Therm-a-Rest 50th Anniversary
Therm-a-Rest has been an iconic industry leader in backcountry sleeping solutions for 50 years. With such a significant milestone it's the perfect time to reflect on the tremendous innovation that Therm-a-Rest has undergone.
Over the past five decades, although the products themselves have seen great transformation, Therm-a-Rest's dedication to relentlessly pursuing a warm and supportive night's sleep has not wavered. Ever since their founding in 1972, with the world's first self-inflating sleeping pad, Therm-a-Rest has not stopped pushing the envelope of what outdoor gear is capable of.
Their product design has been consistently driven by a genuine desire to help recreationist get a better night's sleep and that means making sure that you are both warm enough and comfortable enough. One of the most notable innovations was “Project Tiger”, lead by an idea from Jim Marson looking to take a step beyond the trendy cold, wobbly, and unstable air mattresses that had gained so much traction in the mid-2000’s. Not even Marson knew just how significant of an impact his project would have until it was launched in 2009 as the cornerstone NeoAir®. As you all know now, this development greatly expanded the possibilities of what compact insulation in a sleeping pad could look like in the outdoor industry.
The Triangular Core Matrix cycles warm air between a reflective divider and the person sleeping. Meanwhile, the cold air from the ground does the same and is separated from the warm air. This technology creates a strong resistance to heat loss and is very lightweight.
Since the original launch of NeoAir®, Therm-a-Rest has increased the volume of their lightweight inflatable sleeping pads. Along the way they realized that something else also needed to change to keep up too, the valve! That is when the WingLock™ and TwinLock™ came into play to drastically decrease the time and effort it takes to inflate and deflate your sleeping pad. The combination of structural support and insulation that Therm-a-Rest sleeping pads provide combined with their high performance sleeping bags have made Therm-a-Rest a power house in the ever growing sleep system market.
To give you some context into our sleeping bag development, for every sleeping pad that we have ever tested, we have also tested a sleeping bag. It’s that dedication to research and creativity that has given us the opportunity to build some of the most unique and compelling sleeping bags that you can find. Covering a variety of temperature ranges, fit styles, and price points, there really is something for everyone!
We live in a golden age of gear. The hundreds of brands pushing forward technology, performance, style and innovative ideas never ceases to amaze us. Still, very few brands can claim the legacy of having invented a completely unique outdoor product. 50 years ago, our friends Therm-a-Rest introduced the very first insulated self-inflating sleeping pad, and changed the way we camp. Join us in celebrating 50 years of this iconic brand and sleeping in comfort under the stars!