GoLite 2010 Preview

New packs, sleeping bags and shelters from the specialist lightweight backpacking brand.

GoLite was arguably the brand that started the mainstream lightweight revolution rolling, since then its lightweight clothing and equipment has become more sophisticated and less minimalist, though still very light and that's a trend that continues for 2010.

The new collection, out early next year, includes a big revamp of tents, packs and sleeping bags including a lot of new models and with an overall ecological bent. There's a large increase in the use of  Environmentally Preferred Materials (EPM’s), which sees materials such as recycled nylon, polyester and Dyneema.

More than 40% of the company's spring 2010 range uses EPMs compared to 20% of the 2009 product line.

Sleeping Bags - First GoLite Synthetic Bags

The Adrenaline series with it unconventional central zips continues, but it's joined by others including the RS - it stands for Recycled Synthetic - range, which is the first time the company has produced a synthetic-filled bag.

There are three different bags covering from one to three-season use and they're completely constructed from recycled polyester fabrics and insulation, which can in turn be recyled at the end of the bag's useful life.

The 3-season RS mummy bag is comfortable down to -3˚C and has a new trapezoidal and angled foot-box to boot.

Tents and Shelters - Two New Tents

The minimalist Shangri La shelters carry on, but they're joined by new Arcadia and Eden series tents.

The aim is to produce roomy, stable, but still lightweight shelters and a new ultralight 15D nylon Silite, siliconised Nylon fabric is used, which is claimed to be 25% lighter than GoLite's previous fabric, but three times stronger than 'standard' tent fabrics.

The Arcadia tents use a full mesh inner plus fly, have continuous pole sleeves for strength and are shaped for maximum space. Meanwhile the new single-wall Eden tents - above - come in one and two-person versions complete with a generous vestibule area and extensive ventilation options. Both Edens use three poles and pitch using just two pegs, it says here and, like the Arcadia tents, are designed for three-season use.

The Eden 1 weighs in at 1048 grammes and the Eden 2, 2295 grammes.

Packs

The Ultralite series gets a new addition for 2010 in the form of the Peak, which joins the Jam and the Pinnacle as lightweight backpacking option. The Peak comes in S, M and L sizes with capacities of 36, 38 and 40 litres, so enough for a lightweight weekend out.

Weight in an impressively feathery 765 grammes thanks partly to strong but light Dyneema fabric and a roll-top opening. There are two side stretch pockets for bottle or poles and the pack uses GoLite new Convertabelt, an adjustable two-strap hip-belt system which optimises fit for different hip shapes and can also be removed completely if you choose.

All the above available early in 2010. Full details of the current GoLite range at www.golite.com.

 

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GoLite Eden 1 2010

£250.00

LFTO rating
Owners' rating

GoLite transformed the UK market in 2001 when it made our lightweight gear look decidedly lead-laden. So I’ve come to expect every new GoLite product to be lean on weight, which in turn often results in products being light on comfort too.
But the Eden 1 is not the lightest tent around for one person; indeed it is over twice the weight of a Terra Nova Laser Photon. But according to GoLite the Eden 1 is designed to have better living space and a roomier porch compared to similar tents. As with all one-person tents this packs down small, although it’s rather long due to the pole sections only collapsing to 50cm, compared to the Vaude Power Lizard's pack size of 35x10cm.
I took the Eden for a solo wild camp in the Lakes. Pitching was very quick, thanks to the three poles being colour-coded, plus the use of webbing adjustment. The pegs were a sensible, useable size too, which meant I could push them into the ground without wrecking my hands and I did not lose them during the pitching or striking process. Instantly the tent felt stable, and no doubt this is helped by having three poles rather than just one as many one-person tents have.
Dr Who would feel at home in the Eden 1, as it is much larger inside than first impressions suggest. The porch is far bigger than most one-person tents, with room for a big rucksack, boots and lots of spare room to cook, making this feel cosy even when the Lakes skies were darkening. There is good headroom too under that main pole, which allowed my 6-foot frame to sit up with ease. Most importantly the outer door can be vented from the top to let some extra air flow into the tent and to allow you to peek outside without getting wet. It is easy to make a tent lighter than the GoLite Eden 1: you make it smaller, ditch some poles and strip out the inner, but this tent has comfort – not just weight – as its priority.

Price £250
Sleeps one person
Design three-pole side-entry tunnel
Inner 20D polyester mesh
Flysheet 15D ripstop nylon silicone-coated 1200mm hydrostatic head
Groundsheet 70D 190T nylon, 3000mm hydrostatic head
Internal dimensions length 254cm; width 96.5cm; height 114cm
Packed size 50x15cm
Weight 1565g
Made in China
Stockist details – tel. 0800 917 5642; www.golite.co.uk

 

Impressively stable, easy to pitch and offers the kind of comfort and space you might need in typically British weather, but it certainly isn’t the lightest on the market.

Review by Graham Thompson
First published in Trail magazine May 2010

Competition for the Competition

GoLite Review – The Truth Behind The Company

admin | Aug 18, 2010 | Comments 0

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 here more about what they are doing click here

Tom

LO Team

New tent range from GoLite

TGO staff

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6 Apr 2010

GoLite’s popular Shangri-La shelters have been joined by some brand new tent models - the new Eden collection.

With an innovative design which maximises strength and interior space this new tent range delivers comfort and roominess for weekend adventurers while also fitting the bill for the weight conscious backpacker (the Eden 1 weighs just over 1.5kgs).

There are two models in the Eden collection to house one and two people. Both are really easy to pitch and can be secured with just two pegs (if the weather permits). The unique design provides really generous interior space meaning you are never cramped. The height of these tents even allows you to easily sit up comfortably. Each model has a generous outside vestibule giving you loads of room to easily store your gear or provides the perfect place to cooking. The Eden 2 features two vestibules and exit points giving you that extra bit of space.

Great for 3-season use the Eden series of tents provide great ventilation with adjustable vents at both ends of the tent.

Like all tents and shelters in the GoLite range for 2010 the Eden features the brand new ultralight 15D nylon Silite fabric. This updated fabric is 25% lighter than the previous version while being more than three times as strong as standard tent fabrics.

The Eden 1 features –

- Reinforced vent with visor cover over vestibule door optimises ventilation

- No-see-um mesh body works with adjustable coverage end awnings to optimise ground level airflow

- Tension sleeve integrated flysheet and body provide excellent stability with continuous sleeve construction

- Rugged brass grommets, mushroom head pole tips and impact resistant ladderlock buckles for adjustable tension

- Reflective guy points for stability and visibility

- High internal gear loops for clothes lines and hanging items

- Durable YKK zippered doors with snag guard, Velcro & snap closures

- True bathtub floor for stormworthy performance

- Factory taped seams and pre attached guylines for field ready performance out of the bag

- Colour coded, variable diameter DAC featherlite NSL poles feature proprietary green anodizing that minimises processing and recycles and recycles harsh chemicals, reducing consumption by up to 90%

- Pitches with 2 stakes, packaged with 14