{"id":23431,"date":"2018-02-09T01:16:05","date_gmt":"2018-02-09T09:16:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/?p=23431"},"modified":"2018-11-11T22:05:41","modified_gmt":"2018-11-12T06:05:41","slug":"first-look-innovation-at-big-agnes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/camp\/first-look-innovation-at-big-agnes","title":{"rendered":"Big Agnes Debuts New Tiger Wall Tent & Sleeping Gear"},"content":{"rendered":"

Lighter, comfier, better. It\u2019s the gear we want this season<\/strong><\/p>\n

Big Agnes is a company obsessed with getting you outdoors in comfort. The newest set of Big Agnes backpacking gear for spring\u2014the Insulated AXL Air sleeping pad, Upper Slide and Katherine SL 20 sleeping bags and the Tiger Wall UL2 tent\u2014definitely delivers on that mission.<\/p>\n

From a pad that is just as thick but 25 percent lighter to synthetic sleeping bags that drape like down and a featherlight tent with plenty of room, these three pieces of gear are truly made with comfort in mind.<\/p>\n

When Big Agnes employees talk about comfort in the outdoors, you can sense their excitement\u2014they live to create rad gear. \u201cWe\u2019re authentic because we can\u2019t help ourselves. We\u2019re a bunch of little kids who like what we do,\u201d said Garth Evans, Big Agnes sales manager.<\/p>\n

Many ideas come straight from their environment. \u201cOur location in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, breeds innovation within our products,\u201d said Garett Mariano, Big Agnes\u2019 marketing director. \u201cWe\u2019ve had tents evolve on recent employee backpacking trips. Bill Gamber, our co-founder and president, didn\u2019t like the way a zipper was working and redesigned the door during the trip.\u201d<\/p>\n

We talked with Big Agnes about what makes these products unique.<\/p>\n

Insulated AXL Air Pad<\/strong><\/a><\/h4>\n

\"Insulated<\/p>\n

When asked what makes the Insulated AXL (Awesome Xtra Light) Air Pad most impressive, Garett couldn\u2019t pick one thing. Not only is it super light (11.9 ounces for the regular size) and rolls up to the size of a soda can, it\u2019s comfortable too. The outer edges are taller than the inside of the pad, cradling you in the center for a more restful night of sleep. The larger outer edges also make for comfy nights in your hammock\u2014in case you prefer sleeping above the ground.<\/p>\n

Even better? It is quiet\u2014unlike many other lighter pads on the market, thanks to the fabric Big Agnes uses. The aviation-grade TPU lamination plus high-tenacity ripstop nylon shell means that the fabric is 25 percent stronger than their other pads while still decreasing trail weight. \u201cThe AXL air pads are the lightest-weight full-featured pads on the market. … I never thought anyone would be able to make something as comfortable as our Q-Core SLX at more than 25 percent less weight. We definitely pushed the envelope with this one,\u201d said Big Agnes designer Will McElwain. It’s also garnering industry recognition\u2014the Insulated AXL Air Pad received a\u00a0Backpacker<\/em>\u00a0Editors\u2019 Choice 2018 award.<\/p>\n

Big Agnes Pro Tip:\u00a0<\/strong>Although very durable, since the AXL pads use some of the lightest materials possible, care needs to be taken when using and storing them (just as you would with any air pad). Clear your campsite of any sharp objects and store them in the included storage sack for a little extra protection in your gear closet or pack.<\/p>\n

Insulated:<\/em> Yes
\nPacked Size:<\/em> Regular: 3 x 6.5 inches
\nPad Thickness:<\/em> 3.75 inches
\nDimensions:<\/em> Regular: 20 x 72 x 3.75 inches
\nWeight:<\/em> Regular: 11.9 ounces<\/p>\nShop the AXL Air<\/path><\/svg><\/a><\/span>\n

1101 Series Bags Katherine<\/a> (Women\u2019s) and Upper Slide<\/a> (Men\u2019s) SL 20 Sleeping Bags<\/strong><\/h4>\n

\"Upper<\/p>\n

Backpacking gets easier with these synthetic bags. They keep their loft, even after sustained compression\u2014which is necessary for longer trips. Big Agnes has achieved this through the exclusive use of the new PrimaLoft\u00ae Black Insulation Hi-Loft Ultra\u2014which is a fancy name for 80 percent recycled synthetic insulation with super fluffy loft that keeps you toasty warm. It also packs down small (it compresses down to just 11.6 liters for the women\u2019s regular), so you can take it on a one-nighter or thru-hike.<\/p>\n

Plus, Big Agnes designed the bag so that it drapes over your body the way a down bag does. \u201cIt took many in-house mock-ups, full samples and working closely with our manufacturing partner to finally find the right construction,\u201d said Big Agnes designer Sally Gentling. \u201cThe bags have some body mapping, meaning there is extra loft in the torso and feet where you need it, but a more simple construction in the areas you compress when using the bag, like the back.\u201d Add in the minimal exterior stitching, and you have a sleeping bag that actually sheds water instead of drops getting stuck in stitch marks, making it perfect for damp trips.<\/p>\n

These sleeping bags are part of Big Agnes\u2019 1101 Collection\u2014inspired by the 3,100-mile long Continental Divide Trail (CDT) that winds from Mexico to Canada. A portion of proceeds from this collection will benefit the Continental Divide Trail Coalition, an organization dedicated to protecting the CDT. Big Agnes has also adopted a 75-mile section near the company\u2019s Steamboat Springs headquarters and has committed to maintaining and protecting that section through partnership with nonprofits in the area and through spending plenty of time on the trail helping to remove debris.<\/p>\n

Big Agnes\u2019 Pro Tip: <\/strong>Just like any other kind of bag, be kind to the insulation, dry it out and don\u2019t leave it stuffed in the small stuff sack for long periods of time.\u00a0\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n

Temperature Rating:<\/em> 20 degrees F
\nWeight:<\/em> Women\u2019s Regular: 3 lbs. 8 oz.; Men\u2019s Regular: 2 lbs. 13 oz.
\nInsulation Type:<\/em> Synthetic
\nSleeping Bag Shape:<\/em> Mummy
\nCompressed Volume:<\/em> Women\u2019s Regular: 11.6 liters; Men\u2019s Regular: 14.4 liters<\/p>\n

Shop the Upper Slide<\/path><\/svg><\/a><\/span>Shop the Katherine<\/path><\/svg><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Tiger Wall UL2 Tent<\/strong><\/a><\/h4>\n