July 14, 2015 (Steamboat Springs, Colo.) – Big Agnes, a leading manufacturer of sleeping bags, pads, tents, insulated apparel and distributor of Helinox camp furniture in North America, announces its 2016 down products will meet Responsible Down Standard (RDS), the highest sustainable down certification available. Additionally, the majority of its synthetic fill sleeping bags will incorporate a new 100% recycled insulation.

Big Agnes will continue to source the down for its sleeping bags and insulated apparel from Down Decor, the supplier of DownTek water-repellent down, which has received the RDS certification on all of its products.  The RDS certification ensures independent supply chain inspections, animal welfare protection, and that materials are traced from the source. Down Decor met the RDS certification requirements without changing any of its down suppliers. 

“We have always worked with very sustainable and ethical down suppliers and are excited that RDS has allowed us to be able to provide the public and our brand partners with a tangible standard that can be adhered to across the board,” says Daniel Guigui, President of Down Decor in a recent press release.

In the majority of its synthetic fill sleeping bags, Big Agnes will use Insotect Hotstream, a new performance, all-purpose thermal poly insulation built for outdoor products. It has a low carbon foot-print and is made with 100% recycled fiber, while remaining extremely durable.  Insotect Hotstream replaces a recycled content fill previously used by the company.

Bill Gamber, president and co-founder of Big Agnes says, “We’re constantly looking for the best materials available to include in the construction of our products. In every key decision made at Big Agnes, we discuss environmental effects and strive to minimize our impact. We choose our brand partners based on those principles and Down Decor’s RDS certified down and Insotect’s Hotstream are two great examples of that.”

 

About Big Agnes: Named for a peak in the nearby Mt. Zirkel Wilderness, Big Agnes®, Inc. is located in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, and produces award-winning sleeping bags, pads, tents and insulated apparel. Big Agnes is the exclusive distributor of Helinox trekking poles and camp furniture in North and South America. For more information, visit www.bigagnes.com or call 1-877-554-8975.