Big Agnes

Origin

The Big Agnes brand was founded over twenty years ago in Steamboat Springs, a mountainous region in the US state of Colorado. The founders, including Bill Gamber, felt that the outdoor market lacked camping equipment that was both comfortable and functional enough for the harsh conditions in the Rocky Mountains. Motivated by this, they set up a company dedicated to improving a good night's sleep in the great outdoors.

The immediate catalyst for the brand's creation was frustration with existing sleeping systems. Campers would regularly slide off their sleeping mats whilst asleep, ending up on the cold ground. As a solution, Big Agnes introduced the so-called Big Agnes System. This was a sleeping bag with an integrated sleeve at the bottom into which the sleeping mat could be inserted. Thanks to this design, the mat and the sleeping bag remained attached to each other throughout the night, preventing heat loss and slipping. This innovation formed the basis for the company's early brand recognition.

Following the success of its sleeping systems, Big Agnes gradually expanded its product range to include other categories within the camping sector. The company focused on developing lightweight tents, shifting its emphasis to materials that minimised weight for long-distance walkers without drastically reducing living space. Later, rucksacks and lightweight camping chairs were also added to the portfolio. Throughout this period of growth, the head office remained based in Steamboat Springs, which helped to preserve the original corporate culture, which is closely intertwined with the local outdoor community.

The brand name is derived directly from the local geography of Colorado. Big Agnes is the name of a well-known, striking mountain peak in the Mount Zirkel Wilderness, north of Steamboat Springs. By naming the company after a local peak, the founders wanted to emphasise their connection to the region and the rugged testing environment. The immediate proximity of the mountains enabled the team to test prototypes directly in the field and adapt them to the demands of the mountain climate.

Collection

At Twinseasons, you'll find a large part of the Big Agnes range. We offer an extensive selection, particularly in the tents, sleeping bags and sleeping mats categories. Do you already own a Big Agnes tent and are you looking for a replacement part? If so, please get in touch with us. We can often help you with that.

Big Agnes's best-known products

The Copper Spur tents

Big Agnes' Copper Spur range was launched in 2008 and has since become one of the most popular choices amongst ultralight tents. The immediate impetus for its development was to eliminate the traditional trade-off between weight and living space. Big Agnes wanted to design a tent that was light enough to fit in a rucksack, yet featured a fully freestanding construction and sufficient interior comfort. By using special connecting hubs in the frame, headroom was maximised without adding extra weight.

The range is primarily designed for outdoor enthusiasts who cover long distances and are particular about the weight of their kit. As the tent is completely freestanding, it can be pitched quickly on tricky surfaces such as rocks or sand, where pegs struggle to find a firm hold. Big Agnes has recently expanded its target audience to include bikepackers with the introduction of specific Bikepack variants. These models are fitted with shorter pole sections and a customised storage bag, allowing the tent to be easily attached to a bike handlebar or frame. The range thus caters to both hikers and cyclists seeking a balance between a low pack volume and reliable protection.

The Rapide SL mats

Big Agnes' Rapide SL range has been developed to meet the demand for thick, comfortable sleeping mats that are still compact and light enough for hiking trips. The range builds on the brand's original philosophy of optimising a good night's sleep in the great outdoors. When it was first launched, the focus was on minimising weight (“Superlight”, hence the abbreviation SL) without compromising on the thickness and stability of the sleeping surface. More recent product updates have given the mats even higher insulation values and a smaller pack size.

The key feature of the Rapide SL is its unique internal construction, known as the offset I-beam structure. Instead of traditional, straight layers, this design uses staggered layers, ensuring an even weight distribution and a more stable sleeping surface. With a core thickness of nine centimetres, the mat is relatively thick. The outer edges are slightly higher at eleven centimetres, creating a gentle dip that prevents the camper from rolling off during the night.

The range is specifically aimed at long-distance walkers and bike packers who prioritise sleeping comfort during multi-day adventures. Thanks to its thickness, the mat is very popular amongst side sleepers, as the hips and shoulders can sink far enough into the mat without touching the hard ground. With an independently tested R-value of 4.8, the mat is designed for three-season use. This makes it suitable for trips from early spring to late autumn, when temperatures may be around or just below freezing.

Sustainability

Big Agnes' sustainability policy focuses on gradually reducing the environmental impact of materials and production processes. Since 2007, the brand has been systematically integrating environmentally conscious practices into its business operations. The focus here is on resource efficiency, eliminating harmful chemicals and extending the lifespan of products through recycling programmes.

Raw materials and dyeing techniques

A key priority in product development is the transition to more sustainable materials. Big Agnes uses solution-dyed fabrics for many of its tents and rucksacks. With this method, the pigment is added to the liquid raw material during production, before it is spun into yarn. This reduces water consumption during the dyeing process by around 50 per cent and energy and chemical consumption by around 80 per cent. In addition, the brand uses recycled synthetic materials, such as nylon made from old fishing nets for rucksacks, and utilises bio-based foam derived from sugar cane for specific sleeping mats. For down sleeping bags, the company adheres to the Responsible Down Standard (RDS) to guarantee animal welfare throughout the supply chain.

Chemical restrictions and packaging

With regard to chemicals, the company adheres to a strict PFAS policy. From the 2025 production lines onwards, new and updated products will be manufactured without any intentionally added PFAS chemicals for water repellency. In addition, the policy focuses on reducing packaging waste. The brand has largely phased out individual plastic protective sleeves around tent poles and furniture frames and has switched from corrugated cardboard boxes to minimalist paper wrappings made from FSC-certified cardboard for sleeping mats.

Circularity and product lifespan

To reduce the volume of waste, Big Agnes promotes the circular economy through its own 2nd Routt programme. Returned products that can no longer be repaired for resale are upcycled through this initiative into new items such as chair covers, or donated to charitable organisations and shelters. The aim is to prevent used materials from ending up in landfill prematurely and to maximise the functional lifespan of the raw materials used.

For more information about the brand's sustainability policy, please visit the website of Big Agnes.

Big Agnes STORE

In the Netherlands, Twinseasons is an official Big Agnes dealer with a physical shop and an extensive range available in its online shop. Shop at our Big Agnes store and discover just how durable and high-quality Big Agnes products are.