New Down Quilt from Sierra Designs with built in hood and hand pockets

Hello Michael.

I have to say I find it encouraging that there are members of more "established" enterprise like yourself involved here at BPL. Despite my tongue-in-cheek "naked" comment, I think it helps balance the equation. And while Tim may be hyperventilating momentarily, competition is ultimately the best driving force for innovation.

Good on you.

Is that how I came off?

-Tim

LOL. I apologize Tim. I didn't mean to emasculate you. I think you were gracious and inviting.

Honestly I think, particularly here on BPL, SD would be on the under-dog card. Although, now that we know who was the original EnLIGHTened ….

>The Microlight is a tough one for us, because it is the best selling item in our line-up. In fact, we just met today to discuss what to do with that item, because nobody on our team likes this item. Is it a leaky rainjacket, or a sweaty wind jacket? Either way, it does not belong in the backcountry, and thus cannot survive in the new SD line.

>I am not sure what we are going to do about it, but rest assured we will make it great, or it will be out the door like the rest of the stuff we just dropped. We just need a little more time on this one.

Michael,
Thank you for the response. I am not sure I expected one as thorough as this!

I obviously don't know anything about running a brand but I think it's pretty important to maintain the price point that the Microlight fulfills, despite not liking the jacket as it is currently.

There are lots of people who can not or will not spend what it takes to get a "good" rain or wind jacket whatever that means these days, and it would be a shame to give up that segment. Obviously upgrading the Microlight while maintaining its price point is a challenge, and I look forward to seeing the result! You probably would not be surprised to know that the Microlight tainted the SD brand at our store among those who never had exposure to other, better SD stuff, but it could be a key player in bringing the SD image up to new heights.

You've really set the bar high for yourself by coming and talking to us about your plans to take SD in a new direction. I hope you will be able to continue to share morsels of knowledge from time to time with us as I really appreciate getting some insider insight.

It looks to me as the quilt is flawed in design. The area above the foot box widens out to quickly in a big u. Don't most come out more gradually in a v. The prolite video makes it look like it is going to be tough to get it and keep it tucked at the knees. I may be wrong just calling it as I see it.

Michael
Is SD changing all of their tent line also, or just their apparel?

Ben

Count me as one of the folks initially skeptical about the motives of a for-profit company (I'm completely with Justin on this one…couldn't have said it better myself about the relentless worshipping of greater and greater profit), but I am very excited to see what SD comes up with. My first high-end sleeping bag was a SD and I loved it…

Glad to see you are here, and I hope to see you involved in the forums a bit. One of the reasons I am happy to spend my cash at the cottage companies is because it's nice to see them as people…and not these faceless corporate entities. Even the ones who crucify themselves on the forums…they know who they are…still give an actual face to their product; for me that helps me decide who deserves my money.

Good luck on the product launch.

"I'm not a fan of greed, and i see that is so pervasive and dominant in the corporate world…"

If you want to make more, more, more, don't create a backpacking gear company

create a big bank, oil company or pharmaceutical company : )

I'm really really interested in the SD quilt. What temp rating are you going for with it and what's the MSRP going to be (or ballpark?).

I have a Sierra Designs dual-temp sleeping bag currently that I'm looking to replace with a quilt. The bag is probably close to 20 years old now. One side of the bag is rated for 30F and the other 50F, or something like that. I used it all through Scouting, and now that I'm back as an ASM for the local troop I'm looking to update my gear with something a bit lighter and warmer. As a side sleeper, my biggest concern with moving to a quilt is how I'm gonna keep covered.

Hey Tim,

"Is that how I came off?"

No

But that's how I do.
So I'll be the first to step on corporate company's crap they sell and force me to make my own stuff.

"To us, the whole goal of going lighter and simpler is because lighter and simpler is MORE COMFORTABLE. When lighter is LESS comfortable."

You know, that just nails the big company motto to the tee.
I don't even see this being the attitude they have though, I just see it as building an item to be able to have the least complaints or the best reviews from the likes of people who will never get their base down to U/L (well maybe on paper they do).

All this is is an advertisement for the product.

However, most people at this site are only U/L on paper as well, so this is more than welcome on this site.

Man do I love my homemade 19 ounce quilt with 12 ounces of down even more now.

Of course this is just how I come off and I'm just kidding.
As a maker of 10 quilts, all of them each a lot different than the other, I love items that are not just plain and don't fill much of a niche. I love the built in hood and how it works. Genius… All this for 3 ounces over an 850 fill with 10D fabric is awesome.
I would like to know if that weight is accurate?
I've seen a lot of bags that are no where near the claimed weight.

http://www.utahoutside.com/2013/08/sierra-designs-at-outdoor-retailer-summer-market-2013/

Looks like the backcountry quilt is sub 2 pounds and rated to 30 degrees F.

Prolite Gear video says it's 1 pound 7 ounces.

Thanks Aaron. I had watched it a few days ago, but forgot the weight ; ).

Lots of comments and answers to questions above:

Someone mentioned the logo:

Mark: Regarding the "non v" shape of the quilt footbox: I thought the same thing. I tried it, it worked for me and all our testers. I have one here I will send you to try if you will send it back. Let me know.

Quilt specs: The quilt has been EN rated (yes you can do that with quilts) at 28 degrees. It weighs 1 pound 7 ounces, has 11 ounces of 800 fill dridown, has a 20d nylon ripstop shell and costs $259.

There is a lot of talk here about this quilt, but the coolest item in the new SD line is not a quilt, its a bed. You can catch a glimpse if you go to sierradesigns.com and type "backcountry bed" in the search field. Since I know I will get asked the 30 degree version of that is a flat 2.0 pounds and costs $349. There is a 600 fill version at $249 that weighs more.

ALL SD tents in 2014 are new. There are no double wall tents and no traditional vestibules in the line. All are single/hybrid walls. Gear storage is external, but does not block the door and is accessible from inside and out. You can get in and out of all the tents through a single door, you can leave the door open in all but the worst weather due to a unique door that is more of a wall/door/vent/window. You can cook safely while you are in the tent (though I won't be able to promote that due to CPAI-84). There are two freestanding versions, but the coolest and most applicable to this crowd is the new Flashlight (mentioned above) which is 2 lbs 15oz minimum weight (trekking pole set up), 2 door, 2 awning, 2 gear closet and BIG! It's $359, but there is a $259 version that is exactly the same except for less expensive heavier materials. If we made it out of really light fabric, It could probably be 2lbs 5, but for now the lightest is 30d with PU coating and 40d floors, taped. Here is a pic:

Aaron: I make my own stuff too: its really the only way to get EXACTLY what you want when you are particular. It IS an advertisement! I LOVE this stuff!

Michael,

What are the floor specs of your tents? LxWxH please? All your old one were about 84" or less long. Too small for us 6'4 guy. I hope you have a 90" plus long!?
Thanks for your time.
Ammon

The Flashlight shown is 90" long!

90" long
50" wide at head
46" wide at foot
46" peak height
32" triangular gear closets (3.3 feet squared each)
39 square feet interior
Included vertical poles add 6 ounces
2 pounds 15 ounces minimum
3 pound 5 ounce packed

Michael,

You have my attention. I look forward to seeing what else you come up with for the 2014 line.

Andrew

some great features on that quilt. Love the hood. But ,as already pointed out, the footbox entry looks too wide to not allow draughts in easily .

I have a sample available for testing and comment by any user if this forum who will actually use the bag soon (like next weekend, my window for any changes is almost closed), who is legitimately concerned about the footbox, and will send it back to me quickly with thoughtful comments based on your experience. Again, I have not experienced or heard about any issue with the footbox design, most testers were not as experienced with quilts as many of you. But if there are improvements to discover…….

I'll sleep in it again tonight and focus on this area and let you know what I think. It's cold here is Spokane, so it should be a good testing night…..

My problem is that I find many foot boxes to be too small to accommodate a pair of size 15 feet without crushing the insulation.

All:

Based on the comments above, I just spent some time looking at all the various quilts in my gear closet, specifically focusing on the "closure" of the underside of the footbox. First, some of the footboxes are deeper than others, the BCQ is about "medium" in its length, and on the large side of girth. In terms of closure, the V shape footboxes attempt to roll the quilt under you, and are effective at the footbox but obviously flop open towards the top. The BCQ is different in that the handpockets create a full-length fold under of the edge of the bag, show here:

This folds the edge of the quilt under for the entire length of the bag, especially for stomach and side sleepers like me who will tend to keep their hands in the pockets most of the time, tensioning the edge and folding the side under. Now, if it twists at the foot, you will get drafts right at the top of the footboy, but no more so than quilts with a shorter footboy and a V shape. We could, of course, add more material to make it a V shape, or lengthen the footbox, but this would add weight. Or the term we use in our team of corporate greed: "It's a dollar and an ounce".

My conclusion continues to be that it's good to go as-is, but the offer for additional perspective still stands…

Hard to have a viable opinion without actually seeing or using the thing, but in the video it really looks like the bottom end of the quilt flops open exposing the underside of the foot-box quite a bit as he adjusts. I am an "active" sleeper so for a quilt meant to go below freezing that would be a big concern for me.

The underside of a Katabatic quilt comes to a "V" on its way to the foot-box (and BTW is shaped to not flop open at the top), but an additional feature is an slightly elastic adjustable strap with flat hardware placed a few inches above the joining of the "V". I always thought that was a smart low-weight design feature to address a similar concern.

(I took this photo from Hendrik for illustration)

Also, looking at the underside of your quilt I cannot make out how your neck closure works. Does the system rely on just the hand pockets to cinch the top?

Michael ,

I live in Richland Washington and I would love to test this out and also my brother; both from the Tri cities we are going to Lake Roosevelt next weekend at my brothers property.
We both use the Exped Dream Walkers 250 and would love to review and compare them. We are both 6 foot one guys. I will sent you a pm with more info
Ammon Bruce

Also this is a cool way to advertise,but if we could get the 2014 Dealer Workbook sent to us with all the specs. If you have so many new items; let us Christmas shop the catalog. Most smaller retailers will not carry everything you will sell. That way we can compare notes! I have my fingers crossed!

Got your message. Coming your way on Monday…..