Introduction
It’s not hard to find mass-market gear from big (corporate) brands at big box and specialty retailer stores. And for the most part, much of that gear is manufactured at reasonable standards of quality. However, the outdoor gear industry (and even the so-called ultralight sub-market) is mature enough now that much of the gear lacks innovation in design or materials, and is marketed as “does everything well enough” instead of being really good at addressing more specific use cases.
That’s where startups, small brands, and cottage gear makers come in. They are more nimble, so their designs can evolve more rapidly in response to customer feedback. They aren’t stuck producing giant lots in large factories, so they can be more experimental and innovative with materials and design. And they (often) don’t distribute through large retailers and distributors. This means that more of the markup you are paying for this gear goes directly to the brand owners and employees, domestic production, and innovative (small batch) design, rather than sales, marketing, and distribution.
This gear guide represents a collection of specific recommendations for gear our members like from small, startup, and cottage brands. Some of them are Cottage Gear Innovation Award Winners.
Cottage Gear Innovation Awards
Do you have a suggestion? Nominate your favorite gear for a Cottage Gear Innovation Award or see past award winners.
Suggested Retailer: Garage Grown Gear
Garage Grown Gear and Backpacking Light have partnered for many years – since Garage Grown Gear’s pre-startup days (affiliate, advertising, content, and events) to bring you the most up to date information, education, and gear about small, startup, and cottage brands. Garage Grown Gear is our community’s home-grown cottage retailer that supports our cottage industry by providing them with marketing, retail, and distribution services for small brands. Please join us in supporting small brands by purchasing gear using the links on the page (we may earn a commission, please review our disclosure letter for more information.)
Recommendations
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Very few shelters out there are tuned specifically for the ultralighter or fastpacker who wants full-perimeter protection with enough weather resistance to camp confidently wherever you land when night falls - the ZPacks Hexamid Pocket Tarp with Doors is one of them.
See it at Garage Grown Gear See it at ZpacksWEIGHT: 5.8 ounces (164 g) -
The Gossamer Gear The One shelter may offer the nicest combination of materials, manufacturing quality, and aesthetic design for the price than any other small brand shelter on the market. There are lighter shelters, there are bigger shelters, there are more weather-resistant shelters - but not at this price. Ideal for backpacking below the treeline, or above the treeline in mild conditions during the sumer.
See it at Garage Grown Gear See it at Gossamer GearWEIGHT: 17.7 ounces (503 g) -
A traditional A-frame tarp-style shelter with protective storm beaks, doors, and an inner tent makes the Slingfin Splitwing Shelter Bundle a modular, versatile, and stormworthy shelter system.
See it at Garage Grown Gear See it at SlingFinWEIGHT: 24 ounces (680 g) -
The Katabatic Gear Bristlecone Bivy Sack is water-resistant and breathable and makes an ideal companion for warmer conditions when paired with a tarp. Water-resistant enough to keep dew at bay for sleeping under the stars in mild weather.
See it at Garage Grown Gear See it at Katabatic GearWEIGHT: 7.3 ounces (206 g) -
A truly ultralight tent stake with enough strength for hard soils. We use this for accessory guyline tieout points like sidewalls and mid-points. Combine with stronger stakes for a high-performance stake kit.
See it at Garage Grown Gear See it at Suluk46WEIGHT: 0.18 ounces (5 g) -
The new gold standard for lightweight shelter guylines, Guywire and Glowire cordage holds knots, absorbs little water, is lightweight, has minimal stretch, and holds well in both cam and line-loc style tensioners.
See it at Garage Grown Gear See it at Lawson EquipmentWEIGHT: 2 ounces (56 g) per 50 ft -
One of the most fundamentally sound designs available. Highly customizable - fabrics, sizing, down fill, colors.
See it at Garage Grown Gear See it at Enlightened EquipmentWEIGHT: 15.8 ounces (447 g) -
For a 900-fp quilt that can be layed flat or buttoned up into a hoodless mummy, the El Coyote Alphalite is one of the most cost-effective ultralight quilts available.
See it at Garage Grown Gear See it at El CoyoteWEIGHT: 15.65 ounces (443 g) -
The lightest fully-baffled down sleeping bag available, the Flylite is a great choice if you aren't quite ready to bite the bullet on a quilt but still need a warm bag for mild summer and fringe-season conditions.
See it at Garage Grown Gear See it at Western MountaineeringWEIGHT: 14.25 ounces (403 g) -
An Alpha Direct hoody is an ultralight way to carry fleece that's more comfortable and breathable than a traditional fleece.
See it at Garage Grown Gear See it at Farpointe Outdoor GearWEIGHT: 4.0 to 4.9 oz (113 to 139 g)WHAT'S UNIQUE:- available in both 60g and 90g weights
- very high air permeability for fleece
- when worn under a shell, very high warmth-to-weight ratio
MAIN ISSUES:- not as durable as grid fleece or pile
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We recommend a synthetic insulated jacket for most conditions where weather is unpredicatable, and the Torrid Apex is one of the best in terms of its warmth-to-weight ratio.
See it at Garage Grown Gear See it at Enlightened EquipmentWEIGHT: 7.4 to 8.4 oz (210 to 238 g)WHAT'S UNIQUE:- available in 7d or 10d fabrics
- very high warmth-to-weight ratio for synthetic insulation
MAIN ISSUES:- synthetic insulation requires care, not as durable as down
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A hybrid woven/knit sun hoody with button-down ventilation. A unique and versatile way to execute the hiking shirt.
See it at Garage Grown Gear See it at Jolly GearWEIGHT: 7.5 oz (213 g)WHAT'S UNIQUE:- style: combination of button-down, hood, collar, adjustable cuffs with thumbloops
- stretch fabrics
MAIN ISSUES:- not 100% resistant to aggressive swarms of biting mosquitoes
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If you're going to spend a few ounces on luxury, spend it on warm feet. These are the lightest booties available and make great sleep socks.
See it at Garage Grown Gear See it at Goosefeet GearWEIGHT: 2 ounces (57 g) -
The gold standard of portable battery chargers, this one has the highest charge density we've ever tested.
See it at Garage Grown Gear See it at NitecoreWEIGHT: 5.3 ounces (150 g) -
Our pick for an ultralight headlamp that's still bright, functional, and comfortable to wear. USB-C rechargeable, weight includes 650mAh li-ion battery. IP66 ingress protection, 70 yard peak beam distance, 1029cd peak beam intensity, 400 lumens. Spot, flood, and red light modes. Dual switches, lockout functionality, built-in battery life indicator. Runtime ranges from 2 hr 45 min (high - 400 lumens) to 10 hr 25 min (low - 60 lumens).
See it at Garage Grown Gear See it at NitecoreWEIGHT: 1.59 ounces (45 g) -
Functional, accurate, waterproof, easy to read, and cheap - buy a half dozen of these and attach them to all of your packs, get another half-dozen for gifts and stocking stuffers!
See it at Garage Grown GearWEIGHT: 0.5 ounces (14.3 g) -
Save your breath, and leave the bulk of an inflation bag at home. One of the few pumps that actually works well and is still very light, with a decent battery life. You'll get 15 to 25 mattress inflations on a single charge if you use a full-sized mattress.
See it at Garage Grown Gear See it at FlextailWEIGHT: 1.2 oz (34 g) -
Use this to transfer fuel from one canister to another easily and safely. Essential gear for canister stove users, so you don't waste remant fuel in partially-empty canisters.
See it at REI See it at Garage Grown GearWEIGHT: 1.6 ounces (45 g) -
Perhaps the most versatile titanium pot on the market - more durable than Toaks, screw-top sealable lid can be used for cold-soaking or extra water storage, usable handles, and a lid that can be used for a mug or fry pan in a pinch.
See it at Garage Grown Gear See it at Vargo OutdoorsWEIGHT: 4.8 ounce (146 g) -
If you're new to ultralight and are wondering where to start with a titanium pot, this is a great choice. It's ultralight, cost-effective, and big enough for a hearty meal.
See it at REI See it at Garage Grown GearWEIGHT: 3.6 ounces (102 g) -
Available in 28mm and 42mm threads, tailor the thread size to your squeeze filter solution.
See it at Garage Grown Gear See it at CNOCWEIGHT: 2.8 ounces (79 g) -
The original pee cloth - make this LNT-friendly option a staple if you're a female hiker.
See it at REI See it at Garage Grown GearWEIGHT: 0.5 ounces (14 g) -
A life-changing way to improve your butt hygiene and minimize TP waste on the trail.
See it at Garage Grown Gear See it at Culo CleanWEIGHT: 0.42 ounces (12 g) -
One of our favorite ways to organize gear.
See it at Garage Grown Gear See it at Pond's EdgeWEIGHT: 0.1 ounce (2 g) -
There are many fanny packs out there, but this one is the most versatile—you can wear it traditionally, cross-body, or thread it through your chest or hip straps.
See it at Garage Grown Gear See it at Hyperlite Mountain GearWEIGHT: 4.3 ounces (122 g) -
Use two (inverted to each other) inside an Ursack or bear canister to hide your food from bears (by containing odors).
See it at Garage Grown GearWEIGHT: 0.9 ounces (25 g)
