Plus Size Womens Outdoor Clothing

by Diane Spicer

Searching for the best plus size womens outdoor clothing  (also called extended sizes) for hikers?

You know, hiking clothes which fit and look good while working hard for you on the trail during a hike or hiking trip?

They are hard to find. You can find it with these tips!

The grim reality of plus size womens outdoor clothing

Somehow, it's difficult for most outdoor gear companies to fathom the reality on the trail.

Women hikers come in all ages, sizes, shapes and heights.

What a frustrating experience!

• Searching for high performance hiking clothing, available in plus sizes, shouldn't be impossible.
• Finding stuff that actually fits a woman's curves, why is that so hard?

Luckily, you're on the right page!

You're in the right spot if you're looking for ideas on what to wear hiking.

That includes:

• plus size convertible hiking pants, skirts or shorts
• moisture wicking shirts and sports bras
• waterproof rain pants and jacke ts

Hiking For Her is an affiliate of the brands on this page, for one reason: they make good stuff!

If you buy through the links on this website, you pay nothing extra. HFH receives a small percentage of your sales price.

Shopping for plus size womens outdoor clothing 

Ever have this happen to you?

You go into an outdoor clothing retail shop.

You spend a few minutes browsing through the selections.

You look at the hiking pants, hiking shirts, rain gear and other womens hiking apparel and active wear.

You continue to search for your size.

Nada.

As in zip. Zilch.

Nothing.

Frustration turns to anger.

• Big sigh, then a deep breath before you move on to the men's department, or leave the store in disgust.

Please don't take the lack of women's extended sizes in hiking clothes personally.

• You are not alone in your quest for the best plus size womens outdoor clothing for hiking trips and day hikes.

Take heart! Things are changing!

Someday soon, size inclusive hiking clothing will be a reality.

From every outdoor retailer.

Why do I make that prediction?

A few of the leading outdoor clothing brands, names like REI Co-op and Columbia, offer more plus sizes.

And there are women owned stores at the forefront of the movement, making good strides.

• They know that a woman needs specific sized and technical details to fit right and perform well on a hike.

Keep reading as we name some names.

Retailers who get it!

Don't waste any more time in frustration or anger as you shop for extended size outdoor clothing.

Instead, go straight to the outdoor gear companies who pay attention.

They have selections for all women hikers.

That includes those of us who are not served by the size range that most hiking clothes in the U.S. and Canada.

• That seems to be up to size 14 or so.

Your feedback as a female hiker matters

Every time you visit their store or website, let them know that your needs exist.

And don't be shy about sending them feedback and posting reviews of their products.

Hitting the trail isn't a privilege for women "of a certain size", right?

• Hiking clothes for plus size women needs to become the norm, not the exception.
  

REI Co-op is expanding their offerings
for female hikers all the time

REI Co-op continues to add options every season, most in the 1X to 3X range, and you can get an overview of their selection here.

More to love about REI: When you become a member (one time $20 fee), you receive a 10% rebate on your annual qualifying purchases.

Plus:

• Free shipping on lots of items
• Excellent return and exchange policies
• Member only sales and coupons
  

Read more about the REI Co-op member rewards here.

Now, let's zoom in for a closer look at examples of plus size womens outdoor clothing that work well on the trail.

Best plus size womens outdoor clothing:
hiking pants

Options from a trusted name: Columbia

Columbia makes hiking pants in sizes ranging from 16W to 24W, and sometimes in two lengths.

Behold these Columbia Women's Silver Ridge Utility Convertible Pant: from pants to shorts, and back again, quickly.

That's a great feature to take advantage of on the trail.

The waist band is adjustable.

This fabric stands up to trail debris and mud, and dries quickly.

These pants feature articulated knees, a zip-closed security pocket, and roll-up hems, too.

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Columbia also has another option in plus size womens outdoor clothing well worth a look:

If you'd prefer knee length trail pants in this style, here they are!

REI Co-op for hiking clothing

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L.L. Bean has been around a long time!

Women's Water-Repellent Comfort Trail Pants

These hiking pants have great features to customize your fit, including:

• misses, petite and women's sizing (4 - 20)
  
• variable inseams

Worthy trail features include:

• fast drying nylon fabric with a bit of spandex stretchability
  
• moisture wicking mesh in the waistband
  
• gusseted crotch for freer movements
  
• and lots of pockets :)

Trail tip:

• Be sure your underwear makes friends with your hiking pants.

Get a few ideas for the best hiking underwear to wear under your pants and shorts here.

More extended size hiking clothing options for less leg coverage

Would you rather hike in shorts?

• Read this for ideas on how to size up, and locate, a comfortable pair of womens hiking shorts in your size.

Or take a look at this great example of plus size women's outdoor clothing:

• a trailworthy pair of hiking shorts.

These Columbia Saturday Trail hiking shorts check all the boxes for a hiker:

• Omni-Shield™ water-resistant fabric
• Omni-Shade™ UPF 50+ sun protection shields you from harmful UV rays
• 96% nylon/4% Elastane for comfort and free movement
  
• enough coverage for your hard working legs
  

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Would you prefer leggings?

Sometimes it feels good to pull on a pair of cozy leggings.

You can head off down the trail, knowing that you have the stretchy fabric for full movement.

Plus, the coverage to keep you out of harm's way on the trail.

These leggings are a good choice for outdoor wear.

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Best plus size full coverage hiking shirts

Several color choices, so you can have one for every hiking season and then some.

This shirt is going to work hard for you on the trail, and look good, too.

See this shirt at Amazon

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Another plus size long sleeve hiking shirt option for you

Columbia's extended sizing options to the rescue again!

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Base layer shirt options

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And another base layer choice to consider

32 Degrees is a company beginning to land on the radar for hiking women.

Why?

Due to their affordable price points and extended sizing.

Consider this long sleeve base layer shirt: ideal for cool weather day hiking, snowshoeing, and backpacking.

It features 90% polyester for wicking, 10% spandex for full range of motion, and lots of color choices!

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Warm weather hiking shirt choices
in plus size womens outdoor clothing

When warm weather hiking trails beckon you, you want to stay as cool and dry as possible.

And you know you'll work up a sweat, gaining that view point or perfect campsite.

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Plus size hiking skirts

Here's a comfortable pull on style that just might be your favorite hiking clothing this summer!

Adventure Skirt by PR Adventure Skirts

What lies beneath?
Plus size womens outdoor clothing: supportive sports bras!

Need a supportive yet comfortable plus size sports bra under that shirt?

Of course you do! Who doesn't!

It takes a mighty effort to find the right sports bra for hiking.

• Read this to get started
  

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Plus size womens outdoor clothing take aways

You deserve high performance technical hiking clothing that fits and looks great.

Hopefully the ideas on this page will help you find it.

Just a few more ideas before you go...

1. Don't be discouraged if your size and fit is hard to find in hiking attire.

• Your desire to hit the trail will motivate you to keep hunting for hiking clothing that works as hard as you do to get you to some great outdoor destinations.

2. Start by looking at the styles and companies mentioned here, because lots of other hiking women have recommended them.

3. Look at Juno for a full line of womens active wear in your size, too.

4. Check out Alder Apparel, with outdoor clothing in sizes up to 4x.

5. If you're petite and plus size, read my tips for the best womens petite hiking pants with extended sizing.

I've gathered lots more extended size hiking clothing options for you here, too.

Happy trails to you!

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Best Plus Size Womens Hiking Outfits

About the author

Would you like to support Hiking For Her's mission to get women of all ages, sizes and abilities onto hiking trails?

Purchase your outdoor clothing through the links on this page, and a small amount of money flows into HFH's coffers to keep the hiking tips flowing freely to you.

Best part? It costs you nothing extra :)

Thank you!