According to executive at American Rec Corp., Sierra Designs is redefining the entire brand with completely rethought gear and apparel offerings for 2014. Through innovation and real solutions for backcountry comfort and performance, the iconic brand believes it is “set to usher in a new era of excellence in outdoor gear.”
Committed to making gear and apparel that is both “better and different,” the new Sierra Designs is reexamining how outdoor gear should be designed for maximum performance, says the company. Forgoing traditional mummy-style bags and double wall tents, the company says it “is set to change the way the world looks at backpacking gear.”
“We feel the outdoor industry is stuck in an old paradigm, relying mainly on outdated designs and technologies. Despite all the hype, there has been very little new thinking in backpacking gear and clothing,” says Michael Glavin, VP and Brand Manager for Sierra Designs. “We wanted to create something really unique here, something better and different than what’s currently on the market. We wanted to see what we could do when we threw old thinking out the door and boldly challenged the status quo. We are really excited about the results.”
Sierra Designs’ 2014 line-up is 90% new and includes a total of three tent styles, three new sleeping bags, and a tight assortment of technical apparel pieces. All gear and apparel is designed exclusively for backpacking but can be used in a variety of situations.
Introducing three new tent models, each offered in standard and ultralight versions, common features include gear “storage closets” instead of vestibules, oversized doors and awnings for dry cooking outside the tent when the weather turns bad, external pitch for speed and light weight, and maximized ventilation for a more comfortable experience.
New sleep solutions include the zipperless Backcountry Bed that allows you to sleep as you would in a bed at home and the wearable Mobile Mummy with zipperless armports and a fold-up design for walking around camp. Sierra Designs is also offering the minimalist 800-fill Backcountry Quilt. All Sierra Designs bags will feature hydrophobic DriDown insulation instead of synthetics.
The new apparel line includes new materials and technologies such as DriCanvas, stretch down jackets, and silicone-treated nylon. All new apparel pieces are designed for backpack compatibility with strategically placed stitching, pockets, and vents.
There is also a new logo to accompany the new brand direction. This logo is a tribute to the brand’s extensive outdoor heritage, blending graphic elements from two previous Sierra Designs logos with a new, more modern font.
The new Sierra Designs will make its first public appearance at the Outdoor Retailer Trade Show in Salt Lake City, July 31 to Aug 3.
