Sierra Designs Backcountry Bed 800 shines, takes home coveted Outside Magazine and GearInstitute.com awards

Presented during the Outdoor Retailer Trade Show, Outside’s Gear of the Show and GearInstitute.com’s Best New Gear Awards honor new thinking and innovative design

BOULDER, COLO. (For Immediate Release) – Sierra Designs, industry leader in outdoor equipment and apparel innovation, is honored to take home two awards from the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market Trade Show in Salt Lake City. The new for spring 2014 Backcountry Bed 800 sleeping bag won both an Outside Magazine Gear of the Show Award and a GearInstitute.com Best New Gear Award.

Both of these awards are intended to highlight new thinking and innovative design in products that have yet to hit the market. Editors at both publications anticipate superior performance and comfort from the Backcountry Bed and are eager to begin field testing this zipperless solution to the monumental deficiencies associated with the traditional mummy-style sleeping bag.

“We set out to change the way backpackers sleep in the backcountry by reimagining what a sleeping bag could be and we’re glad the editors at Outside and Gear Institute were impressed with the results,” said Michael Glavin, VP of Sierra Designs. “We’re honored by both of these awards and we’ll look forward to working with both publications on field tests and reviews moving forward.”

With thousands of new products launching during the show, it requires something really outstanding to receive one of five Outside Gear of the Show Awards and one of 16 Gear Institute Best New Gear Awards.

“The purpose of the GearInstitute.com Best New Gear awards is to honor the most innovative, exciting products being introduced at the Outdoor Retailer Show–products we feel will set the standards and start the trends for the industry going forward,” said Justin Nyberg, Editor with GearInstitute.com. “We believe the unique design and quality materials used in the Sierra Designs Backcountry Bed 800 will have a significant impact on how sleeping bags are built in the future.”

Designed to work more like a bed and less like a sleeping bag, the Backcountry Bed 800 features a unique, zipperless construction with access provided through a large opening in the top. An oversized, integrated comforter seals this opening, allowing you to sleep comfortably and intuitively on your back, side, or stomach… a feat that is impossible to accomplish with a traditional mummy bag. The comforter can either be tucked in on cold nights or un-tucked when the weather is warmer. The Backcountry Bed is offered in 2-season (30⁰) and 3-season (15⁰) models in a choice of 600 or 800 fill DriDown™ insulation.

With a new team at the helm, Sierra Designs is relaunching the entire brand for spring 2014. Committed to only 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. Forgoing traditional mummy-style bags and double wall tents while introducing some of the most innovative apparel advancements yet, Sierra Designs is set to change the way the world looks at backpacking gear. The Backcountry Bed is one component in an entirely new product offering.

About Sierra Designs:
Founded in 1965 at the beginning of the golden age of backpacking and climbing, Sierra Designs draws on an extensive heritage to create innovative, technologically-advanced outdoor equipment to compliment any active, outdoor lifestyle. With years of experience designing best in class tents, sleeping bags, and apparel, Sierra Designs has been to every corner of the world, from the highest peaks in the Himalaya to the campground down the road. Whether you’re an ultralight hiker, world-class mountaineer, or recreational camper, Sierra Designs has you covered. (www.SierraDesigns.com).

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