Big Agnes' Fly Creek UL2 Named Backpacker Mag's 2010 Editors' Choice Award Winner
March 3, 2010
Big Agnes, maker of innovative sleeping bags, pads, and tents has been honored as a recipient of a 2010 Backpacker magazine Editors’ Choice Award, the most prestigious award in the outdoor industry, given annually to products in recognition of their outstanding innovation in design, materials and/or performance.
Backpacker Editor-In-Chief Jonathan Dorn and his staff of editors and testers presented Big Agnes' Fly Creek UL2 tent with the award at the annual Outdoor Retailer Winter Market in Salt Lake City, Utah on Thursday, January 21st.
The Backpacker Editors’ Choice Awards, bestowed annually since 1993, honor the products that Backpacker editors have chosen as the best of the year based on months of trail testing by teams of highly experienced hikers and climbers. With no set categories for the awards and no set number of recipients, the products and the testing process drive the award categories.
Big Agnes' Fly Creek UL2 Tent was one of only 15 innovative products that have been honored with a 2010 Backpacker Editors’ Choice Award. The Fly Creek UL2 tent is a three season, free standing, ultralight backpacking tent weighing in at only 2lbs 2oz.
“In an era of dime-a-dozen digital gear reviews, consumers are looking for product evaluations that they can really trust,” said Editor-in-Chief Jonathan Dorn. “And no one does more than our test team to make sure that our selections earn the respect that Backpacker awards get. Led by Gear Editor Kristin Hostetter, the dozen or so core members of our crew hiked more than 15,000 miles this year, then finished our testing for Editors’ Choice with a 100-mile route through the Swiss Alps that entailed more than 60,000 feet of elevation gain, hours of waist-deep postholing, and weather conditions that challenged every piece of gear we packed. The result of the team’s hard work is a collection of smart, durable products that will deliver comfort and performance for many years to come.”
"Big Agnes is honored to be recognized by Backpacker for our Fly Creek UL2 tent. To be surrounded by such great competition and come out on top with the 2010 Editors' Choice is something that makes everyone at Big Agnes proud," says Bill Gamber, Big Agnes co-founder and president.
The Backpacker Editors’ Choice Awards are the gold standard against which all outdoor products are measured, and are a seal of approval that can help put an outdoor company or product on the proverbial map. Each year at the Outdoor Retailer show, retail buyers use the awards announcements as a must-buy shopping list, knowing that their customers will be asking for these products in the spring.
Since their inception, the Backpacker Editors’ Choice Awards have come to be regarded as the most sought-after award for outdoor equipment and apparel found in the industry. The impeccable outdoor credentials and rigorous field-testing standards of the Backpacker staff guarantee that these awards are an undisputed mark of quality for the companies and products selected.
All winners must excel under extensive field-testing conducted by Backpacker’s team of editors, who take hundreds of new products every year into the backcountry to put them to the test. This rigorous process ensures that the performance of the winners is truly worthy of distinction and meets the guiding principle behind the program: gear that is of real value to the readers of Backpacker magazine, who are very active, long-term outdoor enthusiasts.
The complete list of Backpacker 2010 Editors’ Choice Award winners will be officially announced to the general public in the magazine’s April Gear Guide issue, on newsstands March 2, 2010.
Backpacker (www.backpacker.com) brings the outdoors straight to the reader's doorstep, inspiring and enabling them to go more places and enjoy nature more often. The authority on active adventure, Backpacker is the world's first GPS-enabled magazine and website, and the only outdoor media whose editors personally test the hiking trails, camping gear, and survival tips they publish. Backpacker's Editors' Choice Awards, an industry honor recognizing design, feature and product innovation, has become the gold standard against which all other outdoor-industry awards are measured. And the magazine recently launched mobile media applications that allow users to text-message hiking maps and directions to their phones. In the last four years, Backpacker has won five National Magazine Awards, the publishing industry’s highest honor. In 2008, the magazine won the NMA for General Excellence, joining The New Yorker, Mother Jones, GQ, and National Geographic as top winners in their respective size categories. In 2009, it won three awards, including General Excellence Online. Backpacker has also won numerous other print, design, and digital awards, and its writers have been recognized in prestigious contests and best-of-the-year anthologies.
Men’s Journal Awards Big Agnes’ Tumble Mountain with 2010 Gear of the Year
December 11, 2009
Big Agnes® Inc., maker of innovative sleeping bags, pads and tents, has been awarded Men’s Journal “Best Gear of the Year” for the company’s Tumble Mountain 20° sleeping bag. Awarded products are selected by Men’s Journal editors with the end goal being to offer consumers insight on the most innovative new products for 2010.
“We are honored to receive the Men’s Journal award for the Tumble Mountain,” says Big Agnes co-founder, Bill Gamber. “Being recognized at the start of the new year for a product that just launched will not only help us gain exposure and recognition for the Tumble Mountain, but a host of other recycled products from Big Agnes’ Re-Routt Collection.”
The Tumble Mountain 20° sets a new standard for sleeping bags, featuring the patented Flow Construction by Big Agnes/Insotect revolutionizing down sleeping bag design. The patented Flow Construction eliminates lateral and vertical down shifting by using vertical chambers with internal Flow Gates to regulate fill positioning and density. Strategically placed Flow Gates inside the vertical chambers minimize vertical down shifting while vertical chambers themselves minimize lateral shifting. The continuous Flow chambers eliminate potential cold spots occurring with side seams and contour to the body for increased user comfort.
Additionally, the 2lb 13oz Tumble Mountain incorporates 725 down fill and both recycled fabrics and hardware. It features a 100% recycled rip-stop nylon shell and liner fabric. Drawstring cord and stuff sacks are also derived from recycled content. The Tumble Mountain 20° will be available at specialty retailers next month. The article detailing the “Best Gear of the Year” awards can be seen in the Men’s Journal December 09/January 10 issue currently on newsstands now.
Outside Buyer's Guide Taps Gore Pass 2 as Killer Value
April 20, 2009
The good folks at Outside Magazine tap several Big Agnes products in this years' Buyer's Guide but a Killer Value recognition for the new Gore Pass 2 is especially sweet. With great interior space, two doors and two vestibules the Gore Pass series is great for backpacking, car camping and all-around use. More good news on the way!
Follow Big Agnes on Twitter! -- http://www.twitter.com/Big_Agnes
April 14, 2009
We finally got ourselves on Twitter. We'll post product news, as well as cool trips folks are taking. Be sure to submit pics through our website and we'll put Tweets out showcasing the awesome places you are using your Big Agnes gear. http://www.twitter.com/Big_Agnes
Salt Creek 2 Snags Second Award - This Time "Hotness" Award From Urban Climber
March 23, 2009
Urban Climber Magazine recently named 11 climbing and outdoor equipment manufacturers as recipients of the magazine’s Annual “Hotness” Awards. The award-winning companies and their products are honored in Urban Climber’s 2009 Gear Guide issue, based on innovation, performance, and value.
Urban Climber Magazine is published 8 times per year by Skram Media, which also publishes Climbing, the #1 climbing publication and the Mountain Gazette, the leading mountain lifestyle publication.
Fly Creek UL1 wins "Best All-Around" tent in Backpacker Gear Guide
March 12, 2009
Backpacker also praised our Fly Creek UL1 solo tent in this years' Gear Guide. Tons of other good mentions in this issue so pick it up on the stand if you're not already a subscriber. The Gear Guide is truly the ultimate comparison guide for backpacking products.
Salt Creek 2 Recycled Tent Named Backpacker Editors' Choice Green
March 3, 2009
Big Agnes has been honored as a recipient of a 2009 Backpacker magazine Editors’ Choice Green Award, the most prestigious award in the outdoor industry, given annually to products in recognition of their outstanding innovation in design, materials and/or performance.
Backpacker Editor-In-Chief Jonathan Dorn and his staff of editors and testers presented Big Agnes with the award at the annual Outdoor Retailer Winter Market in Salt Lake City, Utah on January 22nd.
The Backpacker Editors’ Choice Awards, bestowed annually since 1993, honor the products that Backpacker editors have chosen as the best of the year based on months of trail testing by teams of highly experienced hikers and climbers. With no set categories for the awards and no set number of recipients, the products and the testing process drive the award categories.
Big Agnes’ Salt Creek Recycled tent was one of only 19 innovative products that have been honored with a 2009 Backpacker Editors’ Choice Award and the only tent named Green. The new Salt Creek Recycled 2 is a free standing, three-season, backpacking tent made with 100% recycled polyester fly, floor and mesh materials and features recycled hardware.
“This year’s winners withstood the most rigorous testing process yet,” said Editor-In-Chief Jonathan Dorn. “Our test team started off with over 50 new products, narrowing them down to a final 25 after months of trail-testing. The finalists were then taken on extreme outdoor adventures both in the mountains and on the coast of Wales, enduring a streak of epic weather conditions from wind-whipped days to rain-soaked nights. In fact, three tents alone were destroyed on this trip. Those that survived have earned the distinction of becoming the 2009 Editors’ Choice Award Winners.”
“Big Agnes is honored to be recognized by Backpacker for our Salt Creek Recycled tent. To be surrounded by such great competition in the ‘green’ category and come out on top as the ‘Best All-Around Green Product’ is something that makes everyone at Big Agnes proud. We hope that our efforts with our Re-Routt collection spur other manufacturers to push the boundaries of what’s possible with green product in the future.”
Big Agnes Commits to 100% Wind Power
February 15, 2009
We have recently increased our commitment to wind power by increasing our energy purchase with Yampa Valley Electric to 100% up from 51%. This applies to our headquarters on Oak Street in downtown Steamboat Springs as well as our off-site warehouse.
Backpacker Editors' Choice for Copper Spur UL3 Tent
March 11, 2008
Backpacker Magazine awarded our Copper Spur UL3 an Editors' Choice Award in their April, 2008 issue. Here's an excerpt of what they had to say; "The lightest, roomiest tent we tested this year. Enough said. With legit space for three sleepers, this tent weights just a pound and change per hiker - you simply won't find anything else this light, roomy, and weatherproof."
Backpacker Awards Second Editors' Choice Award to Big Agnes for Cyclone SL Chair Kit
March 11, 2008
Backpacker Magazine also awarded our Cyclone SL Chair Kit with an Editors' Choice Award in their April, 2008 issue. Here's an excerpt of what they had to say, "Never again do you have to choose between a heavy chair and a sore butt. The Cyclone weighs less than a New York City bagel and packs smaller than a three-piece fly rod. When coupled with an inflatable mattress, it becomes an instant backcountry recliner."
Skinny Fish Sleeping Bag Named Gear of the Year by National Geographic Adventure
January 1, 2008
National Geographic Adventure magazine recognized our Skinny Fish 20 degree recycled synthetic sleeping bag as one of its 2008 Gear of the Year picks.
Rock and Ice Magazine Recognizes Big Agnes with Sprout Award
December 15, 2007
Rock and Ice magazine recently gave Big Agnes a Sprout Award - recognizing environmental product construction and the Re-Routt Collection of products. Thanks to our supplier partners at Climashield, PrimaLoft and others as well as the editorial staff at Rock and Ice for knowing a good thing when they see it.
Men's Journal Gear of the Year for Emerald Mountain SL2
December 1, 2007
The Emerald Mountain Series continues to rack up awards this year with Men's Journal giving the SL2 its Gear of the Year award.
Outside Picks Emerald Mountain SL2 as Gear of the Year
June 1, 2007
Outside Magazine bestowed its highest honor upon the Emerald Mountain SL2 tent.
Outside Taps Battle Mountain Sleeping Bag as Green Gear of the Year
June 1, 2007
Outside recently awarded the Battle Mountain sleeping bag a Green Gear of the Year award.
Backpacker Gives Editors' Choice Award to Emerald Mountain SL3
March 15, 2007
Backpacker Magazine has awarded the Emerald Mountain SL3 tent its prestigious Editors' Choice Award. If one group of editors knows gear it's the great folks at Backpacker.
Blue Ridge Outdoors Taps Seedhouse SL2
March 1, 2007
Blue Ridge Outdoors has just tapped the Seedhouse SL2 for an Editors' Choice Award.
Men's Journal Picks Stagecoach Duffel as Gear of the Year
November 10, 2006
Men's Journal magazine included the new Stagecoach Rolling Duffel as one of its Gear of the Year picks in the December, 2006 issue. Here's what they said;
"The first bag offered by Big Agnes, a well-respected tent and sleeping bag maker, the Stagecoach merges roller blade-style wheels with backpack straps, highly water-resistent fabric, waterproof zippers, and welded seams that rival a river guide's dry bag. Although we don't recommend submersing it if you don't have to, the 5,100-cu-in hauler is the first roller we've seen that can weather blizzards, hurricanes, or spilled margaritas."
Dual Core Pad Wins Camping Life Award
May 15, 2006
The editors at Camping Life magazine recently recognized our Dual Core sleeping pads with their Golden Stake Editors' Choice Award for outstanding new products of the year. The awards were published in the May, 2006 issue. Thanks to the Camping Life crew!
Backpacker Picks Seedhouse SL2 as Top New-School Shelter
September 7, 2005
Backpacker magazine features an ultralight tent review, including the Seedhouse SL2, titled 'New-School Shelters' in the October, 2005 issue. The SL2 was awarded top score of all the tents reviewed. Here's what they had to say, "Freestanding, sturdy, and barely more than 3 pounds - tents like this are as rare as bikinis on Everest. It just doesn't get any lighter than this, not without sacrificing weather protection. The Seedhouse's single-hubbed pole/clip system sets up quickly without guesswork, and the taut pitch offers impressive stability. The solid pole structure, boosted by a few well-placed external guy lines, helped the Seedhouse stand strong in guys winds from Mt. Washington's Goat Rocks Wilderness to the southern Appalachians...." For the entire review please pick up a copy of Backpacker at your specialty outdoor retailer.
Seedhouse 3 Tent Receives Backpacker Best Buy Award
March 14, 2005
Our Seedhouse 3 tent received praise this year from the editors of Backpacker magazine. They awarded the tent their Best Buy rating in the 2005 Backpacker Gear Guide. Backpacker goes to great lenghts testing and evaluating products for this annual issue so we're pleased that they recognized yet another of our tents. Our Mad House 2 also received a Best Buy rating in the 2004 Backpacker Gear Guide.
Backpacker Editor's Choice Award for Insulated Air Core
April 15, 2004
Backpacker magazine recently awarded the Big Agnes Insulated Air Core its prestigious Editor's Choice Award. The awards are given each year to gear that lives up to the standards of the editorial crew and their field tests. Many thanks to the Backpacker crew for recognizing the weight, value and durability of these pads.
