Cooler temperatures invigorate most everyone. And it’s the time of year when even couch potatoes gladly head outside to enjoy outdoor fall activities. Some surveys even crown Fall as America’s favorite season across all generations, regions, and gender.
Courtesy Morning Consult Pro; Survey conducted Oct. 10-11, 2022, among a representative sample of 2,210 U.S. adults, with an unweighted margin of error of +/-2 percentage points.
And what do they love about Fall?
Courtesy Morning Consult Pro
Not all these responses of course directly relate to outdoor fall activities. But a 2022 report from Statista shows the top 5 leading outdoor activities, by number of participants, regardless of season:
1. Running/jogging/trail running — 64.5 million
2. Hiking — 58.7 million
3. Freshwater, saltwater, and fly fishing — 52.4 million
4. Road biking, mountain biking, and BMX — 51.4 million
5. Car, backyard, and RV camping — 45.9 million
So, let’s take a closer look at outdoor fall activities that “fall” into these 5 broad categories as well as 4 additional widely recognized and fun categories of things to do in the fall:
6. Geocaching & Custom Scavenger Hunts
7. Leaf-Peeping/Sightseeing/Weekend Road Trips
8. Outdoor Movie Night
9. Tailgating Parties
And we’ll see how Petra products can augment your current fall-friendly inventory in each of these categories.
Expanding this category one more notch, we can include walking and those just trying to be more physically active. And when the weather is cool, everyone from seniors to kiddoes want to be outside. So, there’s really a broader demographic you can reach if you open the outdoor fall activities umbrella just a tad.
Petra has a huge selection of GPS smartwatches. Runners in particular will gravitate to the Garmin Forerunner series because the smartwatches are designed specifically for them.
For those into more generalized exercise, fitness trackers and kids activity trackers are a good alternative to smartwatches.
Broadening this outdoor fall activities category a bit incorporates bird watchers and all those who love to get out and explore nature in a less structured, more leisurely pace.
Petra stocks a wide variety of Carson, Bushnell, and Tasco optics. Bell+Howell offers a pair of binoculars that doubles as a digital camera. And Carson has their AdventurePak that kids will love. It includes binoculars, flashlight, compass, signal whistle, and thermometer.
Garmin handheld GPS units as well as many of their GPS smartwatches fit hikers needs.
And let’s not forget walkie talkies! Since cellular reception can be iffy when off the beaten path, 2 way radios from Cobra, Bushnell, DEWALT, and Uniden help keep all members of the party connected—even when out of sight. Plus, the radios’ NOAA weather alerts will keep everyone weather aware.
There is a lot of gear and accessories associated with fishing. Petra can supply you with fish finders from Humminbird and battery chargers from Minn Kota. We also have adjustable rod holders and gimbal mounts from Cannon.
Cobra and Uniden VHF marine radios and Tram marine antennas are ideal for fishermen as well as those who love boating in general.
Waterproof binoculars are certainly a must. Carson, Tasco, and Bushnell provide a wide option of magnification choices.
And Garmin even has the Instinct 2 series of smartwatches that include fishing and hunting profiles.
For those who love to bike, fall is especially appealing. And once you expand this category to include powersports vehicles like ATVs, UTVs, 4x4s, and motorcycles, you have an even broader customer base to serve.
For cyclists, Garmin makes Edge GPS bike computers and accessories. For powersports enthusiasts who go offroad, Garmin makes the Tread and Overlander GPS navigators and the zumo All-Terrain Navigator for motorcyclists. Magellan Trail and Street TR7 and TRX7 GPS units even feature a built-in trail camera.
Fall weather and camping are a match made in heaven. Gone are the sticky nights that make everyone long for their comfy air-conditioned homes!
Petra stocks camping accessories such as propane outdoor stoves by Koblenz, axes and knives by Cold Steel, and handy portable lanterns from Dorcy, Life+Gear, and Eton. We also have a double sleeping bag with pillows from SereneLife and canteens from Thermos and Asobu.
And let’s not forget about portable power options! Large power banks and solar power banks can easily keep electronics charged. Power inverters let your customers tap their vehicle’s battery to run small appliances and electronics for additional comforts from home. Some will even recharge USB devices.
First aid kits provide much-needed emergency supplies until your customers can seek skilled medical assistance.
Finally, it’s vital your customers bring along a portable weather radio so they can be warned in advance about pending bad weather. Many weather radios also include solar and hand cranking recharging options.
These kinds of activities are fun, family-friendly, and perfect for fall. Whether your customers are searching for known geocaches or doing their own scavenger hunts involving landmarks and GPS coordinates, participants need handheld GPS units.
Garmin’s GPS hiking handhelds fit the bill and are available across a wide range of price points.
And to keep participants and their 4-legged companions hydrated, check out these Buddy Portable Water Bottles from Asobu! They hold 32 oz. of water and come nested with a removable dog bowl and food compartment.
Crisp air, changing leaves, and back country roads all conspire to beckon drivers to explore areas less traveled. Which, of course, is a sure-fire way for your customers to get lost.
Equipping them with Auto GPS and RV GPS navigators will help guide the directionally challenged. These GPS units will also suggest great places to visit along the way and can even help in the trip planning.
Since the emphasis on this activity is primarily doing sightseeing through the windshield, dash cams are a great way to capture the spectacular views.
Other vehicle-specific creature comforts can include heated seat cushions, 12-volt and insulated travel mugs, 12-volt fridge warmers, and 12-volt mini fridges.
Plus, this is another group who might want to invest in binoculars.
Fall nights are much more backyard-friendly than summer ones. Plus, since it gets dark sooner, movie night can get underway earlier in the evening.
Petra stocks portable projectors across a variety of price points. XGIMI projectors are spectacular and your customers will be amazed at the image and sound quality from these small yet powerful projectors.
Adding portable DVD players, popup screens and kits with popup screens, and outdoor Bluetooth speakers will let your customers mix and match their movie night tech.
And finally, there’s the outdoor tailgate—a fall favorite for sure! There are so many ways to equip your sports fans that we have created a special, dedicated page to all things tailgate! Be sure to explore the sales opportunities behind this beloved sports tradition.
The golden colors of fall, the sun riding a little lower in the sky, and refreshingly cool temperatures will beckon your customers away from home and into the great outdoors. Use this list of the most popular fall activities and matching products to see how you can gear them up before they head on out.
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