RE: [pct-l] Outside's GoLite story

["Reynolds, Tom" <reynolds@ilan.com>]

I read the Golite story on Outside's web page. My impression is that anyone
who wants their gear should purchase it soon because the company won't be
around very long in its present form. The market for this kind of gear is
simply not there. The company postulates that their market is "people who
want ultralight gear but don't want to make it." I don't think that market
exists. 

The company is selling the Ray Jardine philosophy, a philosophy that appeals
only to long-distance backpackers and only a  subset of them. The average
backpacker spends several hours, either in the morning or the evening,
piddling around the campsite. Their campsite is a comfortable
home-away-from-home to be enjoyed, not a quick "stealth camp" between 30
mile sprints.

The "buyer" of expensive backpacking equipment works 50 weeks a year and
sets aside time every year for the annual backpack. It is an aging group as
the article points out. The younger generation is opting for more exciting
fare. The "buyer" of expensive backpacking equipment will pay for gear that
will lighten their load. After all, they aren't as young as they once were.
Notice, however, that not many of the old-dogs on this list subscribe to Ray
Jardine's philosophy. And notice, if you will, that not many of the current
thruhikers are willing to make the sacrifice to a type A lifestyle to
acquire the money for expensive gear.

The main benefit of Golite's gear is that it costs less than comparable
products. I am personally in the market for a lightweight pack. To waste 7
pounds on an internal frame sack to carry maybe 50 pounds total [this
includes food and water] when starting the trip seems absurd. I can save 5
pounds using the Kelty Cloud 60 and still have a "real" pack with a hip
belt. The Golite pack appears no better and is certainly less flexible than
the Kelty Cloud 60 so I will pay Kelty's steep price. 

The sleeping system is actually heavier than a Feathered Friends bag plus a
Ridgerest pad so I will pass on the "fur" sleeping system .

The tarp tent is not nearly as good an idea as Kurt's Wanderlust Lite but
even the Wanderlust will stay home because I, as most of the "geriatric"
set, do not hike alone and will share a tent.

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