Fussy Brits hauling hotel-grade mattresses, air fryers and hot tubs on camping trips

Fussy Brits hauling hotel-grade mattresses, air fryers and hot tubs on camping trips We don't like roughing it, according to research by Argos, which found campers prioritising home comforts over survival gear, with 72% ditching the back-to-basics mentality 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. 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. 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. 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. 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 (17%) 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%) 5, Surround-sound speakers (15%) 6, Hotel-grade mattresses (15%) - Inflatable sofa and/or chairs (15%) - Ambient fairy lights (13%) - Outdoor rugs (12%) 10. 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. For more information, visit Camping Equipment & Caravan Accessories | Argos