Introduction
Imagine designing hundreds of tents, dozens of backpacks, and several sleeping bags for some of the best-known outdoor gear makers. Along the way, you invent many features still found on tents, packs, and sleeping bags today while earning over a dozen patents. That’s Mike Cecot-Scherer, who has designed camping equipment for more than three decades and continues consulting with the big manufacturers.
But a few years ago, Mike wanted to make products that nobody else would. He started thetentlab.com to make and sell his unusual MoonLight tents, plus the well-known Deuce ultralight potty trowels.
We spoke by telephone on September 29, 2020, for nearly three hours, covering a variety of topics. This story is on standards; previously, we covered tent design; and a future story will cover potty trowel design and a nearly-forgotten but innovative backpack. Our conversation was edited for clarity and length.
Member's Only Content
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- Flammability
- Gore-Tex Doesn't Burn Correctly
- Canadian Standard Goes Down in Flames
- Retailer Guarantees and Burning a Tent or Two
- Weight Standards
- Dimension Standards
- Heads are Not Pointy Little Things
- Volume Standards
- Waterproofness
- Misunderstood Standards
- Playing Favorites
- Conclusion
- More Information
- Related Content
Member's only version is 2,831 words and includes 12 photographs and/or illustrations.