Let me tell you, I am not a particularly astounding athlete. I am in no way qualifying for any of the top ultra marathons, setting trail FKTs, or having brands rush to sponsor me. I am moderately athletic and determined as hell to get outside and do my best in my hobbies. But, I have had more than one previous male partner break up with me because I was better at a physical outdoor activity than them.

Let that sink in for a moment. A man was so intimidated by my average athletic performance that it made them feel inferior. That my confidence in my skill level and performance was a relationship deal breaker. 

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If I wasn’t as tenacious as I am, that might have prevented me from continuing on in my outdoor hobbies. That the perception and opinion of a loved one could have been the barrier to halt me in my tracks.

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It is a hot topic right now, the barriers keeping women from recreating outside. While solutions are pitched, many want to place blame on simple scapegoats such as male dominated spaces and gendered fear. However, there is a nuanced conversation to be had about the barriers preventing women from recreating outside, and there is a lot more going on under the surface than just blockades from men in the outdoor industry. Let’s take the time to do a deep dive into this topic, and maybe empower another soul to enjoy the outdoors along the way!

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Early Exposure and Representation 

Unless your parents or guardians were seeking groups specifically geared to outdoor adventure, you may have never had the opportunity to get outside and start developing outdoor skills at a young age.

A 2002 article by Bialeschki, Krehbiel, and Henderson found that without early exposure to outdoor activities, women don’t have the skills and self-perceived confidence to seek out and enjoy the skills later in life. 

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While my dad was an eagle scout, he firmly believed that there was no place for young women/girls in Scouts. He however did his damndest to find alternative outdoor programs in Nebraska to enroll me in during my youth. My humble roots of youth car campouts at the local YMCA camp led to me being an aspiring thru-hiking triple crowner. Despite lacking some basic skills, I had the confidence and experience to at least try to do my best and learn along the way.

A 2019 study performed by Kovach found that early exposure to the outdoors allows girls to develop self-confidence in their abilities and develop strong foundational skills.

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The development of early skills and building of self confidence has a significant impact on the way children interact with each other, leading to the breakdown of gender stereotypes and common gendered beliefs.

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Just by getting girls and young women outside, we are able to tear down so many barriers that could keep them from enjoying the outdoors in their future. 

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So, when you invite your friends with kids to go outside, extend that invitation to their kids! Make their kids feel included, maybe teach them a skill like filtering water or how to read a compass. Your little lesson today may have a big impact on their future.

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Gender Roles

Growing up in the Midwest, I’m no stranger to the stereotype of “Midwest Spinstering”. In short, all my accomplishments could be tossed out the window because I am an unmarried woman by the ripe old age of 28, with no kids, no house, no consistent long term career. While everyone else enjoys a party to show off their engagement rings or pass their children around, I am scolded and warned that “it really is time to grow up.” 

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Our society still deeply associates athletic and outdoor endeavors to the masculine. Research finds that by the age of five, both boys and girls have strictly defined cultural gender roles that indicate appropriate behavior for themselves.

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2024 was a good year for fast female representation in the outdoors. The Appalachian Trail supported speed record was set by Tara Dower, who shaved off 13.5 hours from the previous record holder, and we saw Jasmin Paris as the first woman to complete the legendarily difficult Barkley Marathons.

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While we have come a long way, there is more work to be done. We need to remember when we recreate, that the outdoors is a place for everyone, everybody, and every body.

The best part about creating representation in our communities is that you don’t have to wait for a role model to enter the space; you yourself can take action and become a role model for your community!

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By becoming active in our spaces, we create change for the future of our communities.

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Financial Barriers

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I don’t know if you guys knew this, but recreating outside can be expensive.

Sure, going on a day hike at your state park might cost you the gas or transit to get there, a day parking pass, a water bottle, a snack, sunscreen, and a pair of okay shoes. But as you continue into these sports, the financial barrier to entry can become incredibly steep and the accessibility to a good outfitter isn’t always guaranteed.

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According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, as of 2023, women on average earned 83.6% of what men earned, meaning access to public land, gear costs, and the time away from work may not be accessible as you think.

Research has shown that women are often assigned more uncompensated labor than their male peers, such as coordinating workplace gatherings and staff parties, as well as responsibilities such as house care or child rearing.

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Further, women who are in heterosexual relationships have less free time than their male counterparts due to uncompensated labor in the home. It is posited by researchers that a society's gender power structure is often linked to the access of leisure. 

So, I riddle you this dear reader. How are women expected to find the time and energy to recreate outdoors when society is at their back and they are already at capacity between the expectations of them at work and in the home?

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I have a lot to say about this; in fact, I could write an entire article on Financial Feminism. But for starters, we as women need to advocate for ourselves and expect that our partners share the burden of traditionally uncompensated domestic labor, such as child rearing and house work.

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The exciting news is you might have more impact than you think when it comes to money and the economy.

‍According to an article by INC, 70-80% of purchases are made by women.

The spending choices of women drive economies, and our purchases have power. So the next time you are looking to purchase some new outdoor gear with your hard earned dollars, maybe find a woman-owned brand to support! Some of my favorites include Youer, Wyld Rye, Tough Cutie, Good-To-Go, and Kula Cloth.

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Gendered Fear

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As a female hiker, many who are interested in my outdoor escapades ask me the following questions:

First, they typically start with: “You can’t possibly hike alone and feel safe out there? You are really putting yourself in danger.”

Followed by: “Do you carry a gun?” To which my answer typically astounds them.

Finished with: “How do you plan to keep yourself safe from… you know… crazy people?”

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In my experience, I have felt safer in the woods around my fellow hiker trash rather than on town days or in the comfort of my own neighborhood. However, the United States 2023 Strava report found that 70% of women surveyed did not feel like they had a safe place to exercise outside.

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Due to the reactions of male peers, women may exclude themselves from activities as they feel their involvement might create tension and conflict. My goal here is not to point fingers at men, but to encourage men to be aware of their influence and power they have.

By listening to the grievances of women you show empathy and understanding for our experience, and by calling out lewd behavior or harassing remarks made by male peers, you set the example and you create a space where women can feel comfortable to exist.

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While the outdoors can still feel daunting to any newcomer, there are some great groups out there breaking down barriers and creating safe spaces and advocacy for women, BIPOC, and LGBTQIA+ folks. By building inclusive communities for recreation we encourage self empowerment, self discovery, and the health and well-being of all!

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Action, Activism, and Hope.

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Despite the barriers that exist, I hope you feel empowered and encouraged to go forth, be daring, and get outside. Women's involvement and visibility in the outdoors creates an impact. By simply reading this article, you are taking action and already taking a step towards being the change; that’s pretty amazing!

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By advocating for female representation in the outdoor space and celebrating the wins of our friends, family, and athletes who represent us, we create change. That first step of action can be as easy as creating little moments of visibility to motivate ourselves, like following creators on social media and seeing empowering moments in our day to day.

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Looking for resources, groups, or creatives that walk the walk when it comes to building community? I recommend the following:

• Lyla Harrod
• Kween Werk
• Mirna Valerio
• The Venture Out Project
• Women Who Explore
• Trail Sisters‍
• Girls on the Run‍
• Unlikely Hikers
• ‍Trail QTS

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