrane technology. This durable monolithic membrane acts as a barrier, preventing external weather elements from penetrating while facilitating the transfer of moisture vapor from skin to the surface through molecular diffusion.
DIY Repair and Second-Hand Gear
The concept of extending the lifespan of gear through repair and reuse is gaining traction. Patagonia’s decision to include repair kits with its clothing and gear underscores its commitment to reducing waste and fostering a culture of resourcefulness. Starting in February 2023, Patagonia began including Worn Wear Patch Kits with select products.
Lauren Bigelow, Patagonia’s Worn Wear marketing manager, emphasizes that these kits are designed to empower individuals to perform on-the-go repairs. The tools included are intended to serve as adventure companions, enabling users to keep their gear in use and continue their adventures, regardless of any snags that may arise.
Patagonia continues to share educational repair videos on its repair page and Worn Wear Instagram channel and host repair and DIY workshops in its retail stores. Bigelow highlights the integration of "repair buddies" into the design of new products, such as the Quandary pant, which features a discrete repair patch sewn into the waistband and a QR code linking to how-to repair videos.
Beyond repair kits, the second-hand gear market is experiencing significant growth. Retailers like REI, Arc’teryx, GearTrade, and The North Face are expanding their resale and trade-in programs.
Bigelow notes the success of Patagonia’s resale and trade-in business in North America and the company’s ongoing investment in developing a sustainable and scalable resale model. The goal is to expand these programs to more regions and inspire other businesses to follow suit. Worn Wear is a crucial part of Patagonia’s future planning, with the aim of demonstrating that a business can meet growing demand and remain profitable without increasing its environmental footprint. Resale allows the company to meet demand with used gear and reduce the need to manufacture as much new clothing.
Beyond Recycled Materials to Circularity
While the use of recycled materials in gear is a positive step, brands are pushing beyond this by embracing post-consumer recycled materials and the principles of circularity.
Karstad emphasizes that understanding the lifecycle of gear is becoming increasingly important. Brands are working to ensure that their products remain continuously useful rather than ending up as waste, adopting a circularity mindset.
Polartec and its partners are focusing on materials and garments that can be repurposed or recycled into fibers and yarn to create new clothing. Examples include the Mono Houdi from Houdini and the Alpine Polartec 200 ¼-Zip from The North Face, both made with versions of Polartec fleece that can be remade into new fabric and garments once their original use is complete.
Erem, a new hiking boot brand, has integrated biocircular principles into its core philosophy, launching with a shoe designed to break down naturally. The company also provides various options for returning used boots, enabling them to be repurposed into new boots. Mammut is also undertaking a circularity project, transforming used climbing rope into t-shirts. Erem and Polartec believe that circularity and biocircular materials represent the future of the industry, extending beyond 2023.
Transparency in Products
Travelers are becoming increasingly aware of the environmental impact of their trips.
Harmonie Lefebvre, a travel product manager for Forclaz, a part of the outdoor gear brand Decathlon, notes a significant shift in people’s travel mindset. Travelers are no longer focused on seeing as many sights as possible in a short time but are instead considering their impact on the planet.
Lefebvre highlights the growing interest in the carbon dioxide information that Decathlon provides on its products. This trend has a significant impact on product development, driving the company to make sustainable choices to reduce environmental impacts at both the corporate and product levels. The goal is to achieve the best possible balance of function, durability, and CO₂ emissions.
Accessibility and Inclusivity
Finally, brands are expected to continue developing products that promote accessibility and inclusivity in the outdoor and travel space. Eddie Bauer launched its first adaptive skiing-specific line of clothing in early 2022, and REI recently published a guide for adaptive camping.
The plus-size clothing market, already a multi-billion dollar industry, is projected to experience substantial growth in the coming decade. Outdoor and travel gear companies have begun expanding their lines to include plus sizes, and this trend is expected to continue. Alder Apparel is a newly launched brand dedicated to creating more inclusive outdoor and travel clothing, while L.L.Bean has also expanded its range of sizing. Smartwool and REI have collaborated to create a broader range of sizes for Smartwool’s baselayers.
The Top Travel and Outdoor Gear Trends of 2023 reflect a growing awareness of environmental and social responsibility within the industry. These trends are not merely fleeting fads but represent a fundamental shift in how gear is designed, manufactured, and consumed. By embracing sustainability, circularity, transparency, and inclusivity, brands can create products that not only enhance the outdoor experience but also contribute to a healthier planet and a more equitable society. These key trends will continue to shape The Top Travel and Outdoor Gear Trends of 2023.
