Rental platform Arrive Outdoors is giving Americans a convenient way to borrow camping gear. Camping is on the rise as lockdown-wary travelers yearn to get back into nature, and to overcome the high cost of camping equipment, rental platforms are increasing accessibility and affordability. We explore the insights behind this and why the sharing economy has become an attractive alternative to ownership in American households.
The California-based start-up, which has raised $4.75 million in seed funding, rents out camping gear such as hiking and backpacking clothing, tents, and snow and ski equipment. To order, customers can choose their items or opt for a pre-packaged kit. For example, the camping set for two features items like a tent, two sleeping bags, headlamps, a stove and pot, and chairs.
Each order is shipped to the customer’s home, with a return label to send the gear back. And in between each use, every item is cleaned according to US park guidelines, such as the CDC’s Recreate Responsibly guidelines and the National Park Service’s recommendations. “Our goal is to provide a true alternative to ownership that is even better than ownership – high-quality gear but without the price tag of purchasing and no storage needed,” says Rachelle Snyder, Arrive Outdoors' co-founder.
Even before the pandemic, camping was growing in popularity, especially among Gen Xers and Yers. But with travel restrictions still in place, the appeal of a socially distant tent in nature looks likely to increase as people yearn to leave the confines of their own homes. For the many Americans facing pandemic-related financial difficulties, the high cost of camping gear is a barrier.
Leaning into rental services is a smart move for brands appealing to young people, with 55% of American Gen Yers saying they rent consumer goods when they need a temporary solution and 52% saying they do so when they need an item or service for a short time-frame. On the other end of the spectrum, Louis Vuitton is selling luxury tents for high-end consumers who want to explore the outdoors in style.
Luana Sambell is a behavioural analyst at Canvas8. She holds a master's degree in consumer behaviour and is passionate about cultural trends and the latest happenings in retail. Outside of work, you can find her exploring different cultures through food or catching live music whenever possible.
