Thrill seekers love renting out adventure gear! Since most adventure sports require pricey specialized gear, it normally costs a lot of money to purchase gear for a recreational activity that most people only get to indulge in for a handful of times a year. Rentals, on the other hand, are simple, cheap and come with no strings attached.
While the adventure sports arena is vast, there are certain popular activities that keep bringing business the way of adventure rental companies. Extensively catering to these activities is a clever way of ensuring that your business thrives all around the year.
The right adventure rentals inventory is where this post comes in. We cover the inventory essentials that you should feature to ensure a steady stream of revenue for your company. Let’s dive right into it!
1. Snorkeling and diving gear
Most water sports require specialized equipment. Snorkeling and diving are fun water activities that are no different.
Snorkeling and diving gear is extremely versatile and can be used for other activities as well. It is regularly used for water-based research, underwater photography, and underwater sports.
With such a broad market, featuring snorkeling and diving gear is extremely important. Here is what to stock:
- Wetsuit
- Snorkels
- Fins
- Snorkeling masks
- Scuba gloves
- Weight belt
- Cylinder
- Dive computer and compass
- Waterproof camera
Best brands for snorkel and masks: Aqualung, Seavenger
2. Ski gear
Beginner and occasional skiers prefer renting skiing equipment. Since snow sports are seasonal, it isn’t surprising that some advanced skiers still rent skiing gear over buying it.
People also value skiing packages that include all skiing essentials as most people rent out the standard gear together. Offer packages tailored to meet the needs of beginner, intermediate and advanced skiers. You can also create packages for different age groups. Include the following in your packages or offer them as individual rentals:
- Skis and ski boots
- Ski poles
- Helmets
- Ski jacket and pants
- Gloves
Best brands for ski gear: K2, Rossignol Skis, Line, Fischer Skis
3. Snowboarding gear
Snowboarding, again, is a seasonal sport which makes it a good sport to target for rental companies. Snowboards come in various sizes and types, and the freedom to rent means that people can try different kinds of snowboards to find their ideal match.
Offer snowboarding gear at your store. Pay special attention to your snowboards and offer customers all types from alpine and freestyle to freeride. Here is everything that you should feature:
- Snowboards and bindings
- Boots
- Helmet
- Gloves
- Goggles
Best snowboarding brands: Arbor Collective, Burton, DC, K2
4. Backpacking, camping and hiking gear
Unplugging from the world and going backpacking on a trail offers a relaxing break from a killer routine. With more and more people realizing this, customers are looking to rent the best gear for a perfect getaway.
Hikers have to travel light with only the bare essentials so they choose their gear very carefully. The distance, destination, duration and even the season, all influence the contents of their backpacks. This is why you should feature an extensive array of backpacking, camping and hiking essentials so you’re always the go-to company for your customers.
Include the following items in your rental inventory for a thrilling customer experience:
- Hiking boots or shoes
- Backpack
- Tent
- Parachute hammock (for warm climates)
- Sleeping bag and sleeping pad
- Self-inflating sleeping mattress
- Backpacking stove
- Hiking pole
Best brands for camping and hiking equipment: Mountain Hardwear, Icebreaker, Arcteryx
5. Kayaking gear
Kayaking has become a popular sport over the past couple of years and still continues to gain popularity. However, like most dauntless sports, kayaking requires special gear which is expensive to buy for an occasional trip to a rapid. This is where adventure rentals for kayaking equipment come in handy.
Kayaking in calm, nearshore waters might require basic gear but paddling to faraway destinations should not be taken casually. Offer kayaking essentials for all levels of kayaking, from extreme rapids to flat waters. Here is our roundup of kayaking adventure rentals:
- Kayak
- Headlamp
- Kayak paddle
- Personal flotation device
- Towline
- Compass (that floats)
- Two-way radios
Best kayak brands: Sun Dolphin, Sea Eagle, Intex
6. Rafting gear
It is a good idea to add rafts to your inventory if you have lakes or rivers in your locality. Rafting is popular because it can be both an exciting solo adventure or a fun group activity. It is also ideal for unwinding and relaxing over the weekend with your family.
Be sure to invest in premium rafts so you don’t have to drain your costs on frequent maintenance. Consider adding the following to your catalog:
- Rafts of varying sizes (for 2 to 10 people)
- Oars
- Life jacket
- Rowing frame
- Pump
- Repair kit
- Outdoor cooking tools like fire pans
Best raft brands: Saturn, Intex Mariner, Sea Eagle 9
7. Biking gear
Bikes are used all year around. They are cheap, eco-friendly, and fun to ride. On top of all that, they encourage physical activity which is a growing need for most people in the US.
Bike rentals are most successful at tourist destinations but having a small fleet at your dispense adds diversity to your offering. Many bike rentals also come equipped with a pump, a tire repair kit, flat pedals, and a complimentary water bottle to keep customers hydrated so include these if you want to take it up a notch.
For mountain bikers at tourist destinations, ensure that the mountain bikes you offer are adjustable and lightweight with full suspension. Here is everything you can consider adding:
- High-quality bicycles (Santa Cruz or Specialized)
- Mountain bikes
- Helmet
- Flat or cage pedals
- Water bottle
- Rear LED light, spare tube, tire levers, pump
Best bike brands: Yeti Cycles, Kona Bicycle Company, GT Bicycles
8. Outdoor cooking tools for a camping trip
Dinner around a warm campfire captures the very essence of camping. Most people who trek to camping sites crave wholesome meals (carrying 15kg on your back will do that to you). Even families who drive to camping sites enjoy putting together an elaborate dinner to enjoy by the campfire.
Somehow everything tastes better outdoors so ensure that your customers can have the best culinary experience while they camp. Feature a variety of cooking tools as factors like the trip duration and campsite accessibility influence a camper’s choice of cooking gear.
Light, portable and multi-purpose cooking gear is ideal for camping. Here is what we recommend:
- Mesh grilling bags
- IceMule cooler bag packs
- Compact espresso coffee maker
- Stainless steel pocket utensil kit
- Portable tabletop gas grill
- Camping cooking ware set
- Folding portable grill
Offer a safe adventure rentals catalog
The key to any successful rental business is it’s top quality inventory. Irrespective of the adventure rentals that you choose to include, ensure that they offer impeccable quality because inferior-quality gear can pose a risk to renter safety. Always assess the risks associated with your gear and be regular with maintenance so your gear is always in top shape.
About EZRentOut
EZRentOut is an adventure rental software used by companies to manage their adventure rentals, track their equipment, handle payments and much more.
