Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2017: Footwear

By Will Rietveld and Janet Reichl

Lightweight footwear is always a popular topic. Cutting footwear weight makes a difference; according to a research study, taking one pound off your feet is equivalent to taking 6 pounds out of your pack.

Ultralight backpackers prefer trail running shoes. Our preference is lightweight, stable, supportive, cushioned shoes with a wide toebox, snug heelcup, rock plate, high traction outsole, and preferably welded construction.

Lightweight backpackers still like a “light hiker” style of boot, which includes many of the “mid” styles. These boots are sturdier and more supportive. They are heavier than trail runners, but the weight is diminishing. They also last longer. We prefer boots that are made of all synthetic materials, welded construction, good cushioning and traction, and weight no more than 16 ounces/boot.

There are always many new shoe models on display at Outdoor Retailer; we highlight only a few to illustrate our preferences. Weights are for men’s size 9, available spring 2018 unless stated otherwise.

Altra Lone Peak 3.5  Altra Shoes are a thru hiker and ultralight backpacker favorite, and the Lone Peak is the most popular model. The newest Lone Peak will be available in low and mid styles, with or without a waterproof NeoShell upper. All are zero drop. The latest upgrade adds an updated drainage system, improved midsole foam, and durable mesh upper with reinforced stitching. The lightest is the low without NeoShell at 10.4 ounces and $120, available now. The mid style adds 2.1 ounces and will be available August 2017 for $140.

Altra 4-Point Gaiter  All new shoe models and upgrades from now on will have a 4-Point Gaiter Trap for attaching their new 4-Point Gaiter (left). As the name implies, it is attached at four points: front hook, rear Velcro, and two side hooks. We tested it briefly at OR and found it more cumbersome to attach, but it undoubtedly is more secure. Altra’s existing Trail Gaiter (right) already has a double Velcro attachment to a heel tab on the shoe, so it stays in place pretty darn well. Glissading on snow and dirt may be the exception.

The North Face Ultra Fastpack III Boot This new boot has a Gore-Tex lining and welded construction, and comes in mid and low styles. The TPU coated mesh upper is very durable and a FastFoam midsole provides extra cushioning. Weight for the mid is 15 ounces/shoe and cost is $160; the low is $150.

Topo Runventure 2 Shoe The Runventure 2 is a lightly cushioned and responsive zero drop trail runner.  Weight is 9.2 ounces/shoe and costs $110. The upper is welded construction, the outsole is high traction, and it has a thinner EVA midsole than the Terraventure. The gaiter shown in the photos costs just $10. Available November 2017.

My Comfy Socks There are so many sock companies and sock models out there that we can’t possibly cover them all, so we feature a different one each time. My Comfy Socks are made of Alpaca wool, which is claimed to be much warmer than merino. Alpaca is a naturally water resistant and soft fiber with inherent temperature control and wicking properties. They sell for $20-$22, and are available online and some retailers.

Merrell MQM Flex GTX Boot and Shoe The mid version costs $170; the low weighs 11.5 ounces/shoe and costs $140; a non GTX version of the low will sell for $110 and weigh 9.5 ounces/shoe. With a snug heel, cushioning, and great support and traction, this should be a great choice for fastpacking. Available spring 2018.

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Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2017: Interesting New Technology that Improves Our Gear

By Will Rietveld and Janet Reichl

Most of the improvements in the gear we use are evolutionary; it improves one step at a time, making it lighter, stronger, warmer, more comfortable, more durable, more functional, more weatherproof, environmentally sustainable, etc. New technologies from materials suppliers are incorporated into new products by manufacturers. New products with appealing new features entice buyers, who in turn enjoy and benefit from the improvements. The evolutionary cycle goes on year after year. You would think they would run out of ways to improve outdoor products, but you would be wrong.

Our coverage of new technologies covers highlights from this show that we thought would interest backpackers. Please keep in mind that these are technology stories, not lightweight stories.

Zipperless Sleeping Bag. The zipper is the nemesis of a sleeping bag because it’s hard to avoid snagging. Instead of a zipper, the Sierra Designs Cloud sleeping bags have a tuck-in left side opening. You simply lift the flap (SD calls it an integrated comforter), slide in, and close the flap. The Cloud will come in 35F and 20F versions weighing 23 ounces and 29 ounces. It has a foot vent to enhance ventilation when needed. Insulation is 800 fill-power DryDown and MSRPs are $270 and $300. Functional design, quality materials, and value priced. Some sleepers may not like the fact that the upper 2 feet of the bag’s bottomside is uninsulated, requiring a sleeping pad for insulation, and has pad sleeves on the back. The design works best for back sleepers, but side sleepers will need to sleep on their left side so the flap stays tucked in. When I got in the bag I found that the bag does not turn with me because of the pad sleeves, but the hood twists enough to allow side sleeping; not ideal but it works.

Gore-Tex Active. The next generation of Gore-Tex Active 3-layer fabric will be lighter, softer, quieter, more comfortable, more durable, and more breathable. REI is one of the early adopters with their new REI Drypoint Jacket for 2018. This minimalist jacket for hiking and backpacking weighs only 10 ounces and costs $249. It has an essential feature set that includes an adjustable hood with brim, two zippered hand pockets, and adjustable hem and cuffs. Pants of the same fabric will also be available.

Gore-Tex Invisible Fit. Previously, footwear with a Gore-Tex or eVent waterproof-breathable lining consisted of a bootie inside the shoe. Various other shoe manufactures used a proprietary laminate with the same construction. Columbia’s OutDry has always been different: it attaches the WP/B laminate to the inside surface of the shoe’s upper, and then the upper is attached to the footbed. The Gore-Tex Invisible Fit technology is basically the same approach, as is eVent’s DVdryLT technology that came out last year. The new approach is claimed to be easier to construct, less bulky, lighter weight, and faster drying. An example is the new Merrell MQM Flex GTX for spring 2018. The mid version costs $170; the low weighs 11.5 ounces/shoe and costs $140; a non GTX version of the low will sell for $110 and weigh 9.5 ounces/shoe.

Pertex Simplifies their Fabric Line. To keep things simple, its now Shield or Quantum. Pertex wants you to know that each category   is an array of fabrics, catered to manufacturer’s needs and specifications, so it’s not accurate to label them with a certain weight or function. That said, I would like to mention that we are now seeing 7 denier Quantum fabric in some top shelf sleeping bags and insulated jackets.

Down Prices Rising, Again. We visited the good folks at Downlite to find out what’s new in down insulation. The short answer is Bird Flu. The disease has especially affected white ducks in Europe and China. Additionally, higher living standards in China are diverting more down to domestic uses. So down prices are going up, especially scarcer premium downs. Options available to manufacturers are: using duck down, down blends (with synthetics or wool), and recycled down. Their Recharge recycled down can now reach 700 fill-power.

Primaloft Cross-Core Insulation. Primaloft Cross-Core insulation is infused with Aerogel. Aerogel (Google it to get a full description) is a nanotechnology insulation, consisting of microscopic pores within a solid that are so numerous that the solid is mostly air and practically weightless. When converted to dust, the particles are still full of pores. Primaloft has found a way to incorporate Aerogel “dust” into Primaloft fibers to increase their insulative properties 14%. The new insulation is being introduced in upgrades of LL Bean’s Packaway Jacket and Ultralight 20F Sleeping Bag for spring 2018, both insulated with Primaloft Gold with Aerogel.

Lumin Aid PackLite Max 2-in-1 Phone Charger. This solar rechargeable inflatable cube serves as both a camp light and phone charger. The solar panel on top requires 12-14 hours of sun to obtain a full charge, which is enough to charge a cell phone or provide camp lighting for up to 50 hours, or some of both. It can also be charged with a USB cable from a car outlet. It has five lighting modes, a battery indicator, its waterproof, and can be strapped to the top of a pack. Weight is 8.5 ounces and MSRP is $40.

Kovea Alpine Pot EZ ECO Stove Stores Fuel Inside. It’s heavy at 19.75 ounces, not including fuel, but the technology is interesting. This stove has an internal gas tank, so you can pre-load it with fuel for a shorter trip. Pre-loaded, it will allow six boils of 500 ml of water. One reason why I included this item is it’s a way to empty all those partial canisters that you have accumulated at home, or you can utilize inexpensive 8oz/220g Butane canisters used by caterers. A full review of this stove is available on Section Hiker. It will be available in early 2018. Another way to use up those partial fuel canisters is to get a simple canister fuel lantern, such as the Snow Peak Mini Flame, $40 and 3.9 ounces, and take it on car camping trips.

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New Products of Interest to Lightweight and Ultralight Backpackers from the Summer 2017 Outdoor Retailer Trade Show

By Will Rietveld and Janet Reichl

The twice annual Outdoor Retailer Trade Show showcases outdoor gear that will hit the market in about six months, so gear shown at the summer 2017 show will be available in spring 2018, and some of it even earlier.

Summer 2017 is the last year for the Outdoor Retailer trade show in Salt Lake City. Next year it moves to Denver, CO.

Janet and I have been covering the Outdoor Retailer trade show since 2006, so the summer 2017 show was about our 22^nd. Our show coverage is one of the few that focuses on lightweight and ultralight backpacking gear, as well as new technologies that are driving change in the industry. The Show is huge, including gear for the full range of outdoor activities, so the challenge is finding the select few gear items of greatest interest to our readers.

We would like to thank Gossamer Gear for providing housing for us when we travel to Salt Lake City to cover the show. Without their support it would be difficult for us to continue our coverage.

Liz "Snorkel" Thomas signs copies of her new book "Long Trails: Mastering the Art of the Thru Hike". ISBN 978-1-4930-2872-6.

Our show coverage is organized into several articles for reader convenience. Comments on individual gear items are those of the authors and do not constitute any opinion or recommendation from Gossamer Gear. Click on the topic below to read the article.

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Lightweight Gear

Technology

Footwear

Food and Nutrition

GEAR REVIEW: The North Face Flight Series Fuse Jacket

In the dry western US we carry our rainwear much more than we wear it, thus our priority is finding the lightest functional rainwear available. The Fuse Jacket meets these criteria quite well, so I give it high marks.

By Will Rietveld

The Fuse Jacket is marketed as a water-resistant and breathable running jacket, but I used it as an ultralight rain jacket for backpacking.

The North Face Flight Series Fuse Jacket (TNF photo).

Actually I didn’t know that it’s only water-resistant and meant for running. I checked the North Face website and found some mixed information about the jacket: on the one hand they describe DryVent as a waterproof/breathable technology, but on the other hand they describe the jacket as water- and wind-resistant.

So how waterproof is it, and how suitable is it for backpacking?

Specifications and Features

Manufacturer	The North Face (www.thenorthface.com/)
Product	Flight Series Fuse Jacket
Materials	53 g/sq meter DryVent 2.5L (PU membrane on nylon)
Features	FuseForm fabric with engineered ventilation, 1 chest pocket, water-resistant zippers, adjustable hem, elastic cuffs, attached hood with brim and one rear adjustment and elastic on sides, seam taped, 360 degree reflective logos
Weight	Size Large tested, 5.35 oz, mfr specification size Medium 4 oz
MSRP	$250

Description

The Fuse Jacket has FuseForm fabric construction, which is described by TNF as: “Our proprietary fuseform construction technique … is a revolutionary weaving process that blends thicker, more-durable threads with lighter, lower-density fibers in high-wear zones, effectively reducing overall weight and creating a seamless transition from tougher to lighter zones.” That basically means that the fabric is both lightweight and durable.

The waterproof technology in this jacket is DryVent 2.5L, which is described by TNF as: “DryVent™ fabrics using a 2.5 Layer construction are primarily used for highly active, fast and light pursuits, where light weight and packable is an essential requirement of the user. The inner layer is finished with a functional dry touch print that helps raise the fabric from the skin to provide comfort and enable the quick transfer of vapor through to the outside of the fabric. These fabrics are generally designed into unlined clothing and accessories for maximum light weight, packable, waterproof and breathable performance.”

A third technology in the Fuse Jacket is “engineered ventilation” consisting of fabric perforations in the underarms, side panels, and back. The perforations are cut in the thin nylon fabric before the membrane is laminated on, so the holes are covered by the thin membrane.

Besides the technologies in the jackets, the features are Spartan, as would be expected for an ultralight rain jacket: elastic cuffs and hood side adjustment, one zippered chest pocket, one simple hem adjustor, and one simple hood adjustment on the back. It does have a full-height front zipper, which is very handy for thermoregulation.

Field Testing

I tested the Fuse Jacket on 14 outings consisting of day hiking, backpacking, XC skiing, and snowshoeing.

 Fit – The Fuse Jacket has a trim fit, meaning it fits close to body. The back and sleeves are adequately long for a size Large (back is 29.5 inches, raglan style sleeves are 35 inches from center back neck). The jacket will layer over a thinner midlayer; I was able to layer it over an ultralight down jacket.

The hood has sufficient adjustability for a good fit. It has a stiffened brim, side elastic edging, and one adjustor on the back.

The sleeves measure 35 inches long (center back neck to cuff), but they were a smidgen short for me.

 Adjustability – Although the jacket’s adjustments are minimal, I had no problem adjusting the jacket’s hem and hood to seal in heat and seal out weather.

Breathability – The jacket’s thinness and perforations do give it more breathability than the average rain jacket made of heavier fabrics. It will steam up inside while hiking uphill carrying a backpack, but the front zipper helps a lot to maintain comfort. The breathability specification is 750-800 g/m²/24 hours. The silver color of the tested jacket also reduced heat absorption, keeping the jacket cooler.

Durability – In my testing I carried a day pack or backpack over the jacket on most trips and there are no signs of wear in the fabric, especially on the shoulders.

Waterproofness – Despite the label “water-resistant running jacket”, the Fuse Jacket performed just fine as a rain jacket for backpacking. I tested it in rain and snow and it stayed dry inside.

Windproofness – As expected, the jacket sheds wind with aplomb. It’s not as breathable and comfortable in the wind as a dedicated wind jacket, but it comes close. Opening the front zipper offers a lot of thermoregulation.

One issue I had with the Fuse Jacket is the stiff water-resistant front zipper. It’s basically a two-handed operation to open/close the zipper. Another issue is its trim fit, which limits layering. However, the Fuse is intended for running, for which the trim fit is appropriate.

Evaluation

For lightweight and ultralight backpacking we look for the lightest rainwear that will provide rain protection when needed. In the dry western US we carry our rainwear much more than we wear it, thus our priority is finding the lightest functional rainwear available. The Fuse Jacket meets these criteria quite well, so I give it high marks.

However, this jacket is expensive at $250.

I don’t mind the stiff front zipper, I can get used to that, and what’s more important is that it works properly.

What I do mind is the trim fit. When I layer it over a thin insulating jacket the Fuse is a snug fit. Going to the next larger size is not a good option because that bumps the weight up. The limited layering ability of the Fuse relegates it to summer-only use. 

GEAR REVIEW: Marmot Phase 20 Sleeping Bag

By Will Rietveld

There was a time when I recommended: wearing your camp clothing inside a 30F sleeping bag is all the warmth you need for summertime backpacking in the mountains. I was a bit younger then, and I stayed warm using that technique. Now I give the same advice, based on a 20F sleeping bag. I get cold easier as I get older, and I suspect others need extra insulation too, and it probably doesn’t have anything to do with age J.

Whether you need a 30F or a 20F bag, the same question arises: which bag do I recommend that is lightweight and has an honest temperature rating? Marmot has been making ultralight sleeping bags for a long time, and their Phase 20 (and 30) is state-of-the-art. Do I recommend them unconditionally? Not exactly; read on to learn the caveats.

 

Marmot Phase 20 Sleeping Bag in size Regular. (Manufacturer photo.)

Specifications and Features

Manufacturer	Marmot (www.marmot.com)
Model Tested	Phase 20 Regular
Models Available	Men’s Phase 20 Regular and Long, Women’s Phase 20 Regular
Materials	850 fill-power down treated with Down Defender for water-resistance, shell and lining are 10-denier Pertex ripstop Nylon (0.88 oz/sq yd)
Weight	Measured weight 23.85 oz; manufacturer specification 23.3 oz
Features	Anatomic Wrap-Around Toebox provides more insulation and room, Smooth-Curved Baffles reduce down shifting, Nautilus Multi-Baffle hood, full-length locking 2-way #3 YKK zipper with anti-snag slider, EN tested, internal stash pocket, snagless insulated draft tube, hood drawcord, stuff and stash bags included
MSRP	Regular $459, Long $479, Women’s $479

Description

The specifications table lists all of the relevant features of the bag; the following photos provide a good look.

Size Regular fits a person up to 6 feet tall; size Long fits to 6 feet 6 inches. I am 5 feet 11 inches tall and 160 pounds, and normally wear a men’s size Large shirt. Size Regular is sufficiently long for me, so that’s not an issue. However, shoulder girth for size Regular is 60 inches and Size Long has 62 inches, and that's where the issue lies. Remember those numbers.

Marmot Phase 20 zipped. The bag is very anatomically shaped. (Manufacturer photo.)

Note that the Phase 20’s left side zipper has a very distinct curve near the head end that extends to the base of the hood.

The zipper has a zipper garage at the end, a good feature to avoid snagging on the sleeper’s hair, facial or otherwise.

There is a zippered stash pocket inside the topside of the bag.

The hood has a single drawcord adjuster on the outside. There is a baffle around the front of the hood to seal in heat.

Field Testing

I tested the Marmot Phase 20 on four backpacking trips in Utah and New Mexico in fall 2016 and spring 2017. This photo was taken in April 2017, sleeping under the stars in a sandy wash in the backcountry of Canyonlands National Park, Utah. The nighttime low was about 30F.

What I like:

• All materials are state-of-the-art for an ultralight sleeping bag, as good as it gets.
• The Phase 20 is EN tested, has excellent loft, and is realistically rated. Having said that, note that most bags are not toasty warm when the air temperature is at the bag temperature rating.
• Most sleepers will like the full-length zipper (it actually ends about 17 inches from the foot end of the bag), which enables the bag to be used as a blanket on warmer nights.
• The footbox is roomy and warm.

What I don’t like:

• The bag’s shoulder girth is simply too tight.
• Because of the bag’s tightness, the zipper is very hard to close, which is exacerbated by a curve to the base of the hood. It is even more difficult to unzip.
• The bag is not amenable to wearing camp clothing inside the bag to extend its warmth. It’s simply too tight and I can’t get the zipper closed past my shoulder.

The best way to use the Marmot Phase 20 is to wear a single layer of clothing inside the bag. That keeps the bag clean and roomier.

A snug bag is warmer because there is less air space to warm up.

The locking feature of the zipper is also its nemesis – if there is any sideways tension on the zipper (from the bag’s tight fit), the zipper won’t slide. The best way to operate the zipper is to hold the track straight with one hand and zip with the other.

I struggled with the hood to obtain a breathing hole aligned with my mouth.

On warmer nights, my preferred method to use the bag is as a blanket by unzipping it and wrapping it around me.

Assessment

For a person my size, the Phase 20 in Regular Length is not a good choice. If you are a smaller person, chances are you will get along just fine with the Phase 20. Although I am an “average” sized male, it would appear that I am at the upper limit (or beyond) for the Phase 20 in size Regular. The Long version of this bag would accommodate me much better. In fact, I initially requested the Long, but it was not available at the time. The Long has two more inches of shoulder girth, which should be sufficient.

Speaking from experience, I need 62 inches or more of shoulder girth in a sleeping bag in order to wear my camp clothing inside my bag. That is a weight-efficient technique to extend the warm of a sleeping bag to stay warmer while reducing overall pack weight.

In addition to the bag’s tight shoulder girth, the curved zipper at the head end is another factor to take into account. The zipper can be very hard to close because of the locking feature. Also, because of the lightweight #3 zipper used on the bag, its a recipe for a broken zipper. My advice is to test the bag at an outdoor store to be sure the fit and zipper closure works for you.

Note that the women’s Phase 20 weighs 29 ounces, about 6 ounces more than the men’s Regular, so it obviously contains more down and is warmer. That is the norm nowadays – the women’s version is a bit heavier but warmer. The shoulder girth is 58 inches.

These issues may not affect everyone, and if you are a smaller person than me, the Marmot Phase 20 is a very good choice for an ultralight warm sleeping bag. It’s made of premium lightweight materials, and 23.3 ounces is an excellent weight for an ultralight 20F bag. If you are a bigger person, try out size Long to see how it works for you; I was not able to and wish I did.

GEAR REVIEW: Gossamer Gear LT-5 Trekking Poles

By Will Rietveld

I have always loved my Gossamer Gear LT-4 two-piece carbon fiber poles. Combined with an ultralight backpack, they maximize agility in rough terrain. But one drawback is their inconvenient length when collapsed and tied to a pack – they extend higher than the pack and catch on things, which is not nice when I am scrambling.

The new LT-5 trekking pole overcomes that problem because it has three sections and collapses down to 23.5 inches, so it doesn’t extend beyond the top of a backpack. This review reports my experience with the LT-5 Trekking Poles over a two month testing period and 21 days of actual use.

The new Gossamer Gear LT-5 carbon fiber trekking pole has three sections and collapses down to 23.5 inches. (Gossamer Gear photo)

 Specifications and Features

Manufacturer	Gossamer Gear (www.gossamergear.com)
Model	LT-5 Trekking Pole
Sections	3
Materials	Carbon fiber shaft, EVA grip
Weight	5.2 oz/pole with wrist strap and trekking basket; manufacturer specification 5.3 oz/pole
Features	Carbon fiber shaft, EVA "Kork-o-lon" grip, basket mount with trekking basket and carbide tip, nylon wrist strap, rubber tip cover
MSRP	$195/pair

Description

The beauty of the LT-5 (and LT-4) is their lightness. While the LT-4 can be stripped down to a minimum weight of 4.1 ounces/pole, the LT-5 can get down to 4.5 ounces/pole. That’s without the wrist strap, trekking basket, and rubber tip. So, for an additional 0.4 ounce/pole you get a three-section pole, with a good locking mechanism, and it collapses down to a short length for better portability.

The anatomical EVA "Kork-o-lon" grip is made exclusively for Gossamer Gear and has provided excellent performance and durability over the years, while saving weight.

Three carbon fiber sections adjust from 23.5 to 51 inches (60 to 130 cm). The locking mechanism is a twist type with a small profile. Only the center section has length markings.

 

The tip takes Leki type threaded baskets. Also shown in this photo are the included trekking basket, rubber tip, and padded wrist strap that I removed to reduce the weight/pole from 5.2 down to 4.5 ounces.

Field Testing

I tested the LT-5 trekking poles on 13 outings totaling 21 days. Outings included day hiking, car camping, and backpacking in a variety of terrains. This photo was taken in the backcountry of Capitol Reef National Park in southern Utah.

The collapsibility of the LT-5 is a big plus for carrying them on a backpack to free my hands. The pack is the Gossamer Gear Murmur; location is remote backcountry of Canyonlands National Park, Utah.

The stiffness of the LT-5 is about the same as the LT-4. The tip section does not have the spiral wrap feature of the LT-4.

It is difficult to assess the LT-5s durability at this stage. They are definitely sturdy. My experience with the LT-4 is they hold up well with normal use, but breakage occurs when I lose my footing and take a fall. I have broken two tips on my LT-4s, and both times involved a fall when the tips were caught between rocks. Some good advice is to carry your poles while walking through sliderock.

I personally don’t like to use baskets, and value lightweight over features. The poles without baskets do not provide much support in soft snow or mud, but trekking baskets do not add much improvement.

I initially tested the poles with the rubber tips provided, and found they slipped more than the bare carbide tips. I was surprised with that finding since I expected them to grip better. So I removed them.

One technical point is adding a basket and rubber tip to a carbon trekking pole makes its swing weight less favorable. Swing weight is how the pole feels in a stride; the more weight on the tip, the more effort it takes to swing it. I would say that the swing weight of the LT-4 is a bit better than the LT-5 because it has two sections and one locking mechanism versus two twist locks on the LT-5, but the difference is not great.

I personally prefer to use trekking poles without straps because that keeps them simple to grab and go, and when I take a fall I want to release the poles so I don’t break them.

The twist-type locking mechanisms work well, but they need to be tightened snugly. During my testing I had 3 occasions when the locks slipped, and it turned out they were not tightened enough. My solution is to tighten each section, then grab the tip and handle and twist the whole pole to make sure it is tight, being careful to avoid overtightening. 

If you are disagreeing with me at this point, I am not surprised. Hikers express a full range of preferences in gear and techniques and I understand that. The nice thing about these trekking poles is they come with the extra features and so you can configure them however you like.

The only potential issue I had with the LT-5 is very fine sand on the lower section makes it difficult to collapse that section. The photo shows some fine scratches in the carbon from sand abrasion. I only had the problem while backpacking in Canyonlands National Park, and I also had to stop frequently and dump the sand out of my shoes. Under those conditions it would be a good idea to wipe the shaft with a cloth before collapsing it.

Assessment

Presumably, the Gossamer Gear LT-5 is the lightest three-section carbon fiber trekking pole to be found. I really like its collapsibility and portability, and the grips are wonderful.

The biggest improvements over the LT-4 are 1) their collapsibility to a shorter length, and 2) a much better locking mechanism. Those improvements come with a small weight penalty, 0.4 ounce/pole compared to the LT-4, but they are worth the weight.

The twist locks on the LT-5 are an older technology, but they are lightweight and work well, at least so far. I like the LT-4 in spite of their finicky locking mechanism, but it is tiresome to have to pull the sections apart and adjust the mechanism before it will lock again.

Those improvements shift my recommendation to the LT-5. It’s more refined while still being very lightweight. It has performed very well so far, but time will ultimately tell us how reliable it is.

The price is another thing; I thought the LT-4 was expensive when it was $150/pair; now they are $206/pair with straps, and the LT-5 is $195/pair. So both are expensive trekking poles.   

GEAR REVIEW: Gossamer Gear GVP Ultralight Stove System

By Will Rietveld

This cook kit is made in heaven for backpackers on the lower end of Ultralight, and those who want to break the 5 pound base weight barrier.

Leave it to GVP, aka Glen Van Peski, the UL Master, to come up with the lightest cook kit for one person. The Gossamer Gear GVP Ultralight Stove System can weigh as little as 3 ounces for a complete cooking kit. That should get your attention.

The Gossamer Gear GVP Ultralight Stove System is sold as an Esbit fueled cooking system. The specified total weight is 4.2 ounces.

There are zillions of lightweight and ultalight cooking systems out there, available for purchase or hand made, each one with some good testimonials. My review of the Gossamer Gear system will add to that list. This review describes what the Gossamer Gear GVP Ultralight Stove System is and how it performed for me. I don’t make any attempt to compare it with other systems.

Specifications and Features

Manufacturer	Gossamer Gear (www.gossamergear.com)
Product	GVP Ultralight Stove System
Components	Esbit tablets (3 pack)  45g; aluminum heat reflector  3g; Cuben cozy 15g; Esbit Stand 1g; Silicone band  5g; metal pot lid 4g; plastic lid 4g; 22 oz / 650 ml cook pot  20g; windscreen cone 22g
Weight	Total Kit 4.20 oz/120 g
MSRP	$90

Description

Since I’m a gram pincher, I was originally attracted to the Gossamer Gear GVP Ultralight Stove System because of its minimal weight. However functionality and durability are equally important. For me, the important elements of an ultralight stove system are:

• Minimal weight
• Compact
• Sized for one person
• Wind resistant
• Burns alcohol fuel
• Fuel efficient
• Adequately durable
• Good lifespan
• Easy to setup and use
• Compatible with my cooking and eating techniques

 As you can see from the component list, the GVP Ultralight Stove System uses Esbit fuel tabs. The main advantage of Esbit is its more energy dense, so it will boil water about twice as fast as alcohol fuel. The disadvantages are the fuel tabs are somewhat expensive and hard to find, smell terrible while burning, and coat the cook pot with soot.

I personally dislike Esbit and prefer to use alcohol fuel. Why? Because it’s cheap and easy to find, doesn’t smell (much), and is clean burning so no soot. The disadvantage is it’s slower; it takes about 10 minutes to boil a pint of water. That’s not a problem for me because I can do camp setup or takedown while the water is heating.

I wish the Gossamer Gear GVP Ultralight Stove System were also available in an alcohol version; it would be a simple matter of substituting an alcohol burner and small fuel bottle for the Esbit stand and Esbit tablets. They could even leave out the fuel bottle because the bottle size depends on trip length; I have an assortment of bottle sizes that I use.

When I received the Gossamer Gear GVP Ultralight Stove System I made a few adjustments to meet my criteria (above list). First, I trimmed a little weight by removing the silicone pot band. Then I substituted a Zelph StarLyte alcohol burner (0.45 ounce with its cap) for the Esbit stand. The remaining components are all functional. Overall, the adjustments were minor to make the stove system meet my needs. The weight of that configuration is 3 ounces.

The Gossamer Gear GVP Ultralight Stove System as tested weighs just 3 ounces. The components are:

1. Titanium Caldera Cone – sturdy and durable.
2. Cook pot – Foster’s beer can cut down to 22 ounces, then rimed and ridged to increase durability. Height is 4.25 inches.
3. Aluminum pot lid with steam vent and lift tab.
4. Plastic pot cover – this serves a dual purpose: seal the pot to shake a drink to mix it, or add water and shake the pot to clean it.
5. Soft aluminum heat reflector – to put under the burner.
6. Zelph StarLyte alcohol burner – available at www.woodgaz-stove.com for $12 plus $4 shipping. It comes with a plastic lid (not shown). I like this burner because it’s very lightweight (0.45 oz with lid), compact (fits perfectly in the packed kit, fuel efficient, and excess fuel can be stored inside the stove without spilling. The burner is packed with fiberglass, which holds the fuel inside.
7. Plastic fuel measuring cup – this is simply a medicine cup; it’s useful because I can’t see how much fuel I’m adding to the burner, so it’s best to measure it.
8. Cuben Fiber cozy – for keeping food hot while it’s hydrating, and warm while eating. It also serves as a carry bag.

The spoon is not included in the cooking system.

Testing

I tested the Gossamer Gear GVP Ultralight Stove System on two backpacking trips in the remote backcountry of Canyonlands National Park, Utah.

 

I prefer to place the stove on a flat rock to use it, rather than disturbing the ground. As you can see, it’s very compact when set up.

Even though the cook pot is small, you can still cook fish in it, in this case trout cut into chunks. The technique is to put the fish sections into the pot, fill the pot with water up to within about 1 inch of the top, bring the water + fish to boiling, cover and place the pot in the cozy for 10 minutes, then eat.

 I typically only cook at dinnertime. I fill the pot about half full with water, bring it to a boil, dump in my dinner (about 5 ounces dry weight fills the pot when cooked), bring it back to a boil, then put the pot into the cozy to hydrate. I eat directly out of the pot with the short handled spoon shown; no long handled spoon required. For desert I eat a protein bar.

For breakfast I drink a cold mocha consisting of a powdered nutritional shake mix plus a teaspoon of instant coffee, shaken in the cook pot, followed by a cereal or granola concoction hydrated with cold water.

Performance

With the routine described above, I use less than 0.5 ounce of fuel a day, which is a small bottle for a typical trip. For someone who enjoys a hot beverage or two every day, the amount of fuel will double or triple.

I really like the shortened Foster’s can cook pot; it’s easy to reach the bottom with a short handled spoon which also fits neatly into the kit for packing. And it’s easy to clean. A full-height Foster’s can has enough volume to cook for two people, and can be used on the cone provided in this kit, but it requires a long-handled spoon to reach the bottom and is harder to clean. I usually only boil water in it and hydrate in another container.

The titanium caldera cone is also a big plus. It’s strong, durable, and works for a long time. I have tested the aluminum version and find it easily bends out of shape and the connection doesn’t work very well after some use.

The Zelph StarLyte alcohol burner is a good match for this cooking system, but most any small/compact alcohol burner will work.

The Cuben Fiber cozy is very nice; it also serves as a carry sack to contain and protect the kit.

Assessment

In my 17 years of gear testing and reviewing, including several years as Backpacking Light Magazine’s cooking systems editor, I have tested a lot of cooking gear of all types. I can say unequivocally, for a solo cooking system, the Gossamer Gear GVP Ultralight Stove System can’t be beat. After all, it was created by the UL Master himself – Glen Van Peski – so you know it’s very refined and as lightweight as it gets.

Glen prefers Esbit, I prefer alcohol, but that’s a personal preference thing. The system works equally well with either fuel, and it would be nice if Gossamer Gear would offer that choice.

The $90 price tag is a bit steep, but the main components are custom made for Gossamer gear and sold in limited quantities. Once you make the purchase, you will have the lightest, most compact complete solo cook kit currently available. It will last many years with reasonable care. This cook kit is made in heaven for backpackers on the lower end of Ultralight, and those who want to break the 5 pound base weight barrier.

Another reason for getting it is its simply ultralight elegance, a key component in a well thought out ultralight kit, and something that really makes you feel content – like owning a Tesla.