News & Advice

A Guide to the Outdoors, For Women and By Women 

The activists and adventurers creating space for themselves in the outdoors—and what you need to know to get comfortable in the wild.
Women Who Travel Outdoors landing page
Abbey Lossing

A combination of less-stringent stay-at-home orders and warm summer weather has encouraged many of us to explore the outdoors—and not just because vast open spaces are primed for social distancing in a pandemic. Whether you’re hiking in a national park, discovering bike paths in your own city, or finally trying your hand at bouldering, the outdoors provides a much-needed dose of fresh air, exercise, and adventure after months being cooped up at home.

And while the outdoors might seem like a big free-for-all, available for anyone to enjoy, in practice, the landscape and the community are often far from accessible or welcoming. Many facets of the industry feel exclusionary to anyone who isn’t white, male, cisgender, or able-bodied. Thankfully, there are plenty of women out there who are working to change that, which is why we’ve put together a collection of stories celebrating the activists and adventurers who are creating space for themselves in the outdoors.

Take Shelma Jun, for example, whose community Flash Foxy not only encourages women to spend time in local climbing gyms, but also hosts biannual festivals for female climbers to connect and learn from each other. Or Rhonda Harper, who runs California-based Black Girls Surf while also coaching Olympic hopeful Khadjou Sambe, the first female professional surfer in Senegal. And then there’s Indigenous Women Hike, a group raising awareness of Indigenous history on public lands, and bringing together Indigenous hikers to reconnect with the land of their ancestors.

Feeling inspired to tackle the great outdoors? We also have expert advice and gear recommendations for your next adventure—whatever that might look like to you—because everyone should have the opportunity to feel at home in nature.

Flash Foxy is a climbing community that's all about women.

Shelma Jun

Meet the Women Making the Outdoors More Accessible to All

They're creating communities that include run clubs in Harlem and Latinx hiking groups.

Hiking Essentials for a Day on the Trails

Everything from a backpack that helps with hydration to cozy socks that keep your feet dry.

Surfer Khadjou Sambe

Giovanni Astorino

Khadjou Sambe on Becoming Senegal's First Professional Female Surfer

The Senegalese surfer is training to compete in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.

The Best Plus-Size Outdoor Gear for Women

Unlikely Hikers founder Jenny Bruso rounds up her favorite plus-size gear, from leggings to climbing harnesses.

How to Get Started with Rock Climbing

Breaking down the different types of cl, what gear you’ll need, and how to stay safe.

On the trail with Indigenous Women Hike

Autumn Harry

How Indigenous Hikers Are Reclaiming America's Most Famous Trails

Indigenous Women Hike founder Jolie Varela is raising awareness of Indigenous history on public lands—and the importance of hiking and healing.

Women's Gear Still Isn't Where We Want It to Be

The Women Who Travel podcast dives into what's holding the industry back.

The outdoors is an ideal space for solitude

Kyle Pozan/Getty

Why I Choose to Hike Alone

Four women on hitting the trails solo.

The Best Hair Products to Pack for Your Overnight Camping Trip

No access to a shower? No problem.