New research reveals that under-25s in the UK are increasingly swapping traditional nights out for free, outdoor activities, as the cost of living and social burnout reshape how young people connect.
According to a recent study analysed by Trail.co.uk, three in five (61%) 18–30 year olds are going out less often than a year ago, while only 16% report going out more. The trend points to a sustained shift rather than a temporary slowdown.
Rising Costs Are Driving Social Change
The pullback from paid leisure is closely linked to financial pressure. Separate UK research shows that over two-thirds (68%) of young people feel the current economic climate has reduced their night-time socialising, while 53% say they are spending less on going out than last year. With rising rents, transport costs, and insecure incomes, discretionary spending on activities such as drinks, clubs, and meals out is increasingly being priced out for younger generations.
Spending data supports this behavioural change. UCAS reports that students’ average weekly spend on leisure, including eating out and alcohol, has fallen from £60 to £52 over the past year—a real-terms drop of over 20%. This highlights that social budgets are shrinking rather than simply being redirected.
Free, Flexible Activities Are on the Rise
Young people are turning to outdoor and informal activities instead. Sport England data shows that walking participation among 16–24 year olds has increased since the pandemic, with one in three saying they are more active through free, flexible activities. Google Trends reflects this shift, with searches for “hiking trails” up 36% and “hiking equipment” up 79% in the past year.
Social media platforms, particularly TikTok, have helped normalise this change. Trends like soft hiking present walking as a social, low-cost alternative rather than a purely fitness-focused activity. TikTok content related to hiking has surged by as much as 500% in the past month, showing the speed at which digital trends are translating into real-world habits.
Businesses Are Taking Note
UK outdoor retailer Trail.co.uk has seen a dramatic increase in engagement from younger customers, with revenue from 18–34-year-olds rising by 133% in the past year. Jeff Skelton, an awnings expert at Trail.co.uk, predicts that demand for walking poles, lightweight backpacks, and other essentials will continue to grow as longer, more frequent walks become a fixture of young people’s routines.
Skelton explains, “Among under-25s, this looks like a genuine shift rather than a short-term response to rising costs. Young people aren’t just spending less on nights out—they’re reorganising how they spend time together. Social life is increasingly built around shared experiences that don’t require money, which marks a fundamental change in how Gen Z meet, unwind, and connect.”
This trend reflects a broader cultural shift, showing that free, meaningful social experiences—whether in parks, on trails, or around shared hobbies—are now the preferred way for young Brits to connect.
