OES-Outdoor Equipment Supplier, LLC – About Us

Brian (me) on top of Avery Peak (4088′) in the Bigelow Range in Maine, overlooking the Saddleback range to the South. Avery is the last peak over 4000′ on the AT before Katahdin!

Me in Hallstatt, Austria, with a view of the Alps in the backround

Atop Mt. Flagg in Ossipee, NH

My name is Brian MacMillin, and I am 23 year old graduate student attending the University of Rochester in Rochester, New York, where I am now pursuing an advanced degree in mechanical engineering after graduating in May of 2010 with my B.S. in MechE. This year I will be focusing my attention to the interaction between the fields of Material Science and Solid Mechanics, or in other words, how materials impact the geometry and design of everything around us.

I will be spending much of my time outside of the classroom and in the lab, working under the supervision of Dr. Robert Clark to quantify the relationship between abrasion and waterproofness of lightweight nylon fabrics. My thesis work will look to better understand how durable waterproof coatings are not only to the point of leakage and saturation but beyond. My work will hopefully shed new light on how lightweight fabrics and new, high tech laminates can be used in outdoor and possibly biomedical applications.

Being so involved in school in no way means that I will be stopping production of tarps, stoves or accessories!

I began OES making alcohol stoves for eBay, but soon found myself interested in using silnylon to construct sturdy and better made silnylon tarps than were currently available at the time. It all began with some black 1.9oz poly coated fabric from which the first hexagonal prototype hammock fly was constructed, and I then used for about 3 weeks worth of trips. I then discovered silnylon (after baking at night under a heavy, black tarp), and I was amazed at how much lighter and more flexible it was in terms of tarp setups! The MacCat line of tarps naturally evolved and I have been improving my products ever since! I started OutdoorEquipmentSupplier.com in October of 2003, and have developed it into what it is today.

For the New Year of 2009, I introduced a line of Spinnaker Ultralight fabric – shortened to SpinnUL – to my line up of material choices. This fabric is a superstrong yet lightweight fabric choice which weighs in at just over .95 oz per square yard.

I am constantly looking for new fabrics, techniques, and approaches to manufacture the best and lightest gear available.

I am an Eagle Scout (class of ’05) with a Bronze Palm. Scouts helped to solidify my love of hiking and backpacking (and also going lightweight!).

I also spend much of my time practicing and playing saxophone and piano, and enjoy both squash and tennis in my small amount of free time outside of the classroom. Please don’t be afraid to email me if you are in the need for a well built peice of gear!

Warranty

I stand behind all of my products. I offer a 6 month guarantee on all items, in which I will repair/replace, at my discretion, any item which has a manufacturing flaw. I very carefully inspect each item both during and after construction, and hold very high standards for the quality of gear that I ship out. Damage caused by misuse, negligence, or other unacceptable treatment of gear is not covered under this warrantee. Repairs due to wear and tear or other damages not related to manufacturing defects can be repaired at a reasonable rate. Please email me for details and price quotes.

In addition, I try to provide email support 24/7, subject to busy days in (and out) of class. If you ever have any questions, comments, or concerns with your gear, please do not hesitate to email me.

Disclaimer

Backpacking involves serious dangers such as (but not limited to) injury, death, impairment of one’s self or others, damage or destruction of property, and emotional trauma. All backpacking equipment may create a potentially hazardous condition for the user. By purchasing any equipment, it is assumed by Seller that the Buyer has completely read any included instructions and will follow safe operating procedures and exercise common sense in the use of any equipment purchased. Seller assumes no responsibility for the condition and operation of any equipment by Buyer. Buyer assumes all responsibility for the use of this equipment. Buyer assumes all risk of loss and injury and will hold seller harmless. Buyer represents that no reliance is made upon any act or conduct of the Seller.

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