In the ultralight world, the gear that matters most isn’t always the flashy big-ticket item. More often, it’s the small, easy-to-overlook things that quietly keep your trip running smoothly. That’s exactly where Igneous Gear comes in—designing those little pieces of kit that you don’t think about until you lose one, break one, or wish someone had made it better.

A passion grown on the trail 

Founder Ray Aldridge didn’t just stumble into hiking—he was practically raised on the trail. His parents, who first met on a Sierra Club backpacking trip, kept the mountains at the centre of family life. His mom even kept backpacking while pregnant, and once Ray could walk, he was joining them on trips into the Sierra. With that kind of upbringing, a lifelong love for the outdoors was almost guaranteed. Pair that with his background in materials engineering, and it was only a matter of time before Ray started designing gear of his own gear. 

It all started with one lost bottle cap… 

It all began on a multi-day backpacking trip when Ray lost the cap to his ultralight water bottle.  A minor mishap, sure—but one that turned hydration into a hassle. Instead of brushing it off, Ray treated it like a design challenge. Hundreds of prototypes later, the tethered cap was born: a simple fix to a common problem, designed to stay put no matter how far you hike.

Why do Igneous Gear call San Francisco home?

Most cottage gear companies set up shop in mountain towns or garages tucked away in the backcountry. Igneous? They call San Francisco home. And there's a good reason for that. The Bay Area offers access to advanced manufacturing, materials expertise, and a culture of innovation—all the ingredients needed to refine small, high-performance products. Plus, being a few hours from the Sierra means every design still gets put through its paces where it matters most: on trail.

Why love them at Ultralight Gear

At Ultralight Gear, we love brands that don’t just chase weight savings for the sake of it, but actually solve problems that hikers face. Igneous does exactly that. Their designs aren’t flashy, but they’re the kind of gear that fades into the background—in the best way possible. Because when you’re logging long kilometres, your focus should be on the trail ahead, not on fiddling with a busted part.