Teaser: Sierra Designs Flex Capacitor 40-60 backpack – Skurka

Nick,

Thanks for your great perspective and input.

Wish more people would be supportive of new ideas and products vs. immediately looking for ways to tear the idea down or place accusations.

The fact is, more products means more choices for the consumer.

Many of the products might not be right for YOU, so move on and focus on what YOU need vs. wasting time picking apart the product or idea that is does not work for YOU.

I am not in the market for anything new, but I am thrilled to see that Andrew has found a way to use his vast experience and knowledge to earn some money AND to help create products that incorporates what he has learned.

We could only be so luck as Andrew to have a job that combines a life passion and offers the rewards of creating products that empowers others to get out into nature.

So great for SD and Andrew….looking forward to see what innovations they bring.

I know that some of the products will not be what I need, but others might.

I have been keeping an eye on their rain gear….the rain chaps and companion jacket might work for me.

Tony

Constructive critisism of both products and peoples actions make both better in the long run if folks can shed their vanity and pride and correct mistakes.

Mindless fanboyism…not so much.:)

James +1…..constant improvement is a hallmark of any good company.

I just find the tone of many threads on BPL to be disheartening and a departure from how the website was not too long ago.

One of the reasons why I am not on BPL as much as I used to be.

Tony

Lots of designs are somewhat copies of existing designs or improvement on existing designs or concepts.  Some might out right be copies of designs, some might be inspired by a design, or some might be designs that while similar are actually derived completely independently of each other.

Tarptent Moment – Hilleburg Enan

Hilleburg Atko – Tarptent Scarp

Golite SL2 – MLD Superfly – MSR Twin Sisters – Black Diamond Betalight

Golite SL5 – MLD Supermid – Oware 9×9 Mid – Locus Gear – MHG Ultamid 4

MLD Duomid – Locus Gear

Wonderlust Nomad – Lighthart Gear

While initially Sierra Designs High Route and Tarptent Stratosphere look very similar, upon closer inspection they are a little more different than first meets the eye.  I like seeing good new designs in the market and I think the Sierra Designs High Route Tent has a niche market.

As for the pack, it doesn’t look like a bad design.  I am not likely to be upgrading my Unaweep soon, but then again there will always be a place for a decent $200 pack, especially one that you can find on sale from time to time.

Speaking to the products themselves, they have merit..

The Shelter if made in UL fabrics as an “,Elite ” series model, could be competitive with other Cottage products in terms of space to weight ratio.

The pack looks interesting and if an accessory clip on front pocket could be developed, it could be one of the better all purpose packs out there.

The big news for me is the news that the Clip Flashlight will be available again in 2017..:) Great tent!

I could swear a Stephenson Warmlite looks a lot like a Conestoga wagon. ;^)

Clip Flashlight returning?? Loved it. It was my first tent that got me out backpacking. Lasted years and years. Now if they would only make one with a side door.  East Coast camping does better with double wall tents, at least for me.

I’d say it has a lot going for it, especially at it’s price point.

I really, really love what SD has been doing with their designs.  In fact, I personally believe the Lightning 2FL solves, or at least mitigates the best, the hybrid tent condensation issues as they put the double wall directly over the head of the person (as opposed to it being on the sides).

Where I am frustrated is with the weight and sizes.  For example, the pack looks appealing but it’s not even an option as I have a torso in the 22.5″ range.  The Lightning 2 FL is a wonderful concept and design but there is no 1P version and the 2P is too heavy to consider for a long distance hike (I really wanted to take it on my AT hike). I will continue to use the Lightning on overnight hikes where weight isn’t as important.