Compass: Charting the Evolution of Outdoor Gear

Sierra Designs History

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1965

Sierra Designs founded by George Marks and Bob Swanson in Point Richmond, California

Release their version of the 60/40 Mountain Parka

1966

Open first retail store

1968

Release the Double Mummy Sleeping Bag

1971

Move to Berkeley, California

1976

Release Starflight A-frame tent

1977

Release the Airflex dome tent, first to utilise a combination of bent and straight poles

Release Octodome dome tent

Release Cloud Series Down Bag, first USA bag with 700 goose down, contoured hood and tuck stitching

1979

Release technical outdoor clothing with waterproof/breathable Gore-Tex fabric

1982

Debut tents using Swift-Clips, allowing tents to be staked out before erecting in high winds

1983

Release Flashlight Tent, first 2 person,"ultralight" design to drop below the four-pound (1.8 kg) weight

1987

Meteor Light tent released

1989

introduce Super Flash tent, three pole, winter version of the Flashlight (aka Clip Flash)

1993

President, Jack Gilbert; Vice President of Design, Paul Kramer; and other SD staff resign to start Mountain Hardwear

1994

Move to Emeryville, California

1995

Release Womens specific sleeping bags tailored to fit a woman's shape and warmth needs

1996

Debut tents using Clip-Locks, that lock poles at the intersection to improve tent strength by 60%

1999

Release Flex sleeping bags allowing unrestricted movement from side, belly and back (under licence from Mont-Bell)

2000

Release lightest one person tent, UltraLight Year CD, with Easton Ultralite Aluminum Carbon poles, 30% lighter poles

2001

Debut tent with Jake's Corner system, which increases tent strength by 40% and eliminates pole rotation

2002

Release Hercules AST tent, over 66% stronger than other tent in class, up to 100 mph in Wind Tunnel testing

2003

Move to Rocky Mountains

2004

Tents offered with Tent Guard with Ultra Fresh, said to prevent growth of odor and stain causing fungus, mildew and bacteria

2005

Reverse Combi tent technology

2006

DAC Featherlite NSL Poles, with pole section inserts that increase flexibility, reduce breakage, save weight and add strength

Debut Quick Pitch Swivel Hub locks poles in place and increases the overall tent strength

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