The Women’s Gear Guide

Women can do anything men can do (sometimes better), but we may need female-specific gear to do it best. Because our bodies are shaped differently, there are some things we need (or want) that should be made just for us — and outdoor gear is no exception.

That’s why we’ve created the women-specific gear guide… from sleeping bags to contoured backpacks, we’ve got it all covered in the Women’s Gear Guide.

Here’s an excerpt from the Women’s Gear Guide:

Backpacks

Women’s backpacks differ from men’s in that they are specifically designed to fit typical female torso dimensions. As a general rule, women’s packs have narrower shoulder harnesses and wide, adjustable waistbelt panels engineered to fit women’s bell shaped hips, as opposed to men’s cylindrical shaped hips. The shoulder straps on women-specific packs are usually positioned close together and are anatomically shaped through the bust. Women’s backpacks also have a narrower profile.

Because women usually have less upper-body strength than men, women-specific packs are designed to place even more of the pack’s weight on the hips. When you’re selecting a pack, look for hipbelts that sit low on the hip bones, which are naturally equipped to bear more weight.

Internal-frame packs will also keep your load more stable. Women tend to sway at the hips when they walk and the body-hugging design of an internal-frame pack will provide the most balance and freedom of movement on rough trails.

For light hiking or day trips, a lumbar or fanny pack is probably a better option than a backpack. As mentioned before, a woman’s strength ratio is greatest in her hips. In order to expend energy most efficiently, women should use their hips’ strength to carry the weight of the pack so they can concentrate on their footing.