Gear manufacturers have realised that lots of women like the outdoors and they're different shapes from men. Here's what's out there, and where you can buy it.
Gear
Jill Ellis, owner and operator of Adanac Paddles, is a self declared "Jill of all trades". Jill has been a welder in the Military, a professional woodcarver, a champion black powder shooter and a web designer, but now she is a teacher and creator of beautiful, hand carved Greenland kayak paddles. Don't miss this profile! Jill has an amazing story!
A gear review of the Mountain Hardware Hooded Nitrous Jacket, as written by guest to GO! Girls Outdoors, GreyingGearGal, one of the lovely ladies at GearGals. Because everyone ought to know what an ort is, everyone should read this article...
The Shewee is an sleek and high performing FUD (Female Urinating Device) made by Sam Fountain, based in the UK. I took it for a test run in the snow and attempted to fulfill my lifelong desire to "write" my name in the snow. Here's how it went...
With my recent experience as a "stand-to-pee" device tester, I've gained some valuable new skills. This time I tested the P-Style, as supplied by Krista at Krista's Cups, and I can give it full marks for effective, entertaining, stylish outdoor peeing. From flourishing lemon trees to embarrassing encounters to applauding marsupials - it's all here.
If you're here reading this, you probably enjoy playing in the great outdoors - but you've probably also noticed that the great outdoors gives your skin a bit of a trashing. But fear not! The Body Shop have some great products that will help you prevent yourself from turning into a wizened, wrinkly, skin cancer-ridden old hag (albeit one with great photos and stories)...
In ‘A Little Bit of Equipment Envy’ I asked whether the reason there are less women than men involved in outdoor adventure activities might be the lack of a useful piece of equipment that allows its owner to do their business standing up. I haven't yet tested this theory, but I have discovered a piece of gear that might make all the difference to your peeing habits - the GoGirl.
The Discovery Trekking Towel is a marvelous new towel sold by a company on Vancouver Island, Canada. Anyone who has a lightweight towel that is small and smelly should have a go at one of these - I was thrilled with the size, drying ability and non-stinkiness.
It took gear manufacturers many years to figure out that women are not just small men, and that women's outdoor gear needed more than just a "shrink and pink". There is a steadily growing range of outdoor gear available for women, but Outdoor Divas are one of the only gear stores that stock gear that is exclusively for women. When I was in Boulder, Colorado I went to have a look (and a drool) over all the wonderful gear they have on offer!
There may just be a very simple reason why less women than men are out there enjoying outdoor activities...