Many people are visiting mountains these days due to the prolonged COVID-19 epidemic. In April 2020, the number of new members of the “BlackYak Alpine Club,” the largest hiking and climbing community platform in Korea, more than doubled compared to the same period the year before. The number of mountaineering certifications also increased by about 30%. However, it is important to pay attention to the influx of the people in their 20s and 30s. Previously, the perception that mountain hiking is the exclusive property of middle-aged has been dominant, but the influx of people in their 20s and 30s has increased significantly as the perception of mountain climbing has changed. Among people in their 20s and 30s, hiking has emerged as a new hobby because it is an outdoor activity not vulnerable to COVID-19 and can be enjoyed alone or on a small scale. As hiking became popular, the new term “sallini” have appeared to call climbers who are beginners. Let's find out more about why those in their 20s and 30s, which have emerged as new group of hikers, have been fascinated with the mountains and the changes that have taken place in society.

The Reason Why the 2030s Fell in Love with Hiking

Increased Interest in Health and Self-management

    Recently, the interest of people in their 20s and 30s in health and self-management has been increasing. This is because living a healthy life has become more important than before due to COVID-19. This is also largely attributable to the fact that those in their 20s and 30s have been attracted to mountain hiking. According to the "people in their 20s and 30s Leisure Life and Self-Development Trend" released in February by the 20th Institute of Daehaknaeil, "physical health care" recorded 72.2 percent as an activity that people in their 20s and 30s considered important for their self-development. Also, in the field of self-development experienced by people in their 20s and 30s, 39.4 percent said "exercise and sports" ranked first. Among them, hiking is an exercise that can consume a lot of energy. In addition, as endurance and muscular strength are needed through hiking, more and more 2030 people have entered the mountain since COVID-19. In an interview with EDaily News, a 31-year-old interviewee said, “I began climbing high mountains in earnest after the spread of COVID-19”. “I take time to look back on herself while climbing.” "As I climb, I feel my ego firm. And mental growth is also self-development,". As such, people in their 20s and 30s enjoy hiking as a new hobby for health and self-management.

Small Outdoor Activities

    Due to COVID-19, small outdoor activities such as hiking and camping, which have relatively little physical contact with people, are gaining popularity. Many people visit the mountains because there is less risk of COVID-19 infection than with indoor sports. Previously, there were many clubs and group-oriented hiking. However, group activities have become difficult after COVID-19, and hiking has gained popularity since people can enjoy it alone. When people go hiking alone, they can take time to see nature alone or straighten up their thoughts. In line with the characteristics of people in their 20s and 30s who enjoy doing things alone, hiking has become much loved by them.

Climbing on Social Media

    It is easy to find people in their 20s and 30s on Instagram. As they visit mountains a lot, the number of posts related to hiking is increasing rapidly. In fact, the number of Instagram postings with '#Mountainstagram' and '#Sanllni’ hashtags related to hiking is increasing rapidly. Hiking contents are also gaining popularity on YouTube. Oh Young-joo, a 31-year-old celebrity, also joined the parade of young people enjoying hiking by uploading a V-log on YouTube. Even though she was a novice hiker, she showed the public how she enjoyed hiking the mountain by taking a picture on the top of Bukhan Mountain. People in their 20s and 30s who enjoy hiking can be easily found not only on Instagram but also on YouTube. It indicates that hiking has become a trend for people in their 20s and 30s.

New Outdoor Trend

    As interest in hiking by people in their 20s and 30s is exploding, sales of hiking clothes are also rising sharply. According to Lotte Department Store on July 23rd of this year, sales of outdoor products in the first half of this year increased by about 22% compared to the same period last year. In particular, the sales growth rate to young people in their 20s and 30s increased significantly by 31%. People in their 20s and 30s also brought changes in outdoor fashion. They no longer wear the same set of tops and bottoms which represented middle-aged hiking fashion before. Instead, they enjoy wearing outdoor leggings that both males and females can wear. Leggings are an important item because they have both a style that matches a variety of tops and a functional aspect that is not flapping too much. In addition, they make a point on their fashions with knee socks, hairbands, and snapbacks. Like this, outdoor wear has become a fashion tool that reveals one's individuality for those in their 20s and 30s.

    Outdoor brands have put IU and Suzy, celebrities in their 20s, as outdoor brand advertising models, targeting younger generation. By showing them wearing outdoor clothes, outdoor brands instilled awareness in the Millennials that outdoor wear is not outdated. According to the outdoor industry on April 6th, 2021, outdoor brand K2's hiking sales in the first quarter of this year jumped 100 percent from the same period last year. Sales increased 120% in March, and sales of the "Flyhike" series, which featured advertising model Suzy, rose by more than 500%. "Yak 343 D GTX," also known as "IU hiking boots," is gaining popularity in Blackyak. As the hiking shoes became their best selling product, Blackyak's shoe sales jumped 97% in March 2021. As such, attention to the outdoors by people in their 20s and 30s is hot.

Mountain hiking has become an activity that both older and younger generations can enjoy. After COVID-19, a large influx of people in their 20s and 30s has pushed this into popularity. Hiking can take care of your health, and it is relatively safe for COVID-19 compared to indoor sports. The people in their 20s and 30s who are attracted to the mountains can be easily found on social media. They have also made a big contribution to changing outdoor wear trends. It’s because comfortable and stylish outdoor wear like leggings and shorts have been released reflecting the needs of the younger generation. As being healthy is more important than anything else in this period, hiking will continue to develop into an activity that all generations can share.