GOODBYE SALE AT MY TRAIL CO

THIS COULD BE GOODBYE

Over the last four years, My Trail has built amazing products that we are very proud of. We have earned enthusiastic fans from all over the United States and from many foreign countries. But our marketplace has become very competitive, and companies who normally do not offer athletic apparel and outdoor equipment have moved into our market. We know that our products offer the best overall value for people — that we are lighter, more durable, more flexible, and more breathable than many of our competitors, while still being less expensive. But we have reached the point where we must consider closing our doors. Over the next few weeks, we need to sell through our products and attract additional investment if we’re going to stay in business. The first customers to shop will find the best selection and availability of different sizes and colors. If you’ve already stocked your closet, now is the time to make sure your family has the best outdoor gear and apparel to enjoy the outdoors with you. Tell your friends about this opportunity. We’ve loved making these products, answering your questions, and making sure tens of thousands of new customers can enjoy the outdoors as much as we do. Thank you for supporting us and make sure you stock up on your favorite things.

Chortle…

Before they reincarnate themselves as “New trail co” with new gullible investors (aka suckers).

Or Go Trail Co.

The deals, especially for windshirts and down jackets, is great.  I hate to take advantage of a struggling company, but I bought a 800-fill down parka for my daughter who lives in northern Vermont for just $69.

Coup never thought twice about taking advantage of investors, of employees, of contract manufacturers, of suppliers, of landlords. He left behind quite a creditor mess when GoLite went under. And somehow he thought doing pretty much the same thing a second time around would turn out differently. I hope that someone else gets the rights to the worthwhile designs that came out of GoLite. It’d be good to see SL3s on the market again.

There are several SL3 clones out there. Most of their designs/products are out of date.

I’ve owned quite a few GoLite products over the years…Virga and Reed rain jacket and pants were state of the art at the time. Sadly that era was long gone by the time GoLite folded. My Trail Co just seemed to be peddling the same outdated product line that sank the company the first time. Can’t say this announcement is a surprise, except maybe that it didn’t come earlier.

Re business practices, My mother used to to say “Time wounds all heels”.  Truer words were never spoken.

I had an early GoLite Jam backpack (plus the Gust and the Breeze).  Over the years, I watched the model gain ounce after ounce as the company redesigned it and tried to make it “better” by adding flashy bells and whistles.  Before long, the updated model was no longer special or unique (or lite).  IMO, My Trail Co was selling mainstream, pedestrian stuff in a crowded mainstream and pedestrian market.  It’s biggest selling point was that the gear was inexpensive (and that’s not a race you want to join or win).  It saddens me to think about GoLite’s origins (Ray Jardine) compared to MTC’s final (?) resting place.  I think Ray saw the writing on the wall since the beginning.

MTC’s new threat marketing strategy….if you dont invest in my company, I am gonna screw over everyone else who invested in my company by closing shop.