GoLite Review – The Truth Behind The Company

GoLite make excellent camping, hiking and outdoor products- we know this to be true. But GoLite is not just a brand name for super lightweight gear, they have a philosophy that runs through everything they do: take less, use less, re-use more and be good to your surroundings. GoLite is about stripping away all bulk and gimmickry so you can travel efficiently and get the most out of everything you do, discovering nature in the everyday and making sure we put back anything we take out, so we can keep on enjoying the outdoors.

We met the GoLite rep and he made a big impression on us. A traditional Scotsman, he really believed in every aspect of the company and his dedication to green issues was remarkable. He was so enthusiastic about creating a fully sustainable company that is in harmony with the environment  we live in and truly believes they can be a positive influence on all aspects of society. He talked at length about all the different ways the company and staff are committed to conducting themselves in an ethical way. It’s not just about great products for GoLite, the whole company is on board to try and really make a difference to how a business can operate. He’s also about to buy a Prius, so he’s putting his money where his mouth is with green issues!

The GoLite ethos runs right through the processes of the company- in manufacturing they are completely carbon positive, meaning any resources they use and waste they create is offset by the environmental work they to do- saving on driving miles, planting trees, cutting down on electricity and water used and preserving trees for the future. They provide advice and support about maintaining and caring for their products so they last as long as possible and don’t go to waste or end up on landfills, by suggesting ways they can be re-used or recycled. They also offer a take back service where they’ll take the products off your hands and recycle it for you when you can no longer find any use for it.

It doesn’t stop there either, GoLite are involved in conservation projects around the world (donating 1% of profits) and are dedicated to maintaining endangered areas. They have a completely transparent production process that ensures fair labour in the factories they use; and they also dedicate thousands of hours community work from their employees each year- so they really do give something back. It’s this kind of philosophy that we at Loving Outdoors really believe in and want to get behind, because we want to be selling top products that are made to make you enjoy the outdoors more, but without destroying the very thing we are enjoying.

Even the products brochure they’ve sent to us has been made with 100 percent recycled paper, and details the savings they make on miles not driven, the gas and emissions they haven’t generated and the trees planted to offset the emissions that are generated. The next brochure won’t even be on paper either, it will be a completely digital sales tool that will replace the need for printing. They are also a certified B corporation, which means they are a new type of company which uses the power of business to solve environmental and social problems, instead of just focusing on profits.

So what about their products? They are awesome!! Starting with the Shangri-La tents, GoLite have produced an ULTRA lightweight camping range that is completely versatile and tremendously practical. It comes in three sections: shelter, nest, and floor; so you can tailor your tent to your needs, meaning you can travel as light as possible. If it’s a warm night with no bugs around, just take the floor and shelter, or on a hot summer evening just take the floor and nest. If it’s a stormy night in winter the three combine to make an unrivalled four season tent that will suit any conditions, and will be far lighter than pretty much any tent around. One customer even commented on the delivery of a tent we sent saying he thought the box was empty.

The Poncho Tarp is another truly innovative product: use as a poncho for protection in the heaviest storms, then when you need some shelter for eating your sandwiches or just some well deserved rest, it quickly transforms into a rugged Tarp you can put up anywhere. They also have the Cayambe Reversible Travel Dress, which is a completely practical, quick drying, fast wicking dress that is suitable for any outdoor activity and looks great. Their brand new Malpais Trinity jacket is the lightest jacket in the world, and it’s this type of invention that sets GoLite apart: extremely lightweight, practical solutions that are beautifully designed and suited to your needs, and the most important thing- they perform. There products have a lifetime guarantee, so they’re pretty confident about their gear standing up to the toughest of tests.

These days being green isn’t an alternative, it’s the only option if we are going to survive on this planet, and if companies aren’t making steps to becoming completely sustainable then they are damaging the planet more and more. GoLite are a shining example that many companies can learn from, and after meeting the guys and getting to grips with their products, we can tell you they’re a fantastic bunch of people who will have a really positive impact on the outdoors sports market and the wider world. Their products deliver the high standard of performance that you require, and they do it with a genuine philosophy of being good to our environment and being fair to the workers they use, and this goes a long way to making sure we can all keep loving outdoors.

To follow Golite on Facebook and hear more about what they are doing click here, or to check out some of the product pages see the list below:

GoLite Shangri-La 5 Shelter BUY

GoLite Men’s Ultralite Jam Backpack BUY

GoLite Badlands Trinity Men’s 3 Layer Hardshell Jacket BUY

GoLite Sarek Softshell Travel Hoody Women’s BUY

GoLite Women’s Adrenaline 3-Season Mummy Sleeping Bag BUY

GoLite Shangri La Range Review and Comparison

Tom

LO Team