For more than fifty years, Therm-a-Rest has pursued one objective: to create innovative solutions for more meaningful rest while exploring the backcountry. Much like Outdoor Gear Exchange, Therm-a-Rest was founded by passionate outdoor enthusiasts aiming to make the inaccessible more approachable.
As always, an Outdoor Gear Exchange Brand Spotlight means a closer look at our Spotlight’s history, and identity. To celebrate their dedicated focus and storied partnership with Outdoor Gear Exchange, September’s Brand Spotlight is on Therm-a-Rest!
“I wanted a better sleeping pad” – John Burroughs, co-founder of Therm-a-Rest
Adversity Presents Opportunity
Therm-a-Rest has been headquartered in Seattle, Washington since its founding in 1972. Before then, the company’s founding members were engineers at Boeing. After being wrapped up in Boeing’s mass layoffs in the early 1970s (now dubbed the “Boeing Bust”), John, Neil and Jim turned their focus to creating a more lightweight, comfortable and durable sleeping pad for their frequent mountaineering adventures.
While working in his garden, Jim found inspiration for this trio’s new project as he kneeled down on his foam ground cushion. As air hissed out of the cushion, Jim Lea thought of a sleeping pad with an airtight barrier around plush foam, paired with a simple valve. After a few experiments, the team had created a prototype, and named it “Therm-a-Rest”.
The world’s first self-inflating mattress was a major breakthrough in comfort for outdoor enthusiasts. And, to this day, Therm-a-Rest still manufactures their products in Seattle, where it all started.
Scaling to New Heights
In the first decade of business, the Therm-a-Rest sleeping pad had earned a spot in the packs of millions of outdoor enthusiasts. By 1985 Therm-a-Rest opened an additional production and distribution center in Midleton, Ireland to accommodate the growing customer base throughout Europe.
With production, distribution, and customer service centers on either side of the planet, Therm-a-Rest began expanding their product line, and bringing new technology to outdoor comfort.
Getting (Even More) Comfortable
Outdoor Gear Exchange & Therm-a-Rest
Outdoor Gear Exchange is proud to carry an iconic brand such as Therm-a-Rest. Founded by passionate outdoor enthusiasts, continuing a legacy of environmental stewardship, and producing much of its product in the United States, Therm-a-Rest is our go-to for outdoor comfort.
