PPE equipment for women

[Keris82]

So I came across this article this morning and being female it made me think about caving equipment.

https://amp.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/feb/23/truth-world-built-for-men-car-crashes?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other&__twitter_impression=true

While some manufacturers have npw made oversuits for the female form I still think the sizing is off. I recently bought a new oversuit in a ladies xxl! Bearing in mind I am a size 10! I have not yet found a harness that is made for women and fits correctly as they all seem to be designed for men.

[JoW]

I suspect this is mainly a demand thing... 15 years ago there was very little climbing equipment available for women and now there is lots as climbing in general has become more popular numbers of women have also increased.

I have had trouble finding a caving harness, but there are at least a fairly large range available to try. I also know men who've had trouble finding the find harness too so I'm not sure how gender specific that issue is.

Perhaps there is scope for more women's oversuits, but then some of the women will still buy the men's ones...

I think I would most like a large tackle sack aimed at women /shorter people as I have found them all too big in the back and uncomfortable.

[Simon Wilson]

I'm glad you said shorter people. This came up recently with regards to the canyon sack. The only thing that made it a 'Lady' pack was the pink colour - apparently. Does that really work as a marketing strategy? They could come into the modern world and sell shorter backpacks to anybody who wants one. All short people have a problem with packpacks that are too long. It's nothing to do with sex.

I've made my own rucksacks and sleeping bags. Fed up of paying for and carrying an extra spare foot in length of a sleeping bag.

Regarding oversuits, I've always found a baggy suit better to move around in. What matters is the torso length so it doesn't hang down below your crotch. I baggy suit with the right length torso would fit anybody.

[Pitlamp]

I once overheard Tony Seddon (Starless River) discussing this harness problem with a female caver. Tony has a lot of knowledge of such equipment considerations; might be worth your getting in touch with him. He sells a variety of harnesses and your problem may be sortable with the right adjustments.

[Keris82]

I once overheard Tony Seddon (Starless River) discussing this harness problem with a female caver. Tony has a lot of knowledge of such equipment considerations; might be worth your getting in touch with him. He sells a variety of harnesses and your problem may be sortable with the right adjustments.

Yes I met him a couple of weeks ago and got a new oversuit. I will get in touch with him for a harness at some point