UK hobbyists are turning to Temu to beat rising equipment costs

According to a 2024 survey, 45% of young people see themselves in precarious financial circumstances. In a separate study, it was also revealed that 39% of 25-to-34 year olds relied on financial support from the ‘bank of mum and dad’ within the past year.

With that, the ‘hobby-to-side hustle’ phenomenon that peaked as a result of stay-at-home mandates has stayed the course. Amid the endless TikToks teaching you macramé techniques or DIY interior design hacks, you'll also find videos inspiring people to transform their favourite pastimes into thriving businesses.

But what happened to our hobbies just being passions for leisure? We could all do with some extra pennies, but for most, we spend so much of our work and study lives fixated on being productive, burnout looms.

So, does our leisure time really have to give as well?

The challenge persists in that hobbies are rarely kind on our wallets. It’s no wonder there’s been a huge movement toward run clubs in recent years with running itself generally seen as one of the few ‘low-cost’ or even ‘free’ passions an individual can pursue. The popular running app Strava found there was a 9% rise in races being logged in 2024, while SportsShoes reported over a quarter of Brits now run at least one to three times per week.

But as individuals become more dedicated to their choice of leisure activity, not even running is immune to an increase in spend on specialised equipment. An Aviva study found UK homes are host to almost £46 billion in hobby-related equipment.

Horse riding is a beloved but costly hobby in the UK. Just ask 22-year-old Suffolk-based rider Millie Stennett, who’s been around horses since childhood. While she loves riding, she dreaded cleaning her gear—especially after her dog chewed up her only sponge.

“I feel like I get robbed every time I buy tack cleaning sponges,” she joked online.

Looking for a smarter solution, Millie turned to Temu, the fast-growing marketplace where shoppers buy direct from factories. She found a multipack of sponges for less than the price of one at her local tack shop—and was pleasantly surprised by the quality.

With her new stash in hand, she got to work and even found the process unexpectedly calming.

Temu has been making waves for its wide selection of quality products at low prices, thanks to its direct distribution model. And the savings add up—according to research by the Centre for Economics and Business Research ( CEBR), UK households could save around £3,000 a year by shopping this way.

Other specialised hobby and sporting equipment that doesn’t cost the earth includes this Outdoor Running Vest Hydration Pack, perfect for amateur pavement pounders ready to step it up and train for a half- or full-marathon.

Meanwhile, yogis can balance out the budget, swapping one of their weekly yoga classes for a home-stretch using this affordable 3-In-1 EVA Yoga Brick Set, which includes two blocks and D strap.

An amateur golfer based in the UK, in another example, decided to ditch the hefty price tag typically associated with specialised sporting brands. Sharing the purchase of his new golf bag in a social media post, Yeatesgolf said; “this bag cost me £100. The quality of [it] is the same as what you would get from a Vessel bag! It’s waterproof, full leather, and with a choice of three colours and personalisation.”

For the creatives out there, there are quirky items on Temu that make it not only easy but cost-effective to maintain your crafty passion at home. SHumeraDesignwithus, a UK crafter of handmade, home decorations, shared on social media their use of Temu’s diamond stickers to create a colourful "diamond painting”.

Finally, with this Air-Dry Modelling Clay with 40-Piece Pottery Sculpting Tools Set, ceramicists can work with clay at home to create a variety of objects, from utilitarian items to sculptures and decorative art.

Now, British riders, golfers, artists, and hobbyists alike have even more choice, as Temu expands its network of UK-based sellers, with some products available for next-day delivery. By the end of 2025, half of all UK sales are expected to come from local sellers and warehouses.

And if Millie's dog gets too curious again? No stress—she knows exactly where to find a bargain replacement.