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Tapping into the Outdoor Boom with Promotional Products

By Boundless Aug 16, 2023 10:00:00 AM 0

Have you noticed that more folks are hitting the trails and exploring the great outdoors? It’s not just your imagination: this is a real trend. 

In fact, outdoor recreation increased by 2.3% in 2022, which means 55% of the U.S. population enjoys the great outdoors. After years of Zoom meetings and virtual gatherings, people are eager to experience the thrill of hiking, the serenity of bird-watching, and the adventure of biking once again.

As a business, you want the promotional products you choose to align with your audience’s tastes. Trends come and go, but they still have a big impact on how delighted people will be to receive your promo products. It’s clear that going outdoors is all the rage right now, so why not tap into this trend with your branded merchandise? 

In this guide, we’ll explain why outdoorsiness is on the upswing and share a few tips to help you take advantage of this trend. 

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What’s with all the outdoors hype? 

Did you know that outdoor recreation is at an all-time high? According to a report by Outdoor Industry, today’s outdoor recreation levels are the highest ever recorded. Nobody wants to be cooped up inside anymore, which has led to a resurgence in outdoor exploration. Plus, there are a lot of physical and mental benefits to exploring the outdoors. 

This means that sporty or outdoorsy products are attractive to a more diverse range of people, giving your business more opportunities to connect with eager outdoors enthusiasts. 

Since the majority of the U.S. population likes to spend time outside, opting for outdoors-themed promo products is a safe bet for this year’s promo campaigns. With the right mix of promotional goodies, you can tap into this audience’s adventurous spirit while you Cultivate Brand Love™ moments.

4 tips for doing outdoor promo right

You don’t need to be outdoorsy yourself to appeal to outdoors-loving audiences. Just follow these tips to nail outdoor promo products. 

1. Pick the right product spread

Outdoorsy folks are always up for an adventure, be it camping under the stars, chasing the end of a hiking trail, or pedaling their way through a local park. They adore products that are robust and functional, although cool designs don’t hurt, either. 

If you aren’t sure which promo products would work, go with goodies tailored to common outdoor activities. According to Outdoor Industry, these are the most popular outdoor activities right now: 

  • Hiking: 58.7 million participants
  • Camping: 45.9 million participants
  • Fishing: 52.4 million participants
  • Running: 64.5 million participants
  • Biking: 51.4 million participants

It's all about choosing promotional gifts that shout, "Hey, we know you love the outdoors!" Think about branded products like: 

These memorable items are not only uber-useful but also serve as a walking billboard for your brand. If you're offering a water bottle that can keep their smoothie chilled during a summer trek or a multi-tool that saves the day in the wilderness, you're already on their "cool brands" list.

2. Make it eco-friendly

Loving nature and protecting nature go hand-in-hand. Outdoorsy promo products need to include some kind of eco-friendly component to not only cater to your audience but also to put your money where your mouth is.

Consider eco-friendly promotional product options like: 

Don’t forget to embrace sustainability in other ways, too. If you have old promo products, find ways to repurpose them so you divert waste from the landfill.

3045696003. Personalize products

Did you know that customized or personalized products have a higher perceived value? It’s much harder for your audience to toss or give away a product that has their name on it, after all. 

You can personalize products by adding the recipient’s name, customizing clothing or shoe sizes, or allowing attendees to pick products based on their interests. 

Why not add your recipients’ names to a really cool water bottle? This is a great way to increase the product’s perceived value—plus, it could help folks reunite with water bottles left on the hiking trail. You can even localize your promo products by adding images of local hiking spots or famous landmarks. 

Go for promotional products that allow for personalization, like: 

4. Embrace seasonal timing

Timing always matters with promotional products, but it’s even more important when targeting an outdoorsy audience. Try to time your promo campaigns and products so they coincide with the appropriate season. You wouldn’t pass out beach towels in December, right? 

Choose products that are relevant to what Mother Nature is doing at the moment. Here are a few solid choices for each season: 

You don’t have to choose just one promo product, either. Create a seasonal brand box to really get people talking. Give your audience a thoughtfully curated collection of gifts that help them hit the trails or parks in style. Brand boxes are a great option for both in-person and remote gifting. 

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Unpacking the power of outdoor promo products

The world is falling back in love with Mother Nature, and we know you’re ready for your brand to jump on this trend. Outdoor promotional products are powerful and your ticket to becoming a part of your customers' adventurous tales. Know your audience, pick products that resonate with their lifestyle, and add a dash of personalization to create memorable moments. 

Not sure which products to select or how to design your own brand box? Boundless is here to help. Our consultants work with brands to create one-of-a-kind experiences that your outdoors-loving customers won’t forget any time soon. See how Boundless unlocks your brand’s full potential.

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