Zip Hers

Zip Hers: Adaptive Legwear Revolutionizes Restroom Experience

By Sydney Burgoyne, Zip Hers

Zip Hers legwear is revolutionizing the way women tackle the age-old problem of using the restroom while on the go. With a unique design that unzips from the front waistband to the back waistband, women no longer have to pull their pants down to relieve themselves. This thoughtful innovation brings unparalleled convenience to women who are always on the move.

Necessity Breeds Invention with the Creation of Zip Hers

Born as a result of both years of marathon running and hiking excursions, CEO & Founder Debbie Mercer came up with Zip Hers. The frustration of long restroom lines during races and the lack of discreet bathroom options while hiking sparked her innovative design idea.

"For a runner, timing is essential. We often train to beat our previous personal best times. One hurdle that can hinder this goal is waiting in line for the outdoor portacan. While men can easily find numerous places to pee, women have to wait in long lines. Every moment feels like torture," shared Mercer.

"This frustration had been on my mind for years, and then the lightbulb went off when I was hiking the Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim expedition! A female friend and hiker in the expedition experienced a moment of unintended self-exposure as she tried to discreetly 'use the restroom.' Her embarrassment and the continual jokes from some of the male hikers, fueled my passion to find solutions for both of these related issues."

Zip Hers is more than familiar with the problems and fears women face when it comes to anything involving the lady parts and what can and should go near them, including wanting activewear that feels and looks good.

According to Mercer, "As women, we shouldn't have to be sidetracked from our goals and adventures. That is why I began the path of solving this issue."

Throughout the research and development process, Zip Hers learned what mattered most to women and focused on creating activewear that provides confidence, comfort and convenience. Designed by women, for women, tested for safety, comfort, drippage and quality; Zip Hers prides itself on creating gear customers can rave about.

The Adaptives: Empowering Women with Limited Mobility

In our commitment to inclusivity, we introduced The Adaptives line, specifically designed to provide comfort and convenience for wheelchair-using women. These tights feature special modifications that cater to the unique needs of those with limited mobility, making the outdoors more accessible for everyone.

The Adaptives are engineered to enhance the lives of wheelchair users by addressing specific challenges they face. For example, administering a catheter no longer requires uncomfortable pulling and tugging of pants, which can cause rubbing and chafing. Brianna, an Adaptive customer, posted her review of the tights on TikTok and said, "I'm able to cathe on the toilet, in my car, or anywhere on the go while still keeping a sense of dignity and covering myself up, which I appreciate greatly."

The Evolution of Adaptive Tights

Two years ago, an occupational therapist reached out to Zip Hers after purchasing their original Fit & Leisure tights, asking if we were open to modifying them for women in wheelchairs.

"Our goal at Zip Hers is to support all women, so we eagerly accepted this opportunity," said Mercer.

The first recommendation was to modify the zipper pull for women with limited hand mobility. "We created a round, hollow zipper pull that women could easily manipulate with their fingers or thumbs. Next, we added "straps" on the sides and back of the tights for easier pulling. Our initial versions weren't perfect, but we persevered, adding an extra panel on the sides of the waistband for better grip."

Additional modifications included lowering the pockets to avoid interference with wheelchair hardware and raising the back of the tights to prevent slipping during long periods of sitting. Feedback from occupational therapists and customers guided these improvements.

"We showcased our design at the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) conference in San Antonio, TX, where we received valuable insights for further enhancements. Facilities like the Spinal Cord Injury Day Program of Shepherd Center, Kennedy Krieger, TIRR Memorial Hermann, and The Ohio State University – School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences provided critical feedback."

Benefits of Adaptive Tights

• Convenient Self-Catheterization: Women can self-cathe or have a caregiver administer the catheter with ease and privacy.
• Enhanced Accessibility: The side panels assist in pulling up the tights without needing to grip the waistband.
• Functional Pockets: Essentials like tissue and lip balm are easily accessible.
• Improved Fit: A higher waistband in the back prevents slipping during long periods of sitting.

Nadine, a wheelchair user who was very influential in the Adaptive development process wants other women in wheelchairs to, "Do yourself a favor, enhance your life, and go check out a pair."
Zip Hers is dedicated to enhancing the lives of women by providing practical and inclusive activewear solutions. Their Adaptive line is a testament to the ongoing commitment to making the outdoors more accessible and enjoyable for everyone.

Meet the team from Zip Hers, and learn more about the life-changing solution in person, in booth #627 at the 2024 Abilities Expo Houston, August 2-4 at NRG Center, Hall E.

Or learn more at ziphers.com and connect with Zip Hers on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.

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