Outdoor Retailer Show Sneak Peek: Sierra Designs 2015 gear
Sierra Designs has always been one of my personal favourite gear manufacturers given their endless drive to innovate and this is no exception for next springs offerings. 2015 marks the 50th Anniversary of Sierra Design and in celebration of the occasion and their innovative approach to living in the backcountry, they’ve created the Sierra Designs Elite Collection. This collection furthers their quest to break free from status quo and to create their lightest, highest performing, and most strikingly different rain gear, tents, and sleeping bags to date.
Available for spring 2015, Sierra Designs showcased at Outdoor Retailer (OR) their Tensegrity Elite Tents, Elite Cagoule and Elite Rain Chaps along with the next evolution in the Sierra Design Backcountry Bed, the Duo. Have a read below of all the details and get ready for an innovative spring 2015.
Sierra Designs Tensegrity Elite Tents
To honour the principle of 'tensional integrity' for which they are named, our Tensegrity Elite tents represent an aggressive reimagining of non-freestanding tent design. With lighter builds that offer more living space than any comparable tent, our Tensegrity Elite tents are the ultimate choice for serious backpackers. Using only two trekking poles, one included pole, and seven tent stakes to pitch, these tarp tents are light and sturdy while offering a ton of interior space. Thanks to this unique configuration, Tensegrity Elite tents are wider at the top than at the bottom, giving backpackers extra space where it's needed most, making them far more comfortable to use. To save weight, our Tensegrity Elite tents use 20D nylon ripstop in the floor and body. This ultralight nylon is silicone treated on both sides to increase durability, so Tensegrity Elite tents will need to be seam sealed. Large drop doors give an open, airy feel and tons of ventilation while 12″ awnings provide abundant sun and rain protection. Like all of our Sierra Designs tents, our Tensegrity Elite tents forgo traditional vestibules in favor of a gear closet for better ventilation, enhanced interaction with the outdoors, and effortless entry and exit. A stargazing option allows the gear closet panel to roll up for an unobstructed view of the night sky or, in our two person version, this panel can be pitched to create a covered exterior space.
Tensegrity 1 Elite
Price: $399.95US
Weight: 737g / 1lb 10oz
Interior space: 1.58sq m / 17.1sq ft
Tensegrity 2 Elite
Price: $489.95
Weight: 963 / 2lb 2oz
Interior space: 2.7sq m / 29.3sq ft
Tensegrity Elite tents are also available in Tensegrity FL (Feather Light) versions, offering 30D nylon ripstop floors, 20D polyester ripstop body, and seam taping throughout.
Tensegrity 1 FL
Price: $319.95US
Weight: 878g / 1lb 15oz
Interior space: 1.58sq m / 17.1sq ft
Tensegrity 2 FL
Price: $389.95US
Weight: 1133g / 2lb 8oz
Interior Space: 2.7sq m / 29.3 sq ft
Sierra Designs Elite Cagoule and Elite Rain Chaps
Effective rainwear keeps the rain out, but no membrane breathes well enough to keep up with the rate at which your body creates heat and sweat during exertion. When rainwear is necessary, our Cagoule and Chaps look beyond the "breathability" of a membrane and offer unique physical venting for added comfort and longer hemlines for real protection.
Designed to work more like an umbrella and less like a plastic bag, our Elite Cagoule is an ultralight (6oz), thigh length jacket that focuses more on active ventilation to help keep you drier from the inside out. The longer length keeps your lap and seat from getting soaked while a unique Hip Belt Vent supplies fresh air to your torso while wearing a pack. For added comfort and ventilation, our all-new Awning Vents allow constant airflow under the arms. Pass through pockets are placed above the hip belt vent to provide unobstructed access to under layer pockets. A waterproof / breathable membrane is used throughout to keep rain from soaking through.
Price: $109US
Weight: 170g / 6oz
An ideal companion to our Elite Cagoule jacket, our new Elite Rain Chaps keep your legs dry while enhancing ventilation for outstanding comfort on rainy backcountry days. Consisting of two separate pieces (one for each leg), this system hooks easily to your pockets or belt loops, providing rain protection only where you need it while keeping your lap and seat uncovered for maximum ventilation and comfort. Since even the most breathable WB materials can't keep up with sweat produced during exertion, ventilation is the key to staying drier. Ultralight at just 4oz, the Elite Rain Chaps feature two layer WB material in the main leg with three layer WB material over the knees for extra comfort when wearing shorts.
Price: $59US
Weight: 113g / 4oz
Sierra Designs Backcountry Bed Duo
Now you can sleep in the wild like you do at home, with a comforter and that special someone. The Backcountry Bed Duo is a zipperless sleeping bag for couples that want to sleep together. With an oversized, integrated comforter sealing the opening, you and a partner can sleep comfortably and naturally on your backs, sides, or stomachs. The oval opening is designed to intuitively adjust in width to prevent cold drafts, yet it won't restrict your natural sleeping position. Plus it's lighter than carrying two separate bags.
Backcountry Bed Duo Down
Price: $499US
Fill: 600 fill DriDown
Seasons: 2-season
Weight: 3-pounds, 12-ounces
Backcountry Bed Duo Synthetic
Price: $249
Fill: synthetic
Seasons: 1.5
Weight: 4-pounds 6-ounces
Stay tuned for full reviews of some of these products prior to Spring 2015.