OIA 2025 Outdoor Consumer Trends Report

Understand Today’s Consumers. Shape Tomorrow’s Strategy.

The outdoor consumer has changed. OIA’s 2025 Outdoor Consumer Trends Report reveals how casual and active lifestyle participants now drive over 90% of market spending. Whether you’re a retailer trying to drive in-store growth or a brand looking to design smarter, this free report is your strategic advantage.

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The only way out is through – together

A Letter from the Clean Chemistry and Materials Coalition Co-Chair, Taylor Ralph

October 17, 2024

Recently, as Hurricane Milton made landfall in Florida, just weeks after Hurricane Helene traumatized much of the Southwest, my colleague and I spent most of a meeting—originally planned to review chemistry strategy—talking about what it means to be alive and doing this work. We wake up every day floating between immense gratitude and awe for this world, and despair for how we are devastating it. We are simultaneously completely devoted to the work it will take to sustain our environment for future generations, and hyper aware that the climate crisis has already arrived. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, isolated, defeated. 

Almost 20 years ago, when I walked into my first Environmental Studies class as an undergraduate freshman at UVM, my professor Stephanie Kaza took out a Tibetan singing bowl and led us in a prayer. The prayer taught us that to sustain the work, we would need to sustain ourselves and each other. She emphasized our interdependence and the intersectionality of what plagues us. I still remember how I admired her wisdom, knowing that her students would need to return to this lesson throughout their lives.  

Fast forward to this moment and I am so grateful for the community of practitioners that make it possible to stay engaged in this challenging work. I am especially grateful for the coordination and support from the Outdoor Industry Association that allows us to move towards solutions more quickly than if we were going it alone. On the CCMC Steering Committee we joke that what we’ve really formed is an Emotional Support Group. Beyond that, every OIA member that I have reached out to personally for support on particular topics has shown up and engaged enthusiastically. I hope anyone reading this knows that I am here to return the favor. 

All we have is now and each other. I hope to see you at the Catalyst Conference. Onwards! 

Taylor Ralph

Product Impact Lead for Environmental & Social Impact at Burton

Clean Chemistry and Materials Coalition Co-Chair

Shaping the Future of Outdoor Industry Gatherings

Dear OIA Members and Industry Partners, 

OIA is proud to stand at the heart of the outdoor industry, delivering resources and opportunities that drive our businesses and communities forward. Industry gatherings are essential to our shared success, and we are committed to leading the way. 

We have been actively engaged in broad discussions with many stakeholders about the future of industry gatherings. As a member-led collective, these conversations have been invaluable in shaping our vision for OIA’s role in convening the industry, and I want to take this opportunity to share our path forward.  

Our commitment to serve as a catalyst for connection:  

OIA Events: We will lead the industry with cornerstone events that create opportunities for collaboration, community, and action. Our sold-out inaugural sustainability Catalyst Conference this November provides the industry with an opportunity to innovate solutions for people, product, and the planet. We are in the planning phase for next spring’s Capitol Summit in Washington, D.C ., to use our outside voices to save outdoor companies money, fuel innovation, invest in recreation, expand outdoor access for all, and protect our environment. 

Strategic Partnerships: With great enthusiasm, yesterday we announced our new partnership with Switchback to grow an event that can deliver multiple benefits to a wide range of outdoor industry members. OIA will also partner with other organizations where the industry and our members gather to deliver content that drives growth and opportunities for engagement through education sessions, existing OIA programs, and new initiatives. 

 OIA’s mission remains clear: We’re a passionate group of business leaders, sustainability experts, policymakers, and outdoor enthusiasts committed to business growth and innovation while protecting—and growing access to—the benefits of the outdoors for everyone. Our team is excited about the opportunities ahead and is dedicated to leading our industry with the vision, resources, and commitment you have come to expect from us.  

Join the Conversation: From the timing of events to the content they deliver, we aim to shape gatherings that bring value to all members and reflect the voices and needs of our entire community. We value your insights and encourage you to share your thoughts on our future direction. Click here to provide your feedback and help shape the future of our industry. 

 

Together we are a force, 

Kent Ebersole 
President, Outdoor Industry Association 

EVERY VOICE COUNTS: WHAT IT TAKES TO BUILD OUTDOOR ACCESS FOR ALL

 

Live Date: May 14, 2024

Move equity in the outdoors forward and learn actionable ways to align your business strategy to inclusive growth. In this edition of OIA’s Capitol Summit Series, we dive into the challenges and solutions surrounding equitable outdoor recreation access, from policy solutions to grassroots advocacy and action. Hear from leaders in the outdoor industry and community advocates to learn what outdoor equity looks like from grassroots to grasstops. Whether you’re interested in federal advocacy or motivated to act locally, you’ll leave this session with tools to come together and catalyze meaningful change.