Bring it out into the field, though, and it becomes way more. It's your retreat, your comfort, your black hole of respite. Most of us have been out on movements so long and so arduous that sliding into a dirty old fart sack was like checking into a Marriott.
NEMO Equipment has been working on a project to design sleeping bags that conform more to what we want to sleep in vs. the ultralight, alpine-inspired, performance-driven designs that have led to the mummy bag and other devices of sleep deprivation.
They've embarked on a project to make sleep systems that bring the needle back toward comfort and convenience while still keeping the throttle in the performance zone. The first bags in the line, Cannon, Pulse and Stratoloft, encompass this design philosophy by including features like dual-side zippers, removable hoods, sleeping pad slots, spoon shapes that split the performance difference between mummy and rectangular shapes, and waterproof/breathable bootboxes. The bags are shown above and are all subject to change and contain patent-pending features.
The bags are slated to hit store shelves in a year or two, after they've undergone rigorous design and testing, which is where you come in: NEMO is looking to bring aboard a group of gear testers to help in the next round of the sleeping bag designs. If you want to join NEMO's Adventure Product Testing Team, head over to the Facebook page and post a 3-minute video that explains why you'd make a great gear tester and includes a review of any product they choose. If you're chosen, you'll work directly with the NEMO design team on the upcoming sleeping bags.
My request? A leak-proof, integral urinal. Did I make the cut?
News release after the break.
moreNEMO Equipment, Inc., a leader in designing innovative tents, sleeping pads and backcountry accessories, is currently working on its next line of products, sleeping bags. In staying true to its mission of producing ground-breaking new designs, NEMO is offering shop employees and customers the opportunity to work alongside its design team and ambassadors to test its latest endeavor.
"Sleeping bags are a natural next step for us, and we saw a lot of room for new thinking," said NEMO president and lead designer, Cam Brensinger. We started by looking at the way people sleep at home; needless to say, very few people choose to sleep in a mummy position. Along with a new shape, we've incorporated many great design elements into the bags and we're excited to get our customers and retail partners more involved with the process. The testers we choose will be working directly with me and the design team. "
The Adventure Products Testing Team contest will be run through NEMO's Facebook page. Here, candidates can submit an online application and a <3 minute video stating why they would make a great gear tester, as well as giving a gear review of a product of their choice. Rules and application can also be found on the Facebook page. Submissions are due by 9/4/11. Winners will be selected on 9/13/11 based on a combination of input from NEMO's selection committee and the number of 'Likes' each video has.
NEMO was founded in 2002 by Cam Brensinger with the commitment to bringing the highest level of design and engineering to the world of outdoor adventure sports. In addition to its AirSupported Technology®, NEMO has patents pending for many of its products' features and accessories. NEMO tents can be found at local, national and international retailers, including Eastern Mountain Sports, REI, and Campsaver.
