Know your gear

Camping accessories go compact

Tent camping is a growing trend, especially amongst younger people, several retailers and suppliers report, although there is a difference of opinion about the profile of tent users.

In the previous issue of Sports Trader we reported that Wimpie Coetzee of Kloppers Sport said that campers are switching from caravans to tents because of the convenience factor. David Imrie of the Midas Group agrees: "There has definitely been an increase in the number of tents we sell. A tent is much more convenient cost effective," he says.

An interesting trend he perceived in KwaZulu Natal was that some schools are now buying tents predominantly the hiking fraternity or adventurous family holidays.

Campmor Outdoor has also experienced a marked increase in the demand for their tents from retailers."We are already supplying more tents this month than last month — we sell hundreds of tents per month," says Tersia Kruger.

While there is still a big demand for products for caravan camping, it is noticeable that the demand for tents is growing, especially amongst younger people who want a better quality tent, says Andre Breytenbach of 4x4 Megaworld in Fourways. "This demand is driven by the fact that there are now more tents and better quality tents on the market."

A new tent development that is becoming popular, says Bradley Moritz of Outdoor Warehouse, is a turbo tent with a unique, aluminium, framing system that allows one to pitch and strike a tent very quickly "This Outdoor Warehouse product is very good value for money."

But, not all agree that there is a swing towards tent camping.

Demand for global brands

"We have not experienced an increased demand for tents — but it may be because many people prefer the cheaper tents supplied by mass discounters instead of the better quality hiking tents from internationally recognised brands that we stock," says Mark Ponting of Trapper Trading.

Interestingly, he found that when it comes to accessories for camping, there is a high demand for more specialized, high end, branded products.

"For instance, people specifically ask for Petzl headlamps " — these top brands have become more main stream, They are no longer used exclusively by climbers or hikers," he says.

He also found that there is nowadays a much bigger demand for products from well-known brands.

The outdoor market in general seems to be booming.

There is a growth in sales for all kinds of outdoor equipment across all categories — not just tents or camping, says Moritz. "The lighter, compact items have followed suit. I cannot conclude as to whether this is particularly as a result of the (tent camping) trend you are referring to."

While caravan campers have the luxury of cupboards and floor space for stowing crockery, cutlery and camping furniture, people who camp in tents have to fit everything into a car boot, trailer or roof carrier. Camping accessories therefore have to be more compact.

Compact and portable

"Young people want to camp in small, reliable space-saver tents and therefore want equipment that are more compact, durable and longer lasting," says Breytenbach.

A popular item is a cutlery set that can fit into a small briefcase that contains all the cutlery you might need: steak forks and knives, sharpeners, and all your usual knives, forks and spoons, he says. "This is very popular because it is not a big box that you have to move around."

Outdoor Warehouse has also found that their camping crockery box — a compact, insulated ammo box that facilitates an easy way of storing and transporting crockery for campers and travelers is very popular.

"A new multi-purpose stainless steel scissors with 12 useful functions from Coghlan’s is also a very handy item to take along," says John Fonteyn of Eiger Equipment. It is a pair of scissors, that also has a knife, screwdriver, magnet, can opener, wrench, fish scaler, nut cracker, jar wrench, wire cutter, wire stripper and bottle opener attached.

E3 Gear has introduced a titanium spoon and fork in one product, called a Spork.

Tent campers also need furniture that are easily transportable and stowable.

"There is a big demand for inflatable mattresses that can fold up small," says Breytenbach. "You used to get these huge bulky camping chairs – now you get some very nice looking fold-up chairs that are much more compact. Lightweight plastic moulded camping tables that can fold in half are also popular."

A new innovative product that is selling well is a wash up basin that you can attach to a tap that works just like your washbasin at home: you turn on the tap for water, drain the dirty water by removing the plug and there is even a handy sprinkler attached for showers, says Breytenbach. The unit is made of lightweight plastic that can fold up.

"There is a demand for easy-to-carry chairs," says Imrie, who also reports an increased demand for other smaller items such as torches and camping cutlery.

Tent campers also have a greater need for lighting equipment like lanterns and torches as tents do not have built-in lights like caravans and many tent sites do not have electricity.

"There are some very nice, compact rechargeable lanterns on the market that you can plug into your battery while you travel and when you arrive at a camp site without electricity, it will burn for up to 11 hours," says Breytenbach.

LED headlamps are becoming popular for camping — from the cheapest to high quality Petzl and Black Diamond that are also suitable for hiking.

Tent campers are also more dependent on portable cooking equipment than caravaners who have built-in stoves.

Coghlan has introduced a new hand-held cast iron camp cooker that can be used for years and years over an open fire, says Fonteyn. "It makes delicious snacks, toasts sandwiches, grills meat by sealing in the flavour. It is also easy to clean." Their multi-spice holder with six spices in one container, each with their own flip-top shaker lid, is also popular amongst campers.

There is still a big demand for the Cadac gas lights, cookers, woks and braais, as well as the millennium design prize-winning Cobb braai, says Breytenbach.

In cool boxes people tend to go for the better makes — when people go camping for a week or so they do not always want to take a fridge, but take one of the big cool boxes that can keep their food cool, he says.

Another handy item is a heated blanket that works off a 12-volt battery. "It is not bulky – it is about 1m x 1m - but will warm a sleeping bag or camp bed nicely on a winter night when you enter a freezing tent from the campfire," says Breytenbach.

Popular products

Andre Breytenbach of 4 x 4 Megaworld: the demand is for chairs, mattresses – nice inflatable one’s – sleeping bags, lights, small water purifiers, anything used in camping.

John Fonteyn of Eiger Equipment: the biggest demand is for things like toasters, tent peg pullers, repair kits, and insect repellants. Steel tent pens that do not bend and can penetrate hard ground, are also popular with campers.

David Imrie of Midas Group: sleeping bags, camping cups & plates, easy-to-carry chairs, torches, lanterns and gas stoves are popular.

Bradley Moritz of Outdoor Warehouse: the growth is in general across most of our categories, but currently especially across the equipment categories — i.e. furniture, mobile refrigeration, tents, GPS’s, vehicle accessories, etc.

Mark Ponting of Trappers Trading: we find that the highest demand is for GPS’s, LED torches, headlamps and lanterns. Hydration packs are also popular.