Kovea Enters the US Stove Market

Interestingly, it looks like they’ve already sold out of the Alpine Pot system, which is basically a JetBoil like integrated canister stove with heat exchanger pot. I didn’t catch their price. If the cost was reasonable, people might snap them up.

The product offering seems to be fairly small at this point. I notice they don’t have any “normal” upright canister stoves right now. In fact, they’ve only got the Kovea Spider for sale right now (and some general stove related accessories).

I’m a little disappointed that they’re not selling the Supalite (also called the Camp 56, there are some variants), which is a lightweight (56g) titanium upright canister stove. The Supalite/Camp 56 is basically the same stove as the Snow Peak LiteMax, so they may have a non-compete agreement in place or something like that. Interestingly, the burner head on the Camp 56 is the same as on the Spider.

HJ
Adventures in Stoving

Big difference in the mesh gauge.

I don't know what that means (more co2 in smaller gauge?) I just wanted to seem like I know what's going on.

Looks like the only stove is the Spider. Must be non-competition clauses for most of their stuff. That runs out eventually?

Yeah, I noticed the difference in mesh. The mesh can combat CO (CO not CO2) production. I’m not sure why one is finer than the other. I’ll have to look at the pot clearances some time.

Looks like the only stove is the Spider. Must be non-competition clauses for most of their stuff. That runs out eventually?

Well, a couple of things are going on here. First, and no offense to the Gear House, but the Gear House is a pretty small player. They’re not an REI or even EMS or anything anywhere near that scale. The Gear House just isn’t going to carry a lot of stock.

Second, on specific stoves, there’s probably some kind of non-compete agreement for the life of the stove. As long as the MicroRocket is sold in the US, I doubt that Kovea will market the Flame Tornado. I think the situation is the same with the LiteMax and the Camp 54/Supalite, but we’ll see. Again, I think it’s a bit of a shame inasmuch as the Supalite is popular, lightweight stove with a good design.

HJ
Adventures In Stoving

Jim,

Thanks for sharing your article on BPL..as the Owner for TheGearHouse (and sole person running the business), I appreciate the exposure! I've already seen one order come through as a result of this post!

There are a couple things, most that you mentioned, that keep me from keeping a larger stock of Kovea items.

1) I'm a small operation and currently do not have the funds to place a large stocking order. There are a number of other products and brands that I sell more frequently and that's where most of my buying goes. As time goes on and I can afford to take on additional stock to "sit on the shelves" waiting for a customer, I will do so. They have a hefty order minimum as well, so when I place another order, its going to be a big one.

2) There are a number of items that are not available in the US due to non-compete agreements with the companies that they manufacture the stoves for, mostly MSR. However, I am working on figuring out exactly what is and is not available and that will help determine what I bring into the store.

3) I did have some other items listed for sale, including the Alpine Pot (their version of a Jetboil) (price is $109). I have been running a free shipping coupon this week for all in stock Kovea items. To make this work with my shopping cart system, I had to temporarily turn off the other items that I do not have in stock yet. The coupon code "1stkovea" is good until Tuesday for free shipping. There were also a couple stoves that were out of stock with the Kovea distributor here in the US, such as the Power Nano, so I had to take those down from the site.

4) The Supalight Titanium (KB-0707) and regular Titanium (KB-0101) stoves are at the top of my list for my next order. Will probably pick up at least half a dozen of each. The Spider has been one of their best selling stoves (not just in the US/on eBay, but throughout the world in all the different places their products are carried), so that's what I wanted to start with to try things out.

If anyone would like to special order a Kovea product, as long as it is available in the US and in stock, feel free to contact me via email (admin@thegearhouse.com) and I'll be happy to add it to my next order – which will probably be in May.

Do not expect to see the Flame Tornado for sale in the US. As long as MSR is selling the MicroRocket (the same exact stove), it will not be available. Of similar design is the Power Nano (weighs 110g vs 80g for the Flame Tornado) and that is available for US purchase.

Bringing on a new brand to work with, especially one that is not sold in the US, is tough. It's a tough decision to work through what items to bring on first into inventory, thinking about what will sell well and quickly vs what I might wind up sitting with for months. I like to keep my stock fresh and moving, so it's all trial and error with Kovea! But there will certainly be some more variety soon.

And again, if there is a stove or other product from Kovea that anyone is interested in, feel free to contact me and I can quote you a price and add it to my next order if you are interested in it!

Thanks again for the post and conversation guys!

Chris
Owner, TheGearHouse

Hi, Chris,

Thanks for posting. As a “one man show,” I suppose you’re sort of a “cottage retailer”. Welcome. It’s nice to see someone making something new available in the US — especially Kovea which has some nice stuff.

The Supalight Titanium (KB-0707) and regular Titanium (KB-0101) stoves are at the top of my list for my next order.

Ah! The Supalite will be available in the US? That’s good news. One of my favorite upright canister stoves.

The Spider has been one of their best selling stoves (not just in the US/on eBay, but throughout the world in all the different places their products are carried), so that’s what I wanted to start with to try things out.

Makes sense, and that’s very interesting. I didn’t know it was so popular. I first saw one in a Kovea catalog. My first reaction was, “I want THAT stove.” I could tell just by looking at it that they had the right design for a remote canister stove. Then when I saw the pre-heat loop, I was all the more determined to get one. I was not disappointed.

I have some basic criteria for a stove:
-Lightweight
-Compact
-Good pot stability
-Durable
-Well made
-Easy to use
-Easy to shield from wind
-Efficient

I knew just buy looking at it that Kovea had the right idea and that if they did a reasonable job at all on execution they’d have a real winner. And indeed they have.

Now if they could just shave off a couple of ounces… :)

HJ
Adventures In Stoving

HJ
Gimme a break on the CO vs CO2, huh? I was only one molecule off, whats the big difference?

;)

Yeah chemistry was right after lunch and there were like 5 hot girls in that class. I was given the D.

Ahhh fast times at Oxford High

> Gimme a break on the CO vs CO2, huh? I was only one molecule off, whats the big difference?

Ah, just a flatline.

Cheers

Hiker Jim,

As far as I understood it, anything that was on my price list (about 60 items out of the full catalog line) was available for US order/sales. I've got an email into my Kovea sales rep to make sure thats the case and that they are available as they will certainly be coming to the website soon for order.

Again, thanks for posting about my business/website here, I certainly appreciate the support and exposure that you and other bloggers have given to my site.

BTW, as a side note – we used to be located in Maryland and Virginia…as of January, I'm in Colorado. My wife and I moved out here for my "real world job" so The Gear House, a side business for now, moved with us :-)

Chris
TheGearHouse

Ah. Good to know. Too bad not near Los Angeles (where I live). ;)

Take care,

HJ
Adventures in Stoving

HJ – the Kovea office in the US is located in LA…maybe you can make a connection to test out some more of their gear

http://koveausa.com/contacts

Chris

Yeah, I noticed that. They’re about ten to fifteen minutes from where I work. “Hmm” said Hikin’ Jim. :)

HJ
Adventures in Stoving

At least a quick little tour of their offices and product lines, if nothing else!

The Supalight and Titanium stoves are both in stock, I will have them next week!

Chris