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
Sierra Designs now