Fat Girls Hiking: An Inclusive Guide to Getting Outdoors at Any Size or Ability

by Summer Michaud-Skog

“An invaluable guide…Kudos to the author for changing the narrative on inclusiveness, breaking down stereotypes, and building body positivity.” — Booklist

From the founder of the Fat Girls Hiking community comes an inclusive, inspiring call to the outdoors for people of all body types, sizes, and backgrounds. In a book brimming with heartfelt stories, practical advice, personal profiles of Fat Girls Hiking community members, and helpful trail reviews, Summer Michaud-Skog creates space for marginalized bodies with an insistent conviction that outdoor recreation should welcome everyone. Whether you’re an experienced or aspiring hiker, you’ll be empowered to hit the trails and find yourself in nature. Trails not scales!        

Genres: Nonfiction, Nature, Travel, Self Help, Adult, Health, Feminism

252 pages, Paperback

First published March 29, 2022

Reviews

[Lizzie S · Rating 4 out of 5]

** Thanks to NetGalley, Summer Michaud-Skog, and Timber Press for this ARC **

Fat Girls Hiking: An Inclusive Guide to Getting Outdoors at Any Size or Ability by Summer Michaud-Skog is a lovely collection of photography, advice, and short essays about hiking, biking, and rock climbing as a fat person. Written by the creator of Fat Girls Hiking (https://fatgirlshiking.com/) and featuring content from a variety of other activists in the sphere of outdoor activity, this book was inspiring, beautiful, and supportive. It made me want to get outside! I had not ever had to think before about the challenges of accessing specific outdoor gear, like sleeping bags, as a fat person, and finished this book feeling newly comfortable with the idea of approaching activities like hiking as a beginner and in the body I have.

4 stars - I really liked it!

Publication Date: March 29th, 2022

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book because I follow the organization online. I even purchased a copy and donated it to my library. However, I was hopeful for a practical guide to trails and perhaps some detailed anecdotes about experiences while hiking. Instead, I got the same personal essay over and over again from fat women who felt marginalized on the trail. There’s only so much of this narrative that I want to read in a book. If I’m picking up this guide, then I have already made the decision to be a fat girl hiker. I want brands of plus sized outdoor clothing. I want a state by state outline of accessible trails. I want tips and tricks for treating blisters, starting a fire, what kind of camping gear I’d need, and perhaps some history on different accessible trails. I got maybe 5% of that. An opportunity missed.

[Beth · Rating 2 out of 5]

I gotta be honest, this really didn't work for me. I was hoping this book would be full of hiking guides, gear guides, and tips on getting out in nature. Instead, it focuses on the personal stories and experiences of several members of the FGH group. Just not a great read.

[Kayla Whitter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this book was a gift. It felt like a book I could’ve written myself. I felt seen and understood. It’s part memoir, part guidebook, a collection of profiles, and an intro to the outdoors for folks who feel it’s not a space they belong in.

The author of the book and founder the Fat Girls Hiking community, Summer Michaud-Skog is self-described as midsize fat, white, and queer, but throughout the book, she makes sure to make note of her privilege and how certain experiences may be/feel less safe, less appropriate, etc for folks of more marginalized identities.

Fat Girls Hiking is full of beautiful pictures, acknowledgment and awareness for the Indigenous peoples of the land we’re residing on and exploring, and stories that prove representation matters. I cried my way through the book and read it all in one day.

This book is meant for fat folks, for queer folks, for folks of color, but it shares a meaningful message that all folks could read. It would maybe give them an awareness of how the outdoors is meant for everyone.

I loved this book so much.

*Thanks to NetGalley for the review copy.

[Chelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful photos, lighthearted and relatable stories from diverse voices, this book is a wonderful resource for those looking for the encouragement to GET OUTSIDE!
Loved the featured parks/hikes in the book; especially loved the social media links & internet resources at the end of the book.🌲

[Nancy Sue · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think it was mainly a complaint book about how the outdoor industry treats fat people. Not that many great tips on actual hiking. Was a little disappointed. I am a fat person and I like to hike/take walks. I just think it was a little troubling that the writer kept stressing they did not want to lose weight, yet every one of the profiles featured and the writer dealt with chronic pain or other health issues. I have bad knees, I can relate, however, I a,so know if I dropped some more weight it would be easier on my joints. That’s not a prejudiced viewpoint, it’s biology. Anyway, I did read the entire book. I would have liked more actual hikes featured from different parts of the country.

[SuperWendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was OK. Good tips on community building, making the outdoor experience accessible for everyone, a few trail reviews, some general gear and hiking tips. But there's also a lot of personal stories (YMMV with these) and A LOT of golly people sure do suck (outdoor gear industry, pick-your-poison-phobic people, racists/bigots, and diet culture in general). An OK library borrow but I'm not running out to buy a copy.

[Cindy (leavemetomybooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book so much.

Fat Girls Hiking: An Inclusive Guide to Getting Outdoors at Any Size or Ability is a combination of practical advice + gorgeous photography + motivation + encouragement + guide book + activism + self help + memoir all wrapped up in a message of body acceptance and positivity. It includes stories from multiple women of various sizes from different backgrounds, and every single one of them is inspiring.

Nature does not belong to white people in smaller bodies, and Summer Michaud-Skog and her fellow hikers are doing amazing work reclaiming space for people in larger bodies or with mobility issues to comfortably and confidently spend time outdoors.


* thanks to Timber Press for the NetGalley review copy. FGH publishes on March 29, 2022.

[Andrea (Hammock and Read) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this as it gives ideas for what to wear- their group- group members - van life and hikes that are great hikes. I'm really glad more and more people are getting out in the outdoors since they are for everyone and from reading these stories I really hope people remember everyone is welcome and its everyone's public land.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this. Very fast read of a diverse collection of fat women/non-binary hikers’ experiences with getting outdoors and shunning societal expectations of weight-loss. Excellent. Highly recommend! Not just for hiking tips while fat but more so for the really wonderful community profiles of various fat hikers.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fat Girls Hiking rekindled my desire to get out in the trees again. I have been a large person my whole life and have felt society exclusion from many activities available to straight size people. This book makes me feel seen and is wonderful encouragement for women of all sizes and abilities to get out and enjoy nature (or what ever it is they want to do).

Fat Girls Hiking offers readers a chance to see themselves in places that main stream media often excludes them from. Part outdoor guide (there are lots of tips, advice and even trail reviews), and part self help book and part biography. The author shares what she has learned about accessible hiking options and how she came to start the FGH group that now has chapters all over the country. There are also community profiles from other FGH members and their experiences. You are sure to see yourself reflected somewhere in this book and be sure the check out the Resources at the end to keep the good vibes and motivation going. Find your community.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this book! Anyone who wants to start hiking or being outdoors more and thinks they don't belong should pick it up. It is geared towards more beginner hikers, but I did pick up some tips, such as - I should start carrying a whistle! I did skim through some of the sections, it's a guidebook and not something that would be read cover to cover necessarily. Some of the content didn't interest me, such as guides for trails in different states and info on "van life."
Most relatable quote:
“I would often be sweaty, out of breath, and the slowest person on the trail, but when I made it to the summit or waterfall or whatever my destination was, it always felt like another seed of trust planted within me.”

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this! I loved the testimonials of so many people sharing why they love hiking and being out in nature. Going in, I wasn't sure how much of the book would be "tips and tricks" but I enjoyed the balance given between advice/knowledge sharing, trail reviews, and testimonials. I will definitely be recommending this to anyone I know that enjoys the outdoors. Every time I picked this book up I found myself thinking of my own hikes and hoping to come across an FGH group the next time I'm out and about. So wholesome. Representation matters and I think this book does a great job of uplifting the voices of underrepresented outdoorsy folks.

[Maggie Carr · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the way this book was formatted, a mash up of back story behind the Fat Girls Hiking concept and success, the photos, and the trail reviews. The first few community profiles were also excellent but I quickly picked up on what seemed to be a formulaic way they were written and it drove me nuts. Those felt more like a short essay worksheet turned into paragraphs to me. But in general I enjoyed the book and even made my husband read the Van Life chapter since we'd like to do that someday.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Informative and inclusive. Great hiking tips and full of relatable tales from other “fat girls hiking”

[Megan Honaker · Rating 4 out of 5]

More like 3.5 stars.

I enjoyed reading this inclusive guide to hiking while fat. This gets into some serious hiking tips like if you'll be out for hours upon hours. My fat ass would be hiking for 2 hours max, you will not find me going #2 in the woods. I loved the focus on ADA trails and tips for bigger bodies. I did find it a bit repetitive by the end but overall enjoyed the tips and highlighting the fat liberation movement.

One of my New Year's resolutions is to go on some smaller hikes so this was a great jumping off point!

[Ariel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful book for all hiking fans to read but especially fat ones! I feel included!

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly really loved this book and I think anyone could benefit from reading this - from nature lovers of all sizes (honestly especially for thinner people to get some perspective and learn ways to be kinder on the trial) to healthcare professionals to help check your biases

Excellent read!

[Tamara Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Fat Girls Hiking” is an inspiring non-fiction book that encourages and guides plus size women of all ages, races, and abilities to explore the outdoors through hiking in nature.

The book consists of an introduction, ten chapters, acknowledgements, resources, photo credits, and an index.

In the introduction, author Summer Michaud-Skog shares how through leading group hikes and creating Fat Girls Hiking (FGH,) she noticed a lack of information on accessible trails as well as lack of inclusive trail information. The purpose of this book is to create an outdoor trail guidebook for the long-neglected audience of outdoorsy fat/plus-size women as well as women with disabilities or chronic pain to show that everyone belongs in the forests and on the trails.

In “How To Use This Book,” Michaud-Skog informs the reader than the FGH book is meant to be an extension of the online FGH community. This chapter serves as an introduction to other areas of the book including FGH community member profiles as well as trail reviews provided by FGH community members. As I read this chapter, I was surprised to learn that there are twenty-six FGH chapters across the country. Michaud-Skog shares how her love of books and reading has followed her even during her hikes and as such, she recommends that the reader bring the physical copy of this book along with them on hikes or when enjoying outdoor spaces in general.
In “Fat Girls Hiking: How It All Began,” Michaud-Skog shares how she began FGH in 2014 after noticing a lack of fat/plus size women hiking and being out in nature. In 2015, Michaud-Skog created Fat Girls Hiking (FGH) for marginalized women to meet and enjoy nature together in a safe and non-judgmental space. The main goals of FGH are to promote inclusivity, fat activism, and accessibility. While reading this chapter, what I liked most is that FGH doesn’t talk about weight loss, shame themselves or others, or judge each other for what that ate after a hike. FGH members also advocate for not only more marginalized representation in the outdoor industry but also more people of color working in the parks industry.

In “How To Hike,” Michaud-Skog provides clothing advice regarding moisture wicking clothing, footwear, weather protective apparel, emergency items, and how to choose a backpack which is extremely helpful for beginning hikers. I also appreciated safety tips provided including telling people where and when you’re hiking, check trail reviews online, wildlife safety, and bathroom etiquette when hiking outdoors.

In “Finding Joyful Movement: Fitness Trauma, Teams Sports, and Fat Athletes,” Michaud-Skog shares her fitness trauma as well as being bullied during and after gym class. Due to not fitting the cultural standards for physical activity, Michaud-Skog felt that she wasn’t allowed to engage in activities due to her body size but as she got older, she discovered a world of fat athletes which gave her encouragement to engage in physical activity in a way that met the needs of her body as she needs. From reading this chapter, I learned that there’s no right way to be a hiker and to honor your body on a daily basis.

In “Bugs and Humidity: Or Why Didn’t I Start Hiking Sooner,” various members of the FGH community share their experiences with nature, trauma, and reconciliation with their bodies. While reading this chapter, I was reminded of how much representation matters and that marginalized people have as much of a right to be out in nature as anyone else. Although being outdoors can be scary and may take a long time, it’s worth doing.

In “Body Liberation and Nature: The Power of Words,” FGH member shares essays on how society and diet culture has them to being oppressed and experiencing fat phobia on a continual basis, even when hiking. Due to the media and other sources portraying fat people as not being worthy of respect, it’s important to learn to cherish and honor your body as it is and to self-identify however they choose whether it’s fat, plus-size, curvy, big, fluffy, or chubby.

In “Van Life on the Margins: Redefining Success,” Michaud-Skog shares childhood memories of being wary of strangers and “stranger danger” and the irony of her living in a van therefore becoming the embodiment of “stranger danger.” FGH members who live in vans share their experiences of what lead to van life as well as pros and cons of living in van as people of color and/or queer. As I read the various FGH community member profiles, I was surprised to learn about how the culture of van life is steeped in racism due to a culture of whitewashing and high initial buy-in costs that’s out of reach for systematically oppressed communities.

In “Fat Activism Online: Bigots, Bullsh*t, and Boundaries,” Michaud-Skog discusses the pros and cons of interacting and sharing experiences from the fat community on social media as well as experiences with internet trolls. A brief exploration of the use of the word “body positivity” in FGH is provided as well as the author’s reclamation of the word fat to identify herself. While reading this chapter, I really resonated with Michaud-Skog’s stance of being a recovering people pleaser but also no longer feeling the need to make people like me or say yes when I really mean no.

In “When We Were Animals: That Essential Connection” Michaud-Skog reminds the reader that humans are animals and it’s important to go out in nature as a way to reconnect with your natural instincts. Recurring themes of the book is the need for the outdoor industry to have clothing and outdoor accessories such as rock-climbing harnesses and outdoor backpacks available in bigger sizes as well as have more media representation of marginalized communities in their marketing campaigns. Likewise, being outdoors doesn’t only mean going to parks but can also mean walking in a city park.

In “Change Always Comes: The Restlessness Inside,” Michaud-Skog and others describe how being out in nature can providing a calm experience as well as serve as a form of self-care.

Interspersed in each chapter are FGH community member profiles as well as trail reviews from FGH members providing information such as distance round trip, elevation gain, cell service, ADA and general accessibility, bathrooms, native lands, trail description, official park address, trail name, how to find the trailhead, and member’s hiking tip.

After finishing this book, I've been inspired to get out in nature and attempt hiking. I’m exciting about buying my own personal copy of this book to accompany me as I begin to get aquainted with nature by hiking in parks or visiting beaches. By flipping through the book and seeing photos of fat/plus size women and women of color out in nature, this made me feel like I could belong out in nature too.

[Heidi Schramm · Rating 2 out of 5]

After you get through reading all her positive affirmations about being fat, then she writes about products for fat girls. It is the same information one can find online. I was put off by her in your face about where her guests are from in terms of the lands stolen from the native people. Ok. This has happened globally by a variety of conquering people. That's history. But her point that fat girls /women can be out on hiking trails is good news.

[Pip · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hiking is for everyone! I love the focus of this book, especially the emphasis on accessibility and diversity. There have been so many times I wished for trail guides like the one included - hiking shouldn't just be for those who are the right shape and have the right money. When I was pregnant, postpartum, hiking with a toddler, or simply days when my chronic illness was too much, I benefitted so much from hikes in the woods, but without knowledge of what trails had good cell service, benches, bathrooms, were easily accessed, I stuck to the few I knew. I would love to see more guides of this type! The focus should be on the journey, on the hike, and not on anything else!

Thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fat Girls Hiking has, at its core, a message that I can’t support enough: hiking and the outdoors is for everyone. The focus on diversity and inclusivity is a highlight of this book, and the book contains many helpful advice and trail guides. Whether a person has some hiking experience or none, there’s something to learn from the author and the many guest writers that feature throughout the book. Even though the title focuses on hiking, the book covers so many more activities. The photography and formatting in the book were beautiful. Despite this, I wish that there had been more focus on making this a guidebook. The personal stories included are interesting, but it wasn’t what I was expecting based on the title and the description.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the digital copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

YES. This book is fantastic and needs to be talked about. The instructions given inside this book include many details to help anyone who has not seen themselves represented in outdoor spaces know where to start and what to expect. I've never seen a book before with so many women who I can relate to physically, enjoying outdoor spaces. I have experienced my own discrimination being a fat person in the outdoors. I have also been told people aren't inviting me out to participate in outdoor activities because they assume I can't do it or wouldn't want to. I have curves, and I like to be in nature. It was refreshing for me to see groups of other women in this book who look like me, who enjoy exploring nature, and are showing up and helping bring some size diversity to outdoor spaces. #representationmatters

[Jeana Lawrence · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved all the motivational stories of fat women getting out there and exploring nature and getting into hiking. I’m almost inspired to get out into nature and do the same! I wish more trails or parks could’ve been included but the reminder from everyone that hiking is to enjoy yourself and nature, not as means for weight loss, is important as are the calls for more inclusivity from all aspects of hiking, from trail designers and caretakers to the industry that creates products for hiking.

[Lily · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little light on logistics, but more importantly - assured me that I don't need to have all the right plans and gear and logistics to deserve to enjoy time outside. This is the attitude and support that I need to get active outside more. It also gave me some reassurance I didn't know I needed, that I don't have to be (won't become) "like that" if I do become someone who hikes and camps more.

[TL Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the story of how the Fat Girls Hiking group came to be, how it evolved, and what it is now. It's also a source of encouragement and tips for those larger sized women looking to head out into the woods to enjoy hiking themselves. It's a fast and easy read, but has good info.

[Leo · Rating 5 out of 5]

TW: Abuse, bullying, fatphobia

So nice to have a book be so welcoming and encouraging, rather than guilting you into a world of 'shoulds' and 'should nots' (or pushing you to buy xyz). Nature is for everyone, so screw gatekeepers! >:)

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book was so refreshing and made me feel so seen! I appreciate the range of voices and look forward to engaging with the community online and in nature.

[Annika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Started reading this book last summer and I finished it by listening to the audio book. I really enjoyed seeing all the different perspectives and experiences in the outdoors and it was helpful for thinking about access to the outdoors for all.

[Cynthia Nicola · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative and inspiring read!