Do you love the outdoors and its associated gear? Have you ever considered investing in your passion? Outdoor gear is a booming industry. More and more people want to escape the crush of the daily grind and big cities by getting into the great outdoors and experiencing nature firsthand. As such, it is possible to do and it may just line your pockets with enough to keep your passion going well into your retirement. Here are some suggestions for how to go about it.

Steps:

1. Look for the outdoor gear companies that are public. In the USA, you can find these companies using the relevant stock exchange listings in your country e.g, NASDAQ, YSE. In other countries, look at your relevant stock exchange listings.　
2. Choose the stock that interests you. Ask yourself what gear are you wearing and using now, as this may be a good place to start from. If you have already done the homework on buying the "best" gear for your own needs, chances are that it is also gear that is performing well because many people trust it and are buying it. If you favour high quality, long-lasting gear, chances are that other people do too and a loyal fan base has been built up - if so, these are good ones to begin with.
3. Choose the stock that is doing well. Just as you seek high quality gear, seek high quality performing stocks that are likely to outlast any fads and that have solid financial bases. Watch the market and do your research into the background of the stock. Seek advice if you're not sure how to do this.
4. Choose the stock likely to perform well down the track. Read the hiking, kayaking, climbing, cycling, diving, surfing and other outdoor gear magazines closely and have a chat with outdoor store specialists. What nascent technologies and trends are beginning to appear now that might turn out to be very strong down the track, in 5 to 10 years time? Examples of successful items that now sell well but once were only talked about include GPS and hydration systems.
5. Be market savvy. If you are new to the stock market, consider a condensed evening class or intensive course on trading. It is well worth the small investment to better understand the process involved. Read investment literature to solidify your knowledge. If you are already stock savvy, go straight to doing your homework by following the stocks that interest you for a while to assess how they are doing.
6. Open a trading account. If you don't already own an account, you will need to open one. Choose a trading account online or find a broker.
7. Buy your stocks. Once you have done your homework and worked out which company or companies suit your needs and interests most, it is time to start investing. If needed, use the assistance of a broker or financial adviser. If you love gear but numbers twist your head, make sure you have a financial adviser along for the ride!
8. Think long term. Invest in your shares for a long term. That way, you can make greater gains over time and small losses that might occur over a short period will likely be made up elsewhere. It may not be as immediately gratifying and exhilarating as ascending that mountain or descending the rapids but over time, you can get quite a lot of thrills from playing the investment game in an area that impassions you.