#she is outdoors – winter 2022 - the first WOMEN‘S GEAR AWARD starts into the winter season
This is the WOMEN‘S GEAR AWARD #she is outdoors winter 2021/2022!
After the first round in summer, we are now starting the cold season. The idea for this award just for women‘s products was born out of two needs: first, we want to strive for equal treatment of female outdoor adventurers and athletes with their male counterparts in the outdoor industry. And secondly, we want to give a voice to all active women, to let them participate in the process of developing outdoor products perfectly adapted to their interests and needs. This brings people together and both sides benefit - manufacturers get to know their customers and their wishes and women no longer have to compromise when choosing their outdoor equipment.
The first brands already signed up for the winter award. We are happy to already have big players on board like Deuter, Ortovox, Schöffel, LaMunt and many more. The application period is from September 22 to October 29, 2021. All brands that produce innovative, advanced, highly functional - and just plain awesome - outdoor gear for women can enter products from the winter product seasons 2021/22 for the award. Entries will be divided into seven categories: Outdoor Professionals and Expedition; Camping; Hardware; Footwear; Apparel; Snow Sports and Girls.
An expert jury of eleven renowned female outdoor and product specialists will test and evaluate the submitted products. The jury will judge the products on functionality, build quality, material selection, sustainability, innovation, areaof use/target group and design. The winners will be awarded during a hybrid event by the end of January. The entry fee for one product is 700 euros; there are discounts for multiple products submitted or agencies submitting products from multiple brands.
Jana Erb and Miriam Mayer are photographers and digital creatives from Munich. Together with Maria Müller, a passionated event manager they form the trio behind the award. After several years of experience in the outdoor industry, they decided to do that one thing that has always been missing in the industry: The very first Women‘s Gear Award, where only outdoor products for women can be submitted.
„Women have had a long and rocky road in the outdoor industry. We‘ve sneaked out of the house and climbed steep peaks in long skirts - no one has talked about it publicly. But we evolved, had idols, like Lynn Hill, who was the first person to free climb ‚The Nose‘ in 1993. Today, there are just as many girls and women out adventuring as guys,“ explains Jana Erb, founder of the award.
Women‘s gear has also evolved, from floral prints on rain jackets to backpacks, clothing, hiking boots and all the other wonderful things we know and use every day tailored specifically for women. Women have come a long way - but they‘re not there yet! It‘s time to stop ‚adapting‘ women‘s products and instead start developing them specifically.
After the first round of the award in summer 2021 was such a great success, one may be curious for the winter season. But one thing is certain: you won‘t find more passion for the outdoors and outdoor gear in any other place than at the WOMEN‘S GEAR AWARD #she is outdoors!
