Ever had issues buying stuff?

[KnittingMelissa]

I was suggested a store near (well, near being a lucrative term) to where I live to check out while buying supplies for my 2011 trip. They didn't really have a great selection of light weight camping or hiking gear (they focused more on hunters and car campers), but they did have a nice selection of knives and leatherman tools under glass.

While looking at them an employee came up to me and then asked if I was there shopping for my boyfriend! :eek:

I HATE it when people assume that whatever I'm doing is because of a guy! :mad: I hate that I have to buy men's camping gear because they simply don't make camping gear for a six foot tall woman (no sleeping bags, no shoes, no clothes, etc). You would think that the industry would want women to hike and camp more, and encourage them by making supplies for them. Like sleeping bags designed to be taller than 5'10", or heavy duty backpacking boots.

But grr, that one man at that store. After I told him no, I didn't shop for people who weren't there (at least, not for camping gear), he turned around and left. I never could get help in that store after that, so I, too, just left.

Has anyone else had issues buying equipment just because they're female? I never did back home, but out here it seems that I might actually have issues with it. Which means I might have to go back home for a few days to supply instead of doing it locally. :(

[Marta]

I was suggested a store near (well, near being a lucrative term) to where I live to check out while buying supplies for my 2011 trip. They didn't really have a great selection of light weight camping or hiking gear (they focused more on hunters and car campers), but they did have a nice selection of knives and leatherman tools under glass.

While looking at them an employee came up to me and then asked if I was there shopping for my boyfriend! :eek:

I HATE it when people assume that whatever I'm doing is because of a guy! :mad: I hate that I have to buy men's camping gear because they simply don't make camping gear for a six foot tall woman (no sleeping bags, no shoes, no clothes, etc). You would think that the industry would want women to hike and camp more, and encourage them by making supplies for them. Like sleeping bags designed to be taller than 5'10", or heavy duty backpacking boots.

But grr, that one man at that store. After I told him no, I didn't shop for people who weren't there (at least, not for camping gear), he turned around and left. I never could get help in that store after that, so I, too, just left.

Has anyone else had issues buying equipment just because they're female? I never did back home, but out here it seems that I might actually have issues with it. Which means I might have to go back home for a few days to supply instead of doing it locally. :(

I hear you, sister! I'm 6' tall, and usually end up buying men's clothing. I've had some luck with using running clothing for hiking. Some of the suppliers of that (Road Runner Sports, Athleta, and more) make things in tall sizes.

It's not just the backpacking industry, though. I have the same problem with cycling clothing, and civilian clothing in general. I usually go for Eddie Bauer, since everything they make, they make in tall sizes.

The clothing and gear issue is just the tip of the iceberg, though. If I had $10 for every person who did not believe I was thru-hiking during my thru-hike, I could fund another one. After a while, the wide eyes, gaping mouths, and statements of disbelief just made me laugh.

Good luck, and go for it!

[Red Beard]

There are plenty of ways to buy gear online if you don't like the stores in your neighborhood. Perhaps that particular store doesn't get very many female customers? Maybe he thought you were attractive, was hitting on you, and trying to find out if you had a boyfriend at the same time. Just because you met one sales person who's a guy, and appears to be a jerk, doesn't mean the lot of us guys are.

[Ladytrekker]

Three of us all women hikers at Gander Mountain looking at hiking gear and were presently looking at sleeping bags, the sales guy comes up and like he is talking to 3 year olds begins telling us that those are sleeping bags. My friend goes oh really like she needed that grand information. Later as we are looking at stuff and talking to us the sales guy asked us what we used thinking he was going to stump and we begin with our x degree name brand this and that and he looked at us and said all ya'll hikers. We nodded and he put tail between legs and walked away. We obviously knew more than him. We got at good laugh at it, but yet again offended that as women we are stupid. So, yes have had the same experience. And as a woman we have do extra to validate ourselves.

[JustaTouron]

Slight thread drift....but what is the difference between a guys and gals backpack, sleeping bag, or shoes others than size...and maybe color selection?

I own a woman's backpack. I am male, but short. Most men's backpacks are designed for people with much longer spine than mine, but the women's ones fit me fine. I figure a tall women would just get a backpack designated "male" but there really wouldn't be an issue.

I get that there is a difference in shirts and pants for men and women, but I really don't understand why a backpack or sleeping bag would be designated male or female instead of long and short other than for marketing purposes.

As for the treatment you got that clerk is an idiot.

[KnittingMelissa]

I own a woman's backpack. I am male, but short. Most men's backpacks are designed for people with much longer spine than mine, but the women's ones fit me fine. I figure a tall women would just get a backpack designated "male" but there really wouldn't be an issue.


To be honest, I'm not sure on older external packs. My father's old external frame pack fits me just fine, and I love it to death (of course, I can't use that one on the AT, so I need to get my own. Bummer), but the new ones I've been trying on happen to have the sternum strap at such a height that it interferes with my cleavage to wear. I have no clue why they moved the sternum strap to do that, but they did. Women's packs are just too short for me.

Though, oddly enough, I found a teen pack at a sporting goods store that fit me perfectly. If it hadn't been for the fact that I hated the top flap I would have bought it in a heartbeat (the top flap had a built in bungee that bunched it, and there was no way to remove it that I could see in the store).

Who knows? The industry is getting weird. Just walk into the female's clothes department at a place like REI. Sure, a lot of the stuff is pretty and looks cool, but it's not actually designed to work (aka it's all cotton). While I'll wear pink in support of breast cancer research, I don't need a pink titanium cup with a matching pink stove and matching pink utensils and pink pack to go with the pink boots. Why they insist on using that color so much is beyond me (walking by Victoria's Secret is like getting slapped with shrapnel to the eye).

Thank god I was a tomboy, and know my sizes in men's clothing and gear (much to the shock of the REI guy who asked why I was looking at men's shoes -an honest question there-.), otherwise I'd never be able to set out on the trail! :sun

[Toolshed]

OK, So I worked in retail backpacking and camping for a few years a generation ago - Not all sales people are alike, but they usually have first impressions when they see a customer - Some are right on, some are way off.
I can remember a few discussions where I was working with a woman regarding sleeping bags and there wasn't near the interest in fill or temp ratings as there was on color and materials. I still remember chuckling about the woman who wanted a sleeping bag for her son who was going on a boy scout backpack trip, I helped them narrow it down to 2 bags. It came down to not getting one bag because the purple clashed with their red tent and the other bag because the inside was nylon and not soft like cotton. The color and nylon material concerns usually came up more frequently than any other as I think back.
So think about the poor schlep selling bags - especially if you are in Cabela's or Dick's where most aren't backpackers and don't have the level of knowledge. If he/she has had to explain to the last few customers the very basics of sleeping bags, He/she will probably start in that mode.

As far as the boyfriend comment, Take it as a compliment -when I was single, it was an opening line - probably not the best, but then again, I wonder how many happy couples may have started off that way...:D

[paradoxb3]

Sorry to hear you had a bad experience. Its very likely the clerk had a bloated ego, and was more concerned with trying to impress a female with his "vast knowlege" than help you select a product. Honestly, as a male, I too have walked out of shops where I intended to buy something because the clerk wanted to bestow upon me his wealth of knowlege, when I never asked for help in the first place. Nobody likes that.

When I worked in retail, albeit a home improvement store, they asked us to "qualify the customer." I'm sure most of us have had to do this in a job before... Just ask the customer general questions to get an idea of what and who they're shopping for, without suggesting that they're stupid (because many times they may know more about what they're shopping for than you!).

If its any consolation, I've recently been making some gear for my upcoming thru-hike (down vest, underquilt), and have received similar treatment from female clerks while shopping for sewing materials. They seem to assume I'm shopping for my mom/grandma or something. lol

[Spirit Walker]

Re: Women's gear: women's sleeping bags have more fill in the feet area and are usually wider in the hips and narrower in the shoulder area. Women's packs have a different fit on the shoulder straps and usually more padding in the hipbelt. Women's boots are narrower in the heel than men's.

That said, I have never bought any gear (except for boots and clothes) that was women specific. It is usually heaver because of the extra padding, and the men's packs and sleeping bags work well for me.

As to the OP: I remember a hiker several years ago who did a lot of research on her gear. She had top of the line gear. One of the men she was hiking with switched some of his gear to the good stuff that she was using. Whenever they met other hikers though, people would ask him about the gear and ignore her completely. She fumed about it, but also recognized the absurdity of it. There is an assumption on the part of some that many women hikers who are hiking with men are mere adjuncts, dragged along by their more knowledgeable more experienced partners. Somehow, I rarely get that reaction ;-)

I have had a similar thing happen though: group situation, discussing a problem and what to do about it. I give a suggestion. It is ignored. A male gives the same suggestion a few minutes later. The response, "What a good idea. Let's do it." Funny, but frustrating.

[Tuckahoe64]

I hope, ladies, that yall don mind that I post in this thread.

As a blacksmith, some of the folks that I have had the most success teaching the trade to are ladies. I have only ever told one person that they were not teachable -- a guy. Sadly I very often deal with men visiting the shop who cop an attitude and get upset at the sight of a lady working a forge. It really pisses me off when these visitors disregard anything that they are told by the women working the shop and then look at me to confirm what was just discussed.

On the other hand as a straight man who knits, I really love visiting some of the local knitting shops. The ladies there can't help it -- I mean how many men do they know that knit. So when I am picking up needles and such, I always get questions asking do I know what I am buying, or is this what I really want? Back in December I went in to get a baller and a swift, and if I weren't actually buying it as a gift for a friend, I would have been offended at the assumption, that it wasnt for me but for someone else.

[walkin_in_2010]

You asked, "Has anyone else had issues buying equipment just because they're female?"

Yes, I have, and I'm always very disapointed when this happens. A LARGE chain store - which everyone knows and loves (including me) - lost out on selling me a $500 backpack because the guy treated me like an idiot. He also seemed to have the attitude that there was "NO WAY" I was going to buy a Gregory Denali Pro Pack and quickly left me, standing at the backpack wall, alone. I ended up bying it from an outfitter in Oregon and having it shipped to me. Better yet, it was 20% off and I didn't have to pay sales tax or shipping! How's that for Karma?

It's annoying that some guys look down on women for being active, independent and adventurous. Maybe they're just wearing their own insecurities on their sleeve ... who knows. Ultimately, although it's VERY annoying I try not to give their knuckle dragging ways too much of my energy. I typically just spend my $$$ elsewhere!

[botanista]

Happens all the time. I try to gently correct them (laughter, a joke) and if they don't adjust their attitude, I buy elsewhere. I've only had to do that a few of times. Mostly they want to make the sale, so hopefully getting a chiding will encourage them to be more tactful next time.

Tuckahoe64, that's great. I have two sweaters knit by my father when he was in the military. He was an officer, so he had a small room where he could hide out and practice his secret craft. They're great sweaters, very engineered.

[Hawkwind61]

Wow! It seems that when I'm buying gear I've been very blessed! I have two EMS stores within an hours drive from me. I can walk into either of them at any time and get the very best in help and support.

I'm 5'7" but need a 36 inseam, I buy men's pants and shorts specifically. But I have a very short torso and very broad shoulders. So I have to search for men's backpacks in 'short'. Women's specific packs are literally painful for me to wear for any length of time as they are too narrow. I also need a small hip belt due to narrow hips...again I find men's fit better.

My next pack will again be an EMS pack. I'm having it sent to me, but I'll be going in one of the stores to have them 'fit' me again as they always get it right on the first go. ;)

[redmarbleshoe]

I always have trouble shopping. I'm 5'10" and a bigger girl. I have to buy mens 2x, 34" inseam pants and 1x tops. I have yet to purchase clothing designed for females. I do have an Osprey Ariel pack, female designed. I love it. Rides really good.

Usually shopping experiences for me, I expect the looks and glares of "what is she doing in this store?" Not encouraging. Men usually avoid me unless I ask for help, and only once I was offered help by a woman. She understood.

My local outfitter store here has one female clerk that knows me very well. She greets me with a hug and a smile and tries her best to help me find what I need. I usually only purchase men's shoes, as I wear a size 11. The rest of the stuff is usually too heavy for my liking.

I admit 75 % of my gear is bought online.

My favorite piece of gear is my SLEEPING BAG. Montbell super stretch #2. a 25 degree bag. So roomy, and LONG. about 2lbs. I got it on Backpacking Light on the sale forums. But it is worth buying it new if I had to.

Shopping for specialty gear for our needs has not obviously been demanded enough for a company to really pursue it. When there is a woman department in the store, it is usually for 5'6 and small woman.

WHAT ABOUT THE REST OF US? I agree with your frustrations.

[K2]

Off-topic:

About knitting: I don't know who has read "The Shipping News", but there's a story in it you all will like. I don't remember all the particulars, but I think you'll get the jist:

There was a truck driver who drove from X to Z. While he drove from X, he'd knit a sweater, which he would sell in Z.

One day, a policeman saw him, and flashed his lights. The driver didn't notice, so the policeman pulls aside of him and hollars, "pullover, pullover"

The driver looks at the policeman and says, "no sir, 'tis a cardigan".

[Frosty]

I HATE it when people assume that whatever I'm doing is because of a guy! :mad: I've faced the flip side of that. When my son was growing up, I had a job with lots of time off and a flexible schedule and my wife didn't, so I did all the doctor appts, day care stuff, stayed home when he was sick, etc etc. When he was two, my wife had a two-week business trip. I had to be darn near rude to my mother and mother-in-law to keep them from moving in with me for the two weeks. They just couldn't believe that a man could take care of a child. But then, my wife was working on a submarine those two weeks, and they kept asking, "What can a girl do on a submarine?"