Hidden ring, exposed secrets

Last summer, I set out on a mountain trail with a secret burning in my pocket—literally. I was planning to propose to my girlfriend, but the so-called 'women’s hiking pants' I bought were a joke. The pockets were so tiny, I could barely fit a lip balm, let alone a ring box. I tried stuffing the box in, but it stuck out like a sore thumb. Desperate, I went to three outdoor stores. Every time, the salespeople tried to convince me that 'women don’t need big pockets.' One even laughed and said, 'Just give it to your boyfriend to carry!' The double standard was infuriating. Men’s cargo pants had pockets deep enough to hide a water bottle, while women’s pants were all about 'slimming silhouettes.' I ended up buying a pair of men’s cargo shorts, rolling up the legs, and hoping she wouldn’t notice. The proposal was beautiful, but the experience left a bitter taste. Why are outdoor brands still stuck in the past? Why do they think women don’t need functional gear? It’s time for the industry to wake up and realize that women hike, propose, and need real pockets too. #HikingProblems #OutdoorGear #ProposalStory #GenderBias #RealTalk #Travel