Is GoLite going out of biz?

–

"Anyone know what's really going on over there?"

Chapter Eleven was begun, according to references in two separate threads here.

–B.G.–

Too bad. Thanks.

Hope they make it through so they can continue to manufacture the Chrome Dome Umbrella! The Euroschrim alternative is more expensive and harder to get.

I've never been impressed with any of Golite's other products though. They very much have become a "me too" company without much innovation.

I would still like to get a poncho/tarp

You can get the LiteFlex Silver umbrella (same umbrella as GoLites, but without the annoying logo) off of Amazon for $24 + $11 S&H, which is still cheaper than GoLite by a couple of dollars.

Sweet! Thanks for the info, Chad.

GoLite is officially dead to me!

… Just kidding. I hope they make it out alright. They should take a cue from Sierra Designs and start innovating. These small (but not quite cottage) businesses could be real factories for innovation in the outdoor retail space. Big enough to reach lots of people but small enough to be nimble.

I have a Golite sleeping bag (feather 20) and an Odyssey pack. They are both well made and I like them a lot, but admit I got them here on the forums and not directly from Golite. Still i checked their site periodically and noted that expansion into running and other gear seemed like an odd direction.

They have/had a good reputation for bang for the buck in light gear – which if they concentrate their focus again I should think is ground they could regain.

"They have/had a good reputation for bang for the buck in light gear – which if they concentrate their focus again I should think is ground they could regain."

Agreed. I really like the SL3 and some time ago I spent quite a few nights under a Lair 1. I owned one of their newer offerings, the Imogene UL3, for a season and was really impressed with it (even though I ended up selling it).

I wonder what the revenue percentage split is for their backpacking gear and clothes vs. other crap.

The idea of a reorg/innovation à la Sierra Designs seems like a good one.

The only item I've ever wanted from GoLite is the Bitterroot. It's cheaper than the MontBell Mirage and uses hydrophobic down; as far as I can tell, there aren't any others in this weight/fill category.

"They have/had a good reputation for bang for the buck in light gear – which if they concentrate their focus again I should think is ground they could regain"

I agree, they do provide a very good value in their products. However, it always seems like they are having inventory issues, nothing seems to ever be stocked online.

Hopefully they will come out stronger with more UL focused gear.

I wouldn't consider the Bitterroot and the Mirage in the same class. The former is a stitch through design; the latter will be much warmer with its boxwall construction. The Bitterroot is probably much closer to the Alpine Light parka in performance terms.

GoLite have closed 8 of their 14 retail stores. In the past they would always have their warehouse sale or Scratch & dent sale in Boulder. Seems like they want to disassociate product seconds from their flagship store, as an email I received this morning said their sale would be happening at a factory outlet mall west of Denver starting on Thursday.

"Who wants to buy a slightly worn company? Am I offered $9.99? Compare at …"

Stuart, as long as we're talking specifics: I have a WM Flash XR and have been looking long and hard for something warmer but not much heavier. The Mirage and Bitterroot seemed to be comparable, but I see your point about the boxwall. Do you own a Mirage? The absence of any hydrophobic down is the big drawback for me, as I live on the east coast.

Cory – Yes I do own a Mirage – bought just about a year ago. It's my first boxwall down jacket after owning stitch-through jackets from Patagonia, Rab and Montane over the last few years. The Mirage is a huge step up and it was worth paying the extra. I do have a Rab Xenon that layers over it (one size larger) for really cold and/or damp conditions, so I'm not worried about the lack of hydrophobic down.

Another construction consideration is the lack of adjustable hood and cuffs on the Bitterroot – they are simple elastic. Montbell has those details and it makes a big difference.

i had a polite store a few miles from me in Cabezon, I see its no longer listed. Now that its gone, i wonder if I should have made use of it before…

>The absence of any hydrophobic down is the big drawback for me, as I live on the east coast.

All evidence suggests that hydrophobic down makes only a slight difference in maintaining loft in humid environments. You still can't get it wet and it still takes ages to dry.

>The absence of any hydrophobic down is the big drawback for me, as I live on the east coast.

I live in a maritime climat (read: with moist air) and hydrophobic down or not is not even one of the factors for consideration.

I admit only using a down puffy under 25*F and above that 25*F I use a synthetic puffy.

http://www.dailycamera.com/boulder-business/ci_26811441

Sounds to me as though he got way out of his depth in financial (mis)management. Happens to founders quite often.

Cheers

hmmm… Timberland owns their name?

If they’re in liquidation, they’re gone. “He’s dead, Jim” as the saying goes. I’m sorry to hear of GoLite’s demise. I’ve had several of their backpacks and have generally liked them although prefer the Gossamer Gear backpack that have now over my old Jam.

GoLite filed a motion to enter into an agreement with Hilco Merchant Resources LLC to liquidate the company’s inventory and assets and conduct going-out-of-business sales during the post-Thanksgiving holiday shopping season.

Well, I suppose that’s an upside for us. Alas, GoLite.

HJ
Adventures in Stoving
Hikin Jim’s Blog

My thoughts exactly. They filed for bankruptcy hoping to make themselves attractive for acquisition and no one took the bait. So now they have no choice without sufficient capital to continue. If they've terminated their trademark/copyright to their name and logo then they are without a doubt a goner.

Bummer. I have a GoLite quilt and like it a lot. Was hoping to get a Selkirk down jacket, but looks like they only have there "Cheddar Cheese" color left… not a big fan.