The American backpacking minimalists have - shock, horror - toughened their line up for 2002 with new packs and clothing including a 370-gram jacket with all the trimmings for £130. Better for Brits?
The ultra-light philosophers over at American outfit GoLite have
been working hard on their product range over the last year with some
interesting results.
When they launched at last year's Harrogate show, the Ray
Jardine-designed range was light, but also very, very minimalist,
which raised plently of questions about how suitable it was for the
UK's bad-tempered climate. A minimalist tarp might be okay in high
summer on the Appalachien Trail, but it'd be a brave man - or woman -
who risked it in changeable Scottish conditions.
Well, we've had a sneak preview of some of next year's GoLite
range and we reckon it's altogether better suited to the UK market,
but still very light.
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We reckon this is the 'Speed'
adventure
race pack complete with Platypus
reservoir - 750 grammes in a medium
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There are two new general backpacking packs, the 'Land' and the
'Earth' which use the same very light, tough fabrics found in the
Gust climbing sack, but with added features including a floating
detachable lid, three handy external pockets, a minimalist hip-belt
and sternum and compression straps.
That might not sound like much, but compared to the original
Jardine-designed packs, they are sheer, unadulterated feature heaven.
The compression straps will be welcomed by anyone who's tried to
carry a smaller load in a Gust and found it sinking relentlessly to
the base of the sac.
There's also the Speed adventure race pack - pictured above -
which weighs in at a competitive 750 grammes or so, uses the same
Spectra-reinforced fabric, and has all the features you'd expect from
a pukka competition pack including a three-litre Platypus reservoir,
five external mesh pockets, a floating top lid, kit retention strap
etc.
A 370g Waterproof Jacket For £130...
Last but not least for now, is the new Fury waterproof jacket. The
Newt jacket, which we've had on test, weighs a couple of ounces less,
but has a slightly flimsy, non-confidence inspiring feel. The Fury
feels a lot better and has reinforced shoulders and forearms, pit
zips, a proper adjustable hood with a real peak, elasticated Velcro
cuffs and waist and hem drawcords.
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The Fury jacket complete
with
pit-zips, reinforcement and a peaked
hood. Ray Jardine will be spinning in
his basha...
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Much more like if for the UK market we reckon, and it looks much,
much better in the flesh than in our photograph, though you'll just
have to take our word for it for now. Interestingly, the
reinforcements are actually a very heavy duty Pertex made by
Perseverance Mills in the UK and part of a growing cooperation
between the two companies.
