Big Agnes Celebrates 25 Years of Comfort, Innovation, and Sustainability
Big Agnes, a leader in innovative outdoor equipment, is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2026, marking a quarter-century of designing products to help people sleep better outside and travel further into the backcountry. To celebrate the milestone, Big Agnes is launching an anniversary capsule with limited-edition colourways on some of its most highly acclaimed products including the Rapide SL Insulated Sleeping Pad.
“Twenty-five years ago, this started as a simple sleeping bag and pad idea to help people sleep more comfortably in the backcountry,” said Bill Gamber, co-founder and president of Big Agnes. “Since then, our goal has stayed the same: listen to the people using the gear and keep building products that make their time outside better. Twenty-five years and we’re just getting started.”
Small-Town Roots, Big Impact
Founded in Steamboat Springs in 2001, Big Agnes has grown from a small mountain-town startup into one of the most recognised brands in camping and backpacking equipment. Since Gamber’s initial back-of-the-napkin dream of the Big Agnes sleep system, the company has continually challenged the outdoor industry to design products that are more innovative, more effective and more sustainable.
Over the past two and a half decades, Big Agnes has expanded its product line to include tents, sleeping pads, camp furniture, backpacks, apparel and more – designing and testing in the brand’s backyard, the mountains and trails around Steamboat Springs, Colorado.
Innovation remains central to the company’s direction. Earlier this year, Big Agnes introduced the new VST tent series, a line of ultralight shelters built for fast-moving backpackers and thru-hikers. The VST launch seeks to solve real problems on the trail while reducing weight and improving durability - the same mission that has guided the brand since its conception.
Though the company remains rooted in a small mountain town, Big Agnes recognises that its impact is global, and its team believes that building better gear also means protecting the places where that gear is used. Big Agnes continues to invest in more sustainable materials and manufacturing processes while supporting conservation efforts and organisations, thru-hike partnerships, and public land initiatives.
EST. 2001 Anniversary Capsule
To mark the moment, Big Agnes is releasing a limited-edition anniversary capsule, the EST. 2001 collection, featuring select apparel, gear and accessories with a special anniversary print inspired by alpenglow in the local Zirkel Wilderness. Products in the collection include:
- Rapide SL Insulated Sleeping Pad
- Why Not Picnic Blanket
- Anthracite Sleeping Bags
- Big Six Camp Chair
- Woodchuck Camp Table
- mtnGLO® Tent & Camp Lights
- Select t-shirts, hoodies, hats, mugs and more
Looking Ahead
Today, Big Agnes is trusted by thru-hikers, backpackers, and families around the world. As the brand celebrates its 25th birthday, it continues to focus on designing thoughtful equipment that helps people get outside and stay there longer.
“We’ve always believed that small changes can make a big impact,” Gamber said. “Whether it’s a new functional design, a more durable material, or a more sustainable process, we’re always looking for ways to move the industry forward while protecting the places where we play. We can’t wait to continue sharing the love of comfort and the outdoors for the next 25 years.”
Images on the link below
Media contact:
Philipp Reiff
About Big Agnes: Named for a peak in the nearby Mt. Zirkel Wilderness, Big Agnes®, Inc. is located in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, and was founded there in 2001. The company produces award-winning sleeping bags, pads, tents, packs, insulated apparel, camp furniture and backpacks. For more information, visit www.bigagnes.com.