Well, since this blog has so much of a theme anyway, I figured I would just share something that I often rant about to my friends and family to... A topic near and dear to my heart.... outdoor gear. I am starting a review site. That is how much I actually care about it. I mean I love being outside... and I don't want my choice of shitty gear to deter from my experience outdoors. So I reserach the shit out of things before I buy it. Anyway...
I aspire to spend some time outside in some serious cold. I mean Alaskan winters. Winter camping. Ice climbing. Mixed climbing. 8000 meter peak climbing. As such, I spent a fair bit of time researching how to stay warm. There are numerous options in mensware to achieve this. In months of research, I turned up three options for a women's extreme cold belay parka; the Rab Neutrino Endurance, the Patagonia Fitz Roy, and the Mountain Hardware Phantom jacket. All three options are less warm than the warmest men's jackets available. Additionally, there are no options for a women's summit down suit. I guess only men need those. Cause ya know, women never do cool shit. Or get cold.
I have found this extreme lack of available women's wear in many elite outdoor gear categories. A women's full zip hardshell pant does not exist. Nor does a women's puffy pant. To name a few. Because really, when I am climbing a 8000 meter mountain, I want to be worried about the crotch of my men's pants hanging half way down to my knees. Cause that's how men's pants usually fit me.
I actually contacted Mountain Hardware (MH) regarding my frustration. They sent me a kind reply back saying I am not the only person who shares this sentiment. They alluded to possible future products that would be developed to keep women warm on the mountain. This was great. Until now. The afore mentioned Phantom Jacket is apparently not being made anymore. Nor is it being replaced with a comparable cold weather-geared jacket as far as I can tell. Apparently women are just supposed to buy the men's jackets from MH now if they want to be warm. Which is great and all, but I am not shaped like a dude. I would love to actually be wearing gear that is cut for a woman. So that when I move I don't get shit bunched up where I don't want it. Maybe they have something bigger and better planned. Maybe. That would be neat.
Anyway, the point, PLEASE outdoor brands, get with it! There are movements all over encouraging women to get out and do things. Skiing, climbing, mountaineering.... and it is working. Myself and the amazing women I spend that majority of my time outdoors with would appreciate it if we actually had some options when selecting gear for extreme weather trips.
