Making Space for Every Body in the Outdoor Industry
At Outdoor Gear Exchange, when we say that everybody deserves to experience the outdoors, we truly mean every BODY. Including historically excluded groups—and ensuring the outdoor industry is making an effort to do the same—is a big part of who we are. We are committed to supporting companies that are making strides in fostering inclusivity. We are thrilled to see more bodies of different shapes and sizes getting out there.
Here are some trail-blazing brands that are championing access to the outdoors by offering products with inclusive sizing—from size 000 to size 24.
"Less than 20% of apparel is made for plus size women, even though 68% of women wear a size 14 or larger."
— Sam Ortiz, OR Inclusive Sizing Advisory Board
Outdoor Research (OR) makes trusted gear designed to get people outdoors. It’s only by inviting new partners into the fold that we will grow and progress as a force for greater equality and justice in the world.
Every body is a little bit different. Thanks to OR’s expanded line, more people now have access to a unified layering system that keeps them warm and dry—and looking great, too.
Dovetail Workwear builds clothing by, for, and with women. Their pocket-packed work pants have different fits and features, and range in size from 000-24, with multiple inseam lengths.
Dovetail knows inclusivity goes beyond numbers, so they source feedback from wear-testers of various body shapes, and occupations. Their journey to improve fit has only just begun.
"My body is not the problem. The problem was the clothing. My body is good and can do these things, and for the first time ever, the clothes now match the ability I have."
— Megan Banker, Co-Founder of Climb Big
Mother Nature welcomes and accepts us exactly as we are. How you define adventure is as personal as the way you define yourself.
prAna strives to respect and honor the beauty of every unique voice. Women, men and nonbinary friends of every shape, age and color should be allowed to let their sense of adventure flourish.
Because you belong here.
Marmot has been building community for everyone who values the outdoors for 48 years.
This means providing technical gear and apparel for outdoor athletes of every size and ability—from extended size ranges to address all body types to non-gendered styles.
“A backpack made with my unique needs in mind tells me that I am seen as an adventurer and that’s the kind of empowerment I want to take to the trail.”
— Jenny Bruso, Unlikely Hikers
Gregory Mountain Products have been helping people of all sizes and shapes get outside for nearly 50 years. Their comfortable, durable designs have only improved through a partnership with Unlikely Hikers.
This year, Gregory has put forth the industry’s first ever line of plus-size backpacks designed specifically for outdoor enthusiasts sizes 2X-6X. No matter your adventure, Gregory packs are built to have your back.
Alpine Parrot is a revolutionary outdoor apparel company that caters specifically to people of size and people of color.
Alpine Parrot, founded by plus-sized Latina engineer Raquel Vélez, is creatively tackling one of the oldest industries by creating sustainable, inclusive clothing for those who have so often been neglected in the outdoor space. Designed with a focus on quality construction and fit, Raquel’s innovative “mountain” and “river” sizing chart takes the fitting process to unprecedented levels of accuracy and comfort.