Cottage Industry gear

[Frosty]

I was wondering if anyone has a listing of non-mega-store gear suppliers, small manufacturers such as Cedar Tree, Brawny, Henry Shires, etc. (apologize to all I've missed, it's late and I'm tired)

I much prefer to buy that way and think it would be nice to have a listing of these folks. hikers buying from hikers is not only a good idea, you get better products and better service.

[Just Jeff]

What a great idea...it may be on here somewhere already, but I haven't seen it. Making a list of cottage gear makers is awesome. Here are a few:

Rock - this should be added to the articles section when it gets filled out!

www.jacksrbetter.com (hammock underquilts and such)
www.speerhammocks.com (hammocks, PeaPods, DIY kits, etc)
www.hennessyhammocks.com (well, sort of)
www.outdoorequipmentsupplier.com (MacCat Tarps)
www.antigravitygear.com (mapdanas and alcohol stoves)
www.fanaticfringe.com (Thompson Peak packs and top quilts)
www.mountainlaureldesigns.com (4-8oz packs, 10 oz 40F quilt, etc)
www.featheredfriends.com (Down bags and clothing)
www.owareusa.com (Ultralight tarps, 40"x60" plastizote sleep pads, bug bivy...)
www.thru-hiker.com (DIY kits and materials)
www.rayjardine.com (DIY kits)
www.nunatakusa.com (high quality (and price) lightweight down sleeping gear)

I'm sure there are more out there...keep adding to the list (or post a link to an existing list if you have one).

[Roland]

http://trailquest.net/dlgc.html (Dancing Light Gear)

http://www.gossamergear.com/

http://www.ula-equipment.com/index.htm

http://www.sixmoondesigns.com/

http://www.tarptent.com/

[Roland]

http://www.brasslite.com/index.html
http://www.moonbowgear.com/
http://www.limmerboot.com
http://www.wanderlustgear.com/
http://www.warmlite.com/start.htm
http://www.junglehammock.com/index.php

[soulrebel]

I still like this one link and think it should be posted in the gear articles or getting started section. After returning to backpacking from a long hiatus, I found it extremely useful in getting a feel for all the new companies, materials, and designs now available. I could add a few items myself since i have a digital scale at the office...

p.s. his pages on bikes and boats are also useful---sgt rock he's got your link also..

http://bikerdave.murioi.com/index.html

http://bikerdave.murioi.com/shelter.html

http://bikerdave.murioi.com/index.html#backpacking

[Hog On Ice]

http://www.thepacka.com/

[Stale Cracker]

www.mchalepacks.com

[Just Jeff]

http://www.luxurylite.com/

[Whistler]

www.etowahoutfittersultralightbackpackinggear.com/ [siltarps and stoves and sundries]

www.ultralightoutfitters.com [esbit stove, and more to come]

www.vargooutdoors.com [titanium stoves, stakes, and cookware]

[tlbj6142]

www.backpackinglight.com [lots of crazy lightweight stuff, tarps, bags, clothing, packs (soon), etc.]

[MedicineMan]

http://www.outdoorequipmentsupplier.com/why_maccat.htm

Brian will soon introduce a super light approx 7oz tarp.
I'm currently testing his deluxe model MacCat, will report in a couple of weeks.

[Sly]

http://www.wanderlustgear.com/

Speaking of Wanderlustgear has anyone talked or ordered from Kurt recently? I know his was having troubles and virtually incognito for the longest time. I hope he's doing better. I love the Nomadlite and use one to this day. At one point it was THE tent for long distance hiking. It would be a shame if he let a great business fizzle.

[Footslogger]

Originally Posted by Sly

http://www.wanderlustgear.com/

Speaking of Wanderlustgear has anyone talked or ordered from Kurt recently? I know his was having troubles and virtually incognito for the longest time. I hope he's doing better. I love the Nomadlite and use one to this day. At one point it was THE tent for long distance hiking. It would be a shame if he let a great business fizzle.

=========================================
I made several attempts to contact him recently with no luck and finally sold my Nomad Lite to another hiker. Not sure what he's going through but his actions (or lack thereof) have cost him a lot in terms of credibility. I carried the Nomad Lite on my thru and wanted to work with Kurt on some modifications ...but he wouldn't respond to either phone calls or e-mail. I finally gave up and went with the Lunar Solo e from Six Moons and couldn't be happier.

'Slogger

[capoken]

Originally Posted by MedicineMan

http://www.outdoorequipmentsupplier.com/why_maccat.htm

Brian will soon introduce a super light approx 7oz tarp.
I'm currently testing his deluxe model MacCat, will report in a couple of weeks.

Hey I can't get that link to work? A 7 oz tarp? I'm interested.

[MedicineMan]

http://www.outdoorequipmentsupplier.com/

but you wont find the light tarp on the website yet...that was from speaking with Brian a couple of days ago on the phone...but the site will give you an idea of what this 11th grader is doing...wish i could get some of my kids this motivated!
His products are first rate and I'd rather give him (or jacks r better) the money than some big corporate entity employing the chinese

[C'est La Vie]

Originally Posted by Sly

http://www.wanderlustgear.com/

Speaking of Wanderlustgear has anyone talked or ordered from Kurt recently? I know his was having troubles and virtually incognito for the longest time. I hope he's doing better. I love the Nomadlite and use one to this day. At one point it was THE tent for long distance hiking. It would be a shame if he let a great business fizzle.

I would be leary of ordering a tent from Kurt. Before last years thru hike, I ordered a tent from Kurt. Spoke to him on the phone, it was a good conversation, told him our departure date, sent him the money and he cashed the check. Haven't heard from him again. He never sent the tent, doesn't answer email, phone calls and refuses mail delivery. We had to buy a MSR missing link the week before leaving. It's definitely a buyer be ware situation at Wonderlust.

The ULA pack I ordered and received was great!

[rmtjr]

I too was excited about getting a Wanderlust tent. I talked with Kurt, sent my deposit and then nothing. The usual calls and emails followed. A WhiteBlaze participant told me that a friend had gotten a deposit returned by contacting the Better Business Bureau (BBB). I tried the same route, but no luck. BBB reported it did not receive a reply from Wanderlust and suggested that I contact an attorney or bring my case to small claims court. Since I live in Texas, I didn't think either of these choices were viable options. I hope Kurt needed the money more than I do. I bought a tent from Henry Shires, and have a good product and customer support.

[papa john]

If you are sending this money through the US Postal system, you can file a complaint with them. Their inspectors are ruthless and take no prisoners. They take mail fraud quite seriously.

[capoken]

Originally Posted by MedicineMan

http://www.outdoorequipmentsupplier.com/

but you wont find the light tarp on the website yet...that was from speaking with Brian a couple of days ago on the phone...but the site will give you an idea of what this 11th grader is doing...wish i could get some of my kids this motivated!
His products are first rate and I'd rather give him (or jacks r better) the money than some big corporate entity employing the chinese

still no good - am I the only one having this problem?

[papa john]

I can see that page. What are you getting?