Struggling to buy plus-size hiking clothes?

When Katie Parrott walks into a shop, her first assumption is that there will be nothing there for her.

“Normally, I’m proven right,” the Hobart-based social media influencer says.

“I’m a size 24. If I can find something, that’s great. But I don’t assume that it will happen.”

As she explains to ABC Radio Hobart, it’s an all too familiar story for people who wear clothing outside of straight-size ranges.

An upsetting reality 

Katie also happens to be an avid bushwalker, something not uncommon in her home state of Tasmania.

What is common for Katie is the fact that she has not been able to source good quality, and well fitted bushwalking clothes in her size in Australia, particularly in stores.

Instead, says she has been forced to “get creative” with her online shopping.

After struggling to find hiking pants to her liking in Australia, she turned to online stores based in the US.

When she did manage to source a pair that were suitable, she ran into another obstacle — they didn’t ship to Australia.

“I actually had to get creative and get them sent to my friend in Canada, who then sent them on to me in Tasmania,” she says.

It’s an issue that Katie says isn’t limited to clothing.

Outdoor camping gear like sleeping bags and backpacks are also not designed with larger bodies in mind.

“I recently tried to find a backpack and the strap at the front wouldn’t do up properly for me, and there were no other options,” Katie says.

“The outdoors are supposedly for everyone — but if you’re my size I guess not.”

‘It’s a social justice issue’

Tips for sourcing plus-sized outdoor clothing options

• Find your community: “Facebook groups and online community groups are amazing for helping you find what you need and sourcing it,” says Sam.
• Shop online and follow plus-sized influencers who, like Katie, will share their reviews of brands and how they really fit: “It’s a resource I do for my social followers so they know before buying online themselves.”
• Write to brands and share your feedback with them: “I do think that the wheels are turning and there are brands that are noticing and want to be on the right side,” Katie says.

Source
Megan Macdonald
ABC News

See also:

• Plus Outdoor (Australia)
  At Plus Outdoor we are dedicated to providing plus sized men and women a great range of high-quality rain and outdoor gear designed to fit perfectly. We know that plus-sized outdoor gear is extremely difficult to find and is often poorly designed, making it a poor fit and uncomfortable. Plus Outdoor gear is specially designed for the plus size shape, not just those with extra-long arms and legs.
• Exotica Athletica (Australia)
• The 19 best pieces of plus-size outdoor gear (US based review)