Right off the bat I want to thank Ms. Michaud-Skog for suggesting that hikers carry a plastic bag for their used toilet paper (along with poop and pee etiquette). Pack it in and pack it out does include toilet paper.
That said, this is an informative and inspirational book. I’ve never been and athlete. I used to be tall and thin and now I’m tall and fat and have bad knees and a bad back. Do I hike? Damn right I hike? Do I hike 6 miles? Nope, and that’s okay because hiking is not a competition. It’s about enjoying our beautiful planet, having fun with my dog and just being.
The book begins with solid advice on everything from clothing and gear to trail apps and safety. Excellent advice on telling a trusted person when and where you hike and expect to return. When I camp with no cell signal I leave a note with the date and time I left and direction as well.
Personal stories follow the excellent advice. These are inspiring and loving. This earth belongs to all creatures. It’s a wonderful thing to get out there and meet your fellow inhabitants, maybe you’d rather not meet the grizzly bears…..but the birds, butterflies, chipmunks, deer…..they’re all wonders.
One thing I would.like to see more of in state and national parks in dirt path friendly wheelchair loans or rentals and some wheelchair accessible trails to go with them for individuals who want to get off the beaten path a bit, but walking is not an option.
Thank you #netgalley for allowing me to read and review #FatGirlsHiking. Let’s all get out there, not to burn calories…..but for the joy of it!

What a fun guide! I love how creative this idea was and felt very inclusive. There was some super fun tips to apply to my next hiking trip (which I totally have done!). Truly haven’t read or come across a guide like this one, which I think made it even more enjoyable!

Fat Girls Hiking

This book is fabulous! I love that the author has not shied away from using the word fat, and for making it a positive thing.

The book covers many trails that are accessible to those with many kinds of hiking skill levels, from really easy to longer, more difficult trails. The trail descriptions are interspersed with stories from some of the people that make up the hiking group for which the book is named.

Each of the trails is described, along with any accessible features, so that those with mobility issues can plan ahead and know which trails they can use without issues. The descriptions show miles, elevation gain, restrooms, rest stops and benches, nearby services, cell phone service available and more. All things that are very helpful when planning a hike, no matter how long or short.

I loved the stories and personal experiences that the people shared. As a "fat girl" myself, I totally related to many of their stories and experiences. I found myself nodding affirmative to many things they talked about. It's awesome that there is such a group as FGH for people like me.

I also like that the focus of the group is "trails not scales." It's all about letting us be ourselves and enjoy the outdoors with like-minded people. Everyone should be able to equally share the outdoors. No one should feel like they are not wanted there due to their size or appearance. I think the very existence of this group is just fantastic. We need to be more encouraging and welcoming to all in the outdoors, not just those people who look like the models in the outdoor catalogs! It's all about inclusion for all. And it's not about dieting or weight loss either. It's about accepting who you are at the size you are.

The book is encouraging to plus-sized people and those with any disabilities too. It's also welcoming and encouraging for LGBTQ+ and people of color as well. There are hikes in here for everyone. And there may be a chapter of the FGH group near you too. You can find plenty of information in this book. Ability, race, size, weight, appearance - none of these things should keep people from being able to enjoy the outdoors. Nature is for everyone! I loved this book and its encouraging message for all of us!

A great motivational "Get out there and own it!" book. There were numerous testimonials and ideas for great trails to explore. None of the personal examples felt much like me, and none of the trails were in areas that I could get to easily, so it didn't get me as fired up as I was hoping. Nevertheless, good, though-provoking reading no matter your body size.

As a fat girl who enjoys hiking I could not resist the title of this book and knew that I had to pick it up. I felt like the practical advice it offered (like what to wear/bring on the trail) made the book really helpful for potential new hikers but many other aspects of the book (the member profiles and trail ratings) still made it a valuable read for more experienced hikers.

I personally really enjoyed the trail reviews because as someone who lives in Canada I'll most likely never get to most of the trails listed and so it was kind of neat to read about different places.

The best part of this book though is the way it deconstructs myths about hiking, and destroys the idea that you have to look/feel/act a certain way to be a "hiker". Michaud-Skog really does emphasize that anyone can enjoy nature no matter their ability level and I liked the emphasis through out the book to be kind to yourself and your body while hiking. Hiking and nature should be fun and enjoyable, not a punishment you do because you think you have to and this book just reminded me of all the reasons I love hiking in the first place.

I'm going to look into getting a physical copy of this book just because my only real complaint was it was hard to see the pictures on my phone lol.

Overall, I really enjoyed reading this and found the whole thing really relatable and affirming at the same time.

This is a great read for fat girls that want to enjoy nature but have been held back by everyone that makes it seem like it's not for us.

The book includes tips on enjoying the outdoors, finding the right equipment, finding community, and is full of stories about fat girls who love to hike. The profiles of fat girls who hike was my favorite because I really haven't seen representation like this before. The people in the book have become role models. There are specific trail guides and beautiful pictures. It has made me want to experience the outdoors even though I've always preferred the indoors.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

✨Original rating : 3.7, rounded up to 4.

The concept behind the book is brilliant. I'm a very adventurous person and I love the idea of hiking. Unfortunately, there aren't many mountains in my country, so I don't get to experience it as much as I want. I've always loved being close to nature and explore rocky roads, isolated places far from the maddening crowd. As a person who is obese and suffering from asthma, I often feel the need to keep up and not cause inconvenience to other people, the silent urge to prove that I'm good enough, especially while travelling in a group. I received plenty of rude comments, people smirked at me, judged me based on my appearance, some even laughed and mocked me after I successfully returned from a hike. It used to bother me in the past but I've learned to let it go. Because my passion for travelling will forever be my first priority. To read about similar experiences from other people, it was so freeing. I had no idea about Fat Girls Hiking community, it's beautiful - the connections these people share. I wish I could join them too! Reading about the struggles others went through and how they overcame the obstacles is empowering and comforting. I adored the photographs that were included. So many stunning places left to see! The trail reviews will be of great use to beginners. If I get to visit America in future, I will definitely try to visit all of them. The book might get a bit boring near the end, especially if you don't live in the same place and sound repetitive but I enjoyed it all the same. Recommended!

I did not enjoy this book. I am apparently the wrong demographic for this book. I thought this would be telling how people who have been overweight have used hiking and including less difficult hikes and hiking tips. The author harped on being marginalized and "diet culture". As someone who has worked really really hard to lose 65 pounds to increase my stamina and ability, I am very proud of my accomplishments and don't feel I have ever marginalized other hikers.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this book! Fat people are so often excluded from athletic pursuits/spaces, so often discouraged from movement, and so often completely unacknowledged in guides that it feels an act of rebellion to make a guide specifically catering to us. I hope so many people can get this book and see themselves on the page and realize that they have just as much reason, and right, to pursue hiking (or anything else they jolly well please!) as anyone else.

Anyone who wants to start hiking or being outdoors more and thinks they don't belong should pick it up. It is geared more towards beginner hikers, but I think everyone eill enjoy it.


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.”

I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review. I love this inclusive book about hiking for any size or ability. Great stories, photographs, and a kick-butt attitude to get you out on those trails.

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.

I love how inclusive this is. I appreciate the focus on going at your own pace, I have always felt bad about how slow I hike but I also didn't understand why there was always such a want to speed through. I appreciate that my pace allowed me to see every detail and soak in my time in nature. This made me feel like I could start hiking again and not care about the judgement.

*I received a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity.*

FAT GIRLS HIKING is an anthology of hiking tips, personal essays, and ADA trail reviews. A companion to Fat Girls Hiking (FGH) on instagram (@fatgirlshiking), this book has the feel of more of a collaborative effort between the author and founder, Summer Michaud-Skog, and her community. Michaud-Skog and her publishing team has done an amazing job of making a truly beautiful book-- the graphics and photographs highlight the powerful anecdotes and Michaud-Skog's writing.

This book is not so much a detailed guide as a piece of inspirational literature. It covers so many topics of outdoor enjoyment-- hiking, biking, rock climbing, and van life-- and the way people in the FGH community have carved a place for themselves and their fellow fat and disabled ladies. The book also addresses many of the issues deeply ingrained in outdoor communities-- racism, fatphobia, and ableism-- in sensitive and meaningful ways. Several of the anecdotes discuss the difficulties of not only being fat and in the outdoors, but also the additional complexities of being a person of color in the outdoors and/or being disabled.

If you're looking for more in depth information on the technicalities of finding a properly fitting backpack or sleeping bag, this is not the book for you. However, if you're looking for inspiration on enjoying the outdoors and a community of supportive women, then search no more!

If you have ever been the last one in your hiking group- this book is for you.

If you have ever felt uncomfortable or alienated for being the bigger body on the trail- this book is for you.

Years I've spent apologizing for being a slow poke, needing to stop to rest, using the excuse to take photos because I'm so embarrassed I'm out of breath. I'm done with all of that. I am apologetically myself from this day forward.

Summer Michaud-Skog put together a nice guide that informs readers of the inclusive Fat Girls Hiking community (I now follow!), detailed information on some accessible hikes across the nation, and highlights members of FGH backgrounds and challenges they've encountered over their time hiking.

I'd love to see the e-book version updated over time to include even more accessible-to-everyone hikes!

Thank you NetGalley for the complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book is a welcome addition to the health and wellness, body positivity, fierce human non-fiction out there. Fat Girls Hiking is a great guide to getting outside and enjoying the beauty of nature. It also falls prey to the very pitfalls it tries to avoid - it's hard to have a guide to inclusive hiking for "any size or ability" when there aren't many locations that truly are inclusive.

This book shares different people's stories about how they got out into nature despite their sizes or abilities or geographic locations. The lack of diversity in the outdoor industry is a huge obstacle. People other than fit, white, and physically able are rarely shown in catalogs, advertising, and video of outdoor activities. Just knowing that there are other people out there who don't fit the mold is liberating.

Fat Girls Hiking also offers reviews of certain hikes/parks and there are beautiful photographs. Sadly, most of the hikes that are highlighted aren't accessible to people needing assistive technology. People who can walk may do OK, but if you're in a chair, you're going to be out of luck more often than not. I would love to see more accessible trails, especially at the bases of mountains or more challenging trails, so that more people can get out and about.

Ability is one of the hurdles I hadn't given a lot of thought to, privileged person that I am. Also the thought process that causes so many of us to see hiking as a challenge to be conquered - summit every time, hike 10 miles, bikepack your next adventure - can cause people to feel like failures when they don't meet that goal. This book tries to say, "so what if you don't achieve /x/, if you're outside and happy." But a lot of contributors fell into that trap themselves, and I found that sad rather than empowering. I do that, too, and now realize I have to work harder to accept what I can do rather than wish for what I can't.

Bottom line, I think this is a great start for people who have been feeling held back by their bodies or minds when it comes to getting outside and enjoying the nature that can be found all around. It also lets us see how far we still have to go.

My thanks to Timber Press and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a really fun and cool book! I was so excited I was able to read thus! I've been wanting to get into walking outside in nature and eventually hiking but I have back problems and I'm considered overweight so I thought it wasn't possible but this book was exactly the positive encouragement I needed! I love how there is info about ways to prepare like clothes, shoes, and supplies that might make the experience better or easier. There are also tons of trail locations and trail reviews. The book had great pictures and a fun easy to read layout. I highly recommend this book if you are wanting to start hiking or walking outside more. No matter what size you are or aren't!

Finally, a truly inclusive book on getting into the outdoors when you aren't what people picture on the hiking trails. Especially appreciated is the inclusion of people who are disabled but also want to spend time in the great outdoors. More of this!

I was able to read this book a bit early in exchange for an honest review, and once again I am very glad I did! Fat Girls Hiking is a love letter to fat girls, women, and femme folks - the stories, pictures, and practical tips weave together throughout the book to create something simultaneously informative and empowering. I'm planning to order this one through my local small book store soon and I hope to meet up with a FGH group near me! I'm looking forward to recommending this to my library system for purchase.

Trails not scales! I loved the “Health at any size” mentality that was presented throughout the book. The community profiles were cute and a nice touch. I do think though that they could had more professional looking photos or better editing of the photos. I think it would have made the book still feel like a community but also at an elevated state since it will be printed and not just part of an online blog.

I was able to read through FGH courtesy of NG and the publisher with my honest review. Thank you for the opportunity.

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