Young Brits are swapping boozy nights out for the great outdoors
Eight in 10 young Brits now prefer to socialise through healthy activities rather than going on a traditional night out.
A poll of 2,000 UK adults found 27 per cent of Millennials and Gen Z say activity-led experiences help them meet new people. A quarter enjoy the sense of community these activities create, while a similar proportion (24 per cent) added they provide the perfect excuse to explore new places.
Many people are embracing the great outdoors, with three in 10 (31 per cent) actively seeking opportunities to spend time outside several times a week. Popular social pursuits now include running and trail running (49 per cent) and open-water swimming (28 per cent). Others take part in activities such as hiking (26 per cent), surfing or diving (13 per cent), and climbing (13 per cent).
The research was commissioned by Samsung to celebrate the Galaxy Watch Ultra2, built to support outdoor adventures with health tracking and rugged durability.
Annika Bizon from the tech firm said: “People are making more room for movement and adventure in their everyday lives. Our research shows that 87 per cent of Gen Z are interested in taking on a new fitness or outdoor challenge in the next year.”
Social media is also helping fuel the trend, with almost half (48 per cent) being introduced to new activities, clubs and outdoor communities from online platforms. In addition, a quarter discovered a new hobby or interest through organised events and challenges. More than half (51 per cent) of Gen Z respondents have taken on a personal fitness or outdoor challenge in the past year.
As outdoor activities become an increasingly important part of social life, wearable technology is helping people prepare, track and recover with greater confidence. A quarter (24 per cent) use a wearable device to set goals, while 39 per cent regularly track their progress and 27 per cent use one to monitor performance.
Stress and energy insights (18 per cent), sleep quality monitoring (23 per cent) and heart rate tracking (23 per cent) are among the features Gen Z consider most valuable when taking part in activities.
For 93 per cent of those who enjoy water sports and diving, a wearable that can provide insights while they're in the water is essential, and 89 per cent of adventurous young Brits want a watch that can withstand harsh outdoor conditions.
Annika Bizon from Samsung added: “As more people join run clubs, discover new trails or take on personal fitness goals, they want technology that helps them feel prepared, stay motivated and understand their progress.
“Galaxy Watch Ultra2 is designed to support every step of that journey, helping users better understand their performance, track their progress and explore with confidence.”