Where Will Women Outdoorsmen Be 1 Year from Now?
Women are taking up arms and heading outside for multiple reasons. Mental health, physical health, and spiritual health are big reasons. Family is another; women know that when their children sit in front of the TV or iPad it leads to obesity, ADD/ADHD, and so many other negative effects. Conscious eating has turned from fad to lifestyle.
Women-only camps, classes, and Facebook Groups dominate many of our lives. Outdoors(wo)men are taking over our social media feeds. If you’ve been in the industry, you’re sure to have noticed. If you’re not in the industry - well, you’ve probably read about us in the news.
We’re the new breed - women who hunt, fish, and spend time outside. Is it a new era of feminism? Or maybe a nod to our current political climate. Maybe we’re just fed up with eating crappy food, sitting inside all day and having our husbands run off for the weekend with his buddies.
I think not.
A 2016 Outdoor Foundation report found that of those who participated in outdoor activity, 46 percent were women and 54 percent men. Females are the fastest-growing cohort in the hunting industry; they now account for as much as 15 percent of hunters nationwide, according to a study from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Read study here).
But where will women outdoorsmen be a year from now?
Marketing dollars will increase: Companies will start investing more dollars behind their efforts to get, and keep women, outside - and using their products. To get outdoors, a woman may only need one pair of camo pants or a new pair of hiking boots - and once she has those, she’ll stick with a brand forever - but she has to know about you first. How do you reach women in the outdoors? How do you reach those women who are just testing the waters? Companies will start looking to attract these women as loyal customers.
Leadership and mentorship will increase: Whether it’s a dad or husband, or a gal pal - we’ll see an increase in mentorship. Not only will more women be taken outside to hunt, fish and play, women will start playing a more vital role within outdoor nonprofits and businesses.
Gear: While 83 percent of women buy women’s-specific gear (backpacks, clothes, shoes, and climbing gear being the most popular), 60 percent don’t think the selection of women’s gear is the same quality as men’s. In fact, 66 percent of us raid the men’s section. Brands are going to have to start meeting the needs of women. Less pink and quality options are surely a thing of the future.
Where do you think women will be in the next year? Hopefully, outside.
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