About Tramplite Gear

Arizona Trail 2010
Background

 My name is Colin Ibbotson and after 23 years in Aeronautical Engineering, I decided, in 2012, that there was more to life than aeroplanes and decided to devote myself full-time to my passion, the great outdoors. I had hiked/cycled extensively up till that time and had already completed all the UK national trails (at least once), many of my own UK routes, 2 major USA hikes, a 3-week expedition to Venezuela, shorter hikes in Sardinia and Oman and 2 long cycle tours of New Zealand. I was completely addicted to long self-powered adventures! Since then I've spent 5-6 months each year hiking, cycling and occasionally paddling, all over the world. If you're interested there is a list of my major trips at the bottom of this page.

CDT 2016
Beginnings 

 Tramplite Gear started by accident from my obsession with making my own gear (MYOG). I made my first pack in 2008 and shelter in 2009 but had been modifying gear for years. I built a cuben shelter for my 2013 New Zealand thru-hike which attracted a lot of attention. That shelter went on the 2014 The Great Outdoors Challenge (TGOC) across Scotland and a number of hikers convinced me (over a beer!) to make a few, I did and they were well received. I was asked to make some more and Tramplite Gear was reluctantly born.  Since then I've made a handful each year but 2016 was the first year I started thinking of it as more than just a bit of fun. I now offer 3 styles of solo shelters and a pack in 2 capacities and more products will follow. 

Future
LEJOG 2000
Tramplite Gear is a  hobby, not a full-time business. I gave up a well-paid job to follow my dreams and will continue to do so. While I'm away Tramplite Gear stops. That may mean I can't produce your gear exactly when you want it, and it's also possible there will be a waiting list. However, it's this continual trail testing and development of my products, by using them long-term,  that makes me different to every other producer. 

 Ordering - New Orders

 If you wish to order any product then message/email me and I will get back to you as soon as possible. If I'm away on a trip that may be a few days, or possibly weeks. 

 Ordering - Replacement Orders

 Often there will be a waiting list for my gear but as a previous customer, you've already waited your turn once! I appreciate your loyalty to the Tramplite brand and will always bump replacement gear orders to the top of the list for items you've previously bought. This does not apply to new gear orders.

 e.g. If you've ordered a Tramplite shelter in the past and need a replacement shelter then you go to the top of the shelter list. But if you've ordered a Tramplite shelter before and want a Tramplite pack then you join the bottom of the Tramplite Pack waiting list.
Trips, (only major trips are shown here)

 Major Hikes

5 Degrees west (Scotland) 2021, 485km 
Coast to Coast triple crown (Scotland, England, Wales) 2019, 1198km
Norway End-End 2018, 2818km
Lake District Wainwrights and Outlying Fells, 1st ever continuous round, (UK) 2018, 1061km
Norway to Scotland by foot and bike 2017, 434km (aborted due to conditions and illness)
Continental Divide Trail (USA) 2016, 5000km
Lands End John O'Groats (UK) 2000, 1500km

 Total (major hikes only) 25606km

 Major Cycle Tours

Scotland Bike and kayak 2017, 1333km
Northern England/Scotland 2015, 2636km
New Zealand South Island 2006, 4000km
New Zealand North Island 2004, 4000km

Total (major cycle tours only) 14988km
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