Mountain Equipment Introduces Alpine Climbing Packs, Sleeping Bags and Pads to its Spring 2018 Collection

June 10, 2017

Markham, ON — Mountain Equipment, designer and manufacturer of outdoor gear and apparel, announced today that after a decade, they are reintroducing packs into their collection for spring 2018. Mountain Equipment is also expanding its sleeping bag collection to include more down bags as well as synthetic insulated bags and sleeping pads. The new equipment will be available at retailers in North America starting April 2018.

PACKS:

“Reintroducing packs to our collection is not something we’ve taken lightly. Our new alpine climbing packs are a result of three years of testing and more than 35 different prototypes,” said Colin Sanders, Mountain Equipment’s North American Director. “Every aspect of their design and functionality has been tested by our team, pro partners and experienced mountain guides in the field.”

Mountain Equipment’s new Tupilak pack series are designed specifically for climbers and mountaineers who demand simple and functional design, and need them to perform on rock, ice and mixed ground conditions. The series includes the Tupilak 45, Tupilak 37 and Tupilak 30 to accommodate a variety of size and activity needs. Each pack is constructed with a Diabolo profile – an hourglass shape that optimizes load stability and packability. The wider base and top improves stability and the gently tapered center improves mobility and comfort. The lightweight removable back panel is exceptionally resilient and provides stability and flex control.

External features of the Tupilak packs include:

• PACT™ 300 and PACT™ 100 Fabrics: These are densely woven fabrics comprised of high tenacity Nylon with a double ripstop construction. They feature a DWR face coating for water-repellency with an air and water impermeable TPU coating on the inside, resulting in a lightweight, durable and weather resistant pack.
• Grappler Buckle: This unique aluminum buckle system was designed exclusively by Mountain Equipment engineers and is a one-handed pack closure system. The buckle features an easy to grab “lobster tail” and pincer/claw hook that provides fail-safe closure on the cowl’s integrated webbing spine. Purposefully designed with an angled spine, the Grappler lies flush with the top of the pack and is easy to release with gloved hands.
• Hammerhead Side Compression Straps: These straps are fully removable and low profile. At one end the “hammerhead” retainer sits flush against daisy chain webbing and at the other is a Grappler buckle provides secure yet quick release function.
• Axe Head Toggle: With flared “fins” they secure a wide variety of tools to the outside of the pack.

Internal features include:

• Integrated cowl-lid closure for easy packing and weather protection.
• Additional internal weather proof cowl with roll top closure.
• Internal “floating” accessories pocket that is accessible from the inside or outside of pack.
• Removable lightweight (105g) high density EVA foam back panel

SLEEPING BAGS:

Mountain Equipment is expanding its sleeping bag collection to include more lightweight down insulated bags for spring, summer and fall camping, and new synthetic insulation bags for unpredictable conditions.

Dream Series: The Valley Fit makes these bags spacious while also offering thermal performance. Each bag is coupled with a removable inner quilt that can also be used outside of the bag and is held in place within the bag with discreet tethers,. The hood accommodates a full size pillow and the spacious body of the bag allows the sleeper to lie on their side or in a relaxed posture. The bag is insulated with pure duck down with a 700 fill power.  The zipper is a full length L-shaped 2-way zipper. The result is a highly versatile yet lightweight outdoor sleeping system for cool and warm conditions.

• Dreamcatcher: Temp Rating: -7°C/19°F, 417g down, MSRP: $285
• Spellbinder: Temp Rating: -1°C/30°F, 296g down, MSRP: $260

Starlight Series: These bags use an offset layer construction throughout the bag where layers of POLARLOFT insulation are overlaid in an offset or shingled pattern to prevent cold spots. The outer shell is made with Helium 50D fabric that is durable and the anatomical hood has multi baffles with a close fit and reduced seaming, leading to better water resistance, increased warmth and reduced weight. The multi-baffled footbox has an angled anatomical fit for optimal warmth and comfort. Coupled with an Alpine Fit, the Starlight bags are warm, yet simple lightweight bags.

• Starlight III: Temp Rating: -8°C/18°F, MSRP: $140
• Starlight II: Temp Rating: -2°C/28°F, MSRP: $125
• Starlight I: Temp Rating: 5°C/41°F, MSRP: $120
• Starlight Micro: Temp Rating: 8°C/46°F, $100

SLEEPING PADS:

Designed by Mountain Equipment engineers the new Aerostat 7.0 pads are amongst the warmest sleeping mats available. One is filled with duck down and the other is filled with POLARLOFT® insulation.

• Aerostat Down 7.0: This pad features a unique helix internal baffle construction consisting of a continuous piece of stripping twisted and bonded into each baffle to provide maximum air and down resistance. This construction reduces convection inside the pad and reduces down movement to eliminate cold spots.  Made with 30D ripstop nylon with TPU lamination and a 2-way self-sealing gas-mask valve. The supplied Windsock inflates the pad in just 4 breaths and doubles as a lightweight stuff sack. R value: 8.8; Temp Rating:-40°C/-40°F MSRP: $200
• Aerostat Synthetic 7.0: This mat features layers of 100g POLARLOFT insulation stretched from the top to the bottom and bonded in place. The POLARLOFT insulation provides reliable and durable warmth far in excess of that offered by foam, self-inflating or aluminized foil mats. Made with 30D ripstop nylon with TPU lamination and a 2-way self-sealing gas-mask valve. The supplied Windsock inflates the pad in just 4 breaths and doubles as a lightweight stuff sack. R value: 4.2; Temp Rating: -25°C/-13°F MSRP: $155

About Mountain Equipment:

Mountain Equipment has been creating some of the finest mountain clothing and equipment in the world since 1961. Starting in 2009 every Mountain Equipment down insulated product contains a unique code that can be entered into the DOWN CODEX website to trace the down that is used in that product; consumers can not only identify the source of the down, but also view the audit and test results relating to that batch. The North American office opened in 2011 and is now part of Outdoor & Sports Company, Inc. specializing in designing and marketing technical outdoor clothing and equipment, including GORE-TEX^®, down and synthetically insulated outerwear and a full range of sleeping bags, pads and climbing packs.

# # #

Media contact:
Katy Gaenicke, KGPR Ink
k.gaenicke@comcast.net
(781) 585-1717