Fussy Brits are hauling hotel-grade mattresses, air fryers and hot tubs on camping trips to ensure a slice of luxury in the great outdoors, a study has revealed.
Campers prioritise comfort over survival gear
Argos research reveals campers are prioritising home comforts over survival gear, with 72% ditching the back-to-basics mentality and going all-in on 'campmaxxing' this summer.
A luxury-loving 15% said they'll be bringing their hotel-grade mattress with them while camping and 10% will be whipping up meals in their air fryers. A wacky 8% said they'd even pack their hot tub in a bid to create the ultimate outdoor set-up.
Spontaneous trips driven by 'sensommer'
Of the 2,000 Brits quizzed, a spontaneous 63% say they'd pack a bag and head off on holiday with less than 24 hours' notice, while a third (32%) have already pulled off a last-minute escape.
The Argos study reveals this sudden urge for outdoor adventure is heavily driven by 'sensommer', the Scandinavian concept of 'late summer'. Two-fifths of Brits (41%) are embracing this mindset to stretch out the holiday season before autumn blues set in.
A whopping 50% of Gen Z and 54% of Millennials said the recent heatwaves have inspired them to book a late-summer or autumn camping trip in the UK.
Campers spend more on upgraded pitches
But today's campers aren't settling for basic sleeping bags or disposable BBQs. Nearly three quarters (72%) planning a trip intend to splash out more than ever upgrading their pitch, with 42% prepared to spend more than £100 doing so.
It appears Brits are putting their hands in their pockets, as sales in the Argos camping category over the past five weeks are up almost 10% year-over-year on average. The retailer also said it had seen a 60% surge in sales of camping chairs compared to the same five weeks of summer last year.
A quarter (25%) of particular Brits admit they flat-out refuse to camp unless it feels boutique, with one-fifth (19%) trying to bring as many home comforts as possible. Swapping surviving for thriving, just one in five (21%) Brits are back-to-basics camping traditionalists.
Luxury camping packing list revealed
Instead, campers are embracing a more elevated take on the great outdoors, with 20% curating home-away-from-home comforts, 19% creating firepit-filled outdoor spaces, 17% taking high-end camping gear and 15% packing premium kitchen appliances.
Brits' camping packing lists reflect the trend too, with holidaymakers planning to bring everything from a full dining table and chairs (21%) to mini fridges (21%) and gourmet portable BBQs (19%).
With Reading and Leeds Festival just around the corner, there's also a distinct festival vibe to Gen Z campers' set-ups, with 15% bringing high-spec speakers and 7% bringing full DJ decks.
Brits' Top 10 essentials for a luxury camping trip: Al fresco dining sets (Full dining table and chairs) (21%), On-pitch mini fridges (21%), Cooling fans (21%), Gourmet portable BBQs (19%), Surround-sound speakers (15%), Hotel-grade mattresses (15%), Inflatable sofa and/or chairs (15%), Ambient fairy lights (13%), Outdoor rugs (12%), and Open-air TV or projector cinema screens (11%).
Argos has curated a camping checklist, with thousands of products available the same day through its Click & Collect and Fast Track delivery services.
