Tips for shopping for plus size outdoor clothing
Understanding your specific needs and activities
Sizing and fit tips
Finding the right size and fit can be challenging, especially with the variations in sizing across different brands. Here are some tips to help:
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Measure yourself:
Every brand has a size chart, and after studying countless numbers of them I’ve noticed that there is almost no standardization among sizes. A 20 at REI fits differently than a 2X at Outdoor Research, for example.
Information about your body, namely your hip, waist, and chest measurements, is vital to ensuring that you’re choosing the size best suited for your body. For good measure, knowing your shoulder width and arm length is also helpful. I keep my measurements in a note on my phone and I turn to it often. Unfortunately, there is often trial and error involved, as I’ve found some brands who make a size that aligns with my measurements according to their size chart but will still fit too small when trying on.
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Look for size-inclusive brands:
Size inclusivity means different things to different clothing and gear brands. Most, like REI, Columbia, Eddie Bauer, and the North Face, top out at a 3X or a 22, which is, in my opinion, on the lower end of what brands should offer for plus and extended sizes. Some of my favorite brands making above a 3X include SuperFitHero which goes up to a 7X, Outdoor Research which tops out at 4X, and Cotopaxi which makes great jackets and fleece up to 4X. You can see my article on Cotopaxi’s Extended Sizing collection. -
Read reviews:
Reviews are my most useful tool when buying new clothes, especially when people are kind enough to post photos. Look for reviews from folks who have already field tested the clothes and can speak to their durability and performance. When you find something you love, leave a review for the next person! -
Consider layering:
Layers are essential to ensure comfort on the trail, as they can be added or shed during a long hike and can keep you cool or warm as needed.
Materials and construction
The materials and construction of outdoor clothing play a crucial role in performance and durability. Here are some factors to consider:
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Fabric type:
Look for performance fabrics that can stand tough against weather and other elements that wear and tear our clothes on the trail. Merino wool and synthetic fabric made for wicking sweat and breathability are my favorites. Pay attention to the weight (light, medium, heavy) of clothes made out of these materials. Wearing a heavyweight merino wool legging while on a summer hike can only result in misery, for example. -
Seam construction:
If you’re headed out in rainy and wet conditions, look for sealed or taped seams on rain jackets or rain pants for high performance in rainy and wet conditions. In drier conditions, seams also play an important role in preventing uncomfortable chafing and rubbing, especially with clothes like leggings and tight shorts that sit close to the body. Many brands sew their seams along the contour of a body’s curves instead of traditional seams, which can run between legs and cause chafing. Flatlock seams, where two pieces of fabric are sewn adjacent to each other to create a flat seam, as opposed to a seam where fabric is overlaid and sewn together (resulting in a protruding seam that can chafe), can lessen the chances of chafing.
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Weather resistance:
Fabric type plays a role here, so make sure to wear gear best suited to the conditions of wherever you’re adventuring, including appropriate fabrics. Brands like Outdoor Research and Cotopaxi make excellent water-resistant and waterproof gear for plus sizes, in my opinion, and are a great place to turn first for weather-resistant clothing.
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Stretch and flexibility:
Some fabrics are stretchier than others, so look at reviews and product descriptions when purchasing online and manually feel and tug on clothes when in store. I prefer clothing that stretches with me, so I always try to ensure that my clothes have at least a light stretch.
Shopping online vs. in-store
Each shopping method has its advantages and challenges, though plus-sized adventurers are often not given an option to shop in store due to brands not carrying their entire size offerings in person, for reasons that feel illusive and deeply unfair.
Online shopping offers plus and extended-size consumers the most options, but we have to sacrifice the ability to try on clothes before we buy. When financially possible, I advise buying your usual size and one size up, as outdoor clothing often runs small.
Online shopping is where you need to have your measurements handy and where reading reviews is helpful. If I’m nervous about purchasing a higher priced item, I will often google it to see if there are any pre-existing reviews about how it fits on blogs or on other websites where the item is being sold (my plus-size reviews on Treeline are a great place to look!).
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In-store shopping:
I, like many fat and plus-size shoppers, don’t have a history of enjoying shopping in-store and trying on clothes that too often don’t fit. As someone who loves research, I like to look online or call to ensure that a store carries my size, as they often don’t. On a recent trip through Salt Lake City, for example, I was thrilled to find a Carhartt store but ultimately disappointed because they didn’t supply a single item in plus sizes or big and tall.
My biggest piece of advice for in-store shopping is to not let fear or “rules” guide you away from pieces that could work for you. Try on a lot of items, don’t pay attention to the number on the tag (as much as possible!), and don’t be afraid to walk to the men’s section, as their offerings can be somewhat roomier (though longer and often too big elsewhere).
If it’s helpful, bring a friend you’re comfortable with to help you make decisions. Lastly, make sure you squat, stretch, and lightly test the fit of the clothes. Sometimes I forget to sit, and end up going home with pants that pinch uncomfortably. As much as possible, make the motions that you will make when you’re outdoors.
Budgeting for quality vs. cost
Here are some budgeting tips:
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Prioritize key pieces:
It has taken me years to build my complete outdoor wardrobe, and in many ways it is still evolving as I find more technical gear made to fit my 22/3X body. I advise investing your time and money in sourcing what you will wear the most. For me, that was hiking pants, shorts, a hiking/sun shirt with UPF, and a puffy jacket. This base closet enabled me to car camp, backpack, and work at an outdoor school for many years before adding in my base, mid, and water-resistant layers.
Your key pieces may differ from mine, especially if you prefer to adventure during seasons that require specific gear. If you’re a skier, your key pieces might start with your ski bib/pants and jacket, as many of those items are insulated or include a fleece/mid layer that you need to have. Since I’m a summer person to my core, I preferred to focus on high quality lightweight clothing that is sun resistant and breathable.
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Look for sales and discounts:
I love a sale, and almost my entire outdoor wardrobe was purchased on sale or used. Seasonal sales, like the 4th of July or Anniversary sale at REI, Memorial Day or Labor Day sales at Backcountry, and other brand-specific sales, are generally the best times of year to collect gear. If I have the funds, buying mynext season’s gear in the off season (buying a winter coat in June, for example), is also a great way to find things on sale. I’ve also found plus and extended sizes in the clearance rack of stores, even stores that only carry plus sizes online, as people return items purchased online. Following Treeline Review’s emails (or Deals page) is another way to find sales, as they often share sales events at various outdoor retailers.An underrated way to get clothes on the cheap is getting them used, which also helps keep items out of landfills and is an easy way to practice everyday sustainability. I like to check thrift stores in mountain/beach towns for in-person shopping, and have scored older items from Patagonia (for men) and the North Face.
REI’s used website is a great tool, and I’ve found sun shirts and shorts for as little as $10 that were in great condition. You can read more about why to purchase used gear in our article Used Gear: A More Environmentally-Friendly Alternative to Buying New Gear. When buying used I always advise refreshing the item as necessary, such as adding Nikwax to improve waterproofing capabilities on older garments. You can learn more about how to clean gear in our Care and Maintenance section.
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Read reviews:
Just like you would read a review to understand the fit, read reviews to ensure peoples’ overall satisfaction with the garment. I feel much better spending money on gear that is well reviewed.
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Consider versatility:
A versatile garment is a money saver. I rarely relegate my hiking shorts and skorts to solely being used for the outdoors, and I end up saving on buying a new skirt or short when I wear them in town. I wear pretty much all of my outdoor clothing in my daily life, which feels like I’m greatly increasing its value. -
Use your resources:
Since plus and extended-size outdoor clothing has been historically sparse, it can be difficult to know where to start when building your wardrobe. I learned where to shop largely through dogged research but also from outdoor accounts on social media run by plus-sized and fat folks who shared their own experiences and recommendations. I found and learned about plus-size clothes from accounts on Instagram like UnlikelyHikers, FatGirlsHiking, AshleysAdventure, and ChillTash. Blogs and posts on sites like Reddit from folks who have searched for these items before you are also very helpful in learning more about brands and their sizing/values/fit.
Finding the right plus-size outdoor clothing ensures that you can enjoy your adventures in comfort and style. And if your plans include water-based activities, be sure to check out our guide to the Best Plus Size Swimwear for options that provide great support and coverage.
