Curious about the future of ultralight gear?
Get an insider's look at the future of innovation in ultralight gear with this special panel co-hosted by Treeline Review and Garage Grown Gear.
Meet the people behind ultralight gear brands and learn about new materials, designs, and philosophies behind ultralight backpacking.
The event will be followed by a 15-minute Q&A where you can ask the speakers questions about ultralight backpacking gear. Register for free here or scroll down below.
Meet the panelists:
Chris Schabow (Enlightened Equipment)
Chris entered the ultralight gear space in 2016 after a 10+ year career in nonprofit administration and fund development. For this DIY gear maker and lifelong outdoor enthusiast, working for Enlightened Equipment’s budding R&D department was a dream come true.
The time spent in product development provided a framework for advancement within the growing brand.
A series of leadership opportunities on the manufacturing side of the company ultimately led to his current role of CEO in January of 2023.
Chris also owns Prairie Dog Shovel, an ultralight camp trowel company where he gets to mess around with aircraft-grade aluminum and lasers.
Passion for the outdoor space is rooted in the deep belief that everyone can enjoy the beauty of the backcountry with the correct gear.
Whitney "AllGood" LaRuffa (Six Moon Designs)
Since his first thru-hike along the AT in 1996, Whitney “Allgood” La Ruffa has hiked over 10,000+ miles on long-distance trails in the US and abroad, including the first thru-hikes of the Chinook Trail, a 330-mile route through the Columbia River Gorge in WA and OR and The Blue Mountains Trail — a 585-mile route through the Blue Mountains of northeast Oregon. In 2016 “Allgood” left his career in the world of forest products and reconnected with rural America by completing a thru-hike of the Continental Divide Trail from Mexico to Canada.
After many years on the trail, Allgood is fortunate enough to have his career be his passion. As the VP of Sales and Marketing for Six Moon Designs, an ultra-light backpacking gear company, he shares his love of hiking and gear with others. Allgood is also the independent Director of FarOut, a Board Member of the Oregon District Export Council, and the President Eremites of The American Long Distance Hiking Association-West (ALDHA-West). When not helping others learn about hiking, you can find “Allgood” walking the trails around the US — in need of a shower, a cold beer, and a pint of Ben & Jerry's.
Sarah "MEllow" Berkeley (Symbiosis Gear)
Sarah has thru-hiked the Vermont Long Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, and Colorado Trail. She has extensive knowledge of the design process through her Master of Fine Arts degree in Art + Design. She grew up making everything from her own clothes to a 1400-square-foot log house.
Sarah also brings a wealth of business knowledge from her first business. Throughout her career, she has spearheaded large-scale projects while also managing large budgets and teams.
Sarah has a big mission-driven vision for Symbiosis Gear and the chops to make it happen.
Livio Melo (allmansright)
Livio is Co-Founder of allmansright, an ultralight gear brand inspired by the Swedish tradition of allemansrätt, the right of everyone to freely roam and explore the outdoors.
Livio is Dominican, a hiker, artist, and designer with an industrial design degree from 'Parsons - The New School'.
Livio says, "The industrial designer in me used to believe products could save the world, but the hiker in me knows that the connections made with nature ultimately will. My hopes are that we can facilitate these connections via gear."
Moderated and hosted by:
Lloyd Vogel (Garage Grown Gear)
Lloyd is the Co-Founder and CEO of Garage Grown Gear. An avid backpacker and paddler, Lloyd first entered into the outdoor industry through trip-leading and outdoor education. Based in Minneapolis, MN, Lloyd is a huge fan of small brands, light packs, and large meals.
Hosted by:
Liz “Snorkel” Thomas (Treeline Review)
Snorkel is Co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Treeline Review. A Triple Crowner who once held the women’s self-supported Fastest Known Time on the Appalachian Trail, she’s the author of Long Trails: Mastering the Art of the Thru-hike, which won the National Outdoor Book for Best Instructional Book, with judges calling it "destined to become the bible of the sport."
She's thru-hiked over 40 long distance trails. She developed the sport of urban thru-hiking, leading Outside Magazine to call Liz a "living legend."