Have you noticed a change? These days, when you browse outdoor gear stores like REI, Decathlon, or Mont Bell in Japan, you'll find a new section on the shelves\u2014a pet travel section. And the pet carriers there are different from what you usually see in pet stores: no cartoon prints, no pastel shades, but more classic colors like military green, khaki, and gray. Why is this? Because more and more people are taking their dogs camping, hiking, and on road trips. When they come in to buy tents and sleeping bags, they'll casually ask, \"Do you have any soft-sided dog crates that can be taken to campsites?\"<\/p>\n
This demand is giving rise to an interesting crossover category\u2014outdoor camping-style pet crates. The global pet travel accessories market is projected to reach $7.7 billion by 2026, with an annual growth rate of 6.6%. However, the real growth may not be in traditional pet stores, but rather in the \"pet sections\" of camping gear stores.<\/p>\n
Below, we'll discuss this new market segment from six perspectives: channel opportunities, color and fabric options, profit model, after-sales service convenience, market growth potential, and how to help clients open camping shops.<\/p>\n","main_image":{"width":150,"height":150,"file":"2026\/04\/blog.jpg","filesize":625616,"sizes":{"medium":{"file":"blog-300x300.jpg","width":300,"height":300,"mime-type":"image\/jpeg","filesize":28842,"url":"https:\/\/canbopet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/blog-300x300.jpg"},"large":{"file":"blog-1024x1024.jpg","width":1024,"height":1024,"mime-type":"image\/jpeg","filesize":218144,"url":"https:\/\/canbopet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/blog-1024x1024.jpg"},"thumbnail":{"file":"blog-150x150.jpg","width":150,"height":150,"mime-type":"image\/jpeg","filesize":9127,"url":"https:\/\/canbopet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/blog-150x150.jpg"},"medium_large":{"file":"blog-768x768.jpg","width":768,"height":768,"mime-type":"image\/jpeg","filesize":132663,"url":"https:\/\/canbopet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/blog-768x768.jpg"},"1536x1536":{"file":"blog-1536x1536.jpg","width":1536,"height":1536,"mime-type":"image\/jpeg","filesize":437500,"url":"https:\/\/canbopet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/blog-1536x1536.jpg"},"trp-custom-language-flag":{"file":"blog-12x12.jpg","width":12,"height":12,"mime-type":"image\/jpeg","filesize":440,"url":"https:\/\/canbopet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/blog-12x12.jpg"},"tp-image-grid":{"file":"blog-700x700.jpg","width":700,"height":700,"mime-type":"image\/jpeg","filesize":115060,"url":"https:\/\/canbopet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/blog-700x700.jpg"},"htmega_size_585x295":{"file":"blog-585x295.jpg","width":585,"height":295,"mime-type":"image\/jpeg","filesize":47244,"url":"https:\/\/canbopet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/blog-585x295.jpg"},"htmega_size_1170x536":{"file":"blog-1170x536.jpg","width":1170,"height":536,"mime-type":"image\/jpeg","filesize":147368,"url":"https:\/\/canbopet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/blog-1170x536.jpg"},"htmega_size_396x360":{"file":"blog-396x360.jpg","width":396,"height":360,"mime-type":"image\/jpeg","filesize":41355,"url":"https:\/\/canbopet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/blog-396x360.jpg"}},"image_meta":{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0","keywords":[]},"ID":"18473","name":"blog.jpg","path":"\/home\/u188047424\/domains\/canbopet.com\/public_html\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/blog.jpg","url":"https:\/\/canbopet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/blog-150x150.jpg","full_url":"https:\/\/canbopet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/blog.jpg","title":"blog","caption":"blog","description":"blog","alt":"blog","srcset":"https:\/\/canbopet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/blog-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/canbopet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/blog-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/canbopet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/blog-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/canbopet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/blog-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/canbopet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/blog-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/canbopet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/blog-12x12.jpg 12w, https:\/\/canbopet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/blog-700x700.jpg 700w, https:\/\/canbopet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/blog.jpg 2048w"},"titl1":"Why a soft cage? What kind of pet section does a camping equipment store want?","part1":"
The shelves of a camping gear store are quite different from those of a regular pet store. The latter favors bright colors and a cute style, while the former's overall tone is \"outdoor\"\u2014green, khaki, gray, and occasionally with a touch of military style. Customers walk in wearing windbreakers and carrying trekking poles, and the pet gear they choose naturally needs to blend into this setting.<\/p>\n
Specifically, camping stores have several clear requirements when selecting products:<\/p>\n
They must be foldable and easy to store, taking up little space in the trunk\u2014these products often correspond to collapsible dog crates, pop-up dog crates, and foldable dog kennels.<\/p>\n
The fabric must be durable, preferably water-repellent\u2014for example, fabric dog crates and soft-sided kennels.<\/p>\n
The colors can't be too contrasting; earth tones or a tactical style are preferred.<\/p>\n
They need to be able to fit in the trunk, in the tent vestibule, or even in the back seat of a car\u2014this requires travel dog crates (large) and portable dog crates (for cars).<\/p>\n
Currently, the soft travel crate for dogs, specifically designed for camping, is still a relatively untapped market. Whoever secures this position first will reap the initial benefits from the distribution channels.<\/p>\n","tit2":"Military green, khaki, sand\u2014color is \"ticket\" to the camping shop","part2":"
The sales logic for outdoor gear emphasizes \"sense of context.\" A soft-sided dog crate in a jungle green or sandy color, placed next to a camping stove, becomes part of a complete adventure gear set. Conversely, if it's fluorescent pink or has a cartoon pattern, outdoor buyers will likely ignore it.<\/p>\n
This is where fabric color customization becomes crucial. Experienced factories will provide durable fabrics like 500D\/600D polyester Oxford cloth with colorfastness of level four or higher, based on customer needs. In terms of color, besides solid colors like military green, khaki, sage gray, and dark brown, a small number of camouflage patterns can also be made (but today we're focusing more on natural colors). Reflective strips, hanging loops, and D-rings can also be added for outdoor functional details.<\/p>\n
The same colors and fabrics are also suitable for pet carrier foldables, large collapsible dog crates, and fabric dog crates for cars, allowing sellers to stock everything in one place and promote it uniformly to outdoor channels.<\/p>\n","tit3":"How are B-end revenues calculated when soft cages are sold to camping equipment stores?","part3":"
Compared to traditional pet stores, camping equipment stores have a higher average order value and stricter quality requirements, but are less price-sensitive. Using FOB China export prices as a reference, we can roughly calculate:<\/p>\n
Standard Small Soft Carrier (Suitable for Cats or Dogs):
\nFactory price approximately $8\u201314, retail price $29\u201345. The markup is between 2.5 and 3.2 times, resulting in a gross profit margin of approximately 40%\u201350% for the camping store.<\/p>\n
Standard Medium Soft Carrier (For Medium-Sized Dogs):
\nFactory price $12\u201322, retail price $45\u201375, markup 2.8\u20133.5 times, resulting in a gross profit margin of 45%\u201355%.<\/p>\n
Standard Large Soft-Sided Dog Crate (for Large Dogs Camping Overnight)<\/p>\n
Factory Price: $22\u2013$38; Retail Price: $79\u2013$130; Markup: 2.5\u20133.0 times; Gross Profit Margin: 40%\u201350%.<\/p>\n
Interestingly, products like collapsible dog crates for large dogs and extra-large soft-sided dog crates sometimes sell faster in camping stores than in traditional pet stores. This is because they are highly compatible with user scenarios\u2014camping, road trips, and staying in guesthouses are all high-frequency usage scenarios for soft-sided crates.<\/p>\n","tit4":"More worry-free after-sales service \u2013 soft cages are naturally more suitable for camping than hard cages.","part4":"
In outdoor settings, users are truly concerned about: how easy it is to store the crate? Will it rust? Will it scratch the tent floor? Comparing rigid plastic or metal crates with soft crates reveals significant differences:<\/p>\n
Storage Size: Rigid crates are typically non-foldable and take up a lot of space. Soft crates, on the other hand, can be easily folded to the size of a backpack, such as pop-up dog crates and foldable designs, taking up virtually no space.<\/p>\n
Impact on Tent Floor: The sharp edges of the bottom of a rigid crate can scratch the tent fabric. Soft crates eliminate this concern because the bottom is soft.<\/p>\n
Main Reasons for Returns: Common problems with rigid crates include broken hinges and excessive weight. Soft crates rarely have structural issues; occasional zipper problems are minor, with an overall return rate below 3%.<\/p>\n
Customer Complaint Rate: Rigid crates have a complaint rate of approximately 0.8% to 12%, while soft crates can be kept to 0.4% to 0.6%.<\/p>\n
In particular, soft-sided dog crates for cars and travel dog crates for puppies have return rates in outdoor channels that are nearly 40% lower than in regular pet channels. The reason is simple: they are foldable for easy storage, don't take up much space, and are convenient to carry when traveling. People find them incredibly convenient to use in the trunk, tent vestibule, or pickup truck bed.<\/p>\n","tit5":"Market size and growth forecast (2026\u20132030)","part5":"
Camping is becoming increasingly popular. Data from the US shows that over 35% of campers now bring their pets. The niche market of soft travel crates for dogs, specifically designed for outdoor sales, is projected to grow at a CAGR of 11.2% over the next three years, significantly exceeding the overall 6.6% growth rate of pet travel accessories.<\/p>\n
This is also reflected in search trends (Google Trends 2025\u20132026):<\/p>\n
\"Soft-sided dog crates for car travel\" increased by 28% in one year.<\/p>\n
\"Collapsible dog crate travel\" increased by 19%.<\/p>\n
Searching for \"large folding dog crate\" combined with \"camping\" increased by 34%.<\/p>\n
At camping equipment trade shows, inquiries about large fabric dog crates and soft collapsible dog crates with outdoor color schemes nearly doubled. Whoever can establish a foothold in this cross-industry channel first will have the opportunity to gain pricing power.<\/p>\n","tit6":"How to help customers open the door to camping gear stores \u2013 a discussion on product selection and customization","part6":"
If you happen to be an Amazon seller, supermarket buyer, or domestic platform distributor looking to enter the camping gear store channel, the following suggestions might be helpful. And as we discuss this, you'll discover that these suggestions actually point to a suitable manufacturing partner.<\/p>\n
1. Product Mix: Start with collapsible pet carriers and portable large dog crates, supplemented with large soft crates and soft-sided kennels for dogs. This should cover most camping store needs. The key is that each product should be foldable, easy to store, and space-saving.<\/p>\n
2. Color Scheme: Prepare 3-5 earth tones (military green, khaki, sand, dark brown), and place this at the very beginning of your price list for outdoor buyers. Finding the right colors is half the battle won.<\/p>\n
3. Functional Details: Add hanging loops, detachable shoulder straps, and a bottom moisture-proof mat. Many customers appreciate the flexible structure of fabric folding dog crates. Additionally, a large area of \u200b\u200bsandwich mesh fabric is crucial\u2014it's breathable, prevents stuffiness in summer, and allows pets to see outside, reducing anxiety.<\/p>\n
4. Certifications and Patents: BSCI, ISO 9001, and CE certifications are mandatory requirements for major chain camping stores. Providing US or EU design patent licensing significantly increases channel trust.<\/p>\n
5. Small-Batch Customization: Many independent camping stores don't actually need an entire shipping container. They prefer private label or white label orders, and minimum order quantities of 500-1000 pieces are often easier to close deals with.<\/p>\n
By now, you might have realized that each of the points mentioned above\u2014folding and storage, custom earth-tone designs, sandwich mesh fabric, certified patents, and small-batch OEM\u2014is not something just any factory can do well. That's why we'd like to briefly introduce ourselves.<\/p>\n
Changzhou Canbo Travel Products Co., Ltd. is a source factory for pet travel gear. We have five production lines, over 200 employees, and a factory area exceeding 20,000 square meters. We possess BSCI, ISO 9001, and CE certifications, and most of our designs have obtained US and EU design patents, which can be licensed.<\/p>\n
Our products have several features perfectly suited for camping:<\/p>\n
Easy to fold and store: Whether it's a collapsible dog crate or a pop-up dog crate, they don't take up much space when folded; they can be easily stored in the trunk, wardrobe, or under the car seat.<\/p>\n
Lightweight and portable: Simply sling them over your shoulder or put them in your suitcase\u2014they're not a burden at all.<\/p>\n
Versatile for multiple scenarios: Perfect for home, car, tent, and even overnight stays at friends' houses.<\/p>\n
Durable fabric: Made with high-density Oxford cloth, it's abrasion-resistant and durable.<\/p>\n
Large area of \u200b\u200bsandwich mesh fabric: Not only is it breathable and comfortable in summer, but it also allows pets to see outside, reducing anxiety.<\/p>\n
We support OEM\/ODM, private label, and white label services, and can also customize fabric colors. We supply cross-border e-commerce, Amazon sellers, and supermarket clients in Europe, America, Japan, South Korea, and Australia year-round. If you are interested in our camping product catalog, please feel free to contact us through Alibaba International Station or our independent website.<\/p>\n","image1":{"width":150,"height":150,"file":"2025\/10\/3-3.jpg","filesize":1586945,"sizes":{"medium":{"file":"3-3-300x300.jpg","width":300,"height":300,"mime-type":"image\/jpeg","filesize":27488,"url":"https:\/\/canbopet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/3-3-300x300.jpg"},"large":{"file":"3-3-1024x1024.jpg","width":1024,"height":1024,"mime-type":"image\/jpeg","filesize":238541,"url":"https:\/\/canbopet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/3-3-1024x1024.jpg"},"thumbnail":{"file":"3-3-150x150.jpg","width":150,"height":150,"mime-type":"image\/jpeg","filesize":8895,"url":"https:\/\/canbopet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/3-3-150x150.jpg"},"medium_large":{"file":"3-3-768x768.jpg","width":768,"height":768,"mime-type":"image\/jpeg","filesize":145035,"url":"https:\/\/canbopet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/3-3-768x768.jpg"},"trp-custom-language-flag":{"file":"3-3-12x12.jpg","width":12,"height":12,"mime-type":"image\/jpeg","filesize":1363,"url":"https:\/\/canbopet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/3-3-12x12.jpg"},"tp-image-grid":{"file":"3-3-700x700.jpg","width":700,"height":700,"mime-type":"image\/jpeg","filesize":124974,"url":"https:\/\/canbopet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/3-3-700x700.jpg"}},"image_meta":{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0","keywords":[]},"ID":"15623","name":"3-3.jpg","path":"\/home\/u188047424\/domains\/canbopet.com\/public_html\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/3-3.jpg","url":"https:\/\/canbopet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/3-3-150x150.jpg","full_url":"https:\/\/canbopet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/3-3.jpg","title":"\u0431\u043e\u043b\u044c\u0448\u043e\u0439 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