We're incredibly excited to be stocking Chicken Tramper UL Gear! We've long admired their commitment to creating lightweight, durable gear that performs at the highest level for outdoor adventurers. Chicken Tramper’s focus on quality and innovation aligns perfectly with our values, and we’re thrilled to offer this exceptional gear to our customers. It’s a partnership we’re proud of, and we can’t wait to help more adventurers gear up for their journeys with some of the best, most sustainable products out there!
ABOUT CTUG
Chicken Tramper strives to create durable and lightweight gear for those who cherish wild places. By focusing on durability, the brand ensures that its gear will withstand thousands of miles of adventure, ultimately reducing waste over time.
The goal is to inspire more people to get outside and cultivate a deep passion for the natural world. Customers are not only encouraged to love the gear they purchase, but to also connect with the brand's mission.
Chicken Tramper is committed to keeping wild places wild and advocates for trampers everywhere to follow the "Leave No Trace" principles.
All of Chicken Tramper’s gear is made by hikers, for hikers, and is rigorously tested to withstand thousands of miles. Proudly made in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, the gear meets world-class standards for durability and performance.
The brand is dedicated to innovation, designing the gear that adventurers wish they had. Built with fewer ounces for more miles, Chicken Tramper focuses on lightweight efficiency without compromising strength.
MAIN DIRTBAGS
Nathan Ackerman is originally from downstate, outside of Saginaw, but spent many summers and holidays in the Keweenaw visiting family and developing a deep love for the area. He eventually attended Michigan Technological University (MTU), where he earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering.
When he's not in the shop, Nathan enjoys spending time outdoors, whether it’s fishing, running, or camping. Some of his favourite places to explore include Yosemite Valley, Grand Island, and High Rock Bay.
He was fortunate enough to spend over a month hiking out west with Austin on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) and in Yosemite National Park. The hike was a life-changing experience, and upon returning, he made it his goal to build a life that would allow him to continue embarking on adventures like this.
To get started, he bought a new sewing machine and a 3D printer. He began sketching designs and creating prototypes to help launch the business. Austin and Nathan are always collaborating on gear and designs to ensure they create the best possible products. They draw from their engineering backgrounds and trail experience to develop solutions that solve problems and push the boundaries of innovation.
Austin Gongos came to the Upper Peninsula for university, like many others, but stayed for the natural beauty and outdoor recreation. He graduated in 2018 with a Mechanical Engineering degree and soon after, co-founded CTUG with Nathan.
In his free time, Austin enjoys trail running and skiing in the UP. He’s passionate about racing in local ultra marathons and skiing at Mt. Bohemia, known for having the best powder skiing in the Midwest. A special shoutout to the Fox Fam from his PCT 2018 adventure!
He cowboy camped in Badlands National Park and awoke in the middle of the night to a buffalo walking past. He was captivated by the simplicity and vagabond style of the trip and knew then that he would love thru-hiking just the same. It was at that moment that his planning began, and months later, he would complete his first backpack.
ULTRALIGHT PHILOSOPHY
The philosophy of ultralight hiking and thru-hiking is rooted in simplicity, efficiency, and a connection with nature. It’s about carrying only the essentials, allowing hikers to move faster, further, and with greater comfort over long distances.
Ultralight backpacking emphasises reducing the weight of gear to a minimum, without sacrificing safety or comfort. The goal is to carry only what’s necessary, focusing on lightweight, high-performance gear that serves multiple purposes. This approach encourages hikers to leave behind excess weight and gear, ultimately leading to a more enjoyable and efficient experience on the trail. Ultralight hiking isn’t about sacrificing comfort entirely, but rather optimising every item in your pack to be as light and functional as possible.
2.5L SWITCHBACK LUMBER PACK
The SwitchPack Lumbar Pack 2.5L features a front zipper pocket for quick-access items like a wallet, chapstick, phone, or snacks. With two zipper toggles, the lid opens from either direction. Inside, the 4-way stretch Lycra mesh pocket keeps smaller items like chapstick, keys, and headphones organised.
It uses water-resistant #5 and #3 Uretek zippers from YKK to protect your gear from light rain. For heavy rain, it’s best to stow the SwitchPack inside a backpack. The back pocket and inner strap wings are made from 3D Spacer Mesh for comfort and breathability, ideal for storing your phone or trail map.
Made from waterproof VX21 X-Pac fabric, the SwitchPack keeps your gear dry in light to moderate rain. However, as the seams aren’t sealed, it’s not recommended for submersion or heavy rain. The webbing straps feature 1/2" elastic loops to secure slack webbing.
ULTRALIGHT HIKER HAIRBRUSH
The Ultralight Hiker Hairbrush features rounded bamboo bristles, providing a comfortable brushing experience while being more eco-friendly than plastic. The sustainably sourced bamboo bristles are gentle on the scalp, and the 1” light webbing handle ensures a secure, comfortable grip.
Available in a variety of colours, the Hiker Hairbrush can match your personal style, while weighing just 1 oz—adding minimal base weight. The bamboo bristles and lightweight materials make it a practical choice for hikers. It also comes with a small Lycra pouch to keep the brush clean and prevent hair from mixing with your other gear.
SHOULDER STRAP PHONE POCKET
The upper attachment of the Shoulder Strap Phone Pocket is adjustable, with webbing that slides through a slider to securely fasten it to the shoulder strap. The main “storm flap” offers protection from the elements while providing quick access to your phone. The 4-way stretch Lycra mesh pocket can hold snack bars, sunglasses, or even an Anker battery pack for charging your phone on the go.
The 1" slider on the back panel adjusts the upper attachment, while the lower S clip can be repositioned to lower the Pocket on the strap, giving you flexibility in its placement. The Siamese Clips are both secure and easy to use, ensuring the Pocket stays attached to your shoulder strap for thousands of miles.
SHOULDER STRAP ZIPPER POCKET
The upper attachment of the Shoulder Strap Zipper Pocket is adjustable, with webbing that slides through the slider to securely fasten it to the shoulder strap. The Uretek #5 water-resistant zipper ensures your contents are protected from light to moderate rain. The 1" slider on the back panel allows you to adjust the attachment to the correct distance between points.
The Lycra mesh pocket on the front of the Zipper Pocket is perfect for extra snack bars, sunglasses, a battery pack, and more. Its 4-way stretch allows it to accommodate additional gear. The lower S clip can be repositioned along the rear panel to lower the pocket on the shoulder strap, giving you flexibility in its placement.
The Siamese Clips used are secure and easy to operate, ensuring the sleeve stays attached to your shoulder strap for thousands of miles.
ULTRALIGHT HIKING WALLET
Every stitch holds the potential to channel water into a seam, but with our Sealed Ultralight Hiking Wallets, that’s a thing of the past. These wallets are permanently bonded, with no stitches to worry about, ensuring no leaks whatsoever. The only reason CTUG classify them as very water-resistant rather than waterproof is due to the teeth of the zipper. Crafted from durable and vibrant VX21 Xpac, the wallet is built to last and withstand the rigours of daily use. It’s slim enough to slip into your front or back pocket, and you'll barely notice it’s there. Take it on the trail, and you may just find yourself using it exclusively from then on.
ULTRA DOG BOWL
CTUG craft the Ultra Dog Bowl by permanently sealing the four vertical seams inside the bowl, ensuring a watertight and durable bond. Unlike traditional methods that involve taping or gluing over sewn seams, we bond the material itself, creating a seam that’s both strong and leak-proof. The CTUG Ultra Dog Bowl features a tapered design at the top, making it spill-resistant while still providing ample space for most dogs to comfortably drink. A ribbon attached to the rim allows you to easily clip the bowl to your gear with a carabiner. When not in use, the Ultra Dog Bowl folds neatly into a bracelet, making it easy to pack. For step-by-step folding instructions, refer to the photos in the "How to Fold" section to the right of this page. To ensure the bowl stays open for effortless drinking, we use 2" webbing along the rim for added rigidity.
WATER BOTTLE SLEEVE
The upper attachment of the Water Bottle Sleeve is fully adjustable, allowing you to secure it tightly to your shoulder strap. The webbing slides through a slider, ensuring a snug fit. The elastic shock cord around the rim can be tightened using the cord lock to keep the bottle securely inside the sleeve, or you can pull the cord over the top of the bottle for added stability. The 1" slider on the back panel lets you adjust the upper attachment, ensuring the correct distance between attachment points for a perfect fit.
The rim of the sleeve is crafted from Xpac VX07, which keeps the top wide open when the bottle isn’t inside, allowing for easy one-handed use. The lower S clip can be moved up along the rear panel, letting you lower the sleeve on the shoulder strap. In this configuration, you can loosen the slider to let the sleeve hang from the bottom of the strap. The Siamese clips used are both incredibly secure and easy to operate, ensuring the sleeve remains firmly attached to your shoulder strap, ready for thousands of miles of adventure.
