Best Outdoor Clothing for Big and Tall Adventurers
On a rafting trip on the Snake River near Jackson Hole, the Active Pursuits shirt kept our tester cool, protected from the sun, and dry.
Home > Gear Reviews > Apparel
August 5th, 2024
When I was a 16-year-old Boy Scout, I went on my first real backpacking trip: a week-long, 50 mile trip through the rugged Sawtooth Mountains in Idaho. I had camped many times, and gone on plenty of hikes, but I was not an avid outdoorsperson then and did not own many items I would consider essential for taking such a trip. I borrowed a hiking backpack from my father—an old metal frame hiking pack from the 1970s—and filled it with enough of the clothes I owned for the week trip and tied a far-too-big, far-too-heavy sleeping bag and a musty old foam pad from my grandfather’s years as a Boy Scout troop leader to its aluminum frame.
The trip was in the height of summer and the 10-miles we hiked each day were excruciatingly hot, especially in the clothes I packed: jeans and cotton tee shirts. I didn’t have access then to well-fitting clothes designed for outdoor activities in mind, nor did I understand how much of a difference clothing materials can make. I was lucky, I didn’t return home with chafed thighs, blisters on my feet, or any lasting injury, but those could have easily been the outcome. And despite being able to avoid injury, my quads felt like they were baking in full sun under heavy denim and my entire body, from my neck to my feet, was soaked in hot, uncomfortable sweat which stung on my sunburned skin.
The trip didn’t have to be this way. I could have worn comfortable, breathable shorts and shirts with sun protection that wick moisture from the body.
Today, there are scores of brands making quality outdoor clothing and gear more appropriate for backpacking, hiking, or other activities outside in all seasons.For those, who like myself, wear Big and Tall or extended sizes, it can still be hard to find the right gear which fits comfortably and will perform well in a variety of activities.
An issue I find with many big and tall clothes, and especially with technical gear, is that often companies seem to not really understand how to fit fat bodies. Often, they just blow all the dimensions up which can lead to clothes fitting in some areas but being far too baggy in other areas. This is due to how each individual wears their weight; many, like me, wear their weight in their bellies, but their arms and legs are much smaller. Or, others wear it in the extremities, and still others wear it fairly evenly across their own bodies. This list will focus on items that I feel do not fall victim to this common shortcoming of much big and tall clothing.
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Clothing list
| CATEGORY | MODEL | SIZES |
|---|---|---|
| BOTTOMS Read more |
||
| Columbia Wanoga Lightweight Pants | 42-54 | |
| Columbia Tech Trail Shorts | 42-54 | |
| TOPS AND BASELAYERS Read more |
||
| REI Active Pursuit Long Sleeve | SM - XXXL |
Bottoms
As previously stated, one of the problems with some extended size clothing is that designers don’t seem to take into account a range of fat bodies. Often when I find pants that fit in the waist, they are much too baggy in the legs, which makes them both uncomfortable and cumbersome when hiking, and also ugly and unattractive looking on my body.
Columbia Wanoga Lightweight Pants
Size: Standard 30 - 44 inches (waist), 30 - 34 inch (inseam); Big 42 - 54 inches (waist), 30 -34 inch (inseam)
Fit: (does it run small? Big? accurate?)
Material: 94% nylon, 6% elastane
What we liked: Excellent feeling and looking fit, extremely breathable
What we didn't like: Only two colors available
Columbia is one company whose sizing seems to fit many different types of bodies, and these pants are no exception. I find these to be some of the most comfortable (and flattering!) hiking pants I’ve tried. The fit is great. The waist has a drawstring to adjust the fit, as well as belt loops to keep them secure no matter the activity.
View the Columbia Wanoga Lightweight Pants
Our tester wore these pants in even colder temperatures, worn over REI long underwear for extra warmth.
There are ample amounts of pockets, including a zippered security pocket and a reinforced knife clip pocket, and the legs roll up and secure with snaps and a tab. Unfortunately, these pants are only available in two colors (Flint Grey and Black) in their bBig sizes, but both are neutral colors and easy to wear with a variety of tops.
The Wanoga pants performed well on a hike through the Snake River canyon near Twin Falls, Idaho.
Like the other Columbia items on this list, these lightweight pants excel for hiking in hot weather as the 94% nylon, 6% elastane fabric is extremely breathable. They also have the Omni-Shield and Omni-Shade technologies to protect skin from UVA and UVB rays, as well as being water-wicking and quick-drying.
I also tested them in cold weather and found them to work great with a pair of long johns or other long, warm underwear underneath. I was warm, but not too hot while being active.
The waist and sides have stretch to fit well and move with the wearer’s body during active pursuits.
Sizes available: 42-54
Fit: True to size
Material: 96% polyester, 4% elastane
What we liked: Comfy fit, quick drying
What we didn't like: Belt loops can be a little tight for wide belts
I have been a fan of several pieces of gear from Columbia over the years —namely a very trusty pair of hiking boots and one of their fleece tops — and these shorts further cement them as a fantastic maker of outdoor clothing in my mind. Compared to other shorts I’ve tried over the years, these look sleeker as they don’t have cargo pockets like some others, and would look great off the trail as well.
View the Columbia Tech Trail Shorts
The Tech Trail shorts are lightweight, sleek, and comfortable, perfect for a strenuous hike, a stroll around the lake, or a day in town.
They are comfy; roomy without being baggy and light without feeling fragile. They look structured, like a casual everyday short, but provide a generous stretch for any outdoor activity. The legs are cut fairly long, falling to a generous knee length, which can provide a little more protection when walking through overgrown mountain paths. Nestled inside the right pocket is an additional zippered security pocket for keeping small items safe and secure while being active in nature.
The shorts kept our tester cool on a warm spring day.
The fabric is 96% polyester and 4% elastane and utilizes Columbia’s Omni-Shield™, which repels water, is quick drying, and prevents liquids from absorbing into the yarns to resist staining. During my first test of them, they got slightly wet while wading into an alpine lake and I was surprised to find them completely dry in a matter of mere minutes. They also provide UPF 50 sun protection thanks to the Omni-Shade™ technology, which uses tightly constructed fabric with modified fibers to block UVA/UVB rays.
The shorts are breathable and kept me cool even when hiking in open sun on a warm day.
Tops and shirts
One problem with finding tops that fit right is that many tops, especially in the outdoor clothing realm, are cut very athletically, with a very tapered cut in the torso, which often does not feel or look comfortable on a person with a belly. Others are sometimes cut too short and, again, on a person with a rounder stomach’s body, leave the skin on the stomach exposed, which is not ideal for staying covered when part of their design is also to provide sun protection.
REI Co-op Active Pursuits Long-Sleeve
Size: SM - XXXL
Fit: May run slightly small
Material: 92% polyester, 8% spandex
What we liked: Very light and breathable fabric
What we didn't like: Regular version is slightly short in the torso
A good, breathable base layer can make all the difference when hiking or running in the heat. While short sleeves may seem like the best option, oftentimes, protecting the forearms from sun, underbrush, etc. is the best way to go.
View the REI Co-op Active Pursuits Long-Sleeve
The fit is cut athletically and was a little snug and short for our tester, but is very soft, breathable, and cool.
I’ve owned the previous version of the Active Pursuits Long-Sleeve for almost two years now and it has served me extremely well in all sorts of environments. The updated version is cut slightly differently and now has 8% spandex in addition to the moisture-wicking polyester to give it just a little more stretch for staying comfortable while being active. It also meets the bluesign criteria for a Climate Neutral Certified brand.
The Active Pursuits top is perfect for all weather and provides UPF 50+ protection.
The seams are now flat, making it feel even softer and more comfortable while avoiding any chance of chafing. The new version also has hidden thumbholes that can provide comfort and warmth in inclement weather. Some user reviews do mention that the new fabric is slightly heavier and more clingy than the previous version.
Like many of the other items on this list, this shirt provides UPF protection (UPF 50+ in this case). The fit is snug in the arms and a little looser in the midsection, which fit me well. I do find it shorter in the torso than I’d personally like, although there is a tall version that would remedy that.
Size: S-XXXL; Regular - 31 inches long, Tall - 33 inches long
Fit: True to size
Material: Organic cotton
What we liked: Thick, warm fabric
What we didn't like: Tapered athletic cut may not suit all body types
REI is one of the largest retailers and makers of outdoor gear in America, and this shirt proves they know a thing or two about flannel shirts. The Wallace Lake Flannel is a long-sleeve cotton flannel using organic fibers, which REI claims make it more environmentally friendly than other types of flannel.
View the REI Co-op Wallace Lake Flannel Shirt
The Wallace Lake Flannel is thick and warm, perfect for cool fall days or for layering for extra warmth. It kept our tester comfortable when layered with a Columbia fleece jacket.
What I like about this shirt is the cotton flannel fabric. It is thick and feels incredibly durable, while also holding its shape really well and looking great both for hiking or for wearing around town on a cold day. I wish it were available in more colors, but each year they have a few neutral plaid patterns to choose from.
The fabric, besides feeling durable and looking sharp, is incredibly soft to the touch and is extremely comfortable to wear. It is cut athletically, but with a little room and give, giving it a great fit--not just in that it looks flattering, but it also gives enough room for hiking, climbing, clambering over deadfall, or whatever physical activity the trail demands.
For some larger people, the athletic cut may translate to a shirt that is a little tight under the arms and in the belly, but for me, someone who wears most of his weight in the stomach, I found it to fit better than almost any other flannel I own. It is also available in regular length (31 inches) and tall (33 inches) so almost anyone can find a size that fits properly.
In addition, the shirt features buttons on the breast pockets, and on the front, but has a handy snap for closing the top snugly for extra warmth on cold or windy nights. Other than that feature, the shirt is what you’d expect from a flannel: warm, comfy, and simple.
ARIAT Rebar Gridwork Balaclava Baselayer
Size: Standard XS - 4XL; Tall LT - 3XLT
Fit: True to size
Material: 97% Cotton, 3% Spandex
What we liked: Lots of useful features, warm
What we didn't like: Size only goes up to 3XLT
The Ariat Rebar Gridwork Balaclava Baselayer is an amazingly versatile and feature-rich baselayer that excels in cold and windy conditions.
The 6 oz grid fleece is very soft and comfortable to wear and feels light enough for layering, yet still provides ample warmth and protection from the elements. Ariat's Dura-flex fabric stretches with the body no matter the activity. This makes it equally at home around the campfire or scaling a mountain.
View the Ariat Rebar Gridwork Baselayer
The attached hood can be worn in a variety of ways to provide protection from cold or wind.
The fit is close to the body but not clingy and made me felt comfortable and confident. I tested the 3XLT and found it to have ample length for even the lankiest of outdoors people. The temperatures when I tested it were in the low forties with a stiff wind and I found it to be comfortable on its own while setting up camp, but put my trusty Columbia fleece pn top as the temperatures started to fall in the evening.
The Rebar Gridwork fits great, close to the body, but not tight and restrictive.
What sets the Gridwork baselayer apart from other baselayers is its many features. First the attached balaclava (a hood with optional face gaiter) grants great protection from the elements and the headphone holes make it easy to string your favorite wired headphones through. The sleeves can extend over the hands and have a thumb hole for protecting the hands from cold, and they also have a watch window to see the time without rolling the sleeves back up. All these features make it a really versatile baselayer that I think would be appropriate in most seasons and temperatures.
Size: Standard XS - XXL; Big 1X - 6X; Tall LT - 5XLT
Fit: Small
Material: 50% cotton, 50% recycled polyester
What we liked: Great colors available, extra soft material
What we didn't like: Fits smaller than other tops in identical sizes, no UVA/UVB protection
Good light technical shirts are fairly easy to find, even in big and tall sizes. With quite a few to choose from, Columbia makes one of my favorites. The Thistledown Hills short sleeve shirt is available in a wide variety of sizes and colors. While other companies have two or three colors to choose from, Columbia’s line has seven colors in their tall sizes, eight in their big sizes, and even more in their standard sizes.
View the Columbia Thistledown Hills Short Sleeve Shirt
The Columbia Thistle Down Hills is a sun shirt well-suited for hiking.
The fabric is slightly thicker than some of the other shirts I’ve tried. It's designed for keeping cool while active, but with its 50% cotton/recycled polyester blend, it is softer than most. The Omni-Wick pulls moisture to the surface of the fabric for faster evaporation which gives it a cool, soft feel to the skin.
One missing feature in comparison to many other similar items on the market is sun protection. The Thistledown Hills shirt does not provide any UVA or UVB protection, which may be a feature those who will be outside in the sun for many hours a day may miss.
The cut is snug and I find it to cling to the body more than some other similar shirts, but overall found it to be comfortable. I generally wear a 3XL, but found their 3X big to be tighter than I would like. Online reviews are not definitive on this point, but many do mention that it runs small. I would recommend sizing up one size if a tighter, more clingy fit is not to one’s liking.
Size: S - 3XL; Tall - M Tall - XXL Tall
Fit: True to size
Material: 55% polyester, 37% recycled polyester, 8% spandex
What we liked: Looser cut than some similar shirts, UPF 30 sun protection
What we didn't like: Very plain
REI’s line of Sahara products are designed with sun protection in mind. The UPF 30 protection and very light material make it ideal for staying cool and dry on sunny summer days. Each year, REI releases this shirt in a variety of colors. I own it in several shades and find it to be an essential part of my spring and summer outdoor wardrobe.
View the REI Sahara Short Sleeve T-shirt
The Sahara kept our tester cool and dry on a hike to String Lake in Grand Teton National Park.
My favorite aspect of this shirt is the cut. It’s cut more generously than the Columbia Thistledown or some other similar shirts, fitting loose, but still unobtrusive. It’s also available in several tall sizes for those with long torsos (back length is 29.1 in. for the L, 31.1 in. for L Tall).
The shirt is comfortable for all activities. Here our tester wore it while visiting Upper Mesa Falls near Ashton, Idaho when temperatures were nearly 100°.
The fabric is very soft and thin, while still feeling sturdy. I’ve owned one of these for a few years now and it has held up really well despite constant use, and the softness has never diminished after washing it many times.Like the other REI products on this list, the fabric is bluesign approved, meaning it contains materials that meet their criteria as well as contains recycled materials from a Climate Neutral Certified brand.
Our tester wore it on a hot summer day while visiting Yellowstone National Park.
Otherwise the design is plain and no-nonsense. There are no pockets or prints, but the Sahara t-shirt performs in all the ways it's meant to, wicking sweat, stretching, and providing sun protection. It also has shoulder seams that are rolled forward to help prevent chafing under pack straps.
Size: Standard: SM - 3XL; Relaxed: SM - 2XL
Fit: True to size
Material: 65% polyester, 35% cotton fabric
What we liked: Easy to move around in, UPF 40 sun protection
What we didn't like: Looser, relaxed fit sizes only go up to 2XL
Duluth Trading Co is one retailer with an extensive range of products in big and tall sizes, many items which range up to 5XL, and many of which are perfect for summer activities. The AKHG (Alaskan Hardgear) line of products from Duluth are designed specifically to be tough, dependable technical clothing for the outdoor enthusiast. The AKHG Sandstone shirt lives up to the line’s goals with tough, thick-feeling fabric that still feels cool in the heat, and is ready for a variety of activities.
View the Duluth Trading Co AKHG Sandstone Shirt
The shirt dries quickly and provides plenty of sun protection for water activities, as well as secure pockets for important items.
The Sandstone shirt, while made for fishing (evident by the fly lure pattern and two breast pockets, one with a zipper), I find this shirt is great for kayaking or any other water activity. It’s fabric, a poly-cotton blend, dries quickly and provides UPF 40 sun protection, which is of extreme importance when spending hours on the water. The back vents provide cooling airflow despite soaring temperatures, and the Reach Gussets® under the arms make bending, casting, or paddling easy and comfortable. The shirt even includes a built in chamois to keep glasses clean and vision clear.
The standard sizes fit well, but there are additional relaxed fit sizes that provide a little more room.
Jackets
The importance of good jackets cannot be understated. Layering is crucial for maintaining a comfortable temperature while hiking or doing other strenuous activities in cold temperatures. The items on this list excel both on their own or layered together.
Carhartt Rain Defender Insulated Jacket
Size: S-3XL
Fit: True to size
Material: 100% nylon CORDURA®
What we liked: Fabric is tougher than other puffy jackets
What we didn't like: Torso is cut short, no hood
Carhartt is known for making durable and comfortable workwear, but many of their items are also excellent for camping, hiking, and other outdoor activities. The Carhartt Rain Defender Insulated Jacket is my favorite jacket for staying warm in both fall and winter.
View the Carhartt Rain Defender Insulated Jacket
The Rain Defender is versatile and useful for layering while engaging in outdoor activities.
Many jackets are designed to keep the wearer warm even in extreme cold temperatures, which sounds like an asset, but often these same jackets are far too warm when being active outdoors. Carhartt rates their jackets and coats for warmth, and this one is rated Level 1 or “warm.” It is not quite warm enough for the coldest of winter temperatures in the mountains, but it is just right for regulating one’s temperature while hiking in the cold. I find it also excels as a layer working with other jackets in more extreme temperatures. It also provides real resistance to wind chill when placed over a light fleece jacket.
Our tester stayed warm in the Rain Defender while hiking in the Northern California Redwoods during winter.
The jacket is extremely light and is much more packable than other similar jackets. And, while extremely light, it will also hold up to even the roughest use cases, such as snagging on thorns, rubbing against rough rocks, etc. I’ve used this jacket for several years and it still looks almost brand new, with no holes, rips, or tears in the shell.
Carhartt’s nylon CORDURA fabric, seems to be far more resistant to scuffs and rips than other similarly weighted insulated jackets, whose shells can sometimes feel thin and fragile in comparison. In addition to being tough, I found the Rain Defender water repellent coating works great to slough off snow and rain.I’ve worn the Rain Defender in both snow and rainstorms and was able to stay warm and completely dry, and both slide off the jacket and appears dry quickly afterwards.
With the addition of a beanie, cold ocean winds were unable to penetrate the Rain Defender jacket.
There are multiple pockets, including several that zip for securely carrying small items as well as a pocket on the right breast designed just for storing a map.
I’ve owned this jacket for several years now and it is my go-to jacket for rainy, windy, or otherwise chilly days and I wear layers underneath in the winter when I need to be just a little bit warmer. The lack of a hood seems like a silly oversight for a product with “Rain Defender” in the name, but I usually wear a hat in addition to the jacket for a little extra protection. Besides this oversight, my only complaint about this jacket is that it’s a little short in the torso. Some may find that to be an issue, but for me it seems to just cover enough while not getting in the way when bending down, crouching, or scaling boulders, and for those that do find this to be an issue, Carhartt provides several tall sizes in addition to the standard ones.
Size: Standard: 1X-6X, Tall: LT - 5XT
Fit: True to size
Material: 100% polyester MTR filament fleece
This fleece jacket has become one of my favorite and most versatile articles of clothing I own. I find myself wearing it camping, hiking, and around town. Columbia’s fleece is a good weight, neither too light nor too heavy, and extremely soft. I find that it provides more wind protection than some other brands’ fleece jackets, such as those by The North Face or Cotopaxi (both or whose fleece in general feels thinner) while also not being too warm while being active.
View the Columbia Men’s Steens Mountain 2.0
The Steens Mountain is perfect for layering with other warm pieces of clothing to get just the right temperature for whatever activity.
One of my favorite things about this fleece jacket is the cut. It fits my body just right without being overly roomy in the arms or pinching in the armpits like other less well-fitting jackets have in my experience. It’s thin enough to use as an extra layer of warmth under another coat or jacket, and unzipping it in the front results in a much cooler, yet still warm fit. Reviews online generally state that it fits true to size, which I also find to be the case, and the bottom hem has a drawstring to tighten it for a better fit, or just a bit more warmth.
The Columbia Steens Mountain fleece is a great wind-resistant jacket perfect for most seasons.
This jacket is very light, and is not suitable to wear alone on a winter day, unless wearing a warm base layer underneath it, but excels in all other seasons, and as stated, works great in winter as one of several layers.
It’s a simple jacket in both looks and features, but that doesn’t make it any less versatile or usable. This is a great addition to anyone’s activewear collection.
Size: S-4XL
Fit: True to size
Material: 93% nylon, 7% spandex knit
Duluth might be most recognizable for their humorously named products, like these Buck Naked underwear, but they also make some really comfortable and high-quality gear. These particular underwear have exactly what one needs to get outdoors and move comfortably. The fit is excellent, with a wide and strong-feeling waistband and close-fitting yet roomy legs, and plenty of give where it counts. The crotch is gusseted to strengthen the seams and avoid blowouts when stretching while working or being active, and the fabric, a 93% nylon/7% spandex knit, feels soft and durable to the touch. And as the name implies, these boxer briefs are extremely light (a mere 4.4 ounces according to Duluth’s website) and feel almost like wearing nothing at all.
View the Duluth Trading Co Men’s Buck Naked Pattern Boxer Briefs
While Duluth has another set of underwear meant to keep the wearer cool and dry in the heat called the Armachillo underwear, these do a great job of staying dry and remaining breathable. They wick moisture and dry quickly. They are also treated to fight odors, and one of Duluth’s selling points is that they can have water rung out of them, and then just hang them to dry overnight when traveling to keep them clean and fresh.
These are a great everyday boxer brief that performs equally well at a job site or a campsite, and they look great too. They are available in a number of solid colors, as well as a variety of seasonal prints which make them stand out against some of the more utilitarian appearance of many other light, moisture-wicking underwear.
Size: S-XXXL
Fit: Runs small
Material: 94% polyester, 6% spandex bluesign© approved
What we liked: very breathable and light
What we didn't like: jacquard waistband slides off waist more easily than other waistbands
These boxer briefs, like the name states, are great for almost any activity. They’re comfortable and light which makes them perfect for everyday wear, but also for even the most strenuous hiking or climbing trips as well. Their 94% polyester/6% spandex feels slinky and cool to the touch and like many of their products is bluesign® approved, meeting bluesign® criteria for a Climate Neutral Certified brand.
View the REI Co-op Everyday Boxer Briefs
I find the fit to be small in the waist for me, with the band not being quite strong enough to keep them in place. Consequently, they didn’t sit where I wanted them, just above my waist, but otherwise are extremely comfortable. I also thought the 6” inseam was long, but that is a feature some may find advantageous for mitigating chafing on long hikes.
Like most other technical underwear, these are quick-drying and moisture-wicking which will keep the wearer cool and dry, even when sweating. Some online reviews criticize the design in the crotch, with some saying the seams rub too much and are uncomfortable and others complain that the seams in the crotch rip after a year. However, I’ve owned mine for a couple of years, and in my tests I have experienced neither of these things. Underwear is a very personal choice, and while these were not my absolute favorites, they did perform well and I would recommend them without reservation.
Understanding the needs of big and tall (aka, what I wish brands knew about designing big and tall gear)
Our tester wore the AKHG Sandstone kayaking at Ritter Island in Thousand Springs State Park.
Body proportions and how they affect clothing fit
One of the biggest obstacles to finding outdoor apparel is fit, even when brands provide extended or big and tall sizing. The mistake brands seem to keep making is failing to understand big and tall bodies come in a variety of proportions and shapes, which sometimes are not reflected in the ways big and tall clothing are cut.
For example, some people are simply extremely broad-shouldered and tall, and may find sleeves and pants legs to be much too loose to be comfortable and which can hinder movement.
Some may wear their weight in their hips and find some pants not roomy enough for comfortable movement in the waist and buttocks.
For me, I am fairly tall, over six feet, and have a large barrel-chest, fairly average shoulders, and somewhat athletic legs and arms. With this shape, many clothes, even in big and tall sizes supposedly designed for someone my size don’t quite fit right. Often they fit in the torso, but are far too baggy in the shoulders and underarms area, which makes for an awkward fit that is not conducive to outdoor activities, and doesn’t look flattering. Keeping this problem in mind is vital, as some brands' sizing is very different.
Key considerations when selecting outdoor clothing for big and tall men
These shorts were great on a short hike in cool spring temperatures.
When choosing outdoor clothing, the fit is the most important thing to consider. If the clothing doesn’t fit comfortably, or doesn’t fit when bending, jumping, climbing, etc., the wearer might not be able to remain active for long and can even injure themself. Trying clothes on before going out into the great outdoors is paramount.
I learned this first hand on that fifty-miler that my scout troup took during my teens. The other boys in my troop and our leaders were all dressed more appropriately for the weather and strenuousness of hiking through steep switchbacks and rocky, exposed areas. They also complained of the heat, but I was even hotter, uncomfortably so, and struggled though sections of the hike, heavy jeans damp with sweat and sticking to my skin and cotton tee soaked through on my back. My clothes made each step harder, and had I been a little less in shape or just unlucky, I could have ended up with chafing and sores at the very least.
With this experience in mind, there are a few things I recommend to look for in outerwear. First, clothes for active pursuits should be light. This is not just important for comfort, but also for packing while camping or backpacking. Lighter clothes are conducive to being active, but often weight is the enemy when packing things in a pack for backpacking. Keeping clothes’ weight down makes room for other important items.
Second is sun protection. This is often overlooked, yet it is one of the most important considerations. Sunscreen and hats are often all that people think about in this regard, but those only protect so well. Sunscreen wears off after a time and no longer protects the wearer.This was another one of the lessons I learned the proverbial hard way on that same trip. Even with sunscreen and a hat, avoiding sunburn was a daily battle. Since then I’ve come to see that clothing providing UVA/UVB protection can literally be a lifesaver at the height of the summer heat.
Many of the items on this list provide 50+ SPF protection, which can be crucial when boating on the water, sitting around camp, hiking a mountain summit, or climbing a rock face. These are all environments that can lead to sunburn, which is not just uncomfortable, but can lead to cancer and other health problems. while being active is staying dry. In the cold, even being slightly damp can be the difference between being comfortable and being in danger of freezing. In the heat, staying dry can protect from chafing, as well as remaining cool. This is especially important for base layers and underwear, which often have moisture-wicking tech built in to keep sweat off the skin for protection and comfort.
How not having the right fit impacts your comfort and performance outdoors
Besides the risk of injury, not having a good fit or appropriate features makes gear uncomfortable. Especially for fat bodies, which aren’t always welcome (or at least don’t always feel welcome) in outdoor spaces, comfort is crucial. Feeling comfortable in appropriate clothing can help with confidence and feeling a sense of belonging in the outdoors. When those feelings are not present, it’s easy to give up on difficult activities. Feeling good makes the same activities feel easier, and imparts self-confidence which is important too. Everyone deserves to feel prepared, capable, and confident about the activities they want to participate in.
Besides this, wearing uncomfortable, wet, or otherwise improper clothing can make every aspect of an activity physically more difficult, causing tiredness and fatigue much earlier than if the same person were wearing more appropriate and well-fitting clothing. Inappropriate gear is a huge hindrance in every aspect of being outside.
Tips for finding the right fit
Summer temperatures are no problem in the Sandstone shirt.
Most companies provide a size chart on their website. It helps to be familiar with your own measurements when ordering clothing. Pay attention to chest size, inseam and sleeve length, as well as waist measurements.
However, while knowing your own measurements is crucial to finding the right clothes, many of the manufacturer’s of the clothes mentioned in this article have user reviews right on their website, and retailers like REI do as well. Read through these and look for comments detailing fit. Some items, several of which I noted in the reviews above, run small and sizing up is a good idea—even if the measurements in the sizing chart wouldn’t lead a buyer to this conclusion.
Luckily, more manufacturers and retailers are carrying big and tall sizes these days. There are still not as many options as in straight sizing, but most of the major brands (The North Face, Columbia, REI, etc.) do offer at least some extended sizing. Checking specialty retailers for big and tall sizes, such as Kingsize Direct or DXL, is also a great idea, as they often carry some of the more common items on this list like light tops, fleece jackets, and coats.
Related: read testimony from plus-size athletes on trends and changes in the industry in our winter article, “Snowsports for Bigger Bodies”.
Embrace outdoor adventures with confidence
Not only will finding the right fit make activities easier, but they can really improve one’s self-image. Wearing ill-fitting clothing can accentuate the parts of the body a person is self-conscious about. For example, some shirts are clingy in the chest, which always makes me uncomfortable because my chest is a body part I sometimes feel negatively about. Wearing shirts that fit better in that particular area don’t just make me feel better about my body, but also about my ability to participate in outdoor activities.
Finding resources for big and tall outdoors enthusiasts can be difficult. Many of what resources are available tend to focus on plus size women's gear, and there don't seem to be many popular fat male outdoor influencers.
However, searching Facebook groups for specific activities such as hiking or kayaking in conjunction with terms like "fat," "big and tall," or "plus size' will yield a few inclusive groups, and outdoor companies that produce or sell big and tall outdoor clothing have begun sharing more big and tall men influencers. For example, Columbia has partnered on Instagram with Drake Andrews (@drakeandrews) and Kyle Pretzlaff (@kylefrominsta). REI has also worked with a few in recent years as well. These are the best places to start to find more info and support.
Why you should trust us
Clayne Zollinger is an outdoor enthusiast and a big and tall outdoor advocate as well as a poet, educator, musician and lover of the outdoors.
He says, “For some of my adult life, I didn't feel like the outdoors was open to me because of my fatness and a lack of quality gear that fit me properly. I've come to believe that the outdoors is for everyone and everyone should have access to quality, well-fitting gear to help them feel comfortable and achieve their outdoor goals.”
Clayne was born and raised in Idaho and spent his youth camping with his scout troop, hiking in the Sawtooth Mountains, rafting the Salmon River, and fishing in the lakes and reservoirs of Southern Idaho. As a teen, he earned his Eagle Scout award and belonged to BSA's Order of the Arrow.
He received his Master's of Fine Arts in Creative Writing, Poetry from Saint Mary's College of California. His poetry and writing can be found in various places including Dunes Review and Talking River Review. Currently he teaches English at College of Western Idaho and College of Southern Idaho. On the weekends he can be found either singing songs in bars or exploring the outdoors with his partner, Gabi Reyes-Acosta, and their dog, Juniper.
See more on Clayne's author page.
