Inspired by several MYOG threads I have launched a new cottage business making ultralight stoves, cook kits, tarps and trekking poles: Gardner Outdoor Lightweight Designs (G.O.L.D. Gear). Free shipping for members of BackPackingLight.

Cook kits utilize 25 oz and 32 oz beer can pots, which the stoves are optimized for. Lighter, less expensive, faster and just as efficient as the Caldera Keg-F system.

Tarps are made from polycryo. Light, tough and crystal clear. A fraction of the cost of cuben fiber or silnylon tarps.

Trekking poles are fixed-length, lighter and less expensive than Rota Locura Yanas.

www.goldgearlite.com

Looks good David. Free shipping for members here, double good. From reading here, anyway to add ridges to your pots for extra strength? Just one thing I noticed that some might question because of durability of beer cans. Folks can do their own, maybe an option? Good line up of products, not just a few items, but mainly stove and pot setups.
A fellow N CA I see.
Duane

"The 19 gram Ramjet UL also out-performs the Trail Designs Keg-F system. It is almost as fast as the Ramjet ECO, just as efficient, and lighter."

Both of you will be at the GGG. Do I hear contest?

When you get the chance, can you let us know how much the wrist straps (both regular and long) will weigh...just saw that they were currently left blank on the website. Also, do the replaceable basket-compatible tips come with baskets? Will the price stay the same if someone chooses to go with the basket compatible tips and not the tire stud tips? Thanks.

Edited by Konrad1013 on 01/16/2013 22:25:45 MST.

Duane,

Adding ridges to the beer can pots for strength is next on the agenda. Need to get a bead roller first.

Go NorCal!

David

Ken,

Contest would be fun and informative! Look forward to it next weekend.

David

Konrad,

I will add the strap kit weights as soon as I can. I'm trying to source some 5/8" polypropylene strap material and D-rings, which will be lighter (and more water and rot resistant) than the nylon straps and plastic buckles I'm presently using. I'm also waiting for some titanium machine screws I ordered to arrive. Using the phat nylon straps and steel screws, the standard length strap kit for the FL poles weighs 0.7 oz per pole, and the long strap kit for the MHP poles weighs 1.0 oz per pole.

Baskets are included with the basket-compatible tips, and add 0.4 oz to the weight per pole. Same price (the tire stud tips are lighter but take more work). Thanks for the question, I will update my web site to make it clear.

Cheers,

David

Oh man! Another stove I need to get. I was gonna quit at 30 stoves, or was that 60? I give up.
Duane

David,
How do I get the $10 shipping charge reduction when ordering from your Etsy page?

I was just thinking about that. I should probably say "Rebate on shipping charges" since I don't have a way to get Etsy not to charge for shipping unless I remove the shipping charges for all orders. So I would send you a check to reimburse shipping costs along with your order. Hope that will work for you. If not, tell me what you want to order and when, and I will go into Etsy and remove the shipping charges on that item for several hours, until I see that your order has come through.

Correction: I will rebate shipping charges to BPL members. My web site does not have a way to discount only certain orders. Hope to get it set up to accept "coupons" or a discount code, but that may take awhile.

Hi, David

I'm interested in the Tenkara trekking pole you are planning to offer. Will it be able to store in the trekking pole as well?

From the website:
"Still in Development: 10' Tenkara Japanese fly fishing pole adapted to fit on the tip of our trekking poles, making a 14' fishing pole!"

Hi Joshua,

That's a very interesting idea. Hadn't thought of it. I will see if I can make it work for the strapless poles. The strap adapter that I use is bonded into the top of the pole, so it wouldn't work with those unless I develop a new adapter.

Not sure I would choose to store the Tenkara pole in a trekking pole though, since it sort of defeats the concept of an ultralight pole. Also makes the poles "asymmetrical" with respect to weight, though I don't know if that would be a problem.

But I'll take a look at seeing if I could make it work, and post the results.

Hi again Joshua,

Yes, the Tenkara pole can be stored in one of the strapless trekking poles. Had to remove a couple of sections of the Tenkara pole to get it small enough to fit inside, but it works. Results in a total length of 11' when assembled.

David,

Thanks for taking the time to experiment for me! I normally use a 12' Tenkara so the 11' would be just fine. I often use just one pole when hiking anyways so the added weight wouldn't effect me. When do you think this product might be available?

Available next week, after the (Great) Gathering of Gear Geeks this weekend. Just remember that storing the Tenkara pole inside only works with the strapless pole(s), and only with the plain carbide tip (not basket-compatible).

Good looking stuff David!

Thanks Thayne! Need any samples for your next thru-hike?

Interesting site with some cool looking new stuff. I have to admit though, the term "Shaft Skin" may not correlate with something people plan to hold in their hands while hiking...

Ozzy,

Pretty funny. "Shaft Skinz" is a brand name. Can't help it.