Some plus-size people think the outdoors is not for them. They should think again, urges size-20 co-founder of Every Body Outdoors, Steph Wetherell.
Five years ago, I spent a fortnight solo walking and wild camping along St Olav’s Way, a pilgrimage trail in Norway. I walked more than 160 miles, camping on hilltops and in sleepy woodlands, wearing leggings I’d bought at the supermarket, tops from a high street retailer and a cheap ill-fitting men’s waterproof. You might presume I was unprepared, but the reality is I couldn’t find suitable outdoor clothing to fit my size-20 body.
As I developed a love of long-distance trails, I discovered the limits of these items – my clothes were heavy and bulky, the only jacket that fitted me was uncomfortable and not very waterproof, and my layers weren’t quick-drying or breathable. This didn’t stop me from getting outdoors, but it made it uncomfortable and more challenging.
Over the next few years I began to connect with other UK-based plus-size outdoors enthusiasts over social media, and inspired by groups such as Unlikely Hikers in the US, five of us decided it was time to try and create change within the UK outdoor industry.
The problems aren’t limited to clothing either – there are similar issues with rucksacks, climbing harnesses, personal flotation devices and sleeping bags.
In January 2022, with little more than a vague plan, we created Every Body Outdoors (EBO), bought a domain name and set up an Instagram profile. The response was overwhelming, from plussize hikers, cyclists, paddleboarders, climbers, kayakers and more, all struggling to find the clothing and kit they needed to do these activities comfortably and safely.
While EBO was set up by women, it was clear that larger men were facing a lot of the same issues accessing gear, confirming that our work needed to span across genders. The problems aren’t limited to clothing either – there are similar issues with rucksacks, climbing harnesses, personal flotation devices and sleeping bags.
As well as appropriate gear, people spoke about other barriers faced when getting outdoors, including common incidents where people were left behind by group leaders or made to feel unwelcome by other participants, and the widespread issue with judgemental comments or verbal abuse from others in the outdoor community.
Learning new skills
As our community grew, it became clear there was a need for physical spaces where people in larger bodies could gain skills and confidence in the outdoors. This led to the creation of hill skills courses specifically for plus-size people, and training up the first group of regional volunteers to run local walks around the UK.
The aim is to increase the training offering, too, to create more safe and supportive spaces for plus-size people.
These courses and walking groups have proved incredibly popular. “This was a lifechanging experience,” one participant shared: “I felt so empowered at the end of the weekend, like I could take on anything.”
There are now 11 EBO groups across the UK, from north and east Scotland to south-west England, with plans to start more groups in other areas of the country.
Over the coming years, the aim is to increase the training offering, too, to create more safe and supportive spaces for plus-size people. On the EBO Instagram and Facebook pages there is representation of larger bodies taking part in outdoor activities, kit reviews of plussize clothing, and a private Facebook group where the EBO community can ask for advice and share their experiences.
Members regularly share what a difference the group has made to them; how they’ve tried a new activity because they’ve seen someone do it on EBO social media, how they feel more comfortable with their body since seeing others who look like them, and how they felt more confident advocating for their needs.
How to find the right outdoor kit:
You don’t need expensive gear to get started – a waterproof jacket and boots are a great place to start. For entry-level items, Craghoppers offers up to a size 24, Regatta up to a size 26 (5XL) and Mountain Warehouse to a size 32 (5XL).
The majority of more technical clothing stops at a size 16–18, but several companies – such as Patagonia, Sprayway, Alpkit and Mountain Equipment – offer options in a size 20.
US-based brand Outdoor Research is now stocked in a few UK online outlets, including Vampire Outdoors and Valley and Peak, offering technical clothing up to a 4X (UK size 30).
Most plus-size clothing is only available online and sizes can vary hugely between brands, so using a tape measure is vital to find the right size.
Cotswold Outdoor is working on expanding its range of plus-size clothing. “We believe everyone deserves access to the right kit that supports their outdoor adventures, whatever their size,” says Caroline Manning at Cotswold Outdoor.
Fit is also important, and varies from brand to brand, so it can be worth trying on multiple brands to see what fits your shape. For example, Craghoppers has increased the rise on some of its trousers to better fit plus-size bodies.
Bex Luke from Craghoppers explains: “Applying feedback on our plus-size legwear is one of the steps we have taken to offer quality kit to adventurers of all sizes.” We all have a right to access the great outdoors, no matter our size, so join the fight for well-fitting kit and I’ll see you on the trail.
EVO's regional volunteers on the benefits of joining the group
Naida Jabar got involved with EBO because, as a plus-size person, she sometimes felt like an outsider when accessing the outdoors.
It can really help to find like-minded individuals to keep you motivated.
“I’ve found a community in shared experiences, and it’s encouraging and motivating to come together to help change people’s perceptions around plus-size people,” she points out. She encourages people to find a local EBO group walk: “It can really help to find like-minded individuals to keep you motivated.”
Naida’s favourite bit of kit is a pair of Alpkit waterproof trousers that she first tried on at an EBO event. “They’re super lightweight and breathable, and best of all they fit!”
When Elaine Ryrie stumbled across the EBO Facebook page, she was in awe of all the people in plus-sized bodies engaging in different activities. She has recently become an EBO regional volunteer, running walks in North East Scotland.
There is no such thing as too short a walk or too slow a pace – it is your walk, so you do what is most comfortable for you.
“It is a privilege to support and encourage plus-sized people to get outdoors,” she explains. She’s also been enjoying finding clothing that fits, including a pair of Alpine Parrot trousers from Vampire Outdoors.
Her top advice: “There is no such thing as too short a walk or too slow a pace – it is your walk, so you do what is most comfortable for you.”
How to boost your confidence and get the support you need
- Try not to judge yourself by other people’s abilities. It doesn’t matter how slowly you need to walk up a hill or how short a distance you walk/cycle, just take your time and enjoy it.
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions. If a group walk gives a distance but nothing more, ask about pace and elevation. Call outdoors centres in advance to find out about the sizing of the kit they have available for their activities.
- Find people who walk at your pace. It can be exhausting to be constantly at the back of a group or feel like you’re slowing people down. Lots of people who aren’t plus-size also prefer a slower pace, or look up our EBO groups.
