We recently covered plus size activewear and the varied places to shop for it. It is a nice list that has grown over the years, but what if your active life takes you beyond a walk or run?

What if life takes you hiking? Skiing? And more? Then you are going to need a great mix of plus size outdoor clothing.

Over the years, it seems as if the world realized that plus size people exist and that we are layered and live life fully.

A few years back we did a giveaway for Snow Country Outerwear, a company that focuses exclusively on plus size outdoor clothing. Recently, we’ve excitedly seen fashionable AND functional plus size ski jumpsuits!

After we interviewed the Curvy Killi Crew, the plus size group who climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, our own interest in the plus size outdoor life was *even more* piqued.

Did you know that the Curvy Killi Crew just recently released an award-winning documentary called Kili Big? It is currently streaming on Crackle!!

We started digging a bit deeper and realized the multiple communities that center and champion the plus size outdoor lifestyle.

So, before we could even think about doing a roundup of plus size outdoor clothing options, we thought we would share a few folks to know within the space and the communities who have championed this niche within the plus size space.

5 Plus Size Outdoor Communities to Know

1. Climb Big

“Making climbing more accessible for fat folx”

Created by Sam Ortiz based out of Washington, Climb Big (formally known as Big Girls Climb Too), started Climb Big to make “climbing more accessible after struggling to find a place in the outdoors, herself.”

On a mission to make rock climbing and the outdoors “more accessible to fat folx,” Climb Big tackles the representation, accessibility, gear and clothing needed to safely and confidently climb for plus size adventurers. Climb Big provides the help and support needed to do so, confidently.

2. Fat Girls Hiking

“Trails Not Scales”

Fat Girls Hiking was created by Summer Michaud-Skog, a “self-identified fat queer woman who loves hiking.” For Summer, Fat Girls Hiking is about “fat activism, body liberation, and outdoor community.”

Fat Girls Hiking has multiple FGH chapters across the US in 22 cities. If you are worried about being a slow hiker or holding the group back, do not fear! They purposely set the pace to the slowest walker so that all can participate.

Summer is also the author of Fat Girls Hiking: An Inclusive Guide to Getting Outdoors at Any Size or Ability, a book released last year to rave reviews! If you want to read up on the what and how of hiking before you dive into it, this is the book for you.

“We want to create a space where fat and marginalized folks can come together in community to create safer spaces in the outdoors.”

The group is slowly getting back to events again; if you are interested in joining them, follow their Eventbrite page!

3. Plus Size Backpacking

“We want to empower plus size people in helping them realize that you CAN backpack plus sized.”

Plus Size Backpacking was created when Charlotte Buell (@basecampcreative) realized there wasn’t a group on FB specifically for plus size backpackers. Charlotte wanted to “create a safe and inclusive space for plus size people to ask questions and share knowledge about anything related to backpacking JUDGMENT FREE!!!”

Join the other 6,000+ members of this group to ask questions or share stories with other backpackers who are curious about the outdoors. Whether you’re an aspiring backpacker just beginning or have years of experience under your belt, Plus Size Backpacking is a great resource for you.

4. Trail Dames

“Trail Dames is a hiking club for women of a curvy nature.”

If you love to hike trails and explore the outdoors with others who look and live like you , then Trail Dames is a group you should look into. Created by President Anna Huthmaker attempted to hike the Appalachian Trail in 2003 , she “took six months off from work , hiked 700 miles , broke my foot , and met more amazing people than I ever dreamed.”

Realizing that she was the only plus-size person out on the trails , Anna created this group knowing that she couldn’t keep all the fun to herself; she decided she had to share , and Trail Dames was created.

The Trail Dames mission is to “welcome , empower and educate women of all shapes , sizes , experience , and fitness levels to responsibly explore nature. Trail Dames offers safe and supportive activities that promote personal growth , friendship , self-confidence , self-reliance , and a love of the outdoors.”

5. Unlikely Hikers

“You are welcome here.”

“Nature is infinitely diverse and so are we. We ARE nature.”

Unlikely Hikers is a “diverse , anti-racist , body-liberating outdoor community featuring the underrepresented outdoorsperson,” created by trailblazing Jenny Bruso. For over 6½ years of Unlikely Hikers , Jenny has led more than 100 hikes in 17 states!

Not only that , but Jenny has had their hand in creating the first plus-size line of backpacks with Gregory Packs , and even co-designed the Unlikely Hikers shoe with @Merrell in sizes beyond their standard offerings in both “women’s” and “men’s” fits with wider width options.

“Yes , the literal outdoors don’t discriminate. We know that trails , trees , lakes , etc., aren’t keeping us from going outside nor is anyone getting a handwritten invitation; however exclusion isn’t always verbal.”

At Unlikely Hikers , you can experience an Instagram community , a nationwide hiking group , and an exciting hiking podcast.

6. WHOA Plus

WHOA Plus was created by WHOA Travel , a women-led adventure company focused on expanding who outdoor travel is for.

The program is built specifically for plus-size women generally sized 16 and up who want to experience the outdoors without being asked to change their bodies to meet outdated adventure norms.

Trips include activities such as hiking , kayaking , and sightseeing with itineraries paced for comfort rather than performance.

Guides are trained to support a range of body needs; accommodations and gear are selected with size inclusivity in mind.

Aren’t these interesting and exciting plus-size outdoor communities? For those of you who have been curious about exploring your passion for hiking , climbing , backpacking , etc., hopefully one of these specific communities will assist you on your journey.

If you are already part of these spaces , make sure you drop a comment below to let us know what your experience has been!

If you’re here looking for cute plus-size outdoor clothing options , we got you! Some options we’ve found surprised us coming from unexpected places.

If you’ve been looking for jumpsuits , snow pants or even plus-size water gear , we have some options for fun! Keep scrolling for 11 fun and functional plus-size outdoor clothing finds!

11 Fun and Functional Plus Size Outdoor Clothing Finds