In August 2015, 29-year-old Patrick Schmidt decided to leave his house and live in a van so he could travel the US. It might seem crazy, but as buying a home becomes increasingly difficult, more and more young people are taking the plunge and following their new idea of the American Dream.

The great outdoors is having a moment. The outdoor apparel industry made $4 billion in 2014. But with more people living in cities than ever before, what it means to be ‘outdoorsy’ is changing. A new consumer has emerged; the casual camper. But who are they? And how are brands engaging them?

Just 19% of Brits are planning on packing their suitcases and heading abroad for two weeks in 2015, yet almost half have booked four short trips scattered throughout the year. Why are people ditching the two-week trip of sun, sea and sand in favour of staycations and city breaks?

The French are renowned for their love of a holiday on native land, making camping a hugely popular option for a break in France. With more than 7,400 campsites registered across the country in 2014 alone, there’s a lot of choice. So where are the French choosing to pitch up?