The National Outdoor Expo took place at Birmingham NEC over the weekend of 22/23 March 2025. Having taken a break from it last year, Three Points of the Compass went along to see what was new.

I went to Outdoor Expo in 2022, when it was being advertised as the ‘first’ such event. I thought it quiet and still finding its feet. The following year was busier. I skipped the event in 2024, primarily because I was away on a multi-day walk. This year, Mrs Three Points of the Compass joined me for the first of its two days, on 22 March 2025. It was busy from the opening. There was plenty to see, and after viewing everything and stopping for a couple of necessary brews during the day, it occupied the whole day for us, giving us just a little time to visit the neighbouring hall to briefly view the event there.

• National Outdoor Expo 2022. Birmingham NEC
• National Outdoor Expo 2023. Birmingham NEC

As in previous years, the type of exhibitor and their focus was very wide. ‘Outdoor’ is a wide term and there was everything from kayaks to surfing, glamping to sailing, climbing to wildcamping, eighty grand van conversions butted up against lightweight wildcamping, overseas guided walking holidays vied for attention alongside sellers of guidebooks, maps, running shoes and apparel. I poked an inquisitive nose into just about any interesting (and not so interesting) stand, mostly on the hunt of innovation (there was little) and any focus on lightweight backpacking and camping (just a little more than my last visit). What follows is an image heavy look at my visit. I chatted to a great many more than the few shown below, but these at least give a flavour of the variety in stall holders.

While the Spin the Wheel at the Ordnance Survey stand was an enjoyable distraction, I was more interested in what was being shown at the other end of their large stand. While O.S are following on the heels of Splash Maps with their maps now being printed on various products, rugs and towels amongst them. Harvey Maps, particularly their little Ultramaps, seem to have pointed them in the direction of their new map sheets. I spoke to Sam from O.S. Maps about the concept 1:25 000 maps on display. Printed on waterproof Polyart, a high density polyethylene (HDPE) film, these maps are a good deal smaller than standard sheets, will fit in a pocket and will almost certainly be extended to include 1:50 000 scale maps too. Various proofs of potential cover designs were on show and visitor comments on these and thoughts on potential price-point were being noted, though I think they have got it right with the purple and image cover combination on show. They will likely retail in the 9-10 pound range. Sadly, I couldn’t get them to give me a copy.

Both Salomon and Altra had stands and I called in to the latter to enquire as to what is going on with the new Lone Peak 9+ trail shoes. I was told that following extensive and repeated lobbying by UK and European users, Altra Europe had passed on the request to the US that users wanted the Italian brand and much respected Vibram soles on new generations of the shoe. It was stated that while these were not necessary on US trails, that a ‘+’ model could be produced with Vibram Megagrip outsole solely (sic) for the European market, the standard Maxtrac Outsole being retained for the US market. The in-house designed Trailclaw lugs remain common to both materials. I have experienced first hand the slow reduction in grip over the years with each successive generation of Lone Peaks and hope that the Vibram outsole of my latest purchase is going to improve on this.

I also mentioned to the staff on the stand the toe issues I had experienced a year ago when trying Altra’s waterproof Olympus shoes with Gore-tex lining, and now heard that the recommendation had been to go up a half size as the waterproof membrane was thicker on those earlier shoes. This has now been resolved, the lining has been refined and is now thinner and purchasers are now advised to stick to their standard sizing.

Unsurprising in such a forum, there was not too much in the way of truly lightweight offerings for the backpacker. But there were a couple of stand out attendees. Wild Camping International is a UK based company that supplies a small range of decent gear. Well, it looked decent to me. Most seemed to be rebranded Chinese made titanium offerings, nothing wrong with that, and almost all was available at special ‘show prices’.

I enjoyed a long talk with Knox Pang, the owner of 6dots. Based in Manchester, with products made in Hong Kong, this little company produces custom-made lightweight packs, hats, jackets and the like from materials such as Tyvek and Xpac. His roll top Tyvek backpack is available in 20-30lt sizes, is waterproof, frameless, included many features and at just 900g, a truly lightweight option, and well priced at £96 (£91 at the show). The standard white Tyvek was alternatively available in various dyed colour options.

As in previous years, the various speakers proved to be very popular. Though many visitors were also no doubt taking the opportunity to rest their feet or enjoy a snack while listening to the likes of Kate Humble, Steve Backshall, and Harrison Ward, perhaps better known as Fell Foodie. I was more interested in the exhibitors and their stands, just as well as I thought the sound system atrocious and projected speaker voices almost unintelligible.

I spent a few minutes talking to Sam at Independent Hostels UK. Beside the much improved design of their hard-copy guide, she showed me their web design, we were able to sort by long-distance path, showing hostels en-route. I can see me using this resource on both a trek of the Wales Coast Path next year and the Hebridean Way this May. I can also see it opening up many options for other trails too.

While walk-ups were also accommodated for many activities, there was a great many pre-bookable features for those interested in such things. These included: The Outdoor Kitchen, The Climbing Wall ,  Paddle Boarding, Kayaking and Outdoor Swimming.

Other activities were not pre-bookable and it was fight for space. These included: The Bushcraft Zone,The Wild Camping Zone, Climbing, The Caving Experience, The Adventure Travel Hub, Disc Golf, Tomahawk Throwing, Mountain Films and Talks, Mountain Safety and First Aid Hub, the British Orienteering Trail,Cycling and Adventurous Training, and British Gliding Association Flight Simulator . 

While the exhibitors at Outdoor Expo were focusing on those who like to walk, run, climb, kayak, paddleboard, surf, camp and eat outdoors, there was nothing for the cyclist. Those on two (or three) wheels were not forgotten however. The National Cycling Show was taking place in the adjoining hall over the same weekend and tickets holders also had access to that event.

Despite not being much of a cyclist, I went in for a mooch about at the end of my visit to Outdoor Expo. It looked popular and wide-ranging in its content. Kids and adults were doing various tricks on BMXs, and visitors looked engaged and interested with the various stands and exhibitors. Our timing was serendipitous, and we caught some of the ‘fireside chat’ with Dame Laura Kenny. I noted that the sound system in here was much improved on that in Hall One.

Entry to Outdoor Expo was £18 for adults (children free) but reduced priced tickets were widely available in advance. £10 weekend tickets were on offer for quite some time, reduced to £5 nearer the event. Subscribers to various outlets and show exhibitors had plenty of opportunity to obtain free entry, and that was what I did, obtaining two free tickets for the two days for myself and Mrs Three Points of the Compass. Parking remains shockingly expensive however. Pre-booking reduced this by a fiver to £13.95. NEC, situated more or less in the centre of the country, is a bit of a journey for most attendees. The two of us stayed locally, also visiting the nearby National Motorcycle Museum on the Sunday. Add in meals and drinks over the two days and this became a fairly expensive weekend. That said, the two of us found National Expo interesting, engaging and worth the time and expense. I will almost certainly attend the show in future years, but am unsure that it needs to be an annual pilgrimage.