Plus-size hikers launch inclusive clothing line

BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) - There’s enough room for everyone in the great outdoors, but outdoor gear often caters to smaller sizes.

When two Rutland women came up empty-handed, they decided to make their own product. In 2019, Kara Hardman and a group of plus-size hikers were getting ready to hike Mount Kilimanjaro.

Their clothes weren’t so ready.

“It was basically just poorly made leggings that were out there, and that’s what we ended up all using. They got very wet because it rains slash snows on Kilimanjaro,” said Hardman.

She bonded with fellow hiker Arwen Turner over a shared frustration with limited plus-size outdoor gear.

“Why are plus-size bodies not able to purchase the same things that smaller-size bodies can to do the things that we love outside?” asked Turner.

With major reta