Sierra Designs showed up at Outdoor Retailer with a host of new products. They had 44 new products, to be exact, and that included new tents, sleeping bags, air pillows, packs, and trekking poles. All 2018 sleeping bags have PFC-free DriDown insulation and fabrics. The new tents are light, roomy and affordable.
The Cloud sleeping bag is similar to the Backcountry Bed but is lighter weight, and has a mummy shape. The Cloud uses 800 Fill DriDown and has a zipperless footvent and a pad sleeve. The comforter is fixed to the body of the bag on one side and is big enough to tuck into the opposite side and seal like a mummy. The bag is available in 35° (1lb 7oz) and 20° (1lb 13oz) versions. MSRP: $269.95/35°; $299.95/20°
Sierra Designs Cloud (L to R: 35° and Women‘s 20°)
The Nitro uses 800 fill DriDown insulation, and is sized bigger for added comfort. Five inch horizontal baffles and side wall baffles keep insulation from shifting keeping the warmth in, and a specially shaped draft collar prevents heat loss up top. The Nitro uses anti snag zippers, the zipperless footvent, and it has a hood large enough to hold a pillow. The Nitro comes in 35° (1lb 6oz), 20° (1lb 12oz) and 0° (2lb 8oz) versions. MSRP: $299.95/35°; $329.95/20°; $379.95/0°
The Animas Air Pillow is small and light weighing just 2 ounces but it is big enough to be comfy. The Animas has a lightweight brushed stretch top and bottom fabric, and a siliconized finish underneath for traction. MSRP: $24.95. The Gunnison BC Air Pillow weighs 3 ounces and fits into the headcup of your bag while leaving room for your shoulders. The Gunnison BC features a lightweight stretch top and brushed finished bottom. MSRP: $29.95
Sierra Designs Nitro (Men‘s 20°)
The Sweet Suite tent is lightweight, roomy, and not too pricey. The full mesh upper made this tent my personal favorite. It has 2 side doors with vestibules. Pre-bent poles create near vertical walls for more space. The Sweet Suite is semi-freestanding and offers a fast and easy two-pole setup. Constructed of 20d nylon fabrics, the Sweet Suite weighs just 3lb 1oz (2p version). MSRP:$369.95/2p; $459.95/3p
The High Side looks like a great option for solo campers. The one door tent has a vestibule that can be set up high to make an awning over the door. Pre-bent poles and a distinct shape make a lot of space with little weight. The High Side weighs 1lb 14oz. MSRP: $279.95
Pictured: Sweet Suite (top) and High Side (bottom)
The Studio is the lightest freestanding two-person tent (2lb 12oz). The tent has 1-door and vestibule. A custom 160° aluminum hub makes a near-vertical door wall with a tall 40” peak height. The two person tent at the show looked like it had plenty of room for 2 people. A large, single full-coverage vestibule provides plenty of storage space. The Studio offers a simple two-pole setup, and will also be available in a 3-person version. MSRP: $349.95/2p; $419.95/3p
The Meteor is a 2 or 3-person tent that has nearly 30 square feet of floor space for the 2 person tent. The Meteor has steep wall angles and its 2 door, 2 vestibule design makes it easy for both to get out. The Meteor weighs 3lb 15oz (2p), and will be available at select retailers Fall 2017. MSRP: $249.95/2p; $299.95/3p
Trekking poles are now on the Sierra Designs menu. The Collapsible poles are adjustable from 24” to 54” and use two locking mechanisms hold the full carbon poles in place. The cork handles felt great in my hand and the weight is just 14.5 ounces for the pair. MSRP: $119.95. The new Folding Poles have one expandable section plus folding cabled aluminum sections with coated steel cables holding things together. The top carbon section has 8” of adjustability. The Folding Poles use full cork handles too, and weigh 1lb 2 ounces per pair. MSRP: $149.95
I didn‘t get to lay hands on the new day packs but they look pretty awesome. Check out what Sierra Designs has to say about them below.
“Straight Out of Oakland!” Says Sierra Designs senior director Stephen Barnes, “Sierra Designs founders Bob (Swanson) and George (Marks) would always take their new products out on a test trip that often became the photo shoot for the upcoming sales catalog. In looking through old catalogs, we came across images of the original day packs when they launched in 1973 when Sierra Designs was based in Oakland, and we all latched on to the idea of updating the classic pack styles with modern materials and functionality.”
Pictured L to R: 2018 Summit, Daytripper, Serendipity
These packs range in size from 20 to 28 liters and are priced from 49.95 to 79.95. They each have their own set of storage options and are compatible with laptops and tablets.
This isn’t the full list of new gear but who can cover 44 products in one article? Check out all of the gear at www.sierradesigns.com.