Wondering what kind of influencers are out there? Do they fit your brand image and mission?
How do you find outdoor influencers that make sense for your brand?
In part three of this series, we focus on some of the top outdoor influencers and how they are impacting the industry. Review this comprehensive list to find influencers that may potentially align with your brand and target audience. See how they are marketing products and services to create an influencer strategy.
In some cases, influencers are highly specialized, focusing on a niche audience — like those who love fly-fishing. Others focus on a broader network of people, such as those interested in unique @outdoor travel experiences, whether it be glamping opportunities or @water park enthusiasts.
Camping Influencers
Camping influencers offer many opportunities to showcase outdoor brands, especially those focused on gear and tourism. Many Instagram influencers in this camping and outdoor space blog or vlog provide cross-channel marketing opportunities. They can showcase your products, services, or destinations in real-world scenarios, offering a potentially cost-effective marketing opportunity.
Like in any niche, the key is finding influencers who truly connect with your brand. They are the ones who will advocate for you, helping you develop a loyal, engaged community of consumers.
Here are some influencers who should be on your radar:
- Renee Hahnel: @reneeroaming (macro)
- Meghan O’Rourke: @meghanorourkee (macro)
- Zoe & Kelby Jecker: @the_adventureaddicts (macro)
- Mike Pullen: @taoutdoorofficial (macro)
- Sergi Garcia: @campingsespana (macro)
- FlipFlopWanderer: @theflipflopwanderer (micro)
- Finn: @scandinature (micro)
- Shazwani Nasa: @shazwaninasa (micro)
- Saoirse: @wildhibernia (micro)
- Bre: @bre_somewhere (micro)
- Devin Ashby: @backcountryexposure (nano)
- Laura Kolari: @kolarilaura (nano)
- Kashi Putra: @travel.with.lokesh (nano)
Hiking and Climbing Influencers
Hiking and climbing enthusiasts are a great way to showcase your products or tie in unique outdoors destinations, attractions, or even lodging options. If you sell outdoor equipment, specifically hiking and climbing gear, these influencers can also naturally showcase your products in their video and social content.
Here are some top influencers to check out:
- Meagan Smith & Andy Jaffray: @fuelforthesole (macro)
- Sanni McCandless Honnold: @sannimccandless (macro)
- Tessa Sarkies: @spirithiker (macro)
- Nicole Knox: @nicolexknox (macro)
- Tanille Ballard: @phx_native_wanderer (micro)
- Tiffany: @followtiffsjourney (micro)
- Emily: @trigsandteeth (micro)
- Corey Miller: @mountainman_miller (micro)
- Rachel: @rachelbartle (micro)
- L. Renee: @urbanclimbr (micro)
- Mike: @michaeldietrich (micro)
- Harry: @harry.in.the.hills (micro)
- Christina & Cheyenne: @hiking.honey (nano)
- Emma: @altitude_with_emma (nano)
Fishing and Hunting Influencers
For those who fish and hunt, it is often more than a hobby or passion — it is a way of life. Depending on what products you offer, you may focus on influencers promoting conservation and responsible practices, you may want to showcase fishing enthusiasts at your fly-in camp, or help a targeted community discover your latest hunting gadget.
While there are many mega influencers, like @stevenrinella, it is often best to start with macro-, micro-, and nano-influencers. Although it all depends on what you offer and where you see your brand fitting in best.
Learn more about some of the top fishing and hunting influencers who may be a good stepping stone as you enter influencer marketing:
- Bowmar Bowhunting: @bowmarbowhunting (macro)
- Remi Warren: @remiwarren (macro)
- Casey Butler: @caseylavere (macro)
- Kendall Jones: @kendalljones_ (macro)
- Jennifer Eisele: @huntress_jen7 (macro)
- Corey Jacobsen: @coreyjacobsen.elk101 (micro)
- Jessica Taylor Byers: @followherarrow (micro)
- Ashley Nichole Hall: @ashleyhalloutdoors (micro)
- Maggie Carsello: @maggiejo_outdoors (micro)
- Benny Schuman: @benoutdoorsusa (micro)
- Mike Kemp: @mikes.outdoor.journal (nano)
- Alexander Wiltz: @alexander.wiltz.fishing (nano)
Water Sports Influencers
Whether they surf, sail, paddleboard, or engage in other adventures, water sports influencers offer many angles, ranging from fitness to travel. You can often find niche influencers in this category, allowing you to tap into a relevant audience you may not have found otherwise.
Here are some of the top water sports influencers to consider reaching out to:
- Lakey Peterson: @lakeypeterson (macro)
- Conner Coffin: @connercoffin (macro)
- Tyler Wright: @tylerwright (macro)
- Quincy Davis: @quincydavis (macro)
- Molly Picklum: @picklummolly (micro)
- Dylan Graves: @dylangraves (micro)
- Ken Whiting: @paddle365 (micro)
- Remi Arauzo: @remiarauzo (micro)
- Rodrigo Sanchez: @surfytacos (nano)
- Marybeth: @paddleadventurer (nano)
Outdoor Travel Influencers
Outdoor travel covers a wide range of topics, including gear and specific destinations. Outdoor travel influencers are opening up unique opportunities to their followers and the brands they partner with. There are now booking sites connecting travel influencers with their communities, @inviting followers to travel with influencers. Brands are getting creative, which is why it’s crucial to stay on top of trends.
Here are some top influencers to check out:
- Jess Dales: @jess.wandering (macro)
- Angela Liguori: @angelaliggs (macro)
- Ryan Resatka: @ryanresatka (macro)
- Daniel Ernst: @daniel_ernst (macro)
- Andy Neal: @andyfilmsandhikes (macro)
- Frauke: @frauki (macro)
- Jenny Anderson: @girlof10000lakes (micro)
- Inma & Jose: @aworldtotravel (micro)
- Karilyn: @nobackhome (micro)
- The Local Tourist: @thelocaltourist (nano)
Next Steps
While there are certainly unique considerations when it comes to influencer marketing, create these campaigns like any other. Do your research, set a budget, create realistic goals, find influencers, track, and revise.
You’ll want to establish an outreach process to help automate this initial process. When reaching out to mega- and macro-influencers, be prepared to work with agencies. If you want to work with micro- and nano-influencers, reach out to them via private message and take it from there.
Unsure where to begin?
@Contact us to discover ways Watauga Group can help with your outdoor influencer marketing strategy.
And be sure to join us for the last piece in this series, covering key metrics and KPIs to ensure greater influencer marketing success.
