{"id":11976,"date":"2017-04-20T07:00:16","date_gmt":"2017-04-20T14:00:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/?p=11976"},"modified":"2020-05-22T12:41:15","modified_gmt":"2020-05-22T19:41:15","slug":"ask-an-expert-women-specific-gear","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/hike\/ask-an-expert-women-specific-gear","title":{"rendered":"When Does Women-Specific Gear Matter?"},"content":{"rendered":"

This month\u2019s question:<\/strong> Jane Watson, an REI Co-op member since 1989 and manager\/editor of REI\u2019s Expert Advice program, has helped put together dozens of REI buying guides and often gets asked,\u00a0\u201cWhen does choosing women-specific gear really make a difference?\u201d<\/strong><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

Decades ago there were no backpacks or sleeping bags or hiking boots made for women. We made do with what the guys used. Companies began to wise up when women demanded gear that truly worked for them. Designers finally caught on that women are shaped differently from men, and have different body thermodynamics, too (colder, in general). While some gear for women derived from a \u201cshrink it and pink it\u201d attitude, other brands got serious.<\/p>\n

Today you can find much of what you need for the outdoors in a women\u2019s version. But when does women-specific gear really make a difference to your outdoor experience? We spoke with some REI Co-op experts in key product categories to give us some insights.<\/p>\n

\"a<\/p>\n

Bikes<\/h4>\n

Melissa Beams, bike department sales lead at the REI Seattle Flagship store, believes women\u2019s gear \u201ccan make a big difference in a variety of ways\u2014but it always comes down to fit. Whether it\u2019s clothing or the bike itself, it\u2019s the fit that counts.\u201d<\/p>\n

Some bike companies still shrink a men\u2019s frame, add colors or graphics they think a woman would prefer and\u00a0\u201cdumb down\u201d the components. However, Beams says she\u2019s seeing a lot more frame geometry designed to fit women\u2019s proportions, with neutral tones, and with components that are equivalent to those on the men\u2019s version.<\/p>\n

Beams cautions, however, that while certain bikes or packs or other gear may be designed to fit the proportions of most women, men\u2019s gear may still be a better fit for some women (and women\u2019s gear may also be a good fit for certain men).<\/p>\n

\u201cA woman who wants a bike with great performance won\u2019t limit herself to women\u2019s bikes,\u201d Beams continues. \u201cShe\u2019ll find the one with the best fit for what her goal is, whether it\u2019s road racing, long-distance touring or mountain biking.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s nice to have a bike that makes you feel like a strong, confident rider without the Pepto-Bismol pink,\u201d Beams adds.<\/p>\nRead: How to Choose Bikes <\/path><\/svg><\/a><\/span>\n

\"female<\/p>\n

Sleeping Bags<\/h4>\n

\u201cWhat women-specific gear should women definitely have? A sleeping bag,\u201d says Liz Meschio, sales lead in the camping department at the REI Dallas store and leader of classes for women who want to try backpacking.<\/p>\n

Meschio is absolutely clear on this one. \u201cYou can\u2019t beat being warm when you\u2019re outside. I teach women\u2019s backpacking and that\u2019s the one thing I really stress. I\u2019m 6 feet tall and fit better in a men\u2019s pack. But I heavily advise women to get a women\u2019s sleeping bag. … It\u2019s a bit heavier than the men\u2019s version, but that\u2019s because it fits better and has more insulation where we need it most.\u201d<\/p>\nRead: How to Choose Sleeping Bags for Backpacking <\/path><\/svg><\/a><\/span>\n

Sleeping Pads<\/h4>\n

While women\u2019s pads have more cushioning and insulation under the hips and feet\u2014cold spots for women\u2014the extra comfort is a personal decision that each woman needs to make for herself. For Meschio, it\u2019s not super crucial. Her backpacking criteria in order are: weight, utility, then comfort. \u201cIt took me four backpacking trips to figure that out,\u201d she says.<\/p>\nRead: How to Choose Sleeping Pads <\/path><\/svg><\/a><\/span>\n

\"female<\/p>\n

Backpacking Packs<\/h4>\n

Whether you need a pack for climbing, skiing, hiking, hydration or trail-running, you can find a women\u2019s-specific pack. Packs for women generally have a shorter torso, curved shoulder straps to fit around your breasts, a smaller hipbelt and extra padding.<\/p>\n

Meschio\u2014remember, she\u2019s 6 feet tall\u2014explains her pack choice. \u201cI normally use a men\u2019s pack with a women\u2019s hipbelt. I switched it out. Hips are where the rubber meets the road. Most rubbing and chafing on women occurs on the side of your boobs and on hips. Men often tell women to put the belt above the hipbones, but the belt should cradle the bones.\u201d<\/p>\nRead: How to Choose Backpacks <\/path><\/svg><\/a><\/span>\n

\"hiking<\/p>\n

Hiking Boots<\/h4>\n

\u201cThe biggest thing is knowing your own foot.\u201d Meschio should know. \u201cMy feet are too big for most women\u2019s shoes. I wear a men\u2019s 10.\u201d As for wearing men\u2019s footwear, she points out, \u201cMen\u2019s boots have really thick ankles. If you can wear women\u2019s, they\u2019ll be a lot more comfy.\u201d Women\u2019s shoes are narrower, especially in the heels.<\/p>\n

\u201cHaving that tight cup around your heel is super important for ankle support when you\u2019re wearing trail runners instead of boots,\u201d Meschio explains.<\/p>\nRead: How to Choose Hiking Boots <\/path><\/svg><\/a><\/span>\n

Clothing<\/h4>\n

Meschio wears women\u2019s running shorts on the trail. She finds women\u2019s pants too tight, and thinks they\u2019re designed more for fashion, not for true utility. She knows a woman who switched to men\u2019s pants for comfort. Plus, she adds, \u201cThe crime of women\u2019s pants is the lack of pockets.\u201d She stresses to the women in her groups: \u201cWear what\u2019s comfortable for you. Make sure there\u2019s no cotton and that the seams won\u2019t cause chafing.\u201d<\/p>\nRead: How to Choose Backpacking Clothing <\/path><\/svg><\/a><\/span>\n

\"female<\/p>\n

Climbing Harnesses<\/h4>\n

Meschio weighs in on climbing gear, having just roped up on a few routes at Joshua Tree. \u201cI fit better into a men\u2019s harness, but again, I\u2019m not the average female.\u201d Women\u2019s harnesses\u00a0tend to\u00a0have a smaller waist, higher rise and larger thigh loops. \u201cThe\u00a0fit\u00a0is critical,\u201d Meschio explains. \u201cWhether you wear a men\u2019s or a woman\u2019s harness, you want to feel secure and balanced.\u201d<\/p>\nRead: How to Choose Climbing Harnesses <\/path><\/svg><\/a><\/span>\n

Skis and Snowboards<\/h4>\n

When REI merchandise buyer Kelly Maggs started snowboarding more than 20 years ago, she used her husband\u2019s board. At the end of the day she\u2019d be physically exhausted. \u201cOnce I got on a women\u2019s board,\u201d she recalls, \u201cI wasn\u2019t fighting with it anymore. I had so much more confidence.\u201d<\/p>\n

Maggs, who\u2019s been the co-op\u2019s buyer for women\u2019s and men\u2019s snowboards for seven years, says, \u201cI definitely think a women\u2019s board makes a big difference for women snowboarders because the flex is not as stiff.\u201d<\/p>\n

Maggs feels that for a woman to have the best snowsports experience she should start on skis or a snowboard designed for a woman\u2019s geometry. \u201cI could\u2019ve gotten better quicker on a woman\u2019s board,\u201d Maggs says. \u201cYou\u2019re getting that positive reinforcement and you\u2019re apt to push yourself harder.\u201d<\/p>\n

The main advantage of women\u2019s-specific snowsports gear? \u201cYou ride the board instead of the board or skis riding you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Read: How to Choose Skis <\/path><\/svg><\/a><\/span>
\nRead: How to Choose Snowboards <\/path><\/svg><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Making Your Choices<\/h4>\n

When considering whether to buy women\u2019s specific gear, it ultimately comes down to finding the gear that works best for you\u2014not for your best friend or workout buddy\u2014but you. Know your body, and make sure the gear fits. If it\u2019s designed for women, great. \u201cBut,\u201d as Meschio says, \u201cif the men\u2019s fits you better, go to town.\u201d<\/p>\n

And, adds, Beams, \u201cThere will always be those women who want their hot pink bike,\u201d and if that\u2019s what speaks to you, go ahead and embrace it.<\/p>\n

Meet the Experts<\/h4>\n

\"Liz<\/p>\n

Elizabeth Meschio<\/strong> is an employee at the REI store in Dallas, where she teaches the REI Outdoor School classes Backpacking for Women and Hiking the PCT. She solo-hiked the Pacific Crest Trail in 2015.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Melissa<\/p>\n

Melissa Beams, <\/strong>bike department sales lead at the REI Seattle store, grew up riding hardtail MTB until she finally found a road bike that fit properly. She then got into endurance road cycling\u2014among her feats, she\u2019s logged 301 miles in a 24-hour challenge and crossed the country from California to Virginia.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Kelly<\/p>\n

Kelly Maggs<\/strong> is a merchandise manager at REI headquarters where she\u2019s been an employee for 12 years. She started skiing at age 5 but switched her allegiance to snowboarding. Her main \u201chill,\u201d Crystal Mountain Resort near Mt. Rainier in Washington state, is practically in her backyard.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n<\/span>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

This month\u2019s question: Jane Watson, an REI Co-op member since 1989 and manager\/editor of REI\u2019s Expert Advice program, has helped put together dozens of REI buying guides and often gets asked,\u00a0\u201cWhen does choosing women-specific gear really make a difference?\u201d Decades ago there were no backpacks or sleeping bags or hiking boots made for women. We […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":26,"featured_media":11993,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,3,4,387,11],"tags":[687,352,25,724,8,364,1499,728],"internal-tag":[731,1672,1674,1675,1673,1683],"class_list":["post-11976","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-camp","category-climb","category-cycle","category-hike","category-snowsports","tag-ask-an-expert","tag-climb","tag-cycle","tag-gear","tag-hike","tag-snowsports","tag-weare-gear","tag-women-stories","internal-tag-ann-bieri","internal-tag-pre-redirect-camp","internal-tag-pre-redirect-climb","internal-tag-pre-redirect-cycle","internal-tag-pre-redirect-hike","internal-tag-pre-redirect-snowsports"],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","canonical_url":"https:\/\/rei.com\/blog\/hike\/ask-an-expert-women-specific-gear","smart_links":{"inbound":0,"outbound":0},"traffic_boost_suggestions_count":0,"meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"When Does Women-Specific Gear Matter?","url":"http:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/hike\/ask-an-expert-women-specific-gear","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"http:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/hike\/ask-an-expert-women-specific-gear"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2017\/03\/Vagnini-091416-0100-womens-specific-gear.jpg?resize=150%2C150","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2017\/03\/Vagnini-091416-0100-womens-specific-gear.jpg?fit=5760%2C3840"},"articleSection":"Camp","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Michelle Flandreau"}],"creator":["Michelle Flandreau"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Uncommon Path \u2013 An REI Co-op Publication","logo":""},"keywords":["ask an expert","climb","cycle","gear","hike","snowsports","weare gear","women stories"],"dateCreated":"2017-04-20T14:00:16Z","datePublished":"2017-04-20T14:00:16Z","dateModified":"2020-05-22T19:41:15Z"},"rendered":"