Find out more about the Unlikely Hikers Podcast here.
Episode 13: Where is the Plus-Size Gear?
Plus-size outdoorspeople are climbing mountains, long-distance hiking, whitewater rafting and rock climbing, but plus-size specific technical gear and clothing are still rare to non-existent. Many studies have shown the average American woman wears a size 16/18, so where is the gear at? In this episode of the Unlikely Hikers Podcast, I talk with plus-size outdoor leaders Diandra Oliver, Tasheon Chillous and Sam Ortiz, about the hits and misses of the outdoor industry when it comes to the needs of the plus-size adventurer.
This episode was sponsored by, Eddie Bauer, a brand I am really proud to work with as a leader with their One Outside Program. For 100 years, Eddie Bauer has been dedicated to building innovative gear that gets people outside. Today, this legacy is more important than ever. The One Outside program is a growing community of leaders and activists making the outdoors a more accessible place for everyone – especially those who are underrepresented in the outdoor arena.
I have felt so supported by the partnership and––I don’t have to say this, but it’s true––they make my favorite technical outdoor clothing. I’ll tell you more about my favorite plus-size pieces in the episode xo
Our guests:
Diandra Oliver (she/her/hers) is a queer, fat hiker who lives on unceded Wet’suwet’en lands in northern B.C. Since her trip to Kilimanjaro with the Curvy Kili Crew in 2019, Diandra has used her background in project management and community development to organize Fat Mountaineering which creates opportunities for fat and plus-size people to have backcountry adventures and build advanced adventure skills. www | ig: @sink.ships
Support Wet’suwet’en-led landback actions, including blocking a gas pipeline, by donating to https://unistoten.camp/support-us/donate/
Sam Ortiz (she/her/hers) is a plus size, Latinx, rock climber, mountaineer, and adventure photographer based in WA state. Sam is the founder of Climb Big, a group she started to make climbing more accessible to fat folx after struggling to find a place in the outdoors, herself. (When there’s not a pandemic…) Sam hosts meetups with other plus size folks to offer a safer space to share outdoor skills and discuss tips on finding gear for plus size bodies. www | ig: @samortizphoto & @climb.big
Tasheon Chillous (she/her/hers), featured on our first episode, is a hiker, plus-size Personal Trainer and Coach located in Tacoma, Washington. The lack of diversity in the fitness industry pushed her to pursue movement as a career instead of a hobby. She believes that movement does not have to be about changing a number on the scale or measurements and instead practices a HAES (Health At Every Size) and size-inclusive approach. She didn’t really understand why people would climb mountains until 2017 when her brother died and hiking became a way to process her grief. ig: @chilltash
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SHOW NOTES
Justice for Jacob Blake (gofundme)
Eddie Bauer’s women’s plus-size clothing
Unlikely Hikers Podcast 11: You Can Do Hard Things – a storytelling episode w/Megan Banker, Will “Akuna” Robinson, Pattie Gonia & Keenan Adams
Unlikely Hikers Podcast 08: Ash Manning
Unlikely Hikers Performance shirts
The ‘Average’ Woman Is Now Size 16 Or 18. Why Do Retailers Keep Failing Her?
The Fat Lip Podcast
Gear for Plus-Size Adventurers: Hiking and Backpacking Must-Haves (Diandra Oliver)
The Best Plus-Size Outdoor Gear for Women (Jenny Bruso)
I Don’t Hike to Lose Weight (Jenny Bruso)
Plus-Size Outdoor Clothing & Activewear (Jenny Bruso)
When Climbing Mental Mountains Becomes Literal (Jenny Bruso on the Curvy Kili Crew)
Misty Mountain Threadworks
Follow these plus-size outdoorspeople! @kanoagreene, @ashleysadventure, @pdxoutdoorchiro, @bennettrahn, @themirnavator, @brandihikes, @iamlshauntay
Sustain the podcast – Join my Patreon!
Jenny Bruso 
This is the first episode I’ve listened to but I love it so much! I found myself nodding my head and feeling heard about the lack of finding clothes that fit my body. I’ll be spending the next several hours going through all the amazing recommendations y’all provided! Thanks for your work in making sure we are all included.
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