<Mercari Trend Report> The Current State of the "Camping Boom": Analyzing Mercari's Secondary Market Data, Outdoor Gear Transactions Up for 10 Consecutive Months

Mercari, Inc. is pleased to present the May issue of the Mercari Trend Report.

The "camping boom" that flourished during the COVID-19 pandemic is often reported as having subsided. But has the camping boom truly ended? To uncover the true profile of consumers that cannot be seen solely through primary market trends, we analyzed transaction data from the secondary market unique to Mercari.

Outdoor Gear Monthly Transaction Volumes Up for 10 Consecutive Months; 15.3% Increase in April

While recent observations suggest a shift in the outdoor market and a cooling of the camping boom, data from Mercari reveals a different trend. Monthly transaction volumes for this category on Mercari have surpassed year-on-year figures for 10 consecutive months. Notably, April 2026 saw a 15.3% increase compared to the same month last year, marking the highest growth rate in the past year. This is attributed to a shift from a temporary trend to an "established hobby," with more rational consumer behavior. Amid rising prices, a "frugal mindset"—the desire to enjoy hobbies while keeping costs down—has taken root, leading consumers to utilize the secondary market to acquire expensive outdoor gear at affordable prices.

Shifting from "Heavy Full-Scale Camping" to "Lightweight Minimalist Camping"

Transactions for high-end outdoor gear priced at 30,000 yen or more decreased by 2.1% year-on-year, while transactions for items under 30,000 yen increased by 15.0%. This indicates that while demand for full-scale camping requiring expensive specialized gear has cooled, there is a clear shift toward casual demand, driven by a desire to minimize initial costs and enjoy camping with lighter, less excessive equipment.

Furthermore, transactions for sleeping bags and shrouds fell by 43.6% year-on-year, and mats and cots fell by 16.9%, showing a decrease in bulky accommodation equipment. In contrast, transactions for products containing keywords like "lightweight" and "compact" rose by 22.2% year-on-year, and simple tents saw a significant 56.0% increase. These figures suggest a transition from heavy camping involving overnight stays to a minimalist style.

Decrease in "Solo Camping" Transactions; Family Camping Remains Active

While transaction volumes for tents and tarps for solo campers decreased by 12.4% year-on-year, those for 2-3 person setups increased by 9.4%, and those for 4+ person setups increased by 16.6%.