Not exactly a Gear Deal, but GoLite just put out their new gear. SL2 will be returning, but without a dedicated net by GoLite (or so it appears). Two new freestanding tent styles in 2p and 3p; the lighter weight 2p looks very competitive for the price point but perhaps a little cramped. Updated versions of sleeping bags and quilts for both men and women. New clothing and luggage as well. Doesn't look like any new packs.

They posted it a few days ago, problem being it's a teaser because they still don't have any inventory. I like GoLite products but I don't know how they can stay in business being out of inventory on products for months at a time. They lost several sales I would have liked to have given them and went with another brand instead.

That Imogene looks a lot like an MSR Nook, but a pound lighter! If it is the same size, it would be a little cramped for 2 people. That's about the same weight as the SL1 was too.

The 30F quilt looks good, but I have a 20F from them that weighs nearly the same. Hmmm...maybe I need to sell a quilt...

Edited by manleyk on 02/13/2013 20:02:45 MST.

I hate it when makers don't list the fill weight of down bags or quilts. I have an old Golite Ultra 20 which I only find good to the mid twenties. Most people claim it is more of a 30* quilt.

I took a look at the new sleeping bag series and I am incredibly disappointed. I remember at some point that GoLite had noted their new sleeping series coming this spring would be lighter and warmer than the 1-season and the Ultra 20 that have been much discussed here before.

Now what I see is:
1) The weights are totally unimpressive. 1lb 4oz for a 2-season quilt?
http://www.golite.com/Unisex-Z30-Quilt-Regular-P46992.aspx
That's no better than anything that came before it.

2) The prices are absurd. Suggested retail for the quilt given above is $500? Who on earth would pay that? So much for GoLite's vaunted direct-sale business model bringing dramatically lowered costs. It looked promising to begin with, but maybe those initial lowered prices were just old inventories being liquidated.

Poor show, GoLite. Super disappointed.

Yeah, their suggested prices are whack sometimes. I'm glad I picked up my 2012 Quest 65L pack when I did (<$100), as the price has gone up now. Their Malapis and trinity 3L jackets used to be $74.99, but now its $124.99.... still really competitive though. But the "suggested prices" are crazy for the sleeping bags/quilts... such as the adventure series... suggested price of $400 for a 650 FP bag? Crazy talk.


edit: Just noticed they changed their site a little since last night.
Their rush 20L daypack line no longer has yellow, and it is now 59.99 instead of 72.99

Edited by LunchANDYnner on 02/14/2013 10:02:51 MST.

I do agree that some of their prices are still competitive. The suggested prices are laughable across the board, though. But yeah, some of their clothing, packs, and even some of the new shelters have fairly respectably low price points. I can see they're doing some good work in some areas, but those quilts ... man ... what a letdown.

Jam packs are back in stock. there seems to be a run on these things latly even ebay has been selling them like hotcakes maybe this will fill the need all colors sizes ready to ship and still priced pretty good.

Do they have frames now or will they carry like crap as before?

i am not sure how they will carry but i will tell ya in a week or to! if it does not work well keep an eye out in the gear exchange;) i am using a mariposa plus now and i love it but thought i would give the jam a go since there must be something to stampede of people buying them? am i a sucker... maybe.

"The weights are totally unimpressive. 1lb 4oz for a 2-season quilt?
http://www.golite.com/Unisex-Z30-Quilt-Regular-P46992.aspx
That's no better than anything that came before it.
The prices are absurd."

Enlightened Equipment Revelation 30 degree 6' Regular, 19.25 oz, $265 and much lauded on this forum.
GoLite Unisex Z30 Quilt (Regular)(=6'), 20oz, $249.99.
I don't really see the problem with the weight or price of the GoLite, since the EE quilts seem to be regarded as impressive for weight and price.
I know the Rev X is cheaper, but I think that would be an unsuitable comparison since the GoLite's Quantum GL is a very light and expensive material.
I'm not especially a GoLite fan, but the weight and price of this bag don't seem to deserve the disdain currently being pored on them, though as far as I'm aware we don't yet know the fill weight or dimensions.
Also, I don't mean to put down Enlightened Equipment - I chose the Rev for comparison as it seems to have similar price and specs and to be a very good, much loved quilt.

Yeah, for the most part I find the new 850FP bags/quilts to be priced competitively. $400 for a -10F bag with WPB in the footbox and hood, and only 3lbs? Heck, a WM Lynx MF (western mountaineering's -10F mummy bag) has an MSRP of $645 for the 6ft version, actually sells for that much, and weigh 2oz more. If the temp ratings and weights are accurate, these could be a good/great deal.

William,
You're quite right, and maybe I spoke a little hastily.

My complaint again is not that GoLite fails to compete with the market -- sure, I think they do. Clearly based on your comparison, they at least have managed to price their quilt at a similar number as Enlightened Equipment, which is a cottage industry that (I assume) doesn't enjoy nearly the degree of supply chain reach and economies of scale that GoLite can take advantage of.

That's fine.

But, GoLite has claimed that their new direct-sale-only structure is going to bring prices down and they'll be able to beat the market consistently. This was certainly the case for the back half of 2012, when their deals were probably 25% - 50% lower than the average for almost every item in their inventory.

Then later, we found out those prices were actually their CLEARANCE prices, not the new MSRPs as a result of the improved sales model. They introduced this gradually, and those 'Suggest Price(s)' on their website kept creeping up to keep pace. That's just shady. Others have said it here. I am concurring. Who exactly is "suggesting" these higher and higher prices? Who would actually pay $500 for what EE and GoLite both sell for $250?

What I'm ultimately disappointed about is that in 2012 you could get a whole range of quilts for under $200, or even under $150, brand new direct from GoLite. Now, with their exciting new lineup that was supposed to be lighter than what came before it, the quilts start at $250. It's true, this may be no higher than the MSRP for, say, the Ultra 20 from a few years ago. But that was before GoLite switched their sales model. They made promises during that transition that are not being delivered on, except for that short Q3 and Q4 of 2012.

Hope that makes sense. That being said, I really enjoy my GoLite gear. But I won't be paying GoLite directly for it anymore. Will have to hunt on the Gear Swap from now on, or wait for more "clearance" prices.

I asked Golite CS questions about the new quilt's fill weight and length, and received a "don't know until they get here" answer, which I find interesting, since they list total weight now.

"I hate it when makers don't list the fill weight of down bags or quilts. I have an old Golite Ultra 20 which I only find good to the mid twenties."
Me to, but GoLite usually has these specs via "online chat'. Your Ultra 20 is 9.5oz down - likely the same as the new 30F one.

"Do [Jam packs] have frames now or will they carry like crap as before?"
What's up with the inflammatory remarks? The Jam has always been regarded as being one of the better carrying frameless packs, but as with all frameless packs it is has more to do with how it's packed then the pack itself. Of all the things to diss Golite on, this is probably the least well founded.

"Who exactly is "suggesting" these higher and higher prices? Who would actually pay $500 for what EE and GoLite both sell for $250?"
The suggested prices are high, but they're not way out of line. I'd say 10-20% high. EE is a value oriented brand and not representative of what most quilts retail for. Katabatic sells their 30F Palisade for $390 and Nunatak sells their 32F Arc Specialist for $434. GoLite would probably tell you their quilt is higher end that either of these, with the WP/B fabrics at the ends. They could put together a plausible argument for a $450 MSRP.

Anyways, it's the 'suggested price' thing is semantics anyways. What really matters is that GoLite is selling a darn nice quilt for $250 - cheaper than anyone else. And it'll certainly go "60%" off at some point which means $200.

Edited by dandydan on 02/14/2013 15:44:01 MST.

Sorry Dan, the Jam is now officially a heavy piece of frameless crap. When there are 1oz frames rolling about, the reasoning behind a 2lb, 50L FRAMELESS pack is beyond comprehension.

I encourage you to read Dave C's review of the Jam to see where it continues to fall short.

"Of all the things to diss Golite on, this is probably the least well founded."

Give your head a shake.

Ian, the z30 might actually be a better quilt than the old ultra 20. I love my ultra 20 and it's still my workhorse. But it's uses 9.5 oz of 800fp down. The z30 uses 850fp. If someone can confirm with golite the amount of fill, and if it happens to be 9.5oz or more...than that's better than the ultra20 in my book, even if it weighs 1 oz more than the ultra 20. The fabrics have been upgraded, the warmth would have increased, and the weight gain is negligible.

Edited by Konrad1013 on 02/14/2013 19:03:31 MST.

While the Golite MSRP's seem crazy to me, so do the prices at REI, EMS, etc. I buy all of my gear on clearance or sales. And Golite has a LOT of them. I have Golite packs and quilts and bags and clothes. I also have that same stuff from REI, EE, GG, and others. The quality seems close to me.

My advice: Wait for the sale!

I still don't understand why people get their knickers in a wad over the MSRP because it's irrelevant. The only thing that matters is the price you're going to pay, and on that score I find Go-Lite to be competitive. I am disappointed in this year's shelter offering. I like their sleeping bag offering. But mostly, I wish they'd get their stuff together and actually get some inventory.

Hi,

I purchased the golite Jam70 and it arrived today. It indeed weighs 2.2 lbs so that maybe "heavy" for some. For me, I'm coming from a ridiculous 5 lb haversack. So this is a huge improvement.

So why did I choose this pack over some of the other lighter ones? I'm sure it's the same reason everyone picks a pack. It has the right balance of features I'll use at a significant weight decrease from my existing pack at a price I am able to pay.

The Golite Jam was on sale on the golite website, so I went for it.

First impressions:

1) The belt appears solid yet comfy
2) I like the zippered pockets in the waist belt
3) There's a rigid piece of foam in a velcro sleeve adding structure to the pack. Not sure how this will hold up, but I will likely remove it and use a thermarest zlite pad instead.
4) I like the extra compression clips and straps turning the pack into a nice little day pack


I suspect that removing the zippered pockets, external water pockets, and the extra compression straps would bring the weight of this pack down to where it may be acceptable to the purist. But maybe not..

Just my thoughts... I can post pictures if anyone's interested