An Interview with Six Moon Designs Founder Ron Moak

A brief history of Six Moon Designs, ultralight outdoor gear, and the development of the backpack vest which is now featured on the Swift X along with many other Six Moon Designs backpacks.
Six Moon Designs Philosophy and Origin: www.sixmoondesigns.com/pages/...
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Our goal at Six Moon Designs is to offer lightweight, high quality, affordable backpacking equipment.
We're confident that Six Moon products will be invaluable additions to your backpacking essentials.
So, if you're looking to make your next backpacking adventure more enjoyable, and less of a burden, we invite you to consider Six Moon Designs.
Six Moon Designs: www.sixmoondesigns.com/
Contact Us: www.sixmoondesigns.com/pages/...
FAQ: www.sixmoondesigns.com/blogs/...

[@l4ndst4nder]

I’m 34 and from my perspective, Six Moon’s goal of appealing to senior hikers has led them to develop incredibly well balanced products that are fantastic for everyone. Absolutely love my Minimalist pack and Lunar Solo

[@vincentleuga8135]

I will never thank enough your company for the Gatewood Cape. This thing was my really first ultralight shelter/poncho years ago, with a very affordable price tag. We have spent so many nights together, protecting me from anything that weather can offer during 3 seasons. Tested several different other ultralight shelters from other companies, but still always go back to my old trusty Gatewood Cape. Thank you !

[@chrislabish]

Enjoyed this, and am loving my Gatewood Cape as an ingenious super lightweight tent. I turned 62 today.

[@HuckOutdoors]

This was great! Enjoyed listening to Ron on the history of Six Moon Designs.

[@brixtonchristian3242]

instaBlaster

[@johnpsmith19]

My first ultralight Tent was the Six Moon Designs Europa II, it revolutionized my outdoor experience. After 300+ nights in it, I retired it. I still have it. Kind of a personal hall of fame of tents I have used. Thank you Ron! You and GVP have changed how I interact with the outdoors.

[@richardyamin226]

Keep doing what you are doing I have your lunar solo tent and your flight 40 pack with the vest great products and have never failed me. Nice to hear a bit of history.

[@GreyBeatle]

It was great to put a face to the name of the products. Great designed tents and my next tent purchase for sure. SMD rocks! Keep up the great work Mr. Moak. The outdoor world needs more like you!

[@0zthehikingsailor]

Thank-you very much for sponsorship program and I hope to make your proud of my hiking adventures.

[@angelayoshida5863]

I own more than one of your pieces of gear and its the best I have ever owned. now looking at your day packs! you absolutely rock my man!!!

[@pcthiker5320]

Thanks Ron! Been enjoying your gear, to this day, since the early years of ADZPCTKO. Thanks for your vision!

[@Love2Wander]

I'm 55 enjoy the outdoors very interesting interview us older guys need to get out and enjoy the outdoors. I have the Lunar Duo outfitter

[@poordirtyhappy9704]

I used your Gatewood cape as my shelter from Cascade Locks, OR to Tehachapi CA and loved it. My old pack, modified for water bottles out front fell apart, and I look forward to picking up your swift x vest. Coming from ultra running it blends function and comfort perfectly. Glad to see a pack like this finally exists is a thru hiking size.

[@mrsdjsdj]

They have great gear at reasonable prices. Thanks. I've had my Gatewood Cape for over 7 years and had a lot of good night's sleep in it.

[@timg7627]

This man has influenced many hikers and backbackers whether they realize it or not. Interesting to hear his perspectives and philosophies. Well done Sir 👏

[@fatboymig1]

Great interview! I'm loving my Silver Shadow Carbon Umbrella, Thanks!!!

[@kenhenley7599]

Very interesting talk. Thank you. I purchased an SMD Lunar Solo LE in 2014 to walk Wainwright's Coast to Coast walk in England. It served me very well indeed and it's still going strong; indeed, in May of this year I used it on the Great Glen Way in Scotland and next week I am using it when I attempt the South Down Way, again in England. Cheers. Ken

[@alanlau3278]

I love your tributes to Henry Shires, Brian Frankle, and the other folks that have been around for a while. Didn't realize 6MD has been around for that long, but when I think of it, my original Lunar Solo (which I still have and use) is from 2008!. It's been on the PCT, AT, and AZT. I've also had very good customer support from your company. Thanks again.

[@broccolirob5085]

Thank you for what you do.

[@travelclimb]

Love the pack design!

[@SixMoonDesignsUS]

Glad you like it!

[@canyonsteinzig3263]

I used the Fusion packs on my family PCT thru-hike. One thing that is so important. They will carry the weight you might need to carry. Hiking the desert with an 11 year old required me to carry more than my share of water/food and gear. The Fusion packs allowed for this dynamic reality. I still use both the 50 and 65 to this day.

[@Nomad_Skateboarding]

Thank you 🙂

[@stevymaradona2838]

Halo dari Jakarta Indonesia. I still use the gatewood cape, i think one of the best UL shelter gear in the industry. I combine it with bivy or diy local inner. Before the cape, i had the lunar solo, flight 40 fkt

[@ropersix]

You know it's a good company with good products, when people are still making new videos of tents like the Lunar Solo. I was looking for some refresher tips on setting one up (haven't used mine in awhile), and was surprised at how recent some of the videos are. If you didn't know better, you'd think the tent just came out :)

[@Nomad_Skateboarding]

It's been updated recently again, so it's technically 'newer'! But definitely agree and get what you're saying 🙂

[@usmchky1]

Researching packs for a Long Distant hike in 2 years. I am looking at Osprey, but found your fusion 65 Today. Now I am watching this and am curious about the vest. Especially since I will be 61 when I depart. Tell me more about vest? Does the fusion 65 accommodate the vest?

[@terryboardman789]

Condensation. I expect it some in these designs, but which is better the trekker or the lunar?

[@garywilson1139]

going to order the backpack first. Then the tent looks like a great product. After breaking my ankle 3 weeks ago I now realize that I'm going to have to go light. bye-bye 5 lbs backpack and tent.

[@Arthur-Silva]

What? SMD is not Chinese?

[@SixMoonDesignsUS]

Nope were based right here in Beaverton, OR where do all of our design, prototyping, shipping, and day-to-day operations. We tend to test out new designs in either the Cascade Mountains of the PNW or in New Mexico, where you get some intense wind and a wide variety of weather.

[@User123456767]

the goal is to sleep on the ground in the woods that shouldn't have to be expensive