Tested and Trusted Canadian Gear

Canadians make, design and create some of the best outdoor gear available. Yet they are generally in the shadows of the American giants, and the vibrate outdoor cottage industry. I’ve used and become a fan of such quality cottage brands as Zpacks, Gossamer Gear, and Enlightened Equipment… and larger brands such as Nemo. These companies are all innovative, and produce high-quality gear… but I believe it’s time to highlight and showcase some of the Canadian gems in our outdoor industry.

All these brands design and produce gear that is “best in class”, in both design and quality. I have also used or tested products from all these companies and would endorse the gear without hesitation.

The Canadian Gems:

Suluk46

Suluk 46 was established in 2008 by Steve Evans. A mechanical engineer, an ultralight backpacking practitioner, and an avid backcountry adventurer from Toronto, Canada. Upon searching far and wide for quality products that suited his particular hiking style – fast-moving and light, over long distances, often in remote and extreme locations – it became apparent that few manufacturers shared my vision. Out of his own necessity, and a gut feeling that there were others out there like him, he took it upon himself to fill that void.

Since its inception, Suluk 46 has stayed true to its mission; to provide ultra-light backcountry tools that are expertly engineered to surpass existing material and manufacturing limits, resulting in a product line that boasts ultra-high strength-to-weight ratios. With a strong focus on R&D in the engineering design field, Suluk 46 prides itself on thinking outside of the box and producing innovative and revolutionary products in the lightest package possible.

Over the years, Suluk 46 products have shipped internationally to thousands of like-minded adventurers, with whom they have ventured into the backcountry, traversed trails, and scaled mountains of all shapes, sizes and difficulty levels.

I have personally tested much of his gear and find his tent stakes, trowels and saws are the best available anywhere.

Northern Ultralight

Northern Ultralight is a small company producing trail-proven outdoor equipment, intending to connect people with wild spaces.

All of their products are designed and crafted in a small-scale workshop in Nelson. A quaint yet vibrant town nestled in the Selkirk Mountains of southeastern British Columbia. Their manufacturing process begins by pairing innovative designs with high-end raw materials. With utmost care and attention to detail, these raw goods are then transformed into beautiful products that are built to last for the long haul. By keeping the design and manufacturing of our products local, we can maintain high-quality standards, innovate quickly, and contribute to our local economy.

Founded in 2018 by Scott Matson, but their roots can be traced back to a thru-hike of the Pacific Crest Trail in 2016. It was along this border-to-border footpath that the benefits of lightweight and reliable gear became truly apparent. The following year, the first NUL prototype backpacks were put to the ultimate test along a thru-hike of the Continental Divide Trail. This initial design was then meticulously refined to eventually become our first product, the Sundown.

As Northern Ultralight grows to be able to better serve customers, it pledges to remain true to its founding principles. By building great products locally, never compromising on quality, and by maintaining our commitment to help people connect with the wild spaces they love.

I believe that the Hippie – their fanny bag – is the best in the industry. I have had it with me on the AT, GDT, ECT, AZT and all adventures in between. Their Sundown pack is tough, rides well and is also highly recommended. I used a Sundown on the GDT and my wife on the ECT.

Durston Gear

Durston gear is designed by Dan Durston in the heart of the Canadian Rockies with a focus on creating backcountry gear that genuinely improves your adventure through lighter weights, greater simplicity, and increased protection.

Dan has been a hiker, gear geek, and adventurer for over 20 years. He has amassed hundreds of nights in the outdoors and written thousands of technical gear posts in ultralight online communities like BackpackingLight.com and r/Ultralight. Never content with the status quo, Dan was building his own gear for over a decade before he started this company, including building one of the first Dyneema tents back in 2009 before most other companies working with DCF even existed. Dan has also worked in gear development for several other ultralight companies and reviewed gear for BackpackingLight.com.

More than just a gear geek, Dan is continually pushing the limits of outdoor adventure. His travels include hiking the 2600-mile Pacific Crest Trail (2014) and the first yo-yo of Canada’s Great Divide Trail (1100km x 2, 2017) along with his wife T, who also helps with Durston gear. 

I am a big fan of all that is Durston Gear. From the quality and very personal customer support to the well-designed and innovative products that are always leading in the class.

Terrain UL

Terrain UL is a small cottage business in Western Québec, Canada founded and created by Tina Eckerlin.

Terrain UL was born from a love of backpacking, and a lack of ultralight gear available in Canada, Tina took her mad sewing skills to the next level to handcraft our ultralight and ultra-awesome: backpacks, fanny packs, bear bags, stuff sacks and more!

Tina is passionate about her community and educating youth about Leave No Trace Principals, bushcraft, outdoor preparedness and safety. She volunteers to better her community as a leader with Girl Guides of Canada and as a certified AdventureSmart® presenter. She also volunteers in the local high school’s Outdoor Education program, and as a board of directors member and volunteer with Sentiers Wakefield Trails.

She hopes to help inspire and empower other women to gain confidence in the backcountry.

I have tested and used much of her gear and I can say without a doubt, the quality of her products is second to none. From her backpacks to stuff sacks, all are stitched to perfection and produced for each customer with the love of a good friend.

Adotec Gear

Adodec is the love child of Jeremy and Laura Corneill from Ontario.

In 2017, Jeremy and Laura set out on their first serious backpacking adventure on the Mdaabi Miikna Trail in Pukaskwa National Park. With every step, they discovered the joy of walking through remote places with nothing but essentials on their backs.

But with heavy gear and sore muscles, they quickly realized there had to be a better way. That journey sparked their obsession with lightweight, functional gear.

Since then, they’ve hiked thousands of kilometres, fine-tuned their setups, and brought Adotec to life. Their trails include La Cloche Silhouette Trail, Pukaskwa Coastal, Lake Superior Coastal, East Coast Trail, Casque Isles, and Heaven’s Gate.

Please check out their website, you will find some wonderful and innovative products. I recently used one of their “bear-proof food bags” and just love it! Lighter, critter proof and more water resistant than Ursack.

Ostrom Outdoors

Bill Ostrom knows all about gnarly portages! His canoe trips have taken him through Quetico/Boundary Waters, Wabakimi, Woodland Caribou, and the Yukon.

That’s why, since 1987, his mission has been to ease the pain of portaging with superbly designed canoe packs. There is nothing more amazing than paddling in remote areas.

Their design and fitting expertise comes from having been the lead designer for the Canadian Military rucksack. Bill worked with an ergonomics firm, Queen’s University, DRDC (Defence Research & Development Canada) and 100s of soldiers.

Lessons learned about fit and construction were incorporated into their frame, hip belt, and shoulder strap designs.

With 30 years of design expertise, Bill remains the lead. He was the first to design:

• an internal frame canoe pack/portage pack using backpack technology,
• the first custom-fit canoe pack, and
• the first canoe barrel harness that didn’t dig into your spine.

Although Ostrom Outdoors is not UL… it is tough as nails and is generally regarded as the pinnacle of canoe and tripping gear.

Conclusion

If you are looking for Canadian gear, there are still some gaps, for all your required gear for your next adventure. But please consider all or any of the companies in this article. All make excellent gear that is second to none. Rigorously tested by yours truly, and highly recommended CANADIAN GEAR

See my gear list from my last adventure on the Arizona Trail – full of Canadian gear!