With a mission to “ensure that everyone can relieve themselves outdoors with comfort, confidence, and safety,” this female-led startup has created a pair of pants that *might* even make you look forward to peeing outside.

“I really appreciate Spotlights like this for people that have to fight to get a seat at the table, this gives us our own entire table.”

“These hikes can bring up tears for some of our hikers because being with community and feeling seen is something we all are looking for in this life.”

When I returned to Vermont from England this summer, I only had one pair of shorts in tow - my black Patagonia Baggies. Previously, my Baggies had been something I wore on hikes and that’s about it. This summer, however, would be different.

“I went out looking to re-experience a connection to nature that I used to experience before puberty - to find that young kid and unfettered joy at where I could go, what I could do, and what it was to be one small piece of this planet.”

“All in all, if I could just say to these designers, finish strong! You were so close! You almost made a really good women’s performance pant! So why give up on these bits that are so easy? Give us regular pockets and keep your dumb buttons!”

“I don’t know if it was cherishing the outdoors that much more since my access was being restricted, or if it was the sheer amount of time I spent walking past the same trees and plants, but I really started to notice my surroundings in a way I never had before.”

I wrote an article for the Green Mountain Club about How to Start Hiking as an LGBTQ+ Person. This piece includes tips for queer folks who are new to hiking or who need an extra boost of comfort before hitting the trail.

“A few years ago I was backpacking the Tour Du Mont Blanc with my dad. It is stunning, and hence, quite a popular route. If you are lucky, maybe you will go 15 minutes without seeing a fellow hiker or mountain biker. Additionally, due to the whole circling Mont Blanc thing, most of it is at altitude and therefore quite exposed. Perhaps you can already see where this is leading.”

Bearfoot Theory has been one of my go-to websites for trip ideas and planning tips for several years now. I’m really excited to share this story about How to Be a Good LGBTQ+ Ally Outside & on the Trail with their community! Please follow the link to take a look and share it with friends and family who might benefit from a discussion of allyship in the outdoors.