Events that define who we are today
MILESTONES
TIMELINE
Feb. 1997
Glen orders fabric for the G1
1998
Glen makes the G2, G3 and G4
May 1999
Glen creates a pattern for the G4
Nov. 1999
Quest Outfitters starts selling instructions and patterns with materials for G4 “kits”.
Nov. 1999
Glen takes first order, price is $100 for two packs.
Mar. 2000
GVP Gear is formed
Apr. 2000
First shipments of manufactured packs start. Packs are available in one size with a choice of color. First packs were made out of silnylon.
Feb. 2001
Started shipping packs made out of 2.2 oz. coated ripstop nylon, still in one size and four colors.
Apr. 2001
Production caught up with demand for the first time, and there was actual inventory.
May 2001
"Flyin' Brian" Robinson purchased and used a G4 (pack no. 5) for the start of his Calendar Year Triple Crown in 2001. After meeting up with Brian at the PCT Kickoff in April, Glen made him a customized G4/G5 with three embroidered gold crowns, which he used for much of the PCT and CDT. Brian was unable to finish his historic trip with his custom pack because it got misplaced on the Greyhound Bus journey back to the AT. It later resurfaced and was returned to him.
Jun. 2001
Went to a tougher netting for the mesh pockets, tried a full-length, top load pad holder to prevent bowing in the middle.
Dec 2001
Pack number 500 goes to Randy Rhodes.
2001
Nimblewill Nomad - used a G4 for his Transcontinental Hike in 2001, and used a pack based on the G4 for his Sea to Shining Sea trek in 2002. Nimblewill holds the honor, as far as we know, of the most miles on a G4 (9,500)… and a sad-lookin’ G4 it was indeed! Nimblewill has continued to lighten his load, and took a Murmur on his 2008 thru-hike of the PCT, and used a Murmur for his 2009 thru-hike of the North Country Trail.
Feb. 2002
Production shifted to one color (forest) to accommodate the addition of a “small” size.
The first website, done by Glen’s teenage son Brian, was retired, and a new website was launched, web work done by Glen’s sister Brooke.
May 2002
An early G5 prototype hits the Pacific Crest Trail.
First offered packs in size “large”.
Backpacker Magazine: G4 backpack selected by write-in ballot for the “Challenge the Editor: The Ultralight Report – I saw the Light”
Aug. 2002
Sternum straps offered as an option on standard packs.
The Great Outdoors (UK): G4 pack reviewed by Chris Townsend. “It makes ultralight packs look heavy.”
Sep. 2002
Pack number 1000 goes to Sharon Jewell.
Nov. 2002
Revised the sternum strap and waist belt configuration.
Feb. 2003
First production G5 packs start shipping.
Jul. 2003
New York Times: GVP Gear featured. “On the Trail, With the Clothes On Your Back and Little More” by James Gorman.
Aug. 2003
Ray “Wall” Greenlaw sets a new PCT record of 83 days with his G4 pack.
Dec. 2003
Pack number 2000 goes to Caryl Bergeron.
2003
SpinnShelter and SpinnTwinn start shipping
Apr. 2004
GVP/Gossamer Gear starts shipping Lightrek carbon fiber trekking poles, Evazote® convoluted “Mt. Washington” type pads (the Nightlight series), and other new products.
Jun. 2004
Gossamer Gear website launched.
Jan. 2005
The Gossamer Gear Lightrek poles and the Ultralight-Sports fingertip toothbrush garnered “Best of Adventure 2004” awards in National Geographic Adventure Magazine.
Dec. 2005
Gossamer Gear moves operations to Austin, Texas. Current President Grant Sible hired.
2005
Sub 4oz. Whisper introduced
Sep. 2006
Squall Classic introduced
Mar. 2007
Mariposa™ Plus introduced with NEW removable waist belt system for better fit.
Received trademark for 'Gossamer Gear'
Apr. 2007
Miniposa Ultralight Backpack introduced
2007
Ambassador Francis Tapon completes first CDT yo-yo
Feb. 2008
The One fully enclosed shelter introduced, first fully enclosed shelter to weigh 1 lb.
Jun. 2008
Murmur Super Ultralight Backpack introduced
2008
LT3s and LT4s introduced
Jan. 2009
Mariposa™ Plus improved with new aluminum Curved Stays
Feb. 2009
Gorilla Ultralight Backpack introduced
Twinn Tarp introduced
Gossamer Gear joins Facebook
Aug. 2009
New York Times: “How to Recharge Your Soul” by Nicholas D. Kristof
G4 is mentioned in the article as one of 10 ways to make your backpacking experience better.
Nov. 2010
Web 2.0 website launch
Dec. 2010
Hipster and Riksak introduced
Feb. 2011
Cuben Fiber Twinn Tarp introduced
Jul. 2011
Received trademark for 'The One'
Apr. 2012
Kumo introduced
Aug. 2011
Received trademark for 'Mariposa'
2012
After Colorado-based production facility closes, Gossamer Gear moves backpack production to Mexico
Tres Chicas sport GG packs while hiking south to north across South America
May 2013
Gossamer Gear moves from a garage to first commercial property
Aug. 2013
Ambassador Heather "Anish" Anderson sets FKT on the Pacific Crest Trail
Dec. 2013
Gossamer Gear places first backpack order in Vietnam
Jan. 2014
Current VP Jonathan Schmid hired at Gossamer Gear to cut polycryo groundsheets part-time
2014
Glen designs the Crotchpot. The world will never be the same.
Jan. 2015
Gossamer Gear Ambassadors & Insiders retreat in Moab.
Sep. 2015
Ambassador Heather "Anish" Anderson sets FKT on the Appalachian Trail
Apr. 2016
Crotchpot introduced
May 2016
Updated version of Kumo introduced
2016
Vagabond introduced
Jan. 2017
Received trademark for 'take less. do more.'
Feb. 2017
Silverback introduced
Mar. 2017
Our LT4 trekking poles are voted Wirecutter's unanimous favorite
LT5s introduced
Sep. 2017
The Two introduced
Ambassador Ras "UltraPedestrian" Vaughn completes the Drakensberg Grand Traverse across South Africa and Lesotho
Mar. 2018
Mariposa wins best pack in Backpacker Magazine - 'Editor's Choice: The Best Backpacking Gear of the Year'
May 2018
The GG crew hikes The Great Outdoors Challenge in Scotland
Jul. 2018
Ones and Twos back in stock with updated fabrics and a charcoal gray color
Aug. 2018
Gossamer Gear moves to new HQ in Austin, TX with a larger warehouse.
Oct. 2018
Jeff Garmire aka 'Legend' completes the 7,000 mile Great Western Loop using a Gorilla, One, and LT5s in under 7 months.
Nov. 2018
Ambassador Heather “Anish” Anderson becomes the first woman to complete a Calendar Year Triple Crown in 251 days, 20 hours, and 10 minutes (her third triple crown).
Dec. 2018
Gossamer Gear's 20th Anniversary
Mar. 2019
Gossamer Gear hosts 1st HQ Open House party
Apr. 2019
Jeff Garmire aka "Legend" sets the self supported FKT on the Arizona Trail using a Kumo, One, and LT5s in 15.5 days.
Jul. 2019
Release of Big Bend 100 short film
Sep. 2019
Ambassador Andrew Glenn completes a snowy 3,800 miles linking up the CDT and GDT in one season
Oct. 2019
G4-20 introduced
The One is featured in The Trek's "Best Thru-Hiking Tents of 2019"
Dec. 2019
Vagabond collection introduced
Feb. 2020
Outdoor Gear Lab: Mariposa and Gorilla win best 'Ultralight Backpacks of 2020'