Are there women hiking gear things to know?
Women have been an audience for which no outdoors and hiking gear backpacks, boots, or sleeping bags were made to meet their needs and body particularities.
This was the status quo for decades.
However, at some point, outdoor equipment companies listened to their needs and started thinking about how to please women and their needs for equipment.
The fact is that women are shaped differently from men.
Their bodies have areas that are colder or warmer than men.
So, companies found out that just making a backpacking pack pink or “girlish” was not working anymore. Women hiking gear specific was a must.
So, a change started for women hiking gear.
Women hiking gear specifics
Nowadays, women can find suitable equipment.
This enhances their pleasure while experiencing outdoors. Many changes had to do with comfort and specific tailoring of things.
Let’s see a few of the changes that relate to women hiking gear.
Changing how bikes are made
We can’t separate bikes into women bikes and men bikes. For real, if a bike fits a specific body structure, then it is good and without gender. Saying that there are companies that are careful with their bike frames, so to fit women’s proportions.
Better thinking in sleeping bags
There are areas of their bodies where women feel like they are cold all the time. Warmth is a key factor for outdoors, so there are women-specific sleeping bags with more insulation at the areas needing such.
Along came the sleeping pads
More cushioning and insulation was necessary under the areas of hips and feet. Such regions are well known cold spots for most women. Of course, there are rules about weight carrying and such, so eventually, each decides what to sacrifice and for what.
Speaking about carrying the weight
Nowadays, you can indeed find a pack that is suitable for women’s body types. Such backpacking packs usually come with alterations in the hips and breasts area. So, such bags have a shorter torso, plus curved shoulder straps, so to fit around breasts.
Some also come with extra padding, while the hip belt is smaller too.
Hiking Boots
Boots made for women are usually narrower around the heel area. However, this is not necessarily good as you need to walk safely with sturdy shoes and excellent ankle support.
Pants
Comfort and fashion don’t always walk together. There are many cases where women’s pants are too tight and also come without pockets. So, men’s pants are the preference for many women. The bottom line advice is for women to wear what is more comfortable for them.
Other women hiking gear
Either it is climbing, skiing/snowboarding equipment, there are options for women, which can help them enjoy while learning and/or advance on their activity.
When it comes to rock climbing, harnesses come with larger thigh loops, smaller waist, and a higher rise.
Yet, again it depends on the body type since some fit men’s body types better.
Conclusion for women hiking gear
The obvious conclusion is to adopt the equipment that fits your body and with which you feel comfortable to perform your outdoor activity. With a small exception backpacking packs, and can fit all.
Do you have such experiences with women-specific equipment & hiking gear? Please share it with our readers.
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Thanks for your suggestion to use hiking boots if you have good support in your ankles. I like how you said that women should use pants that are comfortable when hiking or doing other outdoor activities. My husband and I love doing outdoorsy activities, and we are looking into the proper clothing for our activities.