Friedrichshafen, Germany - The makers of outdoor accessories and outdoor clothing increasingly are fine tuning their products for the needs of female customers.

When women have to buy unisex garments, often the sleeves are too long and the shoulders too broad, according to organizers of a trade show for outdoor life in Friedrichshafen, Germany. Likewise, backpacks are often too bulky and the cut of pants too narrow in the hip.

But recently, nearly all manufacturers have begun producing garments and accessories for women. These products feature a more feminine fit, cut and design, and the materials used are softer, more natural and gentler to the skin.

Backpacks for women, for example, sit higher on the back, and the space between the shoulder straps is shorter than that of typical backpacks, the trade show organizers said. Another piece of equipment being tailored to women are camping mats. They have cushioning to support the pelvis because manufacturers have finally realized that women prefer to sleep on their sides. (dpa)