The outdoor community can feel, at times, pretty exclusive. Read any trail review near an urban hub and you’ll see at least a few posters raging about how it was so much better when it was just locals/pros/old timers that once frequented any given spot. Those in the know seem to hoard secret swimming holes, campsites and powder stashes like buried treasure. And unless you know someone who knows someone who works for the Parks Department, sussing out the details of a weekend camping trip can start to feel like a logistical nightmare. But there’s hope! An influx of new apps and sites are promising to overhaul the whole kit and caboodle. From gear traders to campsite finders to route mapping, these sites are poised to change the way we get outside.
The sharing community concept is all the rage when it comes to getting outside. Services like Hipcamp are revamping the way we sleep under the stars, and the campsite booking aid recently expanded to include untouched private land using a new Land Sharing Program. Today, Hipcamp offers more than 8,000 campgrounds in all 50 states to over 250,000 active users. Talk about a BIG community with a whole lot of potential for creating unique experiences in nature! Even the sharing community trailblazer Airbnb now offers “tent rentals.” And if you’re not sure where the best biking or hiking trail may be once you’ve set up at your perfect site, the recently REI-acquired Adventure Projects directs trail runners, mountain bikers, powder hounds and climbers to the best possible destinations. What’s totally awesome is that these ideas don’t stop at lodgings.
Some of us spend a small (or large) fortune on our gear closets, but that’s no longer the only option for outdoor adventure prep. GetOutfitted will rent you an entire ski or snowboard kit with the latest name brand gear AND they’ll FedEx it straight to the mountain for you. Other organizations like GearCommons and Share Stoke allow you to upload everything from climbing gear to kayaks, then rent it out to people in your community. And if you’re just dying to rent a pro’s camera for the day, KitSplit has the hookup. Basically every piece of outdoor gear and apparel can now be yours, for at least a day or two, thanks to the sharing communities in the outdoor industry.
While some may question the sustainability of letting more people access all of these hidden gem destinations, we think the benefits of nature should be experienced by all. Inclusivity and accessibility are the only ways people will be able to get outside, slow down, and free themselves from the pressures of the digital world. It’s about washing away the hassle of our day-to-day lives and finding something simpler, and dare we say, more authentic. These sharing models seem ready to change the landscape of the outdoor community for the better by making adventure and quality gear readily available to new demographics. What was once a daunting and time-consuming endeavor is now just a few clicks away.
Gear sharing also means fewer people buying products they may only use once, which leads to less trash piles and careless disposal. Easier access to rad camping spots and trails will definitely encourage people to really appreciate nature, and subsequently, give a hoot about how we use our outdoor spaces. The bottom line? We’re on board. Fingers crossed that all this sharing and growth will lead to more people taking the plunge and getting stoked on the outdoors.
Images courtesy of Airbnb and Hipcamp.
xx Arya