Hi, I'm looking for some gear for hiking and backpacking this summer. I was just banded last month so I don't want to buy stuff now, only to have to replace it for a smaller size in a few months.

I really need:

-A rain coat/windbreaker shell. I tried on a North Face Venture in 2x and it fit perfectly. Columbia was a little small in the same size.

-Wicking base layer - t-shirt in moisture-wicking fabric - 1x or 2x

-Wicking middle layer- long-sleeved shirt or a lightweight pullover (no fleece) - a roomy 1x or 2x

-hiking pants, shorts, or skorts, size 18/20

I am willing to pay for the items and shipping. I can also swap some items - I have clothes and will have accessories soon listed in my vinted closet: http://www.vinted.com/members/1326729-veganjello

thanks so much!

Since these clothes will be temporary, have you considered looking in a large thrift shop?

I probably should have mentioned, I live in Manhattan, and we only have very small, expensive thrift stores.

I'm from Colorado and when I lived there it was easy to find this stuff at Ross/TJ Maxx or a thrift store. But there just isn't the culture to support it here in the same way, thus, it is very difficult to cheap/find used gear and clothing. I look at Craigslist a lot but haven't had any luck there yet, either. Even the outdoor stores here like EMS and REI don't carry larger sizes - EMS only goes to 16 and REI you have to order anything above a 14 online (which I would do, if I thought I would be using it long-term).

Thanks for your reply!

Another go-to place for me is Ebay. You may want to try that and you can let your fingers do the walking!

Same advice.. I wasted money on clothes I wore once! Once the weight started coming off, I breezed past sizes all together. From an 18 to a 2.

Yoga pants and stretch everything was a help, once I hit the small sizes, the fit really mattered when it came to warmth. You can get by with less than you think. With the price of new jeans at 100.00++, I bought them at consignment stores and did not feel a bit guilty cutting the hems off. Even if I only got a couple of weeks out of them - I did not get angry at myself for paying too much. There is a chain of stores here called Plato's closet , small sizes, cheap prices, love it!

I didn't think of Ebay! Thanks.

As far as "regular" clothes, I've had a lot of luck with Freecycle for work clothes and jeans. I find Old Navy has great, cheap yoga pants. I really need stuff for hiking/backpacking specifically. It doesn't have to be high-end, just wicking and waterproof enough to get me through a few trips this summer.

Bicycle clothing might also work for hiking, the shirts are wicking, some are SPF, some have water pouches across the back, and even men's might work with sizing. Fishing shirts,pants that zip off into shorts....

Gander Mountain , cabellas, bass pro shops, check out their clearance sections for best prices.

Is there anyone in your bariatric group that does a clothing swap?

@@swimbikerun - the only one I have found doesn't happen until November

Are there any other groups in the area? Most would allow you to visit if you asked.

I've looked around for other swaps. I found one that is only for under size 12! And another other one is "name brands only" They said if you shop at Target, TJMaxx, or Old Navy you aren't welcome there (those are the three places I shop the most, lol). I live in Manhattan so people can be kinda snotty about clothes. There is a plus size clothing swap that you have to buy tickets for in August, I might go to that.

But what I need the most and am unable to find (and why I posted specifically on this board) is hiking gear. Especially a rain jacket/shell and insulation layer. Even on clearance these are forty or fifty bucks - just too much for something I might not even use!

I don't think I'll have too much trouble with "regular" clothes - I'm a pretty active member of Freecycle and there are a lot of clothes offered on there in all sizes.

Ah I see.

That is very interesting and thank you for pointing that out about where the clothes are from. Most here in Va. aren't that picky. Especially if you know you aren't going to be wearing things that long.

I'm trying to think would any Facebook or the like type of group have something like that? What about hiking groups in your area?

Poncho?

I go backpacking too and am having the same trouble finding clothes because I don't want to invest a lot in them as I am losing weight. I bought two wicking shirts (cheaper, bigger!) in the men's department at a Fred Meyer store, kind of like Target, and then I cut the neckline out and cut a notch in each hip at hem so that it fits me better, I also put two or 3 inches off the length. Nice that the synthetic fabric does not shred too. Short or pants for hiking are the worst, but I am using stretch capris under my big T-shirts. For rain gear I found a cheaper plastic one, (sports/hunting supply) then I cut the sleeves shorter and the length. None of this stuff will look great, but a year from now I will have lost enough weight that it'll be worth buying better long term ones online or in sporting-goods stores. Maybe try and any kind of Army surplus place or bigger drugstores. They sometimes the sports team T-shirt in that wicking fabric really cheap, and lg men's plastic raincoats in those little plastic envelopes you can cut down. Good luck, and have a great time hiking!

Do you happen to have any family or friends living in other states or visiting other states where hiking and outdoor activities are common? Maybe they would be willing to scope out thrift stores and Facebook groups in their area and ship to you? We have a vacation to South Dakota and Nebraska this summer and I have big plans to hit some of the thrift stores and get some different sizes to get me through the rapid loss!

Thanks everyone for all the ideas!

I did a bunch of research online and just bought this rain suit on Amazon http://amzn.com/B007X5XDU4

I also hit Old Navy yesterday - they had 40% off active wear - I got two wicking t-shirts and a very lightweight wicking jacket that will work for a summer mid-layer all for about thirty bucks!. So really all I need now is bottoms!

I did just join a hiking club and I'm going to a slideshow tonight, so I'll ask around there. I'm also going to Ohio for 4th of July and I'll hit some thrift shops there.

Thanks again, and happy hiking!