Pretty rad stuff. Photo: XO COCO
It’s no secret that the outdoor industry is male dominated. For years, women have had limited options or had to wear ill-fitting men’s gear when it came to outdoor endeavors. But thanks to female trailblazers, adventurers, and entrepreneurs there are more options than ever for women in the outdoors. This Women’s History Month (and every month), we’re celebrating seven female-owned brands that are making rad gear with women in mind.
XO COCO
Founded by pro surfer Coco Ho in partnership with shaper Matt Parker, XO COCO is a surf company that’s creating boards specifically for women. Born and raised on Oahu, Ho is of course the daughter North Shore surf pioneer Michael Ho and sister to pro surfer Mason Ho. Ho herself spent 10 years competing on the Championship Tour, so it’s safe to say she knows what goes into making a solid surfboard.
The XO COCO quiver includes a wide range of sizes and shapes, from a 4’7” fish to a 9’2” log. XO COCO also offers the option to customize a board or take a quiz if you’re not sure which board is right for you. Built for fun, the line of XO COCO boards was created to encourage women to paddle out and “celebrate our love of surfing, together.”
You good to go? Photo: Good to Go
Good to Go
If you’ve spent a lot of time in the backcountry, then you know that a nutritious, hot meal is a game changer. Founded in 2014 by professional chef Jennifer Scism, Good to Go is focused on providing hikers and campers with meals that not only taste good but are also healthy.
Bringing two decades of experience to the table, Scism ensures all meals are hand-crafted in their Maine kitchen using responsibly sourced ingredients. In an effort to be diet friendly, all of Good to Go’s meals are gluten-free, low in sodium, and contain no preservatives – they also offer numerous vegan and vegetarian options.
Only the good stuff. Photo: Seea
The Seea
Raised on the island of Ilhabela, Brazil, Seea founder Amanda Chinchelli spent her childhood playing in the surf. When she was 10, Chinchelli’s family moved to Italy where her grandmother taught her to crochet and sew, sparking Chinchelli’s interest in fashion and design. As an adult, Chinchelli relocated to California and was a regular in the lineup.
Unable to find a cute yet reliable suit, Chinchelli set out to make her own and Seea was born.
Today, Seea offers a line of swimsuits, rashguards, and wetsuits all created with surfing and the female physique in mind. A self-proclaimed “eco-imperfect” brand, Seea thoughtfully selects fabrics that have minimal impact on the environment, including recycled and earth-friendly materials, and they’re constantly striving to improve and phase out materials that are harmful to the planet. Additionally, they utilize and develop relationships with local manufacturers and all their suits are made in California.
Gnara
During her time as a summer glacier guide in Alaska, Georgia Grace Edwards became frustrated with the limited outdoor apparel on offer for women. She teamed up with classmates and fellow outdoor enthusiasts Bianca Gonzalez and Charlotte Massey and they launched SheFly (which eventually became Gnara) in 2018.
Today, Gnara outdoor apparel is specifically created for women. Their most noteworthy creation is their GoFly patented pee zipper technology that allows women to relieve themselves without stripping their layers. Gnara’s team consists of all women and their mission is to provide apparel that makes the outdoors more accessible to everyone.
Some good-lookin’ bags. Photo: Sagebrush
Sagebrush
From the mind of professional free surfer Anna Gudauskas, Sagebrush offers eco-friendly surfboard bags. An avid traveler, Gudauskas wanted a surfboard bag that could keep up with her adventures, surf trips, and daily outings to the beach.
Designed and sewn in southern California, all of Sagebrush’s bags are handmade and are created using remnant or vintage fabrics, meaning each style comes in limited quantities. At the top of each bag is a coffee bean sack that’s been sourced from an organic, fair trade coffee roaster. Surfboard bags are available in a wide array of sizes and prints, ranging from 5’6” to 10’0”. Sagebrush also offers surf ponchos and apparel.
The Kassia + Surf Changing Poncho in action at San Onofre. Photo: Kassia + Surf
Kassia + Surf
In 2016, professional longboarder Kassia Meador stepped away from her sponsors to create an environmentally forward surf brand. She founded Kassia + Surf and through the brand, she began pushing the boundaries of women’s surf culture, lifestyle, and design.
Through the brand, Meador created performance driven wetsuits and swimsuits made from limestone-based eco carbon black neoprene and recycled polyester, using dope-dyed yarns and water-based glues and solvents. Additionally, Kassia + Surf donates two prcent of proceeds to Sea Trees and offers a wetsuit recycling program. All Kassia + Surf’s products are designed specifically for women, maximizing warmth, fit, performance, and comfort.
Badger
Regardless of the way you choose to adventure, it’s always important to keep your skin protected and smear on some SPF. A women-owned business, Badger is a skincare brand that makes sunscreens, bud repellants, and moisturizers that are both good for your skin and gentle on the environment.
All Badger’s products are formulated from ingredients that are minimally processed and grown in nature, with a focus on organic, regenerative, and sustainable agriculture. Made in the USA, Badger prioritizes close supplier relationships and ensures their actions have a net positive impact on the planet.
