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Tents are a marvel of engineering. With just a few pounds of nylon and aluminum, you have a wilderness-ready shelter that can withstand challenging conditions like snow, wind, rain, bugs, and even cold temperatures. Every year, top tent manufacturers push the boundaries further, innovating to cut weight and increase stability. To gain a better understanding of how these leading brands consistently bring innovative and unique products to market, I chatted with designers and company leaders at Big Agnes, NEMO Equipment, MSR, Stone Glacier, and Kifaru. We’ll continue these conversations with more top tent brands in the coming months.
Big Agnes
About Big Agnes
Based in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, Big Agnes is known in the backpacking community for producing high-quality, ultralight tents. Besides tents, they also make sleeping bags, sleep pads, camp furniture, backpacks, and apparel. I spoke with the company's owner, Bill Gamber, about their ultralight lineup and future plans.
Q: How did Big Agnes first get into making tents?
Gamber: We started almost twenty years ago, transitioning from the sleeping bag market to tents with the help of Bob Swanson, who founded Sierra Designs and Walrus Tents. We took an older model, the Walrus Rapeed XV I, and adapted it with newer materials to make it lighter and more marketable. This resulted in our first models, Seedhouse and Mad House. The lighter Seedhouse SL version significantly impacted the backpacking community.
Q: How do you approach designing a new tent?
Gamber: Our goal is to continually push lighter, while balancing market expectations for dependability and durability. We often deconstruct existing models to understand where we can shave ounces. Our strong partnerships with fabric suppliers also give us access to lightweight, durable materials that others might not have.
Q: How does Big Agnes ensure the quality of its tents for consumers?
Gamber: Our team regularly uses our products, giving us real-time feedback. Located in Steamboat Springs, we are fortunate to have immediate access to the outdoors, enabling us to test prototypes quickly and extensively.
Q: What do you think gets overlooked in the outdoor industry?
Gamber: Sustainability is essential. We use solution-dyed fabrics that reduce water waste and educate people on leaving no trace. We also maintain seventy miles of the Continental Divide Trail and work with the Forest Service on campsite management.
Q: What’s your most popular tent?
Gamber: The Copper Spur collection is our most popular due to its weight-to-size ratio.
Q: What’s your favorite tent, personally?
Gamber: I like the Copper Spur HV UL mtnGLO, which has built-in LED lights.
NEMO Equipment
NEMO Equipment, based in Dover, New Hampshire, is renowned for its innovative approach to outdoor gear. Besides tents, they produce sleeping bags, sleeping pads, furniture, and accessories. I spoke with founder and CEO Cam Bresinger about their design philosophy and sustainability efforts.
Q: How did NEMO Equipment first get into making tents?
Bresinger: After college, I traveled and sought to merge my interests and background in creative writing, physics, and art into one career, leading me to study industrial design. I realized that tents combined engineering and design, and thus NEMO was launched.
Q: How do you approach designing a new tent?
Bresinger: We emphasize a rich and iterative design process, combining tools like CAD, scale models, and prototypes. Our commitment is to never bring a product to market unless it offers real value to the user.
Q: How does NEMO Equipment ensure the quality of its tents for consumers?
Bresinger: We have extensive in-house testing facilities and partner with global agencies to ensure quality control. We also utilize NEMO ambassadors for field testing.
Q: What do you think gets overlooked in the outdoor industry?
Bresinger: Our industry has historically been exclusive. We need to ensure that the outdoors is accessible to everyone. Additionally, we must address our impact on climate change by investing in sustainable materials and processes.
Q: What is your most popular tent?
Bresinger: The Dagger and Hornet backpacking tents are very popular.
Q: What is your personal favorite tent?
Bresinger: The Aurora Highrise, which I use with my wife and kids.
Mountain Safety Research
Based in Seattle, Washington, Mountain Safety Research (MSR) has been at the forefront of mountaineering gear for decades. Besides tents, they produce backpacking stoves, snowshoes, and water purifiers. I spoke with their newest tent designer, Katie Nash, about the brand's direction.
Q: How did MSR first get into making tents?
Nash: MSR started with mountaineering tents but shifted focus to stoves and water filtration. In recent years, we recognized the need for high-quality backpacking and mountaineering tents, leading to innovations like the Hubba Hubba.
Q: How do you approach designing a new tent?
Nash: We start by defining problems and customer needs. Then, we iterate through prototypes, collaborating closely with manufacturers and engineers to perfect the design.
Q: How does MSR ensure the quality of their tents for consumers?
Nash: We have an in-house repairs and warranty team. We run extensive tests, including humid aging for fabrics. Field testing is integral, involving both staff and external volunteers.
Q: What do you think gets overlooked in the outdoor industry?
Nash: The industry needs to be more inclusive and cater to diverse needs. Additionally, transitioning back to bio-based materials could be beneficial.
Q: What is your most popular tent?
Nash: The Hubba Hubba is our most popular tent.
Q: What is your personal favorite tent?
Nash: I prefer the lighter Freelite, especially the new model.
Stone Glacier
Stone Glacier, based in Bozeman, Montana, designs lightweight, durable gear for backcountry hunters. Besides tents, they make backpacks, apparel, sleeping bags, and quilts. I spoke with founder and lead designer Kurt Racicot about their design process.
Q: How did Stone Glacier first get into making tents?
Racicot: Initially, we focused on backpacks. Over time, we saw opportunities to improve apparel and tents for hunters. We designed our first tent with high elevation and four-season use in mind.
Q: How do you approach designing a new tent?
Racicot: We start by considering the intended use. From there, we refine the design by iterating through prototypes and field tests to ensure durability and functionality.
Q: How does Stone Glacier ensure the quality of its tents for consumers?
Racicot: I personally design, sew, and field-test our products, ensuring rapid and thorough prototyping.
Q: What do you think gets overlooked in the outdoor industry?
Racicot: Customer feedback and service are often neglected. Listening and responding to customers is vital for improvement.
Q: What is your most popular tent?
Racicot: The two-person Skyscraper is our most popular and versatile tent.
Q: What is your personal favorite tent?
Racicot: The Solus, a one-person, four-season tent, is my favorite.
Kifaru
Kifaru, based in Wheat Ridge, Colorado, produces 100 percent U.S.A.-made tents and backpacks. I spoke with president Aron Snyder about their teepees and shelters.
Q: How did Kifaru first get into making tents?
Snyder: Our founder, Patrick Smith, pioneered floorless heated tents inspired by Native American teepees. His need for a shelter with a stove led to our entry into the tent market.
Q: How do you approach designing a new tent?
Snyder: We design products based on firsthand needs and experiences from our extensive outdoor activities, often creating prototypes in the field.
Q: How does Kifaru ensure the quality of their tents for consumers?
Snyder: We rigorously test raw materials and finished products for waterproofing, abrasion resistance, and wind stability.
Q: What do you think gets overlooked in the outdoor industry?
Snyder: The close collaboration between users and designers is essential but often lacking.
Q: What is your most popular tent?
Snyder: The Sawtooth is our best seller.
Q: What is your personal favorite tent?
Snyder: I most frequently use the Supertarp.
About Hilleberg
Hilleberg, based in Frösön, Sweden, has been producing durable tents for over fifty years. I spoke with CEO Petra Hilleberg about the brand's commitment to quality.
Q: How did Hilleberg first get into making tents?
Hilleberg: My father, an avid outdoorsman, was dissatisfied with available tents. He designed his own, leading to the creation of Hilleberg with my mother's sewing skills and factory setup in Sweden.
Q: How do you approach designing a new tent?
Hilleberg: We focus on solving problems and meeting needs, followed by rigorous physical testing. Our tents must be set up easily by one person in harsh conditions.
Q: How does Hilleberg ensure the quality of its tents for consumers?
Hilleberg: We perform multi-layer testing, long-term field tests, and maintain quality control in our Estonia factory, where each tent is made by one person and thoroughly inspected.
Q: What do you think gets overlooked in the outdoor industry?
Hilleberg: Function and longevity often get overshadowed by trends. We prioritize sustainable and durable products to ensure lasting functionality.
Q: What’s your most popular tent?
Hilleberg: The Keron 4 GT and Akto are popular, but it varies based on needs and preferences.
Q: What’s your favorite tent, personally?
Hilleberg: Choosing a favorite tent is like choosing between my children, so I can’t pick just one.
FAQs
Q: What are the best tent brands?
Beyond Big Agnes, NEMO Equipment, Big Agnes, Stone Glacier, and Kifaru, there are several other excellent and innovative tent manufacturers, such as Hilleberg, TarpTent, Zpacks, and Mountain Laurel Designs. We’ll continue this series with those brands in the upcoming months.
Q: What makes a tent brand exceptional?
Exceptional tent brands push the limits of engineering with state-of-the-art materials and a deep understanding of outdoor conditions year-round.
Q: Are the best tent brands worth it?
While premium tent brands can be significantly more expensive, they offer unparalleled protection, durability, and peace of mind for serious outdoors enthusiasts.
Final Thoughts
Over the last two decades, the best tent brands have pushed industry boundaries, creating innovative, lighter, and stronger products. The next generation of leaders will continue to build on these advancements for an even broader range of environments and applications.
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