Hiking Gear & Equipment Market – Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Product Type (Clothes, Footwear, Backpack, Equipment, Others), By Sales Channel (Online, Offline), By Region, By Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 5.67 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	6.73%
Fastest Growing Segment	Clothes
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 8.38 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Hiking Gear & Equipment Market will grow from USD 5.67 Billion in 2025 to USD 8.38 Billion by 2031 at a 6.73% CAGR. Hiking gear and equipment comprises specialized apparel, footwear, carrying systems, and protective accessories designed to support outdoor walking and trekking activities across diverse terrains. The market is primarily driven by the burgeoning sector of adventure tourism and a widespread global shift toward health and wellness that prioritizes physical outdoor engagement. These drivers are substantiated by rising industry figures that highlight continued consumer interest in outdoor activities. According to the Outdoor Industry Association, in 2025, the outdoor recreation participant base reached a record 181.1 million individuals.

Despite this positive trajectory, a significant challenge impeding market expansion is the volatility of global supply chains and rising raw material costs. These economic factors contribute to increased production expenses that manufacturers often pass on to consumers, thereby elevating retail prices. Such inflationary pressures limit discretionary spending power and may deter price-sensitive demographics from investing in premium hiking equipment, ultimately slowing volume growth in emerging market segments.

Key Market Drivers

The surge in participation in outdoor recreational activities is fundamentally reshaping the market, fueled by a global shift toward physical well-being and nature immersion. This heightened engagement drives demand for specialized hiking apparel and equipment across varied skill levels, as consumers increasingly prioritize active lifestyles over passive leisure. Regional markets are witnessing unprecedented participation numbers that directly influence equipment sales volume and expand the consumer base beyond traditional demographics. For instance, according to the General Administration of Sport of China, October 2025, in the 'China Outdoor Sports Industry Development Report (2024-2025)', the number of individuals engaged in outdoor sports in China exceeded 400 million. This massive influx compels manufacturers to diversify product lines for both casual trekkers and serious mountaineers, ensuring sustained volume growth despite broader economic challenges.

Simultaneously, the growing consumer preference for sustainable and eco-friendly products is dictating manufacturing standards and material sourcing strategies. Brands are rapidly pivoting toward circular economy models, utilizing recycled synthetic fibers to meet the ethical demands of environmentally conscious adventurers. This trend is no longer niche but a central competitive metric, with major industry players reporting substantial shifts in their inventory composition to align with green initiatives. According to Decathlon, April 2025, in the '2024 Non-Financial Reporting Declaration', 48.5% of the products sold featured an ecodesign approach, marking a significant 10 percentage point increase from the previous year. This strategic transition is further validated by continued high engagement in public outdoor spaces, which fuels the demand for responsible gear. According to the National Park Service, in 2025, the U.S. National Park System recorded a record 331.9 million recreation visits in 2024, underscoring the enduring connection between equipment demand and natural exploration.

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Key Market Challenges

The volatility of global supply chains combined with rising raw material costs stands as a critical barrier impeding the expansion of the Global Hiking Gear & Equipment Market. These supply-side pressures compel manufacturers to absorb higher expenditures for logistics and essential production inputs, such as technical fabrics and durable metals. Inevitably, these increased operating costs are transferred to the consumer through higher retail prices for performance apparel, footwear, and carrying systems. This inflationary environment directly erodes discretionary spending power, causing price-sensitive consumers to delay purchases or opt for lower-cost alternatives, thereby reducing the sales volume of premium equipment that typically drives market value.

The tangible impact of these economic constraints is evident in recent sales data, which reflects a contraction in equipment purchasing despite high participation rates. As consumers pull back on non-essential goods due to elevated pricing, key hardgood categories have suffered. According to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA), in 2024, the total camping equipment category—a primary market segment comprising essential gear for trekking and overnight hiking—declined by 1.9 percent to reach $3.9 billion. This downturn illustrates how cost-driven friction in the supply chain is successfully dampening consumer investment in tangible outdoor gear, creating a disconnect between interest in outdoor activities and actual equipment expenditure.

Key Market Trends

The transition from heavy hiking boots to lightweight trail footwear is fundamentally altering the product landscape of the global hiking market. Enthusiasts are increasingly prioritizing speed, agility, and immediate comfort over the traditional durability and ankle support offered by leather boots, prompting a widespread consumer shift toward trail running shoes for trekking applications. This preference for versatile, ultralight footwear has forced manufacturers to re-engineer their portfolios, focusing on high-cushioning foams and breathable materials that cater to both long-distance hikers and casual day trekkers. The financial impact of this product evolution is evident in the explosive growth of specialized brands that lead this category. According to Deckers Brands, May 2024, in the 'Fourth Quarter and Full Fiscal Year 2024 Financial Results', net sales for the HOKA brand increased 27.9 percent to reach a record $1.8 billion, underscoring the massive demand for performance-oriented lightweight footwear.

Simultaneously, the fusion of outdoor performance with urban fashion aesthetics is expanding the addressable market beyond active adventurers. Technical apparel designed for extreme conditions, such as waterproof hard shells and insulated down jackets, is increasingly purchased for daily urban wear, driven by a desire for functional utility combined with premium status signaling. This convergence allows outdoor brands to penetrate the lifestyle sector, justifying higher price points through the integration of professional-grade materials into streetwear silhouettes. This trend has generated substantial revenue gains for premium technical brands that successfully bridge the gap between wilderness utility and city style. According to Amer Sports, March 2025, in the 'Annual Report 2024', the Arc’teryx brand surpassed $2 billion in revenues and drove 36 percent revenue growth for the Technical Apparel segment, validating the commercial power of positioning high-performance gear as a luxury lifestyle necessity.

Segmental Insights

The Clothes segment stands out as the most rapidly expanding category within the Global Hiking Gear & Equipment Market due to rising consumer preference for multifunctional apparel suitable for both trail and urban environments. This expansion is accelerated by the development of specialized fabrics that offer essential features such as moisture management, thermal regulation, and durability against adverse weather. Additionally, increased awareness regarding safety and comfort during outdoor excursions compels enthusiasts to invest in technical attire. Consequently, manufacturers are expanding their product lines to meet this demand for versatile and protective gear, thereby sustaining the segment's substantial development.

Regional Insights

North America commands the leading position in the Global Hiking Gear & Equipment Market, primarily driven by a deeply ingrained culture of outdoor recreation and adventure. This dominance is supported by extensive infrastructure, including vast networks of trails and federally protected lands managed by entities like the U.S. National Park Service, which facilitate widespread access to nature. Furthermore, the Outdoor Industry Association reports consistently high participation rates in hiking activities, fostering sustained demand for durable and performance-oriented equipment. Consequently, the region remains a pivotal hub for innovation and retail expansion within the global sector.

Recent Developments

• In November 2024, The North Face released a new Athlete-Tested Collection engineered to provide superior protection in extreme outdoor conditions. The line featured advanced technical solutions such as a Triple Baffle insulation structure, which was developed to eliminate cold spots and maximize warmth retention during winter expeditions. Additionally, the gear utilized a mono-material waterproof membrane designed to facilitate easier recycling, aligning with the company's circular design principles. Developed in close collaboration with professional mountain athletes, the collection offered a modular layering system that allowed hikers and explorers to customize their equipment for varying climates and performance needs.
• In September 2024, Peak Performance expanded its international presence by officially launching in the United States market. The Scandinavian brand, recognized for its premium technical apparel, introduced its Fall/Winter 2024 collection to American consumers through a newly established e-commerce platform. This strategic move was designed to capture a growing segment of outdoor enthusiasts seeking gear that blends high-performance functionality with modern aesthetics. The company positioned its products to serve a wide range of activities, including hiking and skiing, leveraging its reputation for durability and progressive design to compete in the crowded North American outdoor equipment sector.
• In April 2024, Keen Footwear introduced the Targhee IV hiking boot, which debuted a proprietary mechanical bonding technology known as KEEN.FUSION. This manufacturing innovation fused the boot’s upper and sole without the use of toxic glues, directly addressing the industry-wide issue of sole delamination. To demonstrate confidence in this new construction method, the company offered a lifetime warranty against delamination for the product. The launch highlighted a commitment to sustainability and longevity in the hiking gear market, as the boot also incorporated PFAS-free water repellency and an abrasion-resistant outsole designed for extended use on rugged trails.
• In March 2024, Arc'teryx launched its first fully in-house designed footwear collection, marking a significant strategic shift for the Canadian brand. The release included the Kragg shoe, a specialized approach and recovery model featuring a breathable upper and a collapsible heel for versatility on and off the mountain. By moving development internally rather than relying on shared resources from its parent company, the brand aimed to exercise greater control over performance innovation and product durability. The collection also introduced technical mountain running and scrambling silhouettes, specifically engineered to meet the rigorous demands of alpine terrain and hiking enthusiasts.

Key Market Players

• The North Face
• Mountain Hardwear
• Black Diamond Equipment Ltd.
• Marmot Mountain LLC
• Amer Sports
• Equinox Ltd.
• TATONKA
• mont-bell Co., Ltd.
• AMG-Group
• Sierra Designs

By Product Type	By Sales Channel	By Region
Clothes Footwear Backpack Equipment Others	Online Offline	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Hiking Gear & Equipment Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Hiking Gear & Equipment Market, By Product Type:

• Clothes
• Footwear
• Backpack
• Equipment
• Others

• Hiking Gear & Equipment Market, By Sales Channel:

• Online
• Offline

• Hiking Gear & Equipment Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE