And now let’s leave the ultralight world alone — and even the lightweight one — and concentrate on the moving to lightweight section of the market. I guess this qualifies for one of my Future Industry pieces.
Golite’s difficulties in the UK and European markets have been much talked about. We needn’t dwell on these any further except to note that the company has more or less abandoned the European markets. There are still some Golite products in stock in some places but it looks as if their gear is gong to get rarer and rarer. Golite now rely on internet sales in the US but plans to appoint a UK dealership seem to have hit the dust. Recent reports here have suggested that Golite will no longer ship to the UK at all. By all accounts Golite’s withdrawal from Europe was accompanied by a fair amount of bad blood.
This is, of course a shame. As I have often said (indeed repeated it in my last post) Golite is almost single handedly responsible for the growth in lightweight-orientated retailers here in the UK. For some, Golite’s range became too big and in the quest for mainstream success the weight of some of their offerings began to increase. But it is noticeable that even Golite’s more recent mainstream designs — many of them still innovative — seem to have inspired other, bigger, manufacturers to follow their lead.
Now, as we look forward to the beginning of the new hiking season (in Europe), we are beginning to see the first signs of new products that will provide an alternative to Golite for those wanting to reduce the weight of their gear but do so at an affordable price. To some extent others seem focussed on filling the gap left by Golite.
Golite’s range was important as it included mainstream packs, tents and quilts. So, what might we be looking for?
Quilts
First off, Golite were really the only volume producer who were taking the quilt concept seriously. In their absence we have Thermorest producing what looks like a summer-fill down quilt. Rumours suggest that Alpkit are also poised to step into the breach and produce a quilt and if so this will be good news for an Alpkit quilt will almost certainly be competitively priced.
Packs
When in comes to packs there are a number of things to look for.
At the last Friedrichshafen trade show a UK distributer named SMG caught the eye of many who attended. SMG is now reputed to be working with one or more ex-Golite staff and, coincidentally or not, their stand was showing a couple of lightweight packs which were described as broadly similar to the Jam and the Pinnacle packs but with lids. I’ve no news as to whether these are going to hit the market soon but if they do they will have little real, local, competition.
Most of the pack gap looks as if it will be taken up by new offerings that nudge toward the load mover end of the market. Montane seem to be catching the imagination with their range of packs. Although more aimed at the mountain runner brigade than the Jam their lightweight packs are worth checking out. Not listed yet on the Montane website is the forthcoming Grand Tour 55 pack which has impressed those who have seen it; this back suspended pack will weigh in I think at about 1.2 kilograms.
At the low weight end of the market Inov-8 have some good packs and we have the OMM Villain which many like but which I find is not so hot for longer back lengths. At the load carrying end of things OMM’s Mountain Mover pack has many fans.
Also about to hit the shops is a new range of ‘Lightening’ packs from Exped which are also rated as good. There seems to be a 45 and a 60 litre packs which have adjustable back systems and which will weigh in at around 800 grams to 1 kilo.
Some of the smaller US lightweight pack producers are represented here in the UK, most notably ULA Packs who’s range is available through Ultralight Outdoors and remains interesting — check out Brian Frankle’s innovative carbon ellipse back system.
Tents
The area that interests me the most is that of tents and shelters, one in which Golite had few real competitors in the mainstream lightweight category.
SMG (see above) is also distributing a new range of tents from a company called Eureka who I think have been around for a while. The new Eureka Wikiup is currently listed on the Ultralight Outdoors website. and is worth checking out.
The Wikiup looks like a straight clone of the Golite Shangri-la 3; it is a pyramid tent which offers a huge amount of indoor space. There is a three person version (just like the Shangri-La) which is listed at £349.99 and weighs a little over 2 kilograms which might seem a bit heavy but it does include an inner tent. The Shangri-La was a very large tent, too big for some but I guess very useful for a couple camping with bikes or with big dogs! The second Wikiup tent is a 4 person tent which I guess could be popular with groups but it is not cheap at £430 and it weighs just under 3 kilograms (again it comes with an inner tent).
The Eureka Wikiup to some extent fills some of the Golite ‘gap’ but more promising is the new Luxe range being sold by backpacking light.co.uk.
The Luxe Mini Peak is a very interesting shelter, big enough for Bob Cartwright and I to cook our Christmas meal in a couple of winters ago — it had bags of room. The Mini Peak II is new for this year, a pyramid tent which weighs just over 700 grams as a single shelter or 1200 grams including a nest. The main benefits of pyramid tents such as this is that they provide tons of space, far more than conventional tents of similar weight. I reckon two people could use this tent quite happily — it is perfect for backpackers with dogs or cyclists who want to keep their bikes out of public view.
An interesting point of reference here. The much applauded Mountain Laurel Trailstar (a great shelter) weighs in at just under 500 grams; the Luxe is only 200 grams heavier and at £119 competitively priced against the Trailstar’s £130 plus international postage. The sinylon Duomid from Mountain Laurel also weighs in at a little under 500 grams and will set you back about £140 plus international postage.
For many the MLD tents will still rule, but a lot of people will find a lot to like about the Mini Peak. I have a couple of walking friends who have bought the Mini Peak I and are very pleased with it.
For those missing the lighter Golite Shelters the Luxe Sil-Rocket will is both welcome and fascinating; it is a very interesting shelter. The Sil-Rocket is suspended by one trekking pole at the front of the tent. It can be used in pure tarp formation but also has a zipped front beak which provides greater weather protection as well as privacy when needed. The basic Sil-Rocket Tarp weighs 540 grams — throw in a substantial inner tent and you have a shelter that weighs in at just over 1 kilogram. When using the tarp alone the Sil-Rocket can also be used as a flying tarp for really good weather. The Sil-Rocket will set you back just £140 which might be a real bargain. The equivalent MLD shelter is the Patrol Shelter which, again, is couple of hundred grams lighter and will cost you £100 plus international shipping. I’m keen to have a closer look at the Sil-Rocket and as soon as I get a chance to nip over to Cartwight towers I shall report back. There is also a Luxe Sil-Shelter which will accommodate 2 or 3 people, but this unusual tent completely baffles me!
So, maybe we don’t have to shed too many tears over the absence of Golite from our shores. We already have some interesting alternative products tp consider and it would appear the Chinese and other Asian manufacturers are learning quickly. Those looking to explore the world of lighter shelters and packs without becoming too extreme do have options to consider.
Golite’s disappearance may also allow more space for other US cottage manufactures to look at direct sale in the UK. There are rumours. I shall keep my ears to the ground and report back!
