Gossamer Gear was one of the
first cottage manufacturers to bring lightweight backpacking gear to the
masses. At the time, they embraced
silnylon and spinnaker fabric. In the
following years, while quantities often ran small, what stayed consistent were thoughtful
and functional designs and well made products.
first cottage manufacturers to bring lightweight backpacking gear to the
masses. At the time, they embraced
silnylon and spinnaker fabric. In the
following years, while quantities often ran small, what stayed consistent were thoughtful
and functional designs and well made products.
Gossamer Gear continues to press into the cuben fiber market, or by the
industry name, Cubic Tech CTK non-woven laminate that is exceptionally
waterproof and lightweight, with the offering of two new products made from
their headquarters in Austin, TX.
The Q-Twinn Tarp(7oz / $315) is an ultralight catenary cut tarp made for two people. Seams and tieouts are fully bonded, meaning
there isn’t a single stitch so you can avoid seam sealing. The color is a translucent black. At 7oz, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a
lighter and more sizeable alternative.
The Ultralight
Storage Q-Series ditty bags (2-6g/$15-$16) are two products that I think the
industry has been missing. Both are made from cuben fiber. One is a zippered
ditty bag (6.5” x 5”) which comes with a small loop of lashing which means
it can be fastened to the outside of a pack, branch, shower head, or ridgeline
without a fuss. This is great for anyone who doesn’t want to deal with a draw string and wants a shallower and wider option to more easily see the contents of the bag. The second is a 10” x 3.3” stake bag. Having a place to store dirty shelter stakes without using a plastic bag or other option which does nothing but puncture or spread soil around is a great help. At 2-6 grams, they are unnoticeable, and at $15-$16, they are quite affordable.
Storage Q-Series ditty bags (2-6g/$15-$16) are two products that I think the
industry has been missing. Both are made from cuben fiber. One is a zippered
ditty bag (6.5” x 5”) which comes with a small loop of lashing which means
it can be fastened to the outside of a pack, branch, shower head, or ridgeline
without a fuss. This is great for anyone who doesn’t want to deal with a draw string and wants a shallower and wider option to more easily see the contents of the bag. The second is a 10” x 3.3” stake bag. Having a place to store dirty shelter stakes without using a plastic bag or other option which does nothing but puncture or spread soil around is a great help. At 2-6 grams, they are unnoticeable, and at $15-$16, they are quite affordable.
Happy trails.