Canadian lightweight gear manufacturers

A place to chat about gear and the philosphy of ultralight. Ultralight bushwalking or backpacking focuses on carrying the lightest and simplest kit. There is still a good focus on safety and skill.
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Ultralight Bushwalking/backpacking is about more than just gear lists. Ultralight walkers carefully consider gear based on the environment they are entering, the weather forecast, their own skill, other people in the group. Gear and systems are tested and tweaked.
If you are new to this area then welcome - Please remember that although the same ultralight philosophy can be used in all environments that the specific gear and skill required will vary greatly. It is very dangerous to assume that you can just copy someone else's gear list, but you are encouraged to ask questions, learn and start reducing the pack weight and enjoying the freedom that comes.

Common words
Base pack backpacking the mass of the backpack and the gear inside - not including consumables such as food, water and fuel
light backpacking base weight less than 9.1kg
ultralight backpacking base weight less than 4.5kg
super-ultralight backpacking base weight less than 2.3kg
extreme-ultralight backpacking base weight less than 1.4kg

Canadian lightweight gear manufacturers

Postby Davidf61 » Sun 01 Jan, 2017 6:41 pm

Well, Im off to Canada this year [ July/August ] be there for about 4 weeks. Did the U.S. last year, and bought a heap of stuff while there, mainly because I could get it cheaply and quickly delivered to the hotels we stayed at. Unwrap it all and throw in suitcase to save some coin.

So the question is [ and I have been googling without much luck ] is who sells/makes lightweight "cottage" gear in Canada?, I might try and do the same and pick up stuff while there rather than pay for posting home. Yes I figure I can get U.S. stuff to Canada pretty quick, but since were seeing a lot of the bigger cities and moving a lot I thought I might buy some Canadian gear if it's available. No great need I guess, just curious. Exchange rate is evenish at the moment.

And the good wife WON a trip to London as well, but we will save that for 2018 I think. Shopping in Europe......
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Re: Canadian lightweight gear manufacturers

Postby Moondog55 » Mon 02 Jan, 2017 10:56 am

I have a young mate in Canada
i just pasted the question link into his Facebook page so i may have an answer in the next few days
Ve are too soon old und too late schmart
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Re: Canadian lightweight gear manufacturers

Postby Franco » Tue 03 Jan, 2017 7:08 pm

can't think of a single canadian cottage manufacturer.
As for shopping in Europe, European brands are often less expensive in the US. ( less tax, lower wages, higher volume)
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Re: Canadian lightweight gear manufacturers

Postby Davidf61 » Tue 03 Jan, 2017 8:00 pm

Franco wrote:can't think of a single canadian cottage manufacturer.
As for shopping in Europe, European brands are often less expensive in the US. ( less tax, lower wages, higher volume)


A little strange isn't it? I mean it's Canada.......... Epic mountains/lakes/forests/wilderness/snow/wildlife, drive 5mins and you're in the backwoods, but no-one seems to make UL gear.
Maybe the Americans had tied all the little niches up.
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Re: Canadian lightweight gear manufacturers

Postby Gadgetgeek » Tue 03 Jan, 2017 10:02 pm

There isn't as much call for ultralight gear, since its either winter expedition grade, or mountaineering stuff, hunting stuff, basically there is always another factor/sport besides just hiking. Canadian manufacturing has also dropped off quite alot. Apart from Mountain equipment co-op, which I love to bits, and arcteryx, I can't think of any real "canadian" stores for general camping gear, and most of their stuff is made overseas like everyone else. That said, there is a lot of canoe and kayak touring companies, ski gear, that sort of thing. Ultralight comes from long distance thru-hiking, and there isn't as much of that in Canada.
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Re: Canadian lightweight gear manufacturers

Postby jdeks » Tue 03 Jan, 2017 10:37 pm

Gadgetgeek wrote:There isn't as much call for ultralight gear, since its either winter expedition grade, or mountaineering stuff, hunting stuff, basically there is always another factor/sport besides just hiking. Canadian manufacturing has also dropped off quite alot. Apart from Mountain equipment co-op, which I love to bits, and arcteryx, I can't think of any real "canadian" stores for general camping gear, and most of their stuff is made overseas like everyone else. That said, there is a lot of canoe and kayak touring companies, ski gear, that sort of thing. Ultralight comes from long distance thru-hiking, and there isn't as much of that in Canada.



Nailed it. Nothing UL about hiking when it's 0F outside....in spring.

Part of it is also that anything from the (massive) cottage industry in the US is basically just a 2 day mail trip away anyway.

Get them to ship to the last hotel you're staying at, and start your shopping now! Lucky sod :D
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Re: Canadian lightweight gear manufacturers

Postby magoo » Wed 04 Jan, 2017 1:06 pm

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Re: Canadian lightweight gear manufacturers

Postby Franco » Thu 05 Jan, 2017 8:06 am

Steve Evans (Suluk 46) used to be pretty active at BPL (USA Forum) but I either I did not know or had forgotten he is based in Toronto.
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