As the camping boom sparked by the COVID-19 pandemic settles, the outdoor market continues to expand steadily. High-performance cold-weather and waterproof apparel is spreading into everyday wear and driving growth.
While the camping boom is fading, the outdoor and leisure market continues to expand steadily. High-performance apparel specialising in cold-weather protection and waterproofing is spreading into everyday use and supporting sales.
Workman, a major workwear company, has launched the X Shelter series of high-performance apparel specialising in protection from cold and heat. Designed to keep the temperature inside clothing comfortable in outside temperatures of 5°C to 30°C, the series comprises 13 products, with the company targeting sales of 700,000 items and ¥2.4 billion in revenue over one year.
Tokyo Shoko Research reported that FY2025 sales at outdoor-related companies rose 5.6% year on year to ¥1.0193 trillion, while profit increased 25.1% to ¥49.7 billion. It also said that, while the market is becoming established for everyday use, companies with weak distribution networks are being affected in terms of profitability.
Mammut Sports Group Japan, which is driving the market's rapid growth, is targeting sales of more than ¥10 billion in 2026 and ¥16 billion in 2030. It has launched the Dry Down Collection, which ranges from high-priced models for winter mountaineering to products for everyday use.
Special offers on camping equipment have followed one after another in online retail, and discounts of more than 50% are not unusual.